Saving Easton (Oakside Military Heroes Book 2)(23)

"Listen, ummm…" Crap, I don't even know his name.

"Alec. My name is Alec."

"Listen, Alec. I'm not sure why Molly acted like that. She hasn't done that before, but I don't even have Molly with me. I've been bringing in a new dog."

When did he get so close? I register him a second before he lunges at me and pins me to the wall with his hand around my neck.

I try to stay calm, because I know panicking won't save me now. I can't yell, so screaming for help is out of the question. There’s a patient in the room behind the wall, but who knows if anyone is there, or how thick the walls are. That seems like my best option, so I start kicking the wall and pounding my fists on it.

"Stop it. So, here’s what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna go down and tell the dumb, little blonde that Molly is the problem. That she's out of control, and you won't be bringing her back here anymore. You tell her that I shouldn't be punished, because of the dog. Got it?"

I nod my head the little I can.

"Good." He leans in, so his lips are against my ear, and I feel like I could climb out of my own skin. This must be what it's like for Easton. Just having this guy’s breath on me makes me want to claw my skin off. It's so bad I forget how hard it is to breathe, and I’m only able to focus on his breath on my skin.

"If you don’t, I’ll find you wherever you are, and then punish you down and dirty, little girl. You got that?"

I don't have time to answer, because the door opens, and this time it's Easton with Allie by his side. Allie jumps into action, and the man who never spoke a word, when he first got here and still only speaks to those he trusts, doesn’t speak he yells.

"Get your hands off of her!" Easton roars. He yells so loud that the glass in the window next to me rattles. It startles Alec so much that he drops me, and I collapse to the floor, gasping for air. My hands fly to my neck, which is already sore to the touch.

It's hard to breathe, but when I look up, the sight in front of me blows my mind. Easton has Alec pinned to the floor with a hand around his neck, and his knee on the center of his chest. Allie is standing between me and them. Easton delivers one hard, powerful blow that knocks Alec out.

This is what Lexi, Noah, and Kaitlyn see when they reach the door, and their jaws drop.

"He... attacked... me." I gasp, pointing to Alec.

Noah is on his phone, but then hands the phone to Lexi, while he comes and takes over for Easton in case Alec wakes up.

The moment Noah is there, Easton is on his feet and at my side. No hesitation, he just wraps his arms around me and pulls me against him.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

"Yeah, thanks to you.”

I feel so safe in his arms, and despite everything that just happened, I melt into him. I don't know when I’ll get the chance to be in his arms like this again, so I take in every detail. His woodsy scent, and the feel of his muscular arms around me sends tingles throughout my body. A moment later, he's lifting me up and carrying me to the couch, where he sits with me in his lap.

Allie jumps up on the couch right at his side, and I cuddle into him, trying to get my heart rate back to normal. Though being so close to Easton, I doubt that will happen.

"Is this okay?" I whisper.

"I think I need to hold you more than you need to be held."

"Good, because you make me feel safe."

"Cops are on their way. Paisley, is there someone you want me to call?” Lexi asks me anxiously. “Your dad, brother, mom?"

"No, I’ll call them later, but not right now.”

Lexi nods, knowing I mean more than I'm saying. Calling anyone will draw attention to Easton being here, and I'm really not ready to share him yet.

As the adrenaline of the event wears off, I start to doze just as the cops get there. All eyes turn to me, as I tell the story of what happened. Easton lightly rubs my back the whole time. As I talk about what Alec said to me, Easton's hand on my hip tightens.

When I mention how hard he was holding me to the wall, Easton gently tilts my head up to look at my neck. I guess there are some marks there, because one of the cops takes some photos. As if to soothe me, Easton gently runs his fingers over my neck, before pulling me back into him.

They cart Alec away in handcuffs, and after Kaitlyn checks Easton’s hand to make sure he's okay, they clear the room, and it's just Easton, Allie, and me.

"I don't think I got to say thank you yet," I tell him with my head resting on his shoulder.

"You don't have to thank me. I’ll always protect you." He says, and we both let that hang in the air.

"Are you sure you're okay with me sitting in your lap?"

"Very okay with it. I'd be more upset, if you moved."

Allie finally settles and lies down next to Easton with her head on my lap. I pet her, and we sit in silence.

"Such a good girl, Allie," I say.

"She did help me in more ways than one today," he says.

I remember the dog treats Lexi gave me and reach for my bag.

Easton's grip on me tightens, as I lean back to look into his eyes.

"I'm just reaching for my bag. It has some treats for her in it," I say, and he loosens his grip just enough for me to reach for my bag that’s on the coffee table in front of us.