Her heart raced, and her mouth went dry. Suddenly she had trouble swallowing. The old panic was taking over despite what Ben had taught her. She couldn’t remember a single move. Her mind went blank.
Until he dragged her toward the door of the shop. “Get in there and get it for me.”
Instinct finally kicked in. Aggie pivoted around, lifted the arm he’d gripped, twisted and brought it down on his, knocking his hand away. He lunged at her, the knife flashing in the light. She stepped back as he struck out, lifted her arm, and brought her elbow crashing down onto his forearm. He yelled and the knife clattered to the ground.
Next Aggie came in with a raised leg as he went down to retrieve his weapon, crunching bone as her knee met his face. He slumped to the ground and she followed up with a kick to his ribs but he remained in a motionless heap.
Aggie leaned her hands on her knees, hunched over, and stared at her assailant, desperate to get breath back into her burning lungs. He moaned and she startled, finally moving away from him.
Her legs trembled and she wanted to heave up her dinner but managed to get inside and lock the security screen before she fell against the wall. Aggie sucked in deep breaths to try and still the pounding of her heart while keeping an eye on her attacker.
She peered out the security screen. The knife was lying beside him but he was still. Should she or shouldn’t she? If he came to and still had a weapon, who would he go for next when he realized she was safe? She reached for the door handle and then mentally slapped herself. Don’t be silly. Call Ben and let him deal with it.
Aggie pulled her phone out of her back pocket and pushed the right buttons. “Hey, Ben. Sorry to wake you up. I need you at the shop.”
When Ben arrived minutes later, her assailant had started to move. Before he could find his feet, Ben had him cuffed and in the back of the police car. He came over to the door and Aggie opened it.
“Thanks. I don’t know where he came from but I was scared half to death.” She started to tremble and then began to shake uncontrollably.
Ben smiled and rubbed her arm consolingly. “You did well, Aggie. I’m proud of you.”
She gave him a shaky laugh. “Yeah, me too. I almost froze, you know? But then I figured I didn’t want to be a statistic, and it was up to me to do something about it.” She blew out a breath, keeping her gaze on her attacker.
“Freezing is normal. Lucky your training kicked in; that’s the main thing.”
She started to ramble, unable to stop herself. “Does it always do that though? I mean, I almost let him win. Just like the last time.” She dropped her head, not wanting to see the understanding in Ben’s eyes. He’d figured out that she was at the class for a reason and now she’d almost spat it out.
“If you have the skills to protect yourself and you practice often enough, it becomes second nature. You never have to be a victim again, Aggie. You’re in charge now and this proves it.” He looked over toward the car as his prisoner banged his head against the window. “I’d better get this guy in and process him. I want you to come into the station later to give me an official statement, okay?”
Aggie nodded.
“But I’m going to get someone to come down and walk you home when you’re ready. I think it might all hit you later, and I don’t think you should be alone.”
“Thanks.” She raised her head. “I’ll call my dad.”
“You don’t want me to ring Liam?”
“No. No, I have some things to work through before I speak to him again.”
“Don’t leave it too long then. From what he told me, he’s taking a leave of absence and going to work in Seattle for six months. I didn’t want to pry, but I thought you should know.”
He was actually leaving? Aggie had heard whispers and hoped it was a rumor. “Really? Why?”
Ben shrugged. “I heard you and he had an argument. At least, that’s the word around town. He’s waited a long time for you and seems it didn’t work out. Guess he can’t bear to be here without you.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. Poor lovesick fool. He’s always had a thing for you, ever since we were kids. But listen, it’s nothing you don’t already know. I have to get this guy in. Don’t forget to come in later today and give me a statement.” He waved and headed to his car.
Aggie finished off her baking, arguing with herself. She could stop Liam from leaving. All she had to do was go and talk to him and admit that she loved him and forgave him for what he’d said. But could she get him to take a step back and stop being so protective of her? She needed to feel as though she could look after herself without relying on Liam to have her back all the time.
By the time the sun shone through the front window, she was still undecided.
* * *
Thumping on the front door startled Liam from a troubled sleep. He glanced at the clock. He hadn’t overslept; his phone hadn’t rung with an emergency. He stumbled out of the bedroom and saw the familiar outline in the frosted glass front door. His heart raced. Aggie. What was she doing here?
“Is everything okay?” The words were out before the door was even open. He unlocked the front screen and reached for her, noting the paleness of her face and the troubled look in her eyes. “What happened?”
“Can I come in?”
Liam stood back. “Sure.”
Aggie walked into the lounge and turned to face him. “I need you to listen without interrupting.
