by K. C. Lynn
Cooper awaits me at the front desk, his somber expression worrying me further.
“Thanks for coming in” he says, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder.
“You’re scaring me, Coop, what’s goin’ on?”
“Come with me, there’s someone here to see you.”
I follow him into his office, feeling completely baffled. My feet come to a screeching halt when I see who’s waiting for me. “Detective Ramirez?” I say, choking out his name in disbelief.
The detective who was in charge of my mother’s case stands.
“Hello, Grace.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Why don’t you have a seat,” Cooper says, gently coaxing me into a chair.
The regret on both of their faces has my heart hammering in my ears.
“I have some upsetting news,” Detective Ramirez starts. “Miguel Sanchez was released from prison a week ago.”
Every muscle inside of my body freezes, icy terror flooding my blood. “How can that be? He was given a life sentence.”
“Yes, he was but he appealed and was granted a retrial.”
I blink, swearing I misheard him.
He begins to explain things, things I can’t understand because I feel like I can’t breathe. The walls close in on me, threatening to swallow me whole.
“He wasn’t allowed to leave town, Grace, but he did and we can’t find him.”
“Oh god!” I fall out of the chair onto my knees, fear gripping my chest into an iron fist. Grabbing the garbage can next to the desk, I empty everything from my stomach into the small metal bin.
Cooper kneels beside me, putting his hand on my back, but I can’t feel its warmth. I feel nothing but the panic thrashing through my veins.
He’s coming for me.
The terrifying thought sends me fleeing. I run out of Cooper’s office, ignoring him and the detective as they try calling me back. The front doors barrel open as I charge through them, my body colliding with something solid.
Strong arms grab my shoulders, trying to steady me. I look up and find Sawyer yelling at me. I see his mouth moving but hear nothing. All I can hear is my thundering heart.
Fear and desperation have me ripping from his grasp and running faster than I thought myself capable. Right now, I only have one instinct and that’s survival.
Two and a half years before
“All rise,” the bailiff bellows.
I stand amongst the silent courtroom, my fingers gripping the bench before me as I await the verdict. My uncle stands next to me, looking bored, like he’d rather be anywhere else than here.
I now know why Mama never stayed in contact with her only family. He’s mean and vindictive, and I don’t think I’ve seen him at his worst. There’s only one person on this earth I hate more than him… My eyes shift to Miguel Sanchez. A member of the Blood Ties, a gang that he killed my mother for.
Tears build behind my eyes as I think about every awful thing he and his brother did to her. The only thing that brings me a small measure of peace is knowing his brother is dead. He was delivered the fate he deserved while awaiting trial.
There’s so much hatred in Miguel’s eyes as he stares back at me that fear begins crawling up my throat.
“Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached a verdict?” the judge asks.
I bring my attention over to the jury who holds the fate of this monster’s life in their hands.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Please read that verdict before the court.”
“We, the jury, find the defendant, Miguel Sanchez, guilty on all charges.”
My eyes close, a breath of relief escaping my chest.
Detective Ramirez pulls me into a hug. “Justice has been served.”
I nod, tears of victory spilling down my cheeks.
A loud commotion to my left breaks us apart. Looking over, I see Miguel pull away from the escorting officers and charge at me, his hands cuffed in front of him. Fear immobilizes me, a scream of terror shoving from my throat.
Detective Ramirez jumps over the bench and tackles him to the ground before he can reach me. Two more officers jump in to help restrain him, his body thrashing violently.
“You’re going to pay for my brother’s death, you little bitch,” he rages in a fit of fury. “When I get out of here I’m going to kill you, just like I did your dirty mother. Do you hear me, whore?”
The truth is there in his eyes, rattling around inside my terrified heart. I know with every fiber of my being if he ever escapes I will suffer the same horrific fate as my mother…
I barrel into my house, almost throwing the door off the hinges. Chuckie barks until he sees it’s me then follows me into my room, my quick feet never faltering.
“We need to leave. We can’t stay here anymore.” I swing open my closet door and grab my suitcase, throwing every piece of clothing I own into it.
“Grace? Where are you?” Sawyer bellows. Seconds later, he storms into my room, looking furious. “What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t have time to explain, I have to go,” I choke out, continuing to pack.
“Where?”
I don’t respond and he grabs hold of my shoulders, pinning me in place. “Talk to me”
“I can’t! I need to get out of here before he finds me.” When he doesn’t release me, I hit him in the chest, fighting his firm grip.
“Stop!” He locks his arms around me and takes me to the ground.
I finally give up, sobs shattering my chest. “He’s going to kill me.”
He hugs me closer, burying his face in my hair. “Calm down, baby, I don’t know who you’re talking about, but I swear, no one is going to hurt you.”
“You’re wrong,” I cry. “He’s comin’ and he’s gonna finish what he started.”
“Who? Talk to me, Grace. I can help you.”
“The man who murdered my mother,” I choke out, unable to say his name out loud. “He’s comin’ for me. Just like he said he would and he’s gonna kill me.” My face drops into his chest, gut-wrenching sobs ripping from my throat once again.
