Page 78 of Sweet Temptation (Men of Honor 2)
She nods into my chest, and her breathing starts to accelerate. “I want you to walk out of here slowly and into your room. Lock the door behind you and call Cooper. Do you remember where I put the gun?”
“Yes,” she answers shakily.
“Good. Keep it with you and don’t open the fucking door for any reason until I tell you to. If someone gets in there, Grace, you shoot first and ask questions later, do you understand?”
“Oh god! Oh god!”
I squeeze her trembling body tighter against me. “Everything is going to be fine, I promise. Now go and do exactly what I just said.”
“Okay… Please be careful, Sawyer,” she chokes out, hugging me tighter.
“Don’t worry about me, baby, I can take care of myself. Go now, but walk naturally. I don’t want to tip him off.”
Giving her a gentle push, I don’t look behind me and pray she does what I just said. I turn on the tap to make it look like I’m getting water, then reaching down with one hand, I open the cupboard and grab the gun I have strapped under the sink.
Releasing the safety, I reach over and flick the light off, so he can no longer see inside. I focus on where I saw the shift in the trees and spot the motherfucker just as he takes a step back further into the bush. I start backing towards the door, keeping my gaze trained on him. The house behind Grace’s turns on their backlight, calling attention to the guy.
“Shit!”
I take off out the door when I see the bastard bolt. The dog barks and chases after him as he runs diagonally across the lawn. Chuckie just misses him as he hops the fence into the front yard. Picking up speed, I leap over the dog and jump the fence, just seconds after him. Sirens and brakes screech to a halt in front of the house as I land on the other side.
I watch Cooper fly out the passenger side of the squad car and intercept the asshole, taking him down. The guy screams and thrashes as he’s cuffed.
I tuck the gun in the waistband of my jeans, behind my back, and start making my way over to them. “Is it fucking him?” I yell, already knowing the answer. As Cooper hauls the guy up I notice him pull a knife from the bastard’s jacket pocket. A white-hot fury washes over me, making me lose all self-control. Picking up speed again, I see nothing but red. “You fucked with the wrong girl, motherfucker.”
“Shit! Grab him!”
Cooper tries turning away from me but I’m faster. My fists start connecting with flesh. Hands grab at me, but I don’t let it slow me down. I think of nothing but what this piece of shit was going to do to Grace, what he’s already done to her. I feel bone crush under my fist when I nail him as fast and as hard as I can.
“Fuck, Sawyer! Goddammit! Stop!”
A force suddenly knocks me to the ground, and the impact snaps me out of my rage enough to regain some control over myself.
An enraged Cooper pins me down, and the deputy now holds the bastard up, his face mangled and soaked with blood. “What the fuck are you thinking?”
My lungs heave for breath from the force of violence that just filled me moments ago. “I’m thinking that’s the least he deserves. For Grace, for her mom and for fucking Mac. He came on my property to fucking hurt her, Cooper, he’s goddamn lucky he’s not dead right now.”
He glares down at me for another minute. “Are you good now? Can I let you up?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
After helping me up, we both look over at the bastard as he spits out a pool of blood.
“Jesus Christ. How the fuck am I going to explain this?” Cooper says, pinching the bridge of his nose.
I shrug, “It was self-defense. He shouldn’t have been trespassing.” He grunts, not liking that answer.
“How the fuck did you get here so fast?”
“A neighbor called before Grace did. The people behind her said they saw someone hop the fence into her yard.”
“And you didn’t fucking think to call and give me a heads up?”
He glares at me, “I fucking did and you never picked up. I also called the house line and it was busy.”
I pat my pockets and realize I don’t have my phone on me. Well shit!“Sawyer?”I turn at Grace’s soft, trembling voice. “Grace, baby, get back in the house now.”
An enraged roar fills the night behind me, “This isn’t over, you fucking bitch. I’m going to fucking kill you.”
The bastard’s threat has me losing control again. It happened so fast; before Cooper could grab me I ripped the fucker from the deputy and took him to the ground. I fight against the hands that try to grab me and shove my gun under his chin. “Yes, it is. It’s fucking over. You will never get to her, because I will always be here. And if you ever try again I will fucking kill you. Do you fucking hear me?”
The son of a bitch actually smiles at me, “Do it. I fucking dare you. Come on, shoot me.”
His taunt is so fucking temping… “Goddammit, Sawyer, stop!” Cooper shouts as he and the deputy struggle to pull me off.
“I’m going to fuck her like I did her mother, then…” I don’t let him finish, taking the butt of my gun I cold-clock the motherfucker.
“Fuck, Sawyer!”
Letting Cooper pull me off the bastard’s unconscious body, I push away from him, “Get him out of my fucking sight before I change my mind and shoot him dead right here.”
“You’re making it fucking hard for me to do that. Jesus Christ, I fucking got this, just go take care of Grace!” he shouts, pointing behind me.
I turn around to see Grace, still standing by the door, frozen and pale with fear. The terror and anguish that bleed off her has me forgetting my rage and wanting to do nothing but hold her.
