Page 30 of Sweet Temptation (Men of Honor 2)
“This is a lot more than frustrating, Detective, this is down-right bullshit!”
I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve ever heard Grace swear, and I’m not going to lie, I’m proud of my Cupcake. Sometimes swearing can help you let off steam and make you feel a little fucking better.
My proud moment deflates though when she speaks again, “You were there. You heard his threat that day. He admitted to raping and killing my mother in front of everyone, then said he was gonna finish me. Screw what that forensics expert said, what about that?”
“You’re right, it is bullshit! All of it. It doesn’t even make sense that the judge granted him bail, something is going on and I promise you I’m going to find out what it is and put that bastard back behind bars where he belongs.”
She lets out a breath, “I know. I’m sorry, I’m not angry with you. I’m just angry at it all. My Mama deserves justice.” She drops her face in her hands and starts sobbing.
I bring my mouth down to the back of her soft neck and plant a gentle kiss. “It will be okay, baby. You heard the detective, he’s on this, he’ll put that fucker back behind bars where he belongs.”
Before I can say more, Grace’s front door flies open. Kayla rushes in, leading a group: Julia, Jaxson and Cade.
“Jesus fucking christ!” Cooper says, glaring at Kayla. “Did you need to tell the whole fucking world?”
She glares right back, “We’re her friends, you idiot. We should all be here for her.”
At that Kayla and Julia come rushing over to Grace and pull her off me to hug her. I wait for them to give her back but instead they pull her down beside them on the couch.
What the fuck? I had her first!
They either don’t notice my glare or don’t care. Well fuck, fine then. I get up now and join Jaxson and Cade off to the side. The three of us share a silent exchange, one where we know shit’s up and we’ll be dealing with it.
Cooper interrupts the girls’ exchange, “Sorry, Grace. I hope you don’t mind I told Kayla what was going on. I was worried about you when you ran out of the station, and thought you could use a friend. I didn’t think she would bring the whole goddamn world with her.”
“Oh give it a rest, Coop, you’re such a drama queen,” she fires back.
If shit weren’t so serious right now I’d laugh at the look on Cooper’s face. He looks like he’s ready to goddamn strangle his little spitfire.
“Don’t worry, Grace, everything is going to be okay,” Julia states firmly, “you can come stay with Jaxson and me. He would never let anything happen to you. He can kick anyone’s ass. Isn’t that right, Jax?” she looks at her husband now.
“You know it, baby,” he gives her a wink.
All of it makes me want to roll my eyes like a fuckin’ chick.
I quickly speak up, before anyone else tries making any other suggestions, “That isn’t necessary. I’ll be staying with Grace.”
Grace looks up at me in surprise.
What the fuck did she think I meant when I said I would take care of her?
She glances down at the floor. “I don’t want anyone getting hurt over this.” Then she looks over at the detective, “Is there somewhere I can go? Like witness protection or somethin’?”
“Don’t even fucking think about it!”
Everyone’s eyes snap to me at my outburst.
Was she fucking serious?
I point at her. “Kitchen, now!”
She obeys but glares at me while doing it. Yeah, well I’m pissed off too right now, Cupcake.
Everyone is silent while we walk to the kitchen, then I hear Kayla pipe up, “Well, drama queen, should we finish our fight out here while they have theirs in there?”
I hear a bunch of snickers.
“You’re fucking pushing it, Kayla.”
Kayla giggles at Cooper’s aggravated voice. “Oh come on, Coop, you know you love me.”
Then everyone is talking, and giving us more privacy. Shit that girl is real hard not to like.
Ignoring them, I glare down at Grace, “What the hell are you thinking? What part of ‘I’ll take care of you’ did you not fucking get?”
Her expression softening, she drops her gaze. “Listen, Sawyer, I appreciate it, more than you will ever know. But we don’t know how long it will take for the police to find him. You can’t put your whole life on hold worryin’ about me and my problems. And if somethin’ ever happened to you, because of this, I’d never forgive myself. I would…”
I cover her mouth with my hand. When she goes quiet I cup her face and bring her fearful gaze to mine. “I’m a badass motherfucker, Cupcake.” Her lips twitch. “I’m serious, Grace, I’m trained for this shit. I can protect you.”
She looks at me sadly, “I don’t doubt that for a second, Sawyer. Believe me, I don’t trust or feel safer with anyone more than you.” Her admission surprises me. “But again, we don’t know how long it will take to find him, you can’t stop your life to protect me, it ain’t fair to you and…”
I growl, interrupting her, and pull her against me. “I don’t give a fuck how long it takes. I told you I take care of what’s mine, so that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not fucking arguing about this anymore.”
She lets out a defeated breath as I bring my forehead to hers. “Tell me you get me, Grace. I swear to you, baby, no one will protect your sweet ass better than I will.”
A few tears escape from her big warm amber eyes as they stare into mine, finally she nods, “Yeah, Sawyer, I get you.”
I’m pretty sure those were the best fucking words that have ever fallen sound to my goddamn ears.
The next morning I walk into the kitchen, with Chuckie trailing behind me, to find Sawyer sittin’ at my kitchen table with a sandwich in front of him that he’s just about to eat.
