Page 107 of Guarding Grace

The sightof my car in Terry’s garage surprised me as Zane and I descended the stairs a little later that morning. “How did that get here?”

“Constance brought it over. We didn’t want it just hanging out on the street downtown.”

I pulled my keys out of my handbag.

“Oh no you don’t,” Zane cautioned. “I’m driving you. Those are the rules.”

“You guys and your rules,” I complained, but I put my keys away.

“It’s for your safety.”

I suppressed an eye roll. That was the same thing Terry told me every time I complained.

Zane was quiet during the drive until we were almost there. “What do you know about Peyton?” he asked.

Remembering how he’d watched her at the office, the question didn’t surprise me. “Peyton, huh?”

“Never mind.”

I looked over to catch his jaw working. “She’s single, if that’s your question.”

He didn’t answer, just stared straight ahead as he drove.

“She moved here from North Carolina,” I added. “She’s smart as awhip, but doesn’t talk much.” Peyton had never offered very much about her background.

Zane pulled into the parking lot for our building without another word.

Serena had mentioned that her ex-SEAL, Duke, didn’t talk much either. Maybe it was an entrance requirement—good strength, good shooter, good fighter, good runner, good swimmer, but bad talker.

I turned before opening the door. “Would you like me to?—”

“No. Stay in the car.”

I had meant to offer to talk to Peyton for him, but that was a very curtno.

He walked around and opened my door for me. “Now.”

I’d misjudged. Apparently, part of the guard-dog ritual was to open my car door and escort me inside. I decided against finishing my Peyton question. Zane was a big boy. He could talk to Peyton on his own, if he wanted to.

CHAPTER 24

Terry

As I droveto meet Lucas, with Grace still on my mind, my phone rang. Lucas’s mother’s name appeared on the screen.

Shit.I should have called her, but I had forgotten. I pressed accept. “Hi.”

“Can you speak?” she asked softly.

“I’m driving and alone, so yes. How can I help you?”

Her voice remained soft. “I need to meet with you this morning.”

“Right now, I’m on my way to a meeting with Lucas. I can come over when I finish, if you like.” I’d been to the Hawk house many times.

“No,” she said quickly. “Text me, but don’t call, and we’ll arrange to meet.”

Something was up if she wanted to stay away from the house. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.”