Sheriff Daddy (Montana Daddies Book 10) by Laylah Roberts (good book club books txt) 📗

to Ed. And if this Jed could help her then she’d do whatever he said.

He navigated the tree with an ease that surprised her. When they reached the ground, she attempted to get down, but he simply wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Stay still.”

“Why? Where is Trenton? Is he still out here?” she whispered.

“Don’t worry about him.”

Okay, she took that to mean that he’d been taken care of.

“Eyes closed.” A large hand pressed her face to his chest.

What? Why? Oh. Was he trying to shield her from whatever he’d done to Trenton?

“You don’t need to shield me, I was an FBI agent. I’m sure I’ve seen worse.”

Right. Like when? Other than being shot, you barely saw more than a paper cut. Although, darn did those hurt.

“Don’t care. Eyes closed.”

“You’re very bossy.”

He just grunted.

But she kept her face against his chest as he carried her through the woods.

“I can walk.”

Another grunt.

“Really. You don’t need to carry me. Aren’t I getting heavy?”

Snort then grunt.

“I wish I spoke caveman,” she muttered then slammed her hand to her mouth as he let out a low bark of laughter. “I’m so sorry, that was very rude. I appreciate you helping me. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, just let me know.”

Another grunt.

Then she started hearing voices and as they stepped out of the forest, there was a shout. Finally, Jed set her down, only for her to be picked up and held against a wide chest.

A familiar scent hit her. As safety surrounded her.

Ed.

Home. Love. Safety.

And that was when she lost it.

Ed held her against him, felt her shudder with sobs. She soon wet his shirt through with her tears, but he didn’t give a shit. All he cared about was that she was safe. Relief made him feel dizzy. He had to force his legs not to collapse. He looked to Jed.

“Thank you, man. I owe you big.”

Jed nodded. “She’s good. Was hidden up a tree. Asshole was trying to drag her down.”

“Where is he?”

“Got to go back to get him.” He nodded over at some of the other JSI guys who had come out to search for Georgina. They’d let Jed go off on his own, he was the best tracker they had and he liked to work alone. Ed didn’t know how he’d managed it in the dark, but he wouldn’t waste time with questions. His girl needed him.

“Take care of her. We got this.”

“Jace, go with them.” He wanted this guy properly arrested.

Jace nodded and followed Jed and two other guys. Ed slipped his arm under Georgina’s legs and carried her to his truck. He tried to put her in the truck. But she wouldn’t let go of him.

“Baby, you’ve got to let me buckle you in. I need to get you to the hospital.” He looked her over using the internal truck light. She was wearing some light-weight running clothes which were ripped and dirty. She looked exhausted and bruised. God knows what that fucker had done to her. His blood boiled at the thought and he wished he could be the one to arrest him.

But his girl needed him more than he needed revenge.

Shivers racked her body. “No hospital.”

“Yes, the hospital.”

“Ed, no, please. I want to go home.”

He managed to sit her down on the seat and then grabbed a blanket from the back, wrapping it around her. Then he belted her in before grasping hold of her chin. “Yes, to the hospital. Xavier knows we’re coming in. If he says you can come home then you can. But you’re getting checked over. That’s non-negotiable.”

He ran his thumbs over her cheeks. “Fuck, you scared me, baby. You realize that you’re grounded until you’re fifty and even then, I don’t intend to let you out of my sight.”

“I’m s-sorry. I didn’t mean . . . “

“Hush. Hush. We can talk about that later. Right now, all that matters is making sure you’re all right. I’m here now, Georgie-girl. Just let go and let me take care of you.”

She let out another shuddering breath but nodded.

“Good girl. That’s my girl.”

44

Ed sat and watched her sleep.

Against her protests, she’d been admitted for the night. Xavier had wanted to monitor her overnight since it wasn’t long since she’d been released from the hospital. She was hooked up to an IV because she’d been dehydrated and was back on a heart monitor.

It was the early hours of the morning and he hadn’t slept all night. Just sat beside her, holding onto her hand and watching her breathe.

He’d nearly lost her.

Again.

This had to stop. Or she’d give him a heart attack. He didn’t know what the hell he could do to keep her any safer. Other than grounding her for forever.

The idea definitely had merit.

The door to her room opened and he looked over tiredly, expecting it to be a nurse. His eyebrows rose as Marcus and Evan James walked through the door.

Their gazes immediately went to their sister then to him. He raised a finger to his lips then he placed her hand down and stood. Leaning over her, he kissed her forehead gently before leaving the room. They were standing out in the corridor.

“How is she?” Marcus asked.

“She’s all right. Just bruised. Exhausted. Bit dehydrated. She should be fine to be released in a few hours. But she’s going to need some rest for a while.”

Evan’s jaw clenched. “Bastard’s in jail?”

“He’s being monitored in the hospital for the night as well since he was unconscious when he was brought in.” Jed had clearly gotten more than a few knocks in. Fucker could rot in hell for all he cared. Which is why he knew that he shouldn’t go near him. Because if he did, he was likely to wrap his hands around that bastard’s neck and not let up until the light went out of his eyes.

Ed had always been a protector. He’d always upheld the law. But all that went out the window when his woman was threatened.

“He’s