Page 41 of Guarding Grace

A smile came naturally. Sir Galahad was a cute nickname for Terry, one I never would have considered before. “He said he had to run an errand, and he called Zane in to watch over me until he gets back.”

“When can we get out of here? I’ve got a blender at home just itching to make us margaritas.”

I pushed away from the desk. “Not right now. I’ve got a full day here. Maybe after work. We can do another sleepover. How’s that sound?”

I hid my smirk. After our kiss, no way was I putting intentional distance between me and Terry until I figured out this thing between us, whatever it was. “No thanks. I don’t want to rock the boat. I’ll stick with Terry and sleep in my own bed tonight. Bonnie and Clyde need me too.”

She eyed me warily. “Are you sure? I mean, it won’t be any trouble to get Duke?—”

I cut her off with a hand. “I’ll stick with Terry.” The memory of him carrying me this morning warmed me.

She cocked her head. “You’re smiling.”

I laughed. “I’m just happy I’ve got as good a friend as you looking out for me.” I started for the door. “Now, I have customers waiting.”

She sighed and followed. “The offer is open, if you need it.” Reaching the door, she gave me a quick hug. “Remember, I’m only a phone call away.”

“I know,” I said.

As Serena left, Peyton gave me the quick rundown on the new prospect. “She’s in demo two. They have a three-hundred-and-forty-lot subdivision going up in Thousand Oaks, and they want us to do the master closets and pantries. She said they have nine styles, but it’s only three sizes of closet and pantry. She was insistent that she had to see you today or go with somebody else for the project.”

My eyes widened. This was exciting stuff. Three-hundred and forty homes would be a monster order for us.

Zane stood to follow when I turned toward demo room two.

“I’ve got this.” I didn’t need him spooking a potentially big client.

He nodded and sat back down.

In demo two, Peyton repeated my intro as visionary and owner of SpaceMasters before leaving us alone.

After a quick handshake, I gingerly took a seat, careful of my butt cheek. “Maria, I understand you have a large project you wish us to bid on.”

“I do need your help.” She held her phone up for me to see and flipped between pictures of Peyton and Marci out in the office. “This is important. If you make a sound, my associate outside will kill one of these women. Do you understand?”

My blood froze. This couldn’t be happening. Shakily, I nodded. I had no way to warn Zane.

“Good. I want you to listen very carefully, because Lorenzo won’t hesitate to kill more of them if they scream. He hates women who scream. Nod if you understand.”

I nodded again. Lorenzo and this lady were both first-rate assholes. I’d disliked people before, but these two had just moved to the top of my shit list.

A knock sounded at the door, and Peyton opened it. “Would you like coffee, water, or a soda?”

“No thank you, Peyton,” Maria replied with a smile.

I didn’t turn around and merely shook my head. “Not me either.” I had to keep her away from this monster.

Peyton closed the door, and we were alone again.

I wanted to rip that smile off Maria’s face and make her eat it. “What do you want?”

“My employer wants to talk to your cousin, Elliot, but he seems to be avoiding us.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“You’re his only relative. He has no friends he can trust. He sought you out this morning because he has nobody else to turn to. If you tell me where he is, I’ll see that he goes to see my boss in one piece. My boss’s other employees who are out looking for him won’t be so gentle.”

“I don’t have any idea where he is.”