by Susan Bliler
Chapter 19
Stepping out from around the corner of the building, Baymac nearly ran Grace over as she slammed into the wall of his chest. “Whoa!” His hands shot out to steady her and he put on his best surprised expression. “Grace! You alright? What are you doing out so late?”
He knew damn well what she was doing out because he’d been perched outside her window in hawk form the past few nights getting down her routine. She always had dinner and then took a walk around the Estate. Her predictability made it easy to “casually” bump into her.
“Baymac!” When she lifted surprised eyes to him, she looked almost glad to see him. “Hi. How are you?”
“Good,” he grinned, but kept his hands on her shoulders, unable to break contact. “How are you?”
“Good,” she smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Have you heard, I’m leaving in two days.”
That felt like a punch to the nuts. He hadn’t heard, and now some weird sense of urgency came over him. “Nah,” he shook his head. “I hadn’t heard.”
“Well now you can get all excited.”
“Grace,” he admonished.
“In case Michael Jackson didn’t tell you, you don’t go around breaking young girls’ hearts!”
“How old do I look,” he countered trying to lighten the mood as guilt tore through him.
“Hey!” she snapped. “Don’t be a douche! Everyone knows Michael Jackson!”
And he did. In fact, he loved the song she was referencing, but he wasn’t about to admit to it. “I didn’t break anyone’s heart, Grace. And what’s with all the song references all the time? You a music fiend or what?”
She lifted her chin haughtily and snapped her eyes shut. “Everyone is a music fiend. Doesn’t matter who you are. Everyone loves music because music is magic. Just like good books, long stories, and midnight margaritas with girlfriends.”
He grinned because he liked the way she talked, and he liked her music references, and he just liked her.
“Plus,” she carried on, her eyes peeking open. “I play the piano and that means there’s magic in me too.”
That little tidbit had him genuinely intrigued. “Oh yeah? Piano huh? You any good?”
“I like to think so.”
“Will you play for me sometime?” He didn’t know why he’d asked, but something in him yearned to know that part of her.
Grace shrugged, her cheeks flooding with color as she looked away. “Sure. Someday. Maybe once I’m far away from Otto and have settled in wherever it is I end up, I’ll invite you out for your own private concert.”
Her reference to Otto had him drawing up short. “You don’t need to worry about him coming after you. It ain’t happening. You know that right?”
“I know,” she murmured picking at the chipped polish on her thumb nail. “I took care of it.”
Her comment had a sliver of worry snaking through him. “What do you mean you took care of it?”
Looking up, she offered him an empty smile. “It’s like the Fugee’s say, ‘I play my enemies like a game of chess’.” Then the false smile was gone and she sighed. “He wouldn’t have come after me anyway. He’d have to have felt like he lost something for that, right?”
“Grace…”
“No,” she shook her head once hard. “I’m not sad over him.” She lifted her chin with true resolve. “I’m not, Baymac. It’s just,” she looked to the side. “It’s hard starting all over again. I don’t know how I got in this position I’m in.” She lifted her chin. “I hate running. It’s not in my nature to duck trouble or to hide.”
“We’re talking about an abusive man, Grace. It’s not like you could’ve faced him head on. This was your only choice.”
“I could’ve called the cops and prayed they kept him in jail. I could’ve bought a gun. There were lots of options.”
“None where you walked away still breathing,” he snarled. “Assholes like that never stay in jail. They always end up out and then what? He stalks you for putting him in there in the first place!”
“I could’ve bought a gun and waited for him to beat on me again.”
“And what if that was the time he decided not to stop? What if you went in armed and never even got a chance to use that damn gun? What if he used that gun on you? You did the right thing, Grace!”
“Did I?” she snapped. “Because all I can think about is the next woman he ends up with. He could really hurt her, and I could have done something.” Tears were blinding her now. “I should have done something,” she breathed.
“I can.” He ground out. “I will!”
Grace blinked and tears fell, but her face blanked a moment as she stared at him in shock. “No,” she was shaking her head now. “That’s not… I didn’t tell you this so you’d do something! I’m not…”
“I know, Grace!” he snarled. “I fucking know you weren’t. That’s exactly why I want to do something! Because you have all these monsters at your disposal, the Blackbird pack, Monroe’s Walkers, me! We’d do anything for you and you don’t even ask us to. Hell, you could’ve called Kya at anytime and she would’ve ended that prick, but you didn’t. You only asked for a damn ride!”
“I don’t want people fighting my battles for me.”
“I KNOW,” he roared.
Grace stumbled away from him. “Wh-why are you so angry?”
He dropped his head back and pinched his eyes shut. “Because I don’t like to think of anyone hurting you! I don’t like thinking of you worried about asking for help! I don’t like thinking of you fighting your own battles.” He lowered his head and pinned her with hard eyes that had gone all black. “Because I want to fight them for you. And I shouldn’t.” He took a step back. “You’re not mine.”
