Page 7 of Bradford (Boston Bay Vikings #18)

FLORENCE

My shift was cut short because of a migraine.

I make it home at dusk instead of at night.

Bradford has been discharged, and I miss him.

There's something about his sweet smile and the way his vivid blue eyes shine when he sees me.

My heart flutters just thinking about him.

However, he quickly leaves my mind when I find my apartment door unlocked and slightly ajar.

My heart drops, and blood thunders in my ears.

Is someone inside? I try to listen, but the only sound I hear is my own blood pounding in my ears, drowning out any other noise.

With trembling hands, I push open the door, hoping there is no one waiting for me.

The hallway looks the same as when I left—a narrow table is up against the wall with a vase of artificial wildflowers, a picture of my parents on their wedding day, and my sneakers are neatly shoved beneath it.

As I step inside, I hear a faint sound coming from the living room.

My heart races as I cautiously make my way toward it, praying it's just my imagination. Either way, I need to know who broke the locks on my door to get inside. If it’s my ex, Daniel, the he is going to discover that I’m no longer a push over.

I quietly slip my purse from my shoulder and let it fall to the floor beside the table.

A quick glance around tells me that the only thing I have close by that I can use as a weapon is a vase.

I wince as I grab it and remove the flowers.

I'm not sure how much protection a vase will give me, but I move toward the living room anyway.

My place isn't large. The living room and kitchen are open concept.

There is also one bedroom and a bathroom.

Footsteps catch my attention—or rather, the squeak of a sneaker does.

Before I can react, a large man wearing a face mask charges at me.

I toss the vase which breaks into pieces on the guy’s raised arm as he swipes it away.

I turn to run but the man catches me, wrapping his large hands around my throat from behind.

I can't breathe.

I reach up and try to pry his fingers off. Nothing works. He's too strong. I try to elbow him as I struggle for breath. Spots appear in front of my eyes as the fight slowly leaves me. As I feel myself losing consciousness, I hear male voices, and then everything goes black.

I open my eyes and stare directly into a pair of vivid blue ones. They are so close that I can see the tiny flecks of gold in the irises. I close my eyes again, thinking I’m dreaming.

"Florence, open your eyes for me," a smooth, warm voice says. "Florrie, babe." I snap my eyes open at the name ‘Florrie’ and groan. My throat hurts and my neck is stiff. "Why am I on the floor?" I croak, then cough. "What happened?"

"Let me help you up," says Bradford, sliding an arm beneath me.

"No, wait! You're hurt. I can manage." I’m not so sure, but there is no way I am going to let Bradford help me.

"Smith, get over here!" Bradford shouts.

"What?" Smith.

"Can you help her up, please?"

Smith clears his throat. "I think she should stay down until the paramedics have checked her out."

I roll to my stomach and shakily push myself up to my knees. Smith huffs out a breath, but then he wraps his arms around me and helps me stand. My legs feel weak and unsteady, especially when he releases me. I stumble forward slightly, but Bradford catches me and pulls me close. "I've got you."

Tears prick the corners of my eyes as I lean into his embrace, feeling safe and protected. I clench my fists at the back of his shirt, wanting to stay in his arms, but knowing I can't. "I need to sit down," I admit, coughing.

With a pounding head and shaky legs, Bradford leads me to the sofa, gently lowering me onto the cushions.

He follows me down. He takes my hand and intertwines our fingers.

A smile edges my lips as I lean my head back.

I close my eyes and try to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me.

The warmth of his hand in mine brings me some comfort, but I can't shake the lingering feeling of dread.

"Sip this."

I open my eyes to find Smith holding a bottle of water out to me.

I take it gratefully and sip slowly, letting the cool liquid soothe my parched throat.

"Thank you." I rest my aching head against Bradford's shoulder, closing my eyes as I continue, "I think it was two men.

I didn't recognize their voices. I surprised them because I should have still been on shift.

One came at me, and as I tried to run, he grabbed my neck. "

"I can see that, Florence," Smith says. "Did they say what they wanted?"

"No." I open my eyes and glance around my ransacked apartment. "I tossed the vase at the big guy. The one who strangled me." I sip the water. "I think my throat is swollen."

"The paramedics are here," Walker says.

I cling to Bradford's hand as he tries to free himself to make room for them. "Stay," I whisper, sounding needy. I’m scared right now. It's only now sinking in that Bradford is here with me. Just when I need him. I frown as the medics confer with each other. "How are you with me?" I ask Bradford.

Before he can answer, one of the medics says, "We're going to take you in. You need to have a doctor check you out.” He smiles. "Your boyfriend can travel with you."

"That's good," Bradford says, helping me to my feet. I notice the wince he tries to hide, but I don't let on.

"You're supposed to be resting." I say to one of the medics, "A week ago, he got hit by a car and dislocated his shoulder. He also got shot while he was in the hospital."

"Oh, man! I heard about that. You shouldn't be helping her." He frowns and moves Bradford out of the way. "I've got her. You follow."

The disgruntled look on Bradford's face makes me chuckle, which turns into a groan. "That hurt."

"Talk as little as possible. Give your throat time to heal,” the medic says.