Page 60 of Keeping Katie

I’m yanked away by a strong set of arms, but I continue cursing her out, and goddamn, it feels good. One of the cops slams the door shut, but it doesn’t stop me from giving Sharleen a piece of my mind.

“Easy, baby. Easy,” Grady croons, his voice amused. “Fuck, you’re hot when you’re mad. I have half a mind to strip yourpants down and bend you over the front of that cop car so I can fuck you in front of that bitch.”

My pussy clenches, and my heart pounds harder. What the hell is wrong with me? That is not a hot fantasy. Well, it shouldn’t be anyway.

Grady finally sets me on my feet, and I take a second to get my vagina calmed down.

“I can’t believe she set my shop on fire. How did she know where I worked? Has she been stalking you? Oh my God, she probably has. I’m going to kill her.”

“You talk about stalking like it’s a bad thing, baby,” Grady says, winking at me.

“I’m still going to kill her. Is her nose bleeding? I hope it’s broken.”

Grady stares at me for a second, then nods toward the officer nearby. “You didn’t see or hear anything that just happened.”

The officer immediately dips his chin, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Yes, sir. Not a thing. The way I see it, she had a tantrum inside the car and hit her face.”

I snort. Even the cops obey Grady. Why is that so hot? And how can I possibly be thinking about wanting to fuck my man right now when my shop could’ve burned down, Tom got injured, and Grady has some woman stalking him? I’ve lost my mind. That’s all there is to it. There’s no other explanation.

Grady nudges me back toward where Tom is still arguing with the EMT. I turn and flip off Sharleen as we go. Grady chuckles and shakes his head, smiling down at me with nothing but love in his gaze.

“He’s not going to go to the hospital to get treated. He’s so stubborn.” I drop my shoulders, the reality of what could have happened crashing through me like a tidal wave. Tom could have died. And I meant it when I told Sharleen that he’s family.

“Stay here, baby. I’ll be right back.” Grady leads me to my bodyguard and leaves me with him, then goes over to where Tom is sitting on a stretcher.

I watch the two men talk, and though my heart swells for both of them, I wonder which one is threatening death on the other. Grady is a scary man, but I think Tom could be right up there with him, even at his age.

A moment later, Grady strolls back to me, his features calm and relaxed. Behind him, the EMTs load the stretcher into the ambulance with Tom still on it. Holy shit. Is he actually going to let them take him to the hospital?

“What just happened?” I ask when he approaches.

“They’re taking him in to be treated. We’ll meet him there. Aidan will stay here while the contractors start work and give me an update on when they’ll be done so the shop can open back up.”

I stare up at Grady, my mouth hanging open slightly. “You’ve handled everything,” I say quietly. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”

He cups my face and kisses me. “You just relax and let Daddy take care of you. Be my good girl like you always are.”

Nodding, I slide my arms around his waist and squeeze him tightly. Our lives aren’t perfect, but it’s still pretty damn good, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

21

GRADY

My girl is exhausted. She needs to be tucked into bed with her stuffed bunny to sleep for a good ten hours or so. I hate to tear her away from Tom’s side, though. Ever since we arrived at the hospital, she’s been sitting with him, holding his hand. It’s clear the man loves her, and she feels the same. She may not have her parents around anymore, but she does have him, and I plan to make sure he’s alive and well for as long as possible to be part of her life.

“Baby girl,” I say softly.

She turns to look up at me, her eyes drooping. Yeah, she’s tired. It’s been a long day. I still can’t believe Sharleen set the shop on fire. Jesus. Thank God Tom was nearby. Who knows what kind of damage would have been done if he hadn’t been.

“It’s getting late. We should go home so you can sleep and Tom can rest.”

Tom nods and pats her hand. “He’s right, Katie-girl. You need to go home and go to bed. I’ll be fine here.”

Katie sighs and rises from her chair, then leans over to hug the older man. “I’ll come see you in the morning.”

As we leave, I offer him a wave, though my attention is mainly on my girl.

Before we pull up to the estate, she’s already asleep. She barely stirs when I lift her out of the car and carry her to our bedroom. It’s not until I lower her to the bed that her eyes flutter open.

---