The Heart of Cars

Chapter 36

I cough at the dust and see her try to get out the front door from our place on the floor from the blast shock. I grabbed her leg and pull her away from the door. She kicks her leg at me and I roll out of the way. I start to stand up and ignore the ringing in my ears as she gets up. She starts running out the door and I follow her and tackle her to the ground. I try not to make her hit her stomach and she throws a punch at me, not caring. I notice we are at the top of the stairs and try to get her away from them. I automatically grab onto her as she pushes me down the stairs. I groan as I hit every stair on the way down. I lay on the bottom of the stairs and watch as Jack runs inside and the other two run down the stairs. I grab onto her leg again once she tries to get away. Colton grabs her and pulls her to her feet. I let my body rest on the floor for a few seconds before I get up with the help of Jack and Chase. "Next time, one of you are going to grab her when she runs." They laugh as Colton drags her to his truck. "Thanks for getting the undetermined signal Jack."

"Yeah, I figured you don't let someone punch you in the face for no reason."

"Nope but we should get going. Colton doesn't like us out of character until they are in my dad's custody." They agree and I try to ignore the ringing in my ears. "Hey, Chase, would you mind driving my car? I think I was too close to the blast." He walks over to me and moves my hair to see my ears. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to see if you're bleeding or not." I stand still as he checks and Jack takes off. "Can we go now?"

"Yeah, give me your keys Jolene." I nod and hand them over to him as I walk over to my baby. He unlocks the car and I get in the passenger seat. I lean my head back and put on my seatbelt. I feel a hand on my neck and open my eyes as I turn my head to look at Chase. "Yeah?"

"Do me a favor and keep your eyes open for me." I nod and give him a small smile. "Yeah, sure." I sit up straighter and he removes his hand. I flip down the mirror and look at my chin. "Dang it. I thought I would get out of this without bruises." I see my chin is starting to bruise and I close the mirror. I lean back and watch the road. "You sure are quiet."

"You sure talk a lot." I laugh and nod. "Yeah, but that's just because I'm happy that I finally got rid of that girl." We finally pull into the parking lot at headquarters to find it busy with people going inside. We get out and Chase hands me my keys. We walk side by side into the building and see Colton and Jack are giving Denise, the red head, over to my dad. I walk over there with Chase on my heels. "Good job guys. Meet me in my office for a debrief." We all nod to my dad's instructions and move towards his office. Brett calls my name and I stop, making Chase go around me. I go over to him and bow my head since we are in front of a lot of people. "Yeah?" He chuckles and knows that that is the best he will get from me. "I heard you wanted to speak to me."

"Yes. I think you know what I want."

"Yeah, I know. Your father told me. I would like to speak with you, your father, and Colton for answers about this case to make my choice." I nod and he dismisses me. I walk to my father's office and sit down in one of the two remaining chairs. As soon as I sit down Chase, Jack, and Colton come over to me quickly. Colton kneels in front of me and grabs my chin. I push his hand away when he hits the bruise. He apologizes and looks at my jaw. I sigh and sit as still as I can. "Satisfied now?"

"No, just sit still."

"I have been sitting still." I snap and push his hands away. My dad opens the door and sees us. "How's it going?"

"She is being stubborn and won't let me check to see how badly she is hurt." I scoff and my dad laughs. "I have a bruise on my jaw and that's all."

"That's not completely true. She is bleeding from the blast, check her ears." Chase speaks up and Colton immediately checks my ears. "Stop that. I'm fine Colton."

"No you're bleeding Jo."

"What?" My dad says and makes his way over to me. "Will you please stop this? I am fine."

"No you aren't. Come on, you're going to the hospital."

"No, I'm not. If I'm not better by tonight then you can bring me into the hospital." I try to bargain and he thankfully takes the deal. He moves to his seat and so do the others after Colton moves my seat up next to theirs. I sit there and cross my arms. "Oh, Colton can you and dad come over to my house later tonight?"

"Sure. I was going to anyways. Someone has to bring you to the hospital later."

"Dad? What about you?" I say not even acknowledging Colton's latter comment. "Sure kid. Now I want to know how you managed to capture her." I stay quiet and Colton relays the events that occurred on his end.

*edited*