Page 24 of Guarding Grace

He laid a hand on my shoulder. “It’ll have to be dug out.”

I was sure he meant his touch to be reassuring, but the warmth of his hand on me was more exciting than soothing. It took me a second to register that he meant cutting into me. That did not sound fun. I tried to get up.

He held me down. “Hold on, Tiger. Lie still. It’s like a fishhook. Movement will make it go deeper.”

“This day just keeps getting better.” I shook my head, but refused to cry. “Get me to the hospital.”

“It will be better if I take you to my place and take care of it there.”

I cocked my head. He was insane. “And have you cut into me?”

“Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

“Hold on. I’ll go with the professionals on this.”

He pulled his hand away and laughed. “It’s your choice: trust me to get the barb out or take your chances with the cops.”

Instantly, I missed the contact of his hand. “What do you mean cops?”

“We can go to the hospital, if you want, and then they’ll report to the cops that you got Tasered because it’s a rule. They have to. Then the cops start asking you how this happened, and you have to tell them about Elliot. Is that a talk you want to have?”

I trembled.

Terry brushed my hair behind my ear. “Or you let me handle it.” His gentle touch soothed me.

My phone rang.

Terry jerked his hand away and pulled the device from my purse, handing it to me.

Talking to my assistant was not something I had time for right now. With a sigh, I answered. “Peyton, I’m busy. I’ll have to?—”

“Where are you?” she asked frantically. “We’re lucky Mrs. Eclestone called to say she’s running late, but she won’t be long. Tell me you’re only a block away.”

This was bad. I’d completely forgotten about her appointment this morning. Mrs. Eclestone was on the board of directors of her country club and a half dozen charities. Her recommendation for working with us would be big in her upscale community.

“Sorry. I got held up. Car trouble.” That was at least partially true, because I didn’t have my car. “Have Paul handle the design with her. I’ll be in as soon as I can.” Paul’s mother had actually gotten us the introduction.

“Paul? He hasn’t flown solo before.”

“Then have Marci join in and help him out. And don’t let him push black enamel and chrome. And…make sure he gargles first.”

That pulled a laugh out of Peyton. “I’ll do my best, but hurry.”

I felt silly as hell as I lay on my stomach in the back of Terry’s car having this conversation. I ended the call. “Shit. Shit. Shit.” The hospital was definitely out.

“What’s wrong?” Terry asked.

“Change of plans. I don’t have time for the hospital. Take me to my place. Do whatever you need to get this sucker out of me, but I need to change and go to work.”

“Wherever you go, I’m coming along, and that’s nonnegotiable.”

I sighed. Now that he’d saved me twice, my normal tendency to fight him was gone. “Prepare to be bored out of your mind.”

After the first pothole, I had to ask. “Do I really have to stay on my stomach like this?”

“It’s entirely your choice. Feel free to sit up if you want the barb to dig its way farther into you. It’s designed to dig into your skin and not let go, even if you’re running.”

It took him just a minute to criticize me again. “This only happened because you didn’t wait for me.”