“Isa!” I called out, hoping she would respond.
But I heard nothing but the silence of the night. Which meant only one thing.
She couldn’t speak.
Three more trailers broken into and I still hadn’t found her. I finally came to one at the corner of the lot. One swift kick and I’d hit the jackpot.
I’d found my girl.
Pasha was on top of Isa, his dick pressed against her thigh, one hand rubbing her breast, one hand holding a gun. Her body was stark naked, stripped for this pervert.
Hell no!
Bile rose in my throat. I was going to kill this guy.
“Grady, be careful! He has a gun!”
My own gun was in the glove compartment of my truck. But I didn’t need a gun. I wasn’t afraid of this motherfucker. I’d seen combat. I’d fought with the real enemies. And I’d won.
“Get the fuck off her; this is your only warning.”
The asshole laughed, fucking laughed, at me. He stood up—his pencil thin dick waving at me.
“What are you going to do, freak? Fight me?” His eyes seemed to be a darker shade of blue and his pupils were dilated.
“Yup. What does shooting me accomplish? You go to jail and never see Isa again. Put down the gun and let’s have a fair fight. The better man wins.”
I glared at Isa, praying she could read my mind. I needed her to remain calm until I could unarm this psycho.
His gun was now pointed toward my chest.
“I am not going to fight together with you, you monster. Turn around and walk out of here so I can have my way with my girl. Or you can stay and watch, if that is your thing.” He turned to Isa. “It didn’t have to be like this. All I ever want is to be pleasing to you.”
I mouthed, “Go with it,” to Isa.
She touched his waist. “You are. Let me show you how much I want you, how much I always wanted you.”
“You mean it?”
“Yes, Pashka. It’s always been you. Since we were kids, I dreamed of this day. You know how much I wanted you.” She caressed his hand and kissed him on the lips, and his grip on the gun looked shaky.
This had gone on long enough. I ran toward him and lunged at his neck, pulling him off of Isa.
Isa grabbed the gun and pointed it at Pasha.
Cocking my arm back, I punched him square in the face, knocking him out cold.
As Pasha slumped to the floor, I secured the weapon from Isa.
“Did he hurt you?” I wrapped my arms around her, her body shivering.
“No, he just touched me. Scared me. You got here in time.” Her voice cracked. “This is all my fault. Pasha, going on the show. How did I not see this coming? I just want to go away with you. You’re all I have.”
In this fucked-up moment, her words provided me comfort. She was still my girl. “Hey, listen to me. This is not your fault. That guy was clearly a psycho. I’m never going to leave you again, baby. I’ve got you. I love you.”
Isa was shaking, her body cold to my touch. I helped Isa dress, called 911, and within minutes, police cars had surrounded the trailer, with studio security finally deciding to show up. Useless fuckers.
We were hauled down to the station to give our statements, and after what seemed like hours of questioning, Isa and I were finally free to go. Together.
“I don’t want to be alone tonight. Or ever. Can I stay with you?”
I kissed her on the forehead, and gently stroked her hair. “Of course, baby. I’m never letting you out of my sight.”
Grady
My first goal was to get somewhere we could be alone. Safe. Together. We checked into a nearby hotel and I hoped we could start putting this nightmare behind us…
Once in the room, she kept her distance from me and shifted on her feet. “I can’t believe you showed up. Where were you all this time? I called you, texted you, messaged you. Nothing.”
I was pleasantly surprised she’d been so persistent trying to get a hold of me, especially since I’d told her that I never wanted to see her again. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t contact you. I was in rehab. No phones, no internet.”
Her mouth gaped and her shoulders relaxed. “Really? Oh my God, Grady, I was hoping that’s where you were, but I didn’t believe you’d actually go. Do you feel any better?”
I walked over to her and held her waist, staring into her eyes. “Yeah, actually I do. It was rough, but some of the therapies made me feel better. Made me realize that I needed to go after what I wanted and not be stuck in the past. It helped to meet guys I could relate to on a deeper level, who understood what I was going through. Then I saw that you were going to dance for me on TV. So I left to come find you.”
Her hand reached up and caressed my skin. “Now I feel bad. Were you ready to leave? I can take you back there and wait for you until you’re done.”
“No. I’m good.” I cupped her cheeks in my hands and kissed her face. Just a loving kiss. Nothing more. She had been through enough today. “I don’t want to be away from you again.” For the first time, I saw her completely differently. She wasn’t a sex object to me anymore, she was a beautiful woman who I wanted to make happy.
I wrapped her in my arms and clutched her to my chest. “Let’s get some rest. I’m taking you somewhere special tomorrow.”
“Where?”
Had she already forgotten about the ball? “It’s a surprise.”
Isa
The next morning, he woke me before sunrise. “Let’s go.”
I glanced at my phone to check the time. “Now? It’s four in the morning. We’ve only slept a few hours.”
“Now, sleeping beauty.”
I yawned and sat up in bed, trying to focus. “I was hoping to spend all day in bed.” I’d missed him so much. I just wanted to make love to him all day, order room service, and watch some movies.
“Ha. Don’t tempt me. Get up, we’re going to be late.”