“Look at me!” he demands, forcing my gaze back to his. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. Do you hear me? No one will fucking touch you.”
“I’m so scared,” I confess quietly.
“Don’t be. I’ll protect you, Grace. Trust me.” The fierce determination reflecting back at me brings a small measure of peace to my terrified heart.
I nod because, at the moment, he’s the only one I trust.
He lifts me into his arms and stands, laying me out on the bed before following down next to me. His hard body curls around mine, bringing the safety I so desperately need.
It isn’t long before exhaustion grips me. It’s so strong there’s no fighting it, and I let it take me, knowing as long as I’m in Sawyer’s arms, I’ll be okay.
Sawyer
Grace is fast asleep, my shirt clutched firmly in her hand. I’ve never seen fear like this in all of my life and I’ve watched grown men shit themselves before their death was delivered.
He’s going to kill me, Sawyer.
My teeth grind so hard I’m surprised my jaw doesn’t snap. The rage coiling through my body is powerful and I intend to unleash it on the very person who caused her so much terror.
I meant every word I said; no one will lay a fucking hand on her.
A soft whimper snags my attention. At the end of the bed, the dog stares at her, his face resting next to her feet.
I get it, buddy, she makes me feel the same way.
A heavy knock on the door penetrates the air. Grace doesn’t even flinch, her face soft with sleep. I carefully pry my shirt from her small fist then grab the yellow blanket from the end of the bed and cover her with it. The dog crawls up the mattress, resting his head on her thigh.
“Take care of her until I get back,” I order.
The banging starts again as I walk out of the room. “Grace, open up!”
Cooper.
Charging for the door, I fling it open to find Coop and a middle-aged man in a suit that I’ve never seen before, standing behind it.
“What the fuck is going on?” I ask, my eyes trained on Cooper.
Without responding, he walks in with suit on his heels.
My attention shifts to him next. “And who the fuck are you?”
“Easy, Sawyer,” Cooper says, trying to calm me.
It does the opposite, shattering my control. “Don’t you tell me to take it easy when Grace fled from your fucking station, crying her fucking eyes out. So someone better fucking answer me right the fuck now!”
Suit grunts. “Let me guess…military? Probably a SEAL.”
I tense, sizing him up. “Who wants to know?”
Cooper finally introduces us. “Sawyer, this is Detective Ramirez with MPD. He handled Grace’s mother’s case.”
I point my finger at him. “So you’re the fucker who made her cry?”
He grunts again. “Definitely a SEAL. You know, the way you arrogant pricks throw the F-bomb around gets old real quick.”
I reach for him but Cooper intercepts me.
“I’m going to throw a lot more around than the F-bomb, asshole, if you don’t start talking and keep your goddamn insults to yourself.”
“Jesus, Sawyer, will you calm down?”
“Then start talking!”
“Where’s Grace?” he asks.
“Sleeping, which is where she’s staying for now.”
Coop expels a heavy breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. It’s something he often does when he’s stressed. “How much did she tell you?”
“All she could manage during her hysterics was that the asshole who killed her mother is out of prison, and she thinks he’s coming for her.” I direct my attention to suit and see his expression filled with regret. “How does someone, who gets life in prison, get out in three years?”
I expect another insult but instead, I finally get answers. “The DNA evidence is being retracted. The forensic scientist, who testified, was found dead two weeks ago. He left a suicide note saying that the DNA did, in fact, not match Miguel Sanchez and that he was paid off to say it was him. Sanchez’s attorney was able to get him a re-trial. The moment he was granted bail he fled, and now we have no clue where he is.”
My mind reels with this entire clusterfuck.
“My guess, though, is Grace isn’t all that far off with her fear.”
“Are you saying she is in danger?”
He nods. “I was there when he made the threat. He blames her for his brother’s death.”
“Unfuckingbelievable!” My feet eat up the carpet as I pace back and forth, fury burning in my gut.
“Sawyer?” Grace’s vulnerable voice cuts through the air, stopping me in my tracks.
Turning, I see her leaning against the wall with Chuckie sitting at her feet. She’s changed into her black shorts and tank top, wearing an open, thin sweater over top. The socks she wore the other night reach the top of her slender thighs. Even with sleep tumbled hair and swollen red eyes, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Hey, baby.” I pull her into my arms, feeling the need to hold her.
She returns my embrace, hugging me tight.
“Did we wake you?” I ask.
She shakes her head then turns and looks at Cooper and the detective. “I’m sorry I ran out on y’all earlier. I was just really scared; I still am.”
“No need to apologize, Grace,” the detective says. “I know this is a lot to take in.”
“I don’t understand how this happened,” she whispers, her voice broken.
Cooper points over to the couch. “Why don’t we sit down and Detective Ramirez can explain everything.”
I lead her over to the couch and take a seat first, pulling her down on my lap. She relaxes back into my chest, fitting against me perfectly.
