Page 28 of Sweet Temptation (Men of Honor 2)
Tears build behind my eyes and emotion clogs my throat, thinking every awful thing he and his bastard brother did to Mama. The only thing that brings me a small measure of peace is his brother is dead now too. He died in prison while awaiting trial.
“Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached a verdict?” the judge asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. I tear my gaze from Miguel and look over at the jury.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Please read that verdict before the court.”
“We, the jury, find the defendant, Miguel Sanchez, guilty on all charges.”
I exhale a deep relieved breath. Detective Ramirez grabs my shoulders and pulls me into a hug.
I’m smilin’ and cryin’. It’s the first genuine smile I’ve had since Mama. Suddenly there’s a loud commotion off to my left. Looking over, I see Miguel trying to pull out of the two officer’s arms. He manages to get free, and starts running at me with his hands cuffed in front of him.
I scream, and just before he reaches me Detective Ramirez jumps over the bench and tackles him to the ground.
The other two officers jump in to help restrain him. “You’re going to fucking pay for my brother’s death, you little bitch,” he threatens, screaming as the officers drag him to his feet. “I promise you I will get out of here, and when I find you I’m going to fuck and kill you, just like I did your mother. Do you hear me, you fucking whore?”
My heart pounds with so much fear, because I saw the truth of it in eyes, I knew he was serious. I knew that if he ever escaped, or got out, I’d have to run for my life…
I crash into my house, almost throwing the door off the hinges. Chuckie barks until he sees it’s me then follows me as I run into my room. “It’s okay, Chuckie, but we need to leave boy, okay. Don’t worry, I’m takin’ you with me.” I throw open my closet door, grab my suitcase and start throwing every piece of clothing I own into it. I can barely see or breathe, but fear and desperation keeps me moving.
“Grace? Where the fuck are you?”
Sawyer comes rushing into my room, looking madder than hell, but I don’t stop movin’.
“What the fuck is going on?”
“I don’t have time to explain, I have to go,” I choke out. “What! Where? Grace, stop!”
When I don’t, Sawyer grabs me and gives me a shake. “Goddammit, I said fucking stop!”
I fight against him, “I can’t stop! I need to get out of here before he finds me. He could be on his way right now! He’s going to kill me!” I’m screaming and crying so hard I’m surprised I can manage words at all.
He locks his arms around me to keep me still, and pulls me to the ground with him. “Oh god, Sawyer, he’s going to kill me!” I sob into his chest.
He holds me tighter against his chest. “Calm down baby, I don’t know who, or what the fuck you’re talking about right now, but I fucking swear to you, Grace, no one is going to hurt you.”
His warm strong arms, and deep, smooth baritone of his voice begins to break through my hysteria.
“He’s comin’ for me, I know it,” my words are still hard to get through as I try catching my breath.
“Who baby? Talk to me, Grace. I can help you.”
“The man who murdered Mama got out of prison.” Just saying it out loud destroys me. Sawyer curses harshly. “He told me he would get out one day, and he said when he did he was gonna kill me, just like he did her.”
Hysteria takes me again and I sob fearfully into his chest.
He picks me up and lays me down on my bed, his top half coming down on top of me, pressing me into the mattress.
Grabbing my face, he leans his forehead against mine. “Grace, look at me!” his harsh command has me snapping my eyes open. “I am not going to let anyone fucking hurt you. Do you hear me? No one! I will fucking kill anyone who tries.” His lethal expression and hard determined gaze makes me believe him, and for the first time since hearing that monster got out of prison, I think there may just be hope for me yet.
I wrap my arms around him and turn my face into the crook of his neck. “I’m so scared,” I sob quietly into his neck.
“I know, baby, but don’t be. I’ll protect you, Grace; I fucking swear it. Trust me.”
I nod and soak in his warm strength. Before too long I feel exhaustion grab hold of 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 safe.
When I realize Grace has fallen asleep I bring the rest of myself on the bed and stretch out next to her. Even though she’s sleeping, my shirt is still clutched in her small fist as if she’s scared to let go.
I try to control the rage that’s rushing like hot lava through my veins. Jesus, I’ve never seen fear like that in my fucking life.
He’s going to kill me, Sawyer.
Her sobbing words replay in my head and I grind my teeth so hard I’m surprised my jaw doesn’t fucking snap. I meant what I said: no one will ever fucking hurt her again, I will kill any motherfucker that tries.
Grace’s breath hitches in her sleep and draws my attention down to her tiny vulnerable form. Her beautiful face is pale from fear, her eyes swollen from crying and her body is as cold as ice.
It fucking shreds my insides to see her like this. No one as beautiful and sweet as her should know pain or fear like this.
A soft whining brings my attention over to the end of the bed. The chocolate lab stares at her, his face resting on the mattress by her feet. He looks almost as fucking sad as she does, as if he can feel her pain.
