Page 100 of Protect Me
“What did you call for, Grady?”
“This!” He laughed, a belly-deep sound that made my lips twitch—despite myself. “Hernandez told me that a committed relationship was inevitable for you, and I didn’t believe it. I was wrong.” He hooted. “I wassowrong. Vik, I can’t wait to see her again, man. This is gold.”
Despite myself, I laughed.
“Glad you’re entertained at my expense.”
Grady’s hilarity sobered. “It’s not just that, Vik, and you know it. I’m happy for you, right? These girls, man. They change who we are.” I pictured his long fingers curling into a fist that he set against his chest. “We’re better men because of them. Without them? We’re nothing.”
How deeply I knew that.
“I feel you, brother.” My phone clicked. I glanced down to see Kate’s name on the screen. “Gotta go, all right? Kate’s calling.”
“Get her, my friend. Oh, and don’t mess this one up with your head, all right? Kate has always been a keeper.”
“That much I can promise.”
The phone switched over to Kate’s call when Grady hung up. I swiped up to answer.
“Hey!”
A frantic voice came from the other side, hazy and distorted.
“Vik?”
I perked up, dread pooling in my belly.
“Kate? What’s wrong?”
“Tempest . . . Timothy . . . come right now.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
KATELYN
With Timothy’s beady glare on me, my hand immediately dropped to my front pocket, where the trusty can of pepper spray waited. Timothy tensed. His gaze dropped to my hand, back to my face. He leaned back, legs braced.
All the self-defense classes I completed every year stood to attention in my mind. I squared my shoulders, fingers tight around the canister. The situation came from muscle memory now. Had I spent years preparing for this moment?
Yes.
Now?
I was ready.
“Stay back,” I commanded.
Timothy held up both hands. “I have no intention of hurting anyone today.”
My throat thickened.Did you intend to hurt someone then?I almost asked.Did you plan out such desecration?
With shaking hands, I dropped my backpack, kept my gaze on him, and crouched next to it. Timothy eyed me as I reached for my phone. Seeing it, he lunged forward.
“Wait!”
“No!”
My shout stirred a nearby flock of birds. They rose from the trees, protesting with obnoxious squawks. Timothy skittered back, nearly tripping over a rock in his haste to move away. His nostrils flared as he regarded me.