There are questions in Detective Ramirez’s eyes as he watches us but he’s smart enough not to ask them. It’s obvious he’s protective of her but that changes nothing, he’s still on my shit list for the moment.
As gently as possible, he fills Grace in on everything he told me about the DNA and the forensic scientist who has been found dead.
“Wait,” Grace breaks in, sitting up. “What do you mean he lied? That’s impossible, I saw Miguel with my own eyes, he hit me for crying out loud, and his brother almost raped me. What about my testimony, doesn’t that mean anything?”
My blood burns with rage, from hearing what those bastards did to her.
“I don’t believe the forensic scientist committed suicide. I think someone killed him and I’m in the middle of trying to prove it.”
“I can’t believe this,” Grace mumbles, sounding defeated.
“I know it’s frustrating—”
“This is a lot more than frustrating, Detective, this is downright bullshit.”
I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve ever heard her swear, and I’m not going to lie, I’m proud of my Cupcake. Sometimes, swearing can help you let off steam and make you feel a little fucking better.
My proud moment deflates when she speaks again. “You were there,” she continues, voice soft. “You heard his threat that day. He admitted to raping and killing my mother in front of everyone, then said he was going to make me pay. Screw what that forensic scientist said, what about that?”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense that the judge granted him bail. Something is going on, and I promise to find out what it is and put that bastard back behind bars where he belongs.”
“Good, because you have to. My mama deserves justice.” Her words finish on a sob and she drops her face into her hands.
Sitting up, I wrap my arms around her and press a kiss to her shoulder. “She’ll get justice, baby. I promise.”
Even if it’s delivered by my hands.
The conversation comes to an end when Grace’s front door flies open. Kayla barrels in, leading Julia, Jaxson, and Cade.
“You have got to be shittin’ me,” Cooper says, glaring at Kayla. “Did you need to tell the whole fucking world?”
Her eyes narrow right back at him. “We’re her friends, you idiot. We should all be here for her.”
The girls yank Grace from me, wrapping her in a hug. I wait patiently for them to give her back but they end up pulling her down between them on the couch.
I find it unfair since I had her first. Instead of calling them out, I decide to act like a mature adult and stand to join Jaxson and Cade. The three of us share a silent exchange, the promise of vengeance passing between us.
“Sorry, Grace,” Cooper says. “I was worried about you when you ran out of the station, so I called Kayla, thinking you could use a friend. I didn’t expect her to bring the whole damn world with her.”
“Oh give it up, Coop, you’re such a drama queen,” Kayla fires back.
If shit weren’t so serious right now, I’d laugh at the tight expression on Cooper’s face. He looks close to strangling his little spitfire.
“Don’t worry, Grace, everything is going to be okay,” Julia says. “You can come stay with Jaxson and me. He would never let anything happen to you. He can kick anyone’s ass. Isn’t that right, Jax?” She directs her attention to her husband, awaiting his answer.
“You know it, baby.”
The urge to roll my eyes like a fuckin’ chick is strong. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll be staying with Grace.”
Her shoulders tense, eyes snapping to me.
What did she think would happen when I said I would take care of her?
She breaks our connection, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. “I appreciate all the offers but I don’t want anyone gettin’ hurt over this,” she whispers, shifting her attention to the detective. “Is there somewhere I can go? Like witness protection or somethin’?”
“Don’t even think about it!”
The outburst has the room
falling to a tense silence.
I point at her. “Kitchen, now!”
Her eyes narrow but she follows the order.
Kayla breaks the tension as we head into the kitchen. “Well, drama queen, should we finish our fight while they have theirs?”
The room breaks into muffled chuckles.
“You’re pushing it, Kayla.”
His aggravation doesn’t deter her in the least. “Oh come on, Coop, you know you love me.”
Conversation picks back up in the living room, giving us the privacy we need.
I focus on Grace as she leans against the wall, arms crossed. “What the hell are you thinking? What part of ‘I’ll take care of you’ did you not get?”
“Listen, Sawyer, I appreciate it, more than you know. But we don’t know how long it will take for the police to find him. You can’t put your whole life on hold worryin’ about me and my problems. And if something ever happened to you, because of this, I’d never forgive myself.” The last of her words trail off on a choked whisper.
My temper fades as I step into her personal space, my hand moving to the smooth surface of her cheek. “Cupcake, how many times do I have to tell you, I’m a badass motherfucker.”
Her lips twitch with a smile and she shakes her head.
“I’m serious, Grace, I’m trained for this shit. I can protect you.”
“I don’t doubt that for a second. Believe me, I don’t feel safer with anyone more than you.”
Both pride and relief fills my chest to hear her say that.
“But again, we don’t know how long it will take to find him.”
“I don’t give a fuck how long it takes. I told you I take care of what’s mine, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
She huffs out a frustrated breath.
I gather her into my arms and rest my forehead against hers. “Tell me you get me, cupcake. I swear, no one will protect you better than I will.”
She gazes back at me, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I get you.”
It’s exactly what I needed to hear. From this moment forward, she’s mine to protect and I don’t plan on ever letting her go.