Page 54 of Guarding Grace

“Life’s not fair. At least you got a choice, and it’s only temporary. And you won’t bemoving inwith me. Your safety is the priority. If you really hate me that much, we can go to Fontana.”

I waited, secretly hoping, and maybe if I was being honest, dreading a little, that he’d say he preferred I stay with him.

He didn’t. “What’ll it be, Wildcat?”

I was stuck. “Staying with you will be acceptable, only if you have hot water and real food in the fridge.”

“I have both,” Terry announced. “And, this is only as long as you’re in danger.”

“You better not be lying.” I was probably lying by omission here. The thing that scared me about staying with Terry was what had happened between us on the couch. The kiss had changed everything, but I had no idea how that was going to turn out, and it scared the bejesus out of me. Should I want him? Maybe not. But did I want him? Absolutely yes, underlined twice, and I was afraid of screwing it up.

“You know I don’t lie.”

I looked into his hard, gray eyes and saw the conviction there. “I know.”

“Grace, I have only ever wanted what was best for you.”

That proclamation made me feel small. I’d just spent this conversation, and many years before that, battling a man who only wanted to keep me safe.

Terry was bossy to a fault and drove me up a wall sometimes—no, allthe time—but his intentions were pure. He’d proven that. If only we could discuss things more calmly.

I had the sudden urge to jump into his arms and apologize for my bitchiness when a knock sounded at the door.

I backed away before Peyton stuck her head inside. “Are you ready for the next one?”

Terry smiled and coolly replied, “Grace will be calling it a day.”

Peyton stepped into the room. “It’s Mr. and Mrs. Morgenthou.”

I sucked in a breath and gave Terry the bad news. “It’s an important account. I can’t miss this.”

His face twisted. “More important than your life? You’re not staying. I have to take those two to Hawk, and you have to come with me.”

He’d moved from suggestion to command, and I wasn’t having it. This was important. “I’m not going to shut down my business on account of those lowlifes. Zane can stay, and I’ll bring him into the demo room with us. I won’t be out of his sight, promise.”

Terry grumbled. “No. You’re coming with me.”

Peyton watched us with rapt attention.

“Parallel work,” I said. “Remember? I do my work while you do the security thing and take Tweedledee and Tweedledum to the dungeon or wherever.”

“No.”

“Listen here, Rambo. This is my business, and like I said, I’m staying to run it.”

“What good does this place do anybody if you’re abducted or dead? They know you’re here, and those two idiots may not be the last. This is not a safe place for you.” He pointed. “What just happened out there proves it.”

“This is where my business is located, dammit. Now take your attitude and shove it. I’m staying. You guys figure out how to make it safe.”

“Until we do, you come with me.” His words were cold and unyielding.

“I’m staying here and working. Period.”Take that, Mr. Bossy.I could and would be equally unyielding.

He thought for a moment. “I think we should set you up with a remote location, since most of your work is on the computer anyway.”

I could feel myself close to blowing a gasket. “Why do you have to make this so hard? I have to meet with customers. That’s the business.”

“You’re the one making this hard by not taking your safety seriously.”