Page 52 of Guarding Grace

I laughed. “Still not your fault.” I took his arm. Realizing this strong man had put all his energy, all his focus, into protecting me was a giddy feeling.

He blew out a breath, not arguing, but also not agreeing. “Go on. What happened next?”

“I thought it was too dangerous for my employees not to go along with her, but then I remembered what you said.”

“Don’t go quietly?” he prodded.

“Exactly, so I fainted right next to Zane. Of course he rushed to me.”

He grabbed my shoulders. “You fainted? That was your plan?”

“No, silly. I faked fainting. I mean, I have so much practice I can pull it off pretty convincingly. And when Zane got to me, I whispereddriver armed tango.”

Terry chuckled. “You know the lingo.”

“What do you expect? My brother was spec ops. After that, Zane drew on the guy—caught him totally by surprise—and the woman made a run for the door, but I nailed her with two darts right in the ass.”

Terry burst out laughing and hugged me. “You are truly something else, Kitten.”

I hugged him back, still trembling a little from the adrenaline rush of it all, but warm and at ease in his arms. “You said to fight with whatever Ihad, and I’m a good shot with my darts. It’ll be a week before she can sit. Or maybe she’ll get an infection. I’ve never thought about sanitizing them.”

“God, I lo—I like the way you think.”

I pressed myself into him. He was all warm, hard muscle. Looking up, I only wished he would kiss me again.

His phone rang, and he untangled himself from me. “I have to get this. It’s the boss.”

Reluctantly, I nodded. All I wanted was to cling to this man and climb all over him.

“Yes?” he answered, turning his back on me.

I couldn’t do anything about my face or hair, but I smoothed my blouse and skirt just in case.

“She’s here… Okay.”

“Lucas wants to talk to both of us.” He set the phone down and pressed the speaker button. “You’re on speaker.”

“How are you, Grace?” Lucas Hawk asked.

“It was harrowing for a while, but I’m recovered now, thanks to Zane.”

“He said your quick thinking was key.”

I bloomed with pride. “It was Terry’s advice that made the difference.”

“I’m calling to tell you we’re going to put our full effort into protecting you and locating your cousin, Elliot, free of charge.”

Everything had happened so quickly since last night—I hadn’t even thought about the cost in manpower and time they’d invested in me and my stupid cousin already. But I didn’t do charity. “No, that’s?—”

“Stop right there, Grace Brennan. You listen to me.” Even over the phone, Lucas Hawk could be intimidating in the extreme. “Several of us worked with your brother, and Terry is the administrator of your trust. That makes you family in my book.”

“I pay my own way,” I insisted.

“You’re family, young lady. We take care of family.”

“While I appreciate the sentiment, don’t you dareyoung ladyme. I’m a grown woman. I do not accept charity from anybody, and that includes you, Lucas Hawk.”

“Grace.” I heard the exasperation in his voice. “That is not acceptable.”