His words stung.
“You aren’t mine to protect. Are you, Grace?”
She didn’t understand what he meant, but breathed, “No” because he was right. She wasn’t his. Swiping angrily at her suddenly damp cheeks she ground out, “I’m not yours. I’m no one’s. But Dell is gonna fix that.”
Suddenly, Baymac’s lip peeled back in a cruel sneer. “He’s taken, Angel. Sorry about your bad luck.”
“That’s not what I mean,” she snapped. “I know about Chloe. She and I are friends. I just meant…”
“What?”
Full lips sealed tight and Grace shook her head. “Like you said. I’m not yours. What happens to me isn’t your concern. Goodbye, Baymac.” Without another word she turned and stalked back to the manor.
Chapter 20
Pacing Monroe’s office, Baymac scowled at the Dominant while trying to formulate a valid argument for keeping Grace at the Estate.
Canting his head, Monroe studied Baymac. “Funny. A few days ago you wanted her gone and now you’re alarmed that she’s leaving?”
“What I’m saying is that Grace wanted out of an abusive relationship. She was looking for some place safe. She’s safe now and she’s already here, so why not just keep her here.”
Monroe shrugged negligently and lifted a handful of almonds to his mouth before chucking a few inside and chewing deliberately as he studied Baymac. “That wasn’t the agreement.” He continued to chew and eye Baymac speculatively until the Walker fidgeted uncomfortably under the dominant’s perusal. Monroe popped the last few almonds in his mouth and dusted his hands together over his desk before standing and sliding into his coat. “She’s not staying.”
Those three words hit Baymac like a ton of bricks, and he couldn’t keep the snarl from his voice as he asked, “Why? She’s here, she’s safe. What’s the problem?”
Monroe slowly buttoned his suit coat. “She was never meant to remain here at StoneCrow. She’s a friend of Kya Blackbird of the Blackbird wolf pack up North. Our retrieval was a favor for the Alpha, Dell. The weather was too bad for them to get to her. We were closer, so Dell asked.” He winked with a mischievous grin, “I like being owed favors.” Picking non-existent lint off his cuff, Monroe slowl
y lifted clear blue eyes to pin Baymac in place. “She isn’t one of ours. She’s going to the Blackbird compound. They’ve got plans for her.”
Baymac could feel the blood surge through him in a rush that was nearly deafening to his own ears. Grace wasn’t his, but Monroe’s declaration had his possessive instincts surging forth. His mind knew better, but his heart felt like Monroe was trying to take something that wasn’t his to take. Held in place with the strange emotions rolling through him, Baymac could only watch as Monroe skirted his desk and made for the door.
“What plans?” Baymac snarled.
“Don’t worry, Mac. Grace is lovely. I’m certain Dell will have no difficulties mating her to one of his wolves.” He stopped to smirk at Baymac over his shoulder. “That’s the plan. Best way to keep her safe from the monster she’s just left is to put her with a real beast. One who won’t mind killing to protect her. He’s got unmated males looking to bond. There’ll be shifter battles. Winner gets Grace.” He shrugged, “She needs safety, they need women.”
His words had Baymac’s inner beasts drawing to attention. Grace was going to Glacier to find a mate! He didn’t want someone else claiming her or protecting her. He wanted to do it, but he wasn’t going to play this game either, and it was a game. He could tell by the way Monroe stalled at the door, the way his eyes narrowed as they drank in Baymac’s reaction. Monroe was trying to push him.
His jaw worked as he struggled to keep from telling Monroe to go to hell. Instead, he finally clipped out, “I’ll drive her to Glacier.” His fists clenched at the grin that took Monroe’s lips.
“No. You won’t. She specifically asked for any driver aside from you.” Monroe’s eyes were twinkling now. “Seems you haven’t left a very good impression on young Ms. Rowland.”
The revelation had Baymac’s expression blanking. Asked for any driver besides me? “Why?”
Monroe shrugged again, and Baymac wanted to break the asshole’s shoulders.
“Didn’t ask. Don’t care. Just want her gone. Favors gotta be completed for the wolves to be indebted to me.” Monroe waggled his brows excitedly. “Nothing like having a pack of wolf shifters in your corner.” With that he turned and tossed over his shoulders. “I’ve asked Recker to take Grace.” He paused halfway out the door. “He’s not mated you know. Maybe he and Grace…” He winked. “You know.”
The door clicked closed like a trigger as Monroe departed. Throwing his head back, Baymac couldn’t contain the roar of rage that left him.
