Page 51 of She's a Big Deal

“Huh!” The first guy chuckled, exchanged a look with his friend, then opened his arms wide. “Go on. Make me.”

His eyes were cold and hard despite the chuckle, and Olivia wondered how intoxicated he actually was. Was this more of a ruse to induce the idea that they were harmless? It was getting on eleven P.M. A quick glance around revealed that they were alone on the street. Though the lights of the motel were visible on the other side, it was still half a block away. Earlier, this had felt close, even despite the blizzard. But now, aware of how quickly this type of situation could get worse, not so much. With a firm squeeze of her hand, Grace walked off the sidewalk and kept going forward. Or she tried to. Because now the other guy also got in on the game. Both of them keeping slightly in front with their arms out to the sides. Definitely trying to slow them down. When Grace veered off to the left, they blocked that way too.

“Don’t be so fucking rude, woman. Hey, Mikey. I think we got us a couple oflesbians here.”

“Yeah? Need a taste of the real thing, girls?”

Okay.Enough.Olivia pulled out her phone. “I’m calling the cops.”

“Yes,” Grace simply said.

“Whoa, whoa. Put that down, darling.”

“Get away from me.” Olivia jerked back, but he tried again.

“Come on, babe, don’t—Argh! FUCK!”

When Asshole #1 tried to snatch the phone out of her hand, Grace was quicker. She grabbed his wrist and pushed it down and toward him. At the same time, she seized his middle finger and bent it the other way until there was an audible crack. The move was fast, brutal, and efficient. The man screamed and dropped to his knees.

“I’ll make you regret that, cunt.” Asshole #2 snarled at her as he started forward.

Grace did not budge.

“Touch her again, or me, and it won’t be a finger I’ll break,” she warned, icy calm. “I’ll pull your dick out and shove it so far down your throat you’ll choke on it. Your choice. What will it be, dumbass?”

In the silence that followed her challenge, only the other guy’s pathetic whimpers could be heard. Glancing at her, noting the look of quiet fury in her eyes, it occurred to Olivia that Grace was quite prepared to deliver on her threat. Almost eager, in fact, as she stood there having a stand-off with a guy who was a head taller than she was and at least twice as wide. Not only fearless but vibrating with rage.Jesus.

“Come.” Olivia took her hand. “Grace?” The woman was as rigid as a piece of steel. “Come on, let’s go.”

No man dared stand in their way this time as they circled around them and crossed the street. Grace did not utter a word,and Olivia did not complain that her grip over her fingers was almost painful. She could feel a slight tremor through her arm. She knew instinctively that something was off. She waited until the door was safely shut behind them to turn to her and ask, but Grace beat her to it.

“Olivia.” She gripped her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. How are—”

“Sure?” Her hands moved to frame her face, and she stared intently into her eyes. “Did he hurt you? Goddammit. If that son of a bitch hurt you, I’ll—”

“Grace. Relax.” Olivia laced her fingers around her wrists. “You were too quick; he didn’t even get a chance to touch me. How are you feeling?”

“Fine too.”

“You’re shaking.”

“No. I’m okay.”

When she dropped her hands and started to retreat, Olivia held on to her. Grace could deny it all she liked, but it would not make it any less true. “You’re not okay. What’s the matter? Talk to me.”

“It’s nothing.”

All stubborn again. And so hard with it too... Olivia could almost see the barricades. The great protective walls that Grace had temporarily let down over the last hours were falling back into place with alarming speed and finality. Her blue eyes were darker now, stormy with emotion. Reluctance, wariness, hurt… Sadness. All there for Olivia to see.

“Wait.” She refused to let her go. “Tell me—”

“I said it’s nothing!” Obviously flustered, and struggling for control, Grace shook her loose. Then apologized. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.”

She looked wounded, and Olivia ached to hold her.

“It’s okay,” she murmured.

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