Free Turning Point (The Kathleen Turner Series) by Tiffany Snow

criticized for idly standing by in times of crisis, it seemed I was afflicted with the same paralysis.
    My heart leapt when Kade seemed to get the upper hand, pummeling Parker. I saw it too late—Parker grabbed something made of wood and cracked it against Kade’s skull. It happened so fast and Kade fell to the floor.
    I stared in dismay at Kade’s motionless body. A scream was building inside me, clawing its way up my chest. Hysteria and panic beat with the rhythm of my heart.
    Parker turned toward me, wiping blood from his mouth with his sleeve. “Your turn, bitch.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    A drenaline surged and I lurched to my feet, scrambling away from Parker’s reach. But he was too quick and there was nowhere to go. He pushed me hard into the wall, locking his hands around my throat and starting to squeeze.
    My flailing hand caught the edge of my purse, and I shoved it inside, searching while spots danced in front of my eyes. I couldn’t breathe… and it hurt… and I couldn’t find my gun…
    Suddenly, the pressure eased. Parker’s face showed surprise, then he collapsed at my feet. Only then did I see the knife lodged in his back. Kade was half-lying, half-sitting on the floor across the room. He had thrown Parker’s knife.
    I gasped for breath, greedily gulping in air. My throat felt raw and I lapsed into a coughing fit. I bent, with my hands on my knees, as I tried to recover. Kade was already on his feet, though blood dripped sluggishly from a cut at his temple.
    “Kade…” I didn’t know what else to say. I’d thought for sure that Parker had killed him. My relief was so profound that tears sprang to my eyes. My initial impulse was to throw myself in his arms and hug him.
    “Are you all right?” he asked, examining the curve of my neck. His fingers softly brushed the abused skin.
    “I’m fine,” I said, blinking rapidly to dispel the wetness in my eyes. “Let’s get out of here.”
    With a nod, Kade stooped down, taking Parker’s wallet and cell phone. Then he pulled me behind him before cracking the door and peering into the hallway.
    The coast must have been clear, because Kade pulled me out of the room. His arm slid around my waist, holding me tightly as we walked through the maze. I didn’t know how Kade knew where we were going and I didn’t ask. I was just grateful we were stepping out a rear exit a few moments later.
    We didn’t speak while Kade hailed a taxi and we drove back to the motel. It wasn’t until we were back in the room that the full impact hit me. My knees buckled and I sat heavily on the bed, my arms wrapped around myself. I was shaking uncontrollably.
    Kade sat down next to me and I went willingly when he pulled me into his arms, cradling my head to his chest. My arms seemed to move of their own volition, creeping around his waist to hold him tight.
    “I thought you were dead tonight,” I finally managed to squeeze out past the lump clogging my throat. “He nearly killed you.”
    Kade’s hand lightly stroked my hair. “I’m nearly killed a lot.”
    A shudder went through me.
    “You’re cold,” Kade said, disengaging himself from my grip. He stood, grabbing an extra blanket from the closet.
    I didn’t resist when he slipped his jacket off my shoulders and down my arms. The chilled air in the room hit my exposed skin, and goose bumps erupted.
    “I could really get used to that outfit,” Kade said with a sigh before wrapping the blanket around me.
    That brought a reluctant smile to my lips.
    “Come on. You need to get some rest.” Crouching down, he slipped off my shoes, and I obeyed his urging, curling up on the bed with my head on the remarkably flat and unyielding pillow. He adjusted the blanket around me, then stood.
    “Where are you going?” I asked apprehensively.
    “Nowhere,” he replied. “Just need to take a look at that guy’s phone and wallet.” He placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. “Go to sleep.”
    I watched him disappear into the