Chapter 21
Grace sat bundled up in the passenger seat of an all blacked out Humvee. Today was the day she left StoneCrow behind. A mountain of a man named Recker had shown up at her suite and informed her he’d be taking her to Glacier. She was relieved and crushed in equal measure. Knowing she needed to leave StoneCrow to be away from Baymac didn’t change the fact that she was going to miss him. Part of her had hoped he’d come to see her before she left, but it was just as well. Inhaling sharply, she sneezed at the too much perfume she’d worn in anticipation of having her goodbye with Baymac. What a waste. She’d worn her best perfume, the expensive stuff that she typically reserved for special occasions. Eyeing the window and the just rising sun that beamed glorious light onto the snow covered ground creating an explosion of crystalline fields, Grace realized that today was decidedly not a special occasion. No, she felt melancholy when she should have been delighted with the prospect of seeing Kya, whom she hadn’t seen in a very long time.
Turning, she looked behind the vehicle. Recker had held open her door and then placed the small suitcase of items she’d acquired here at StoneCrow into the back of the Humvee. He should have been climbing into the vehicle by now, but she didn’t see him. Looking in the driver’s side mirror, she couldn’t find him on that side and panic began to flare. Did he slip on the ice? Is he hurt?
She was just reaching for her door handle when the driver’s side door jerked open. She turned and gave a startled gasp when Baymac climbed into the driver’s seat.
“What are you… Where’s Recker?”
Baymac started the vehicle and pulled away from the curb. “He had something else he needed to do.”
“But I don’t want you to drive me.”
“Tough.”
“Mr. StoneCrow said he’d get me someone else.”
“Mr. StoneCrow,” Baymac began, “was wrong.”
“Damn it, Mac!” Grace crossed her arms over her chest and slammed her back against the seat in what she knew looked like an epic pout. “Can’t you just let me go in peace?”
No. “My mission’s not complete. I vowed to get you to the Blackbird pack.”
“Mission?” she fumed. “Is that what I am to you? What I’ve been this whole time? A fucking mission?” Her eyes dipped to his knuckles. “And why are you bleeding?” She turned to look behind them as the vehicle raced away from StoneCrow. “Did you hurt Recker?”
Baymac grinned and glanced in the rearview mirror before settling his eyes on the road. A grin tweaked his lips. “Not badly.”
“Baymac! You can’t just go around smashing people!
“What’s that shit you’re wearing?”
Looking over, she saw that his nose was crinkled up and he had a look of disgust on his face. “Duh! Clothes. Sorry you don’t like my taste…”
“Not that! The smelly shit!”
“Oh.” She lifted her chin haughtily. “It’s perfume. A blend of roses and honeysuckle with just a hint of …”
“Asshole!” he supplied in revulsion, knowing he was being crude but pissed because he couldn’t find her scent beneath the stench masking it.
“Hey!” she snapped, reaching out and slapping his arm. “I’ll have you know this perfume is very expensive.”
“Well if it was two dollars a gallon, you’d still be overpaying.”
“A normal man would tell me I smell nice!”
“A normal man would be lying.”
Grace jerked her head to her window and frowned darkly at the passing scenery. “How long to Glacier?”
Through the reflection in her window she saw Baymac glance at her. “About four and half hours with this snow.”
Tone laced with sarcasm, Grace sighed, “Great! If Mr. StoneCrow sends other Walkers I’m telling them you hurt Recker and kidnapped me!” Leaning forward she turned on the radio and left it at an almost uncomfortable volume before settling back into her seat with, arms crossed, lips pursed.
They didn’t talk for a long while. After a few miles, Grace turned the volume down on the radio, but didn’t shut it off. She noted that Baymac watched her way too much and finally griped, “Can you keep your eyes on the road please? I don’t wanna die today!”
“I am!” he growled and then went right back to flicking frequent glances at her.
He was driving her bat-shit crazy. She’d wanted a clean break, it was supposed to be easiest for both of them, but here he was kidnapping her to take her away. Part of her was offended because she couldn’t help but think he wanted to make sure she got to Glacier so there’d be no excuse for her to pop back up at StoneCrow. Another part of her hoped that he’d wanted to drive her so they could talk, but as the miles stretched he didn’t speak. Her hope began to dwindle.
Another glance from him and she ground out, “I’m not going to jump out of the truck.”
“Obviously!”
“Then why are you watching me like that?”
“Because you’re different somehow.”
“Yeah,” she groaned propping her elbow on the arm rest and settling her hand in her upraised palm. “I stink. You told me.”
“No,” he breathed. “Something else.”
They didn’t get to discuss that something else though because just then the Humvee hit a patch of ice and the tail end got away from them. Grace jerked straight in her seat, but was shoved against the back rest when Baymac’s hand centered over her chest and held her in place.
“Hang on!” he growled and pumped
the breaks while trying to right the vehicle.
A horn sounded and Grace looked up to see an eighteen wheeler headed straight for them.
“Baymac!” Instinctually, she curled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them making herself into the smallest ball possible. Baymac’s hand didn’t leave her chest.
“Shit! I can’t get it back. I can’t get it back, Grace. BRACE YOURSELF!”