I hated surprises. “Late? For what?”
He had a devilish smirk on his face. “I told you, it’s a surprise.”
“Fine.” I didn’t know what he was up to but I reluctantly packed our bags, and we headed back to the truck. He drove on the freeway, and he pulled into LAX. Long-term parking.
“Grady, what’s going on?” My nerves were jittery.
“The ball? Remember? You promised.”
“You’re taking me to Hawaii?” I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten that the ball was today. I’d put it out of my mind after Tahoe. I was thrilled that we hadn’t missed it.
“Yup. Let’s go.”
Ay dios mío! I squealed and jumped into his arms. We kissed and his hands ran down my back, caressing my body. I wanted more but he placed me down, and we headed into the airport. My heart sang, and I couldn’t resist humming. Yesterday had been one of the scariest days of my life, the other being when my mom died, but twenty-four hours later I was happier than I’d ever been. My beast had returned to me.
Five hours later, and one too many mai tais, our plane touched down. My mouth was watering in anticipation of eating my weight in chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. But more than anything, I was eager to get Grady alone in the hotel.
We climbed into a taxi, but when we arrived at the hotel, Grady just took our bags and instructed me to wait.
A few minutes later, he returned. “Ala Moana, please.”
“The mall? We just got here. Can’t we relax?”
“No. The ball’s tonight and you need a dress and heels. I didn’t think we’d make it, but I already have my blues ready—they were sent to the room.”
“Tonight? It’s two o’clock? I need to get my hair and makeup done.”
“I know this. Don’t worry, baby. I’ve got it taken care of. Let me spoil you.”
As we drove down to the mall, my head spun. Within twenty-four hours, I’d gone from wondering if I would ever see Grady again, to spotting him in the audience, to almost being raped by Pasha, to end up in Hawaii, about to attend a ball,
and meet the President. And I couldn’t believe Grady had offered to take me on a shopping spree. No man had ever done anything this nice for me.
“Where to?” he asked.
I never spent money on clothes. I didn’t go anywhere, really, besides school. “You really don’t have to do this, Grady.”
He put his hand on my back. “Let’s go here.” He pointed at Bloomingdale’s.
We walked into the store and took the escalator to the second floor. An older sales clerk approached us, her eyes immediately focusing on Grady.
“Sergeant Grady Williams? It’s an honor. My son is a Marine. Thank you for your service, son.”
Whoa. We hadn’t been in public for more than a few minutes. Did this always happen to Grady? It was really starting to seem like it.
“Thank you, ma’am. My girlfriend is trying to find a dress for the Marine Corps Ball. Very formal. Could you help her?”
Girlfriend. First time he’d said it to anyone in public. I loved the way it sounded.
“Of course, I’d be honored.” She turned her attention to me. “Do you have any particular style or color in mind?”
I shrugged. “No, I’m not sure what’s in style.”
“That’s fine, dear.” She surveyed my body, guessing correctly my size, and brought out a selection of dresses.
The weight of last night’s attack still heavy on my mind, I wanted something simple and classy. My eyes immediately went toward a navy blue A-line dress with a lace bodice, sweetheart neckline, empire waist, and a layered chiffon skirt. I pulled the dress over my head, the soft fabric draping across my curves. I gasped when I saw myself in the mirror. The dress was stunning.
I walked out of the dressing room, and Grady did a double take when he saw me.
He walked over to me and kissed my cheek. “You look gorgeous.”
That was easy. I changed out of the dress, and in the rest of our shopping whirlwind, he also bought me heels and a clutch. Before I knew it, he’d dropped me off at a spa, where they did my nails, hair, and makeup.
I felt like a princess.
Two hours later, my jaw dropped, literally dropped, when he picked me up in his full dress blues, medals gleaming, especially the Medal of Honor around his neck. The sight of his scars never made me wince anymore. As far as I could see, he was the sexiest man alive.
“Hello, handsome.”
He took my arm and led me to a limo parked outside.
Once inside, Grady poured himself a glass of whisky and I had a rum and coke. It was as if we were going to prom, another experience I’d skipped because of my dancing.
The limo took us to the Hawaiian Marriott.
I stopped for a moment to take in the view of the beach and the palm trees, the scent of freesias in the air. We walked upstairs to the ballroom, all eyes staring at us. I’d had the public eye on me before, but never on the arms of someone I loved. Who I was proud of. Who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. And as if this night couldn’t get any better, I was about to meet the President.
Grady
I straightened my medals, and put my arm around Isa’s back. Six months ago, I’d doubted that I would ever even find a date to take to the ball. Now I was here attending with the most breathtaking woman, inside and out. And better yet, she loved me.
The place was swarmed with secret service men, another career I’d wanted to consider after being a sniper. But I shook it off, refusing to focus on what couldn’t be.
A bunch of Devil Dogs greeted us, including my best friends, Beau, Diego, Preston, and Trace. I beamed with pride after introducing Isa, as my girlfriend, to them. After catching up my men, Isa and I posed for formal pictures.
The commandant walked over. I’d met him once when I’d been awarded my medal. “Good evening, sir. I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Isa Cuesta.”
