Page 18 of Guarding Grace (Hawk Security #2)
He frowned. “I know a place in Marina del Rey. It’s not an official safe house, but it’ll do. Is that close enough?”
I didn’t want to give in easily, but I had to admit it was. “Not ideal, but I guess?—”
“We’re shooting for safe, not ideal, so Marina del Rey it is. You’re staying at my place. It’s very secure.”
“Wait a minute, your place? You said a place. You can’t just decide how and where I’m going to live without my input. And I’m not moving in with you.”
“Agreed,” Terry said. “On bodyguard, your choice was Zane or me, and you chose me.”
I relaxed.
“As for location, since your apartment is out of the question, I gave you the choice of Fontana or Marina del Rey, and you said Marina del Rey was close enough.”
I could see now that I’d been maneuvered into this. “It’s not fair. I need another choice.”
“Life’s not fair. At least you got a choice, and it’s only temporary. And you won’t be moving in with 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, all the 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.”
“Stop it.” I threw up my hands. “I have a business to run, and I’m going to do it here. That’s my job.” I saw the crack in his determination. “ Your job is to figure out how to provide security within that framework.”
“I don’t like it.” That was at least an improvement from hell no .
“Grow up. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t like. It’s called life.” I knew I was being too hard on him, but he wasn’t listening to reason. “I said no, and that’s final.”
He set the folder down with fierce eyes locked on mine. “Okay, this time. Constance is on the way to handle the cops. Do exactly what they say, or else.”
“Or else what? You going to spank me?”
“If I have to.”
I nodded and moved close, enjoying that I could so easily rile him. “I’ll behave, but only because you asked so nicely.”
That surprised him. With a shake of his head, he strode quickly to the door. “I’ll be back soon.”
I returned the combination smile and sneer I’d practiced for him. “I’ll be here.”
After he stormed out, Peyton came closer. “Tell me you’re banging him.”