Page 56 of Guarding Grace

“Victor’s going to pound you into the dirt,” Lorenzo sneered.

“Shut up, you idiot,” Maria hissed.

He clenched his teeth, but did as she’d commanded.

So she was higher ranking than him, and they worked for the Russo organization.

In the silence that followed, I replayed the conversation between Grace and the bossman. Grown men with brass balls didn’t stand up to Lucas Hawk the way she had. The woman had backbone and conviction, I’d grant her that. I added compassion to the list, recalling her insistence on supporting her employees.

I needed to reestablish distance, and she’d played right into my hand by getting hung up on our arguments about where to stay and her insistence on running the business like nothing at all had happened yesterday and today. I was trying to warn her about the dangers, and she was hellbent on arguing with me.

At the Hawk Security garage,Joe, our mechanic, waved me into a space.

Jordy and Winston met me and took our guests.

Normally I would’ve stayed to interrogate one or both of them, but this time getting back to Grace was more important.

I drove the return trip only moderately fast. Zane would be keeping Grace safe, and I didn’t need the hassle of getting pulled over for speeding after all that had gone on today. I stopped for the red light.

I could still recall the feel of her curvy little body against mine. My God, it had been glorious—soft tits, luscious lips, and the taste of her. Ithad to be one and done. I couldn’t let Pete down. The car behind me honked. How long had the light been green? I drove the rest of the way verbally reading off license plate numbers to keep thoughts of Grace at bay.

Grace

Peyton stared at me,clearly expecting me to confirm that I was banging my bodyguard, my nemesis.

I scrunched up my brows in my most confused expression. “Absolutely not. You know our history.” I’d mentioned more than enough tyrant episodes over lunches.

“The way he looks at you?” She fanned herself with the file she held. “You two fight like you’re one second from ripping each other’s clothes off.”

I stomped around my desk. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do. And Kitten? He even has a cute nickname for you.”

I turned away from my harasser. “What time is the Morgenthaus’ appointment?” I smiled, though.

“And…” Her voice went up an octave. “He wants to spank you.”

I turned back. “The Morgenthaus?” I repeated. “And don’t you have work to do?”

“You’ve got a half hour, and I’d let him spank me.” She laughed. “But that’s just me and my romance novels.”

“TMI.” I waved her away before she caught me smiling. “Shoo.”

She crossed her arms, not listening any better than Terry. “He’s got a point, and I don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn.”

I matched her stance, crossing my arms too. “You’re taking his side?”

“How often have you been together and not fought?”

I whisked a tendril of hair out of my face. “Pretty much never.” I wouldn’t admit to the day at Disneyland. “Except we didn’t fight last night at the awards party.”

“You were civil to him?”

“We didn’t have the chance to talk.”

“That doesn’t count.” She shook her head. “I get that he pushes your buttons, but you have got to stop perpetuating the cycle by pushing his as well. You’re better than that.”

The accusation stung. “He always starts it, not me.” I searched my memory for good examples.