Page 47 of Guarding Grace

Victor didn’t appreciate the humor. His beady eyes shifted to me and back to Lucas. “How long will it take you to locate Elliot?”

“Like I said,” Lucas drawled. “I don’t work with underlings. Have your father call me.”

Victor’s face distorted into a snarl as he picked up his phone and dialed. “Maria? Very good… Yes, now.” A smirk crossed his face as he turned back to Lucas. “Since you won’t help, I’ll find Elliot with Miss Brennan’s assistance.”

I shook my head. “She doesn’t want to talk to you.”

“We’ll see.” He motioned to the door. “Show these gentlemen out.”

Lucas touched his ear as we hit the street. “Jordy, relay to Wellbourne that we’re clear and no blood was shed. He can release his people.”

Outside, I finally had a chance to ask my question. “Are we really going to work with those assholes?”

Lucas shook his head. “We needed the intel.”

“Who tipped them off to expect us?” Constance asked.

“Winston?” Lucas asked. “Who did you call to get this location?”

“My usual department source. I doubt it was him, but I’m sure he had to call someone else in the department to get the info.”

“Or,” I added, “it could have been one of the guys Wellbourne called for backup.”

Victor, the little prick, had been too smug for my taste. I needed to get back to Grace and be ready for when the next shoe dropped.

Lucas nodded as we walked. “From now on, we don’t talk to LAPD on this case.”

Grace

“No heroics,”Maria reminded me as I opened the door to leave demo two.

As soon as I cleared the door, I searched the room and spotted Zane. We would have to walk nearby to reach the door. Was there a way I could warn him nonverbally? My stomach dropped when I saw Lorenzo eyeing Peyton, who was at her desk.

“Explain the trip normally,” Maria whisper-warned me as we approached my assistant.

With each step, I got closer to vomiting and wishing Terry was here. I would have given anything to rewind this morning and decide to stay on the couch in Terry’s arms. I could have told Mrs. Eclestone we’d have to reschedule. How the hell could I get a message to any of them?

“The landlord needs a signature on some disclosures or other. I left it on your desk,” Peyton noted.

“Sure.” Scribbling on that could be my opportunity to get a message to them.

“But we’re in a hurry,” Maria said. “And legal documents can take so much time to review.” Her demonic gaze conveyed very clearly that I didn’t have a choice.

Lorenzo had his eyes on us all.

“Probably right,” I agreed. “I’ll get to it later.”

Going into sales mode, Peyton asked Maria, “What did you think of our offerings?”

“I think my boss will be very interested in your proposal when it’s finalized,” Maria said. “But first we need to take some measurements, isn’t that right, Grace?” She angled toward the door.

Message received. “Yeah. We’ll do that right now.”

“You look tired,” Peyton said, picking up her phone. “Paul is up next. I’ll get him.”

“No,” I said quickly and waved for her to put the phone down. “I’ll do this one myself.” I couldn’t fail in getting Maria and her henchman outthe door and away from my people. Without Terry here, it was the only way.

“But—”