Page 15 of Guarding Grace

Was that me lusting after the bad boy merely to be rebellious?

Shoving aside thoughts of Terry, I put my hair up and made do with a quick rinse under the shower. As I toweled off, I glanced at the phone again, but instead of giving in, I faced the reality of my situation. I had to get to work.

Since Duke had vetoed a stop at my apartment last night, all I had with me was my phone, a clutch with almost nothing in it, a backless evening gown, fabulous shoes that would kill me if I had to wear them all day, and day-old underwear. My shawl had gotten lost along the way.

Serena had a gorgeous wardrobe, but we weren’t the same size, so I’d have to go by my place before work. With the towel still wrapped around me, another message arrived. This one made me want to puke.

MRS. MONTEFINO: I’d like to see you.

Fat chance of that.With my hand shaking, it took two tries to delete the message. No way was I revisiting that period of my life. I leaned against the counter and practiced my deep breathing until the tremors in my hand stopped. Slipping into the bathrobe I found on a hook, I ventured out.

“How are you feeling?” Serena asked when I entered the kitchen.

I touched the tender spot on the back of my head. “Like I got run over by a train.”

She offered me a steaming mug. “Coffee?”

“Love it.” I blew over the surface before chancing a sip. “Thank you. Where’s Duke?” I asked just before hearing the clank of metal on metal.

Serena nodded to the left. “In the gym.” She checked her watch. “He’ll be at it for a little longer.” She handed me a plate with scrambled eggs and toast. “We already ate.”

I sat at the counter and started on the eggs.

“Bacon or sausage?” she asked. “I didn’t know what you liked, so I made both.”

“Either. It doesn’t matter to me.”

She shook her head. “I’m going to tell you what Duke is always telling me. Life is about making choices.”

“Sausage, please.”

She brought the sausage over and pointed to the corner of the counter. “I have a tracksuit you can wear to your place, since I’m guessing you don’t want to go out this morning in last night’s dress.”

“You’re a lifesaver, you know that?”

She shrugged. “It’s what friends do.”

The plate was larger than my usual, but I quickly finished the breakfast. Maybe danger increased one’s appetite.

“When’s Terry coming by to pick you up?”

Her question reminded me that Terry wanted to dictate every move I made.Don’t do this. Don’t do that. I’d had enough of that treatment to last me a dozen lifetimes.

Checking the time, I rose quickly. “Real soon. I better get changed.” I gave Serena a hug. “Thanks for everything.”

“I’ll call later,” she promised as I headed to the bedroom.

Back in the guest room, my phone buzzed.

ELLIOT: I need to see you

I called him immediately.

“Gracie, are you okay?” he asked. “I heard you had a little trouble.”

“No, Elliot. I’m not okay. I got beat up and almost worse.” After a breath, the questions spilled out of me rapid fire. “What the hell’s going on? They wanted to know where you were. Who’s after you? And why? What did you do?”

“It’s complicated,” he said after a pause.