Page 41 of Ghost Walk
“Because things would be so much better if that was a hollow-core door, right?”
She had a point. The antique door was holding. For now. “Would you move that damn thing, please?” He gestured to the painted chest of drawers against the wall, which she still wasn’t shoving into position as a barricade. It was ugly as sin, older than even Jamie, and made of solid oak.
Grace made a face. “It’s going to knock all my figurines.” She muttered, but she reluctantly headed over to push at its massive weight. “Stupid Robert.” The heavy dresser slowly inched its way across the floor. On its wide top, chipped and glued statues of mermaids rattled, several of them toppling to the ground. Grace winced as they shattered, but wedged the chest of drawers into place.
Jamie wished that was all it took to solve the problem.
“When are you going to see your own fault in this?” Robert demanded, changing tactics. “I haveneeds, goddamn it. I told you that, but you don’t seem to even hear my side of this. It’s because you couldn’t have an orgasm if three men were fucking you! You told me yourself you’veneverclimaxed. How do you think that makes me feel?”
Jamie arched a brow at her, trying to lighten the mood. “Never? Well, that’s just a pity.”
Grace’s face flushed bright pink.
“A man needs someone warm beneath him!” Robert ranted. “He needs to feelwanted. You should bebeggingme to take you back. No one else would want you or your lunatic family in his life, you semi-frigid freak!”
Grace looked up at Jamie again, like she was worried he might be falling for that horseshit.
“You know who says women are frigid?” He scoffed. “Assholes who suck in bed. Donea listen to a word that bastard says. I told you he was a liar.”
Grace’s mouth curved. “You, I imagine, never met a girl you couldn’t satisfy.”
“It’s a point of pride, really. Give me a chance to show you my skills and I’ll keep my perfect record intact. I promise you, I can make youveryhappy.” He winked at her, hoping to cover his anxiety. “Get back on the bed, now.” He didn’t want her near the door, in case Robert got through.
The wanker was now trying to kick it in.
Jamie scanned around the room for a weapon she could use. “Do you know how to fight?” It was a longshot, but he was praying she’d reveal that she’d secretly trained with the Navy SEALs for some reason.
Grace shook her head, kneeling on the mattress. “Riveras don’t do a lot of hand-to-hand combat. Well, my cousin Destiny tried a ninja spell once, but it resulted in some bad Karate chopping, and smashed up picket fences, and 911 calls.” She made a face. “Spells arealwaysa bad idea.”
Staggering relief flooded through Jamie as he remembered who this tiny girl really was. “You’ve magic in your blood.” How could he have forgotten that? “Youcan stop this, lass. You just need to…”
Grace cut him off, looking scandalized. “I don’t use spells! Maybe an occasional potion, but only when I’mcompletelyout of normal options.”
“We’re out ofallfucking options, Grace!” He stormed over to stand in front of her. “Do somethingnowor that fucking little fuck is going to break in here and rape you right in front of me!”
Grace blanched and not at his language. “He wouldn’t…”
“Hewill.” Jamie interrupted. “I know bad people, lass, and he’s a bad person. Hewillhurt you, unless you do something to stop him. Trust me.”
The door bulged inward a bit, knocking more of the knickknacks onto the floor.
Tears glittered in Grace’s eyes and he knew she believed him. “Jamie, I’m scared.”
The tremor in her voice made him want to kill Robert with his bare hands. If it meant taking away her fear, he would have gladly cut a deal with God to return to his wasteland of isolation forever. Jamie would give anything to help her finally feel safe.
Tobesafe.
“I know you’re scared.” Jamie put his palms on either side of her pale face, the insubstantial edges of his body tingling where they touched her smooth skin. “I know, love.” He softened his tone with supreme effort of will. “And I know you want to deny it, but there’s power in you. Now’s the time to use it.”
“No, it’s seriouslynot! I only know two spells.” She held up two fingers, so he could count for himself. “And one of them is for curing frigging menstrual cramps!”
“Menstrual cramps?” Jamie had always been good at improvised offensives. It was why he’d made such a nice living as a pirate, despite the gentlemanly tendencies that were forever plaguing him. A pain relieving spell could actually work. Anything that dulled pain also dulled senses. “Okay.” His mind raced for a beat. “Here’s what we’ll do, then: I will go out in the hall…”
“No!” She interrupted, horrified. “Don’t leave me alone. Please, Jamie.” She tried to catch hold of his sleeve, but her fingers passed straight through his arm.
He could’ve cried. Stepping back from her was the hardest thing he’d ever done. “I’mnevergoing to leave you, Grace. I swear it. But wehaveto do this, alright? I’m just going into the hall. When I tell you, you hit the son of a bitch with every fucking ounce of power you have, understand? Dose it up as high as that spell will go and fry him.”
“That is absolutely, unequivocallycrazy. I’m not good at magic. I barely even believe in it. This idea isnevergoing to work.”
