Lawful: Gia ~ Hunter ~ Julian ~ Jarrod

I turn away and swallow down the sob that wants to break free before I turn back to him. “Thank you for coming after me.”

He looks embarrassed. “It’s my job, but I’m glad I got to you when I did.”

As Chris is halfway through the door on his way out, I ask, “Are you sure he was working alone?”

Chris freezes and turns back to me.

“One minute.”

He disappears and is back seconds later with Derrick, one of the security guards for the hospital. “He’s worked here a few years. Do you trust him?”

I nod my head.

“Okay. He’s going to stay here.”

“Alright. Thanks Chris, and Derrick.”

“It’s no problem, Gia.”

While the doctor and nurse start getting everything organized to clean me up, all I can think about is seeing Hunter. Of course I want to see my father and know that he’s okay. But it’s Hunter’s arms I want around me. It’s Hunter who I want to hold me while I have my arm stitched up.

I’m a wimp and hate anything painful, my pain tolerance is weak and if I remember correctly the local anesthetic will hurt like a bitch but it can’t hurt more than what I’m feeling right now.

“Gia, I’m going to give you an injection, okay? Before I clean the wound and stitch you up.”

“Okay,” I whisper, although I’m not.

Where are Hunter and my father?

11

Hunter

The minute Chris had called to tell me that Gia had disappeared and no one had seen her, I’d freaked the fuck out on the inside, but on the outside, I’d stayed calm. The last thing I want is for her father to catch on as to how I really feel about his daughter. Even though I’m not sure how I actually feel—no—that’s a lie because the minute I’d spoken to Chris, I knew exactly how I felt. My heart had dropped to my feet.

I didn’t want my heart to get involved, but she’s worked her way under my skin. The night at the beach had been heaven and I’d longed to repeat it, but as much as I’d broken the rules in the past, there just seemed something wrong with making love to her under her father’s roof. I’d played on that fact to try and keep my distance from her as well. For once in my life, I didn’t know what the fuck to do about a woman I have real feelings for.

And I haven’t worked in law enforcement for so long without knowing that Jarrod is on to us. I don’t think Jarrod knows the extent of our relationship, if we still have a relationship, but he certainly knows something.

Jarrod had an odd expression on his face after I’d come in from my brief talk to Gia before she’d left this morning, and he’d been standing at the window.

Normally I’m one for speaking my mind and getting everything out in the open, but the wildcat has my world turned upside down and I don’t know what the fuck to do about it.

Finally, the hospital has come into sight, and as I pull in to a parking space and cut the engine, we both jump out. Without a word between us, we go dashing through the main entrance not having a clue which way to head until I spot Chris talking to a couple of cops.

“Over there,” I point out to Jarrod.

“Where is she?” Jarrod asks.

“She’s in there. The docs have just finished stitching her back together.”

“Hunter,” she cries as I enter the room, seconds before she throws herself into my arms.

My arms go around her waist and hold her tight as I bury my face in her neck and inhale. She’s safe.

Gia wraps her legs around my waist and holds on to me for dear life. My hands go to her bottom for support.

Nothing has ever felt as good as it does having my girl safe and in my arms. My girl is safe. I love her. And her father will have to deal with it because I’ve had enough pretending otherwise.