Page 66 of Fatal Intent

Grant scowled. “That’s enough,” he snapped.

“Who are you?”

“My name is Grant. Rayne and I are dating.”

“Let me guess. You’re a thug just like all her other friends.”

“I was a homicide detective before I met your daughter and joined Fortress. Look, Mrs. Weatherly, I know the threat to your safety is a shock, but Rayne told you the truth. This situation isn’t her fault. It’s mine.”

“What does that mean?”

“Before I joined the police force, my friends and I were part of an Army Special Forces team. Somehow, information about one of our missions leaked, and all our families are at risk until we find the leak and plug it.” Permanently.

A snort from the older woman. “So, you’re as much to blame as Rayne. Fine. You’ve done your duty and warned me. Now leave me alone. Don’t call again because I won’t pick up.”

“What about the protection detail, Mrs. Weatherly? The people after my team aren’t joking around. They’re terrorists who enjoy killing people.”

“Let them come. I have nothing to live for, anyway. The love of my life is dead, and my daughter might as well be. Just leave me alone.” Mrs. Weatherly ended the call.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

RAYNE TURNED AWAYfrom Grant, embarrassed and angry over her mother’s tirade. The last thing she’d wanted was to expose Grant to the ugliness of her past. Yet that’s exactly what happened.

Strong arms came around her waist and tugged Rayne against a rock-hard chest.

“Don’t be nice to me,” she warned. “I’m teetering on the edge of a serious crying jag.” Why wouldn’t these emotions stay buried? Years had passed and still her mother hated her and lived in a fantasy world where her husband was a prince among men when in reality he’d been a snake in the grass, striking when you least expected.

Grant’s arms tightened around her middle. “If crying will help, do it. I can handle a few tears.” He paused. “Maybe,” he muttered. Another pause, then, “Okay, let’s not test the theory now. Other women’s tears don’t bug me, but the thought of you crying tears me up inside. We should wait until I’m in a better frame of mind to try the crying thing. I’ll have to patch up the cracks in my armor first or you’ll kill me with your tears.”

Rayne burst out laughing. She couldn’t help it. “You’re safe. The tears are gone for the moment.”

“Thank God. I’d hate to turn in my man card.”

She turned in his arms. “Keep the card.” Rayne kissed him. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“Defending me.”

“Did little good. She wouldn’t listen.”

“I didn’t expect Mom to change her mind. What I appreciated the most is putting yourself between me and her.”

He sighed. “I didn’t make a great first impression.”

“You won’t have to deal with her from now on. Mom meant what she said. She doesn’t want contact from me or my friends.”

“Think she’ll change her mind?”

She shook her head. “Her mind hasn’t changed in over a decade, Grant. Instead of seeing my actions at sixteen years old as an attempt to protect her and myself, she sees those actions as the ultimate betrayal. I’m the villain in her recounting of what happened that night so long ago, and nothing will change that, including the passage of more time. What about your family? How did they take the news?”

“Not well,” he admitted. “Honestly, I thought they’d roll with it, accept the protection Fortress offered, and get on with their everyday activities.” He rubbed his jaw. “Instead, they want all of us to come for dinner to talk about the problem.”

Grant stepped away from Rayne to pace. “What’s to discuss? They need the protection.”

“We know how dangerous the people we encounter are. Your family doesn’t. When are we eating with them?”

“Tomorrow night. We need a chance to recuperate after our last 48 hours. I would have set up a breakfast meeting, but tomorrow is a workday for my brother and sister and their spouses. I don’t want to create more problems than necessary.”