She takes in a few unsteady breaths. “I-I ca-can’t,” she stammers, air fighting for purchase in her chest.
I hold up my palms. “Is it alright if I touch you?”
She swallows, a fresh set of sobs pouring from her. But she nods. I check the pulse on her neck—her heart is pounding. “Hannah, you’re in shock. I’m gonna need you to breathe for me. Like this.”
I model deep breaths as I continue to assess her. My eyes survey all the parts of her I can see.
“Did he hurt you?” It’s a dumb question. Of course he hurt her, but she knows what I mean—I need to know if he left a mark.
She raises her arms between us. One white-knuckled fist clenches a set of keys. I fold her hand over in mine and slowly peel her fingers back, every digit meeting resistance as though the fear has paralyzed them. At last, the keys clatter to the asphalt. Heavy indentations mar her palms. I see where his hands had been locked around her wrists, the skin there ringed in red.
I pull out my phone. “I’m gonna use my flashlight to get a better look, okay?”
Her head bobs. I pull in another deep inhale, encouraging her to do the same. “In and out. Keep breathing, Hannah.”
When I came in guns blazing, I didn’t see exactly what he’d done before I yanked him back. A woman screamed and I saw her trying to fight him off, but I didn’t process much beyond that before I took him down.
I sweep the light over her and bite back a curse. She’s in a dress. And he had her pressed against the—I interrupt that image and exchange it for what I can recall of the guy whose face I just rearranged. My mind searches for any recollection of the state of his pants.Were they undone?
White-hot rage fueled by fear sends my mind spiraling. I swallow thickly, trying hard to hold myself together. “Did he do anything else?”
Her chest quakes on a long exhale, but she shakes her head.
Relief tempers some of the protective instincts flaring inside me. I suck in a breath through my nose.
I spot her purse behind the wheel, and when I move to grab it she clasps her hand in mine. Desperate and pleading. “Please, don’t go.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I promise. I’m just gonna grab your bag.”
She nods and releases her grip. I keep one hand on her as I collect her purse, keys, and missing shoe. I settle back on my haunches before her. Her breathing has steadied now.
“Can you stand?”
She winces. “I think I twisted my ankle.”
Using the flashlight again, I find some minor swellingaround her foot, but there’s no bruising so it’ll likely heal on its own. With a little help from me, she gets to her feet. I bend down to slide on her shoe and find my hat that got tossed during the altercation.
Hannah leans against the car, shoulders slumped.
I’m no stranger to life or death situations. My entire career has consisted of running toward danger instead of away from it. Every mission has a clear objective. I attack with calm and steady precision to accomplish the task set before me. Yet in this moment, nothing feels clear. I’m torn between needing to chase after the bastard who did this to her, but I’m also terrified to leave her side.
Do I drive her to the police station? Should I take her home? To the hospital?
I may not know exactly what to do but I can follow her lead. “What do you wanna do, Hannah?”
Seconds tick by with no reply. I don’t want to push, but the longer she stays quiet the more worried I become.
Hands poised at my sides, I stand before her like the soldier I am and wait for her to tell me what to do next. My heart races but it’s not clear to me why. The threat is gone. She’s safe.
I repeat it to myself like a mantra.She’s safe. She’s safe.
Without a word, Hannah pushes off the car and loops her arms around my neck. She melts into my chest, and I fold myself around her.
Her emotions bubble back to the surface in soft hiccups against my collarbone. She trembles in my hold and I squeeze her to me, breathing quiet encouragements into her ear.“You’re safe,”and“It’s over,”and“I’m here.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. Hannah holds on. A few more quiet sobs before her lungs find a steady rhythm and she adds, “It’s really good to see you.”
She smiles into my neck, and the feel of it is more satisfying than any military honor I’ve ever earned.