“Good evening, Sergeant. Nice to meet you, miss. Sergeant Williams, the President has requested your presence. Please join us.”
We were escorted to the back table where the President was sitting with a few other high-ranking Marines. He stood up when he saw me. “Sergeant Williams, it’s lovely to see you again. And who is your beautiful date?”
I shook his hand. “This is my girlfriend, Isa Cuesta.”
The President kissed Isa’s hand. “It’s an honor, Mr. President,” she said shyly.
“The honor is mine. Sergeant Williams tells me you’re a dancer. I hope to see you dance tonight.”
She bit her lip adorably. “Oh, I’d love to. I’m so happy to be here.”
The ball was about to start so we were seated for the Commandant’s Birthday Message. A video played, showing the history of the Marine Corps. I was interviewed in the reel, cringing when I saw myself on the high definition screen.
“I’m Sergeant Grady Williams. I’m a Marine. And Marines will do anything for each other. Semper Fidelis. Always Faithful. I didn’t think I was going to die that day, I knew I was going to. But if I could’ve saved one life, I knew my sacrifice was worth it.”
Isa’s eyes welled with tears, and she clutched my hand. Her fingers looked so delicate placed in my white gloves.
The video ended, and there was the cutting of the Marine Corps cake, as well as a presentation recognizing the oldest Marine, a Korean War vet who was eighty-five, and the youngest Marine, a seventeen-year-old private.
I was having a blast, drinking, eating our catered dinner, seeing all my friends again.
Once dinner was over, an announcer took the stage.
Nerves overtook me. I had another surprise for Isa.
“And now we have a special treat. Sergeant Williams, please take the floor.”
“What?” she turned to me and I stood up and led Isa out to face the audience.
The sweat dripped down my face as I clung to Isa. Strobe lights, people packed into the audience like sardines. I spied my friends at their tables, dressed in their dress blues, clapping their hands manically. Man, what had I done?
“And now, dancing a slow foxtrot to ‘Tale as Old as Time,’ our guest of honor, Sergeant Grady Williams and Isa Cuesta.”
The audience roared. The blue dress hugged her incredible curves. And I didn’t need a mask or a costume. I was a beast. Her beast.
She back led me through the song as I tried to focus on doing heel leads and keeping the rhythm slow, quick, quick, slow. I hated to admit it, but I actually enjoyed dancing—the pressure of Isa’s tight body on mine, the softness of her skin in my scarred hands as we moved as one to the music. I was in complete control. Of the dance, of her, and of my life.
After a few more steps, she twirled off me in a flourish of a finish. My Marines stood up, their claps and catcalls deafening.
She kissed my lips. “I can’t believe you danced with me.”
I lowered my hands to her waist and kissed her back. As the applause continued around us, I reached into my breast pocket, and pulled out a ring. I had a question to ask her.
Isa
Before I could even realize what Grady was doing, he’d dropped to one knee in front of me, holding a ring. I thought I was going to faint.
“I love you, Isa. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
What? A day ago I thought I’d never seen him again. He looked up at me, his face so hopeful, yet strong and confident. We had so much to talk about, so much to work out. Were we ready for this?
I took a deep breath. We would figure out all the details later. All I knew was that I wanted to be with his man forever.
“Ay dios mío, Grady. Yes!”
He picked me up and kissed me. Applause rang out through the banquet room.
I stared at my ring, a beautiful oval-cut diamond set in rose gold.
Rose.
From my beast.
My beast. My prince. My hero.
My fiancé.
Epilogue
For my final act in the Marine Corps, I married my lovely bride in a traditional Marine Corps wedding, my buddies
creating the arch with their swords.
After Isa and I were married, our lives had blended together seamlessly. She’d re-enrolled in her senior year at UCSD, and I found a job working with wounded warriors, men and women just like myself. It was great to know that I could inspire those who felt as desperate and despondent as I once had.
I’d decided not to write the war memoir with her father because I wanted to avoid the media spotlight, especially since we were starting our lives together. Isa understood, especially after I confessed to her that the only reason I had agreed to the book in the first place was to get close to her. But I did introduce my father-in-law to a fellow wounded warrior and they had agreed to collaborate on a book together. With his new book deal, he was able to save the house. Isa’s relationship with her old man was strained, but he was making an effort to repair the damage he caused by stealing her trust fund.
Money was tight, but we were both fine living on a budget. Between Isa’s job teaching dancing, and my income from my job and the VA, we would make ends meet.
Pasha had been arrested and charged with kidnapping and attempted rape. Because he had no priors he pled it down to probation. I’d always known there was something seriously off about that guy. Turns out, he had pending allegations of sexual assault with other dance students. They had been afraid to file a report against a TV star. He must’ve counted on Isa being an easy target. But instead she pointed the gun at his head. Isa was strong and beautiful.
I would never stop missing Rafael, but I finally found some comfort, knowing he would want me to be happy, and that he was guarding the gates of heaven.
Almost a year after we met, I looked out the window of our apartment and heard the sounds of a party from the local frat house where Isa and I had met.
Heroes Ever After Boxset: Books 1-3 Page 16
