A Daddy for Jacoby(52)

Justin turned to Gina and gestured to her to make a phone call. She reached inside the jacket for her purse, but he couldn’t wait. He raced across the grass, shoving the tuxedo-clad kid to the ground as the thug with the knife lunged.

Surprise crossed the knifer’s face at his sudden appearance and Justin sucked in his stomach, but the sharp edge sliced twice at his shirt. Adrenaline pulsing through his veins, he swung out his right leg, striking with his foot and sending the knife flying into the night sky. Before the guy could recover, Justin threw a quick fist to the jaw and the guy was flat on his back.

“Justin! Look out!”

He turned, with barely enough time to plant his feet before being charged by the thug who’d let go of the girl to come after him. He used the man’s forward motion against him, but they both went sprawling into the dirt. This one was bigger and managed to place a few punches, but Justin fought back and when the opening came, he knocked the wind out of the jerk with a well placed right hook.

Knowing there were two other goons to deal with, Justin struggled to his feet, only to find they’d released the other teen and took off. Red-and-blue lights flashed, and seconds later a deputy sheriff’s cruiser rounded the far corner of the building, blocking their escape. Chaperones and teenagers spilled out of the nearby double doors.

That fast, it was over.

Justin winced as he stood, a little unsteady on his feet when Gina raced to his side. “Ohmigod, are you okay?”

She reached for him, but he only grabbed her hand and held on tight. “I’m…fine,” he punched out between gutted breaths. “What about…the kids?”

It took a few moments and most of the adults to get the curious onlookers back inside the gym. Then it was only the coach, another male teacher and Mrs. Powers left, along with the sheriff’s deputy, who’d been patrolling the parking lot when the call came in. Volunteer EMTs arrived next and right behind them, the sheriff.

“Gina!” Gage stepped out of his Jeep. “Are you all right? What’s going on here?”

Justin lessened his grip, but Gina held on tight and stayed by his side as her brother approached. Gina quickly filled him in on what had happened, ending with her assurance that as far as she knew both Giselle and Garrett were safe inside the gym.

Gage gave Justin a long stare before he walked away to talk with his deputy, who had the four assailants sitting on the ground by a chain-link fence. The EMTs checked out the teenagers and the four attackers who were then handcuffed and squeezed in to the back of the cruiser.

“You kids came out for some fresh air and then this group showed up?” Gage addressed the teens.

The one who’d had the cloth jammed into his mouth nodded, tightening his arm around the weeping girl next to him. “Yes, sir. They just appeared out of the dark. They must’ve come from the football field.”

He went on to explain how they asked for money and when the teens refused and tried to head back inside, things got ugly. His friends backed up his story, repeating what they’d already told the deputy, who with the okay from Gage, headed to the jail with the assailants.

“Michael?”

A woman’s high voice had everyone turning toward the doors. Justin recognized her as one of the chaperones who’d given him and Gina a look of disdain earlier tonight.

“Oh, Michael!” She rushed forward and pulled the boy in the dirt-stained white tux into her arms. “Your sister just told me what happened.” She released the boy long enough to wrap one arm around the girl next to him. “Oh, sweetie, are you okay?”

“We’re fine, Mrs. Simpson,” the girl said.

“Yes, they are,” Gage agreed, jerking a thumb in Justin’s direction, “thanks to that guy.”

Ten pairs of eyes locked on him at once, but the ones he was most interested in were a vivid shade of blue. He looked down at Gina and saw concern and admiration in those cerulean depths, along with the sparkle of unshed tears.

“Hey, it’s okay,” he whispered when she blinked, releasing one of those tears. He quickly brushed it away with the pad of his thumb over her cheekbone. “It’s all over.”

“But you could’ve been hurt…” Her voice trailed off as she wrapped her arms around his waist, leaving him no choice but to put his arm across her shoulders.

Ignoring the slice of pain across his midsection, Justin tightened his hold and turned to look at her brother. His face also held concern and admiration. Justin knew the sheriff’s concern was for Gina and the way she held on to him, but the respect aimed his way? That was a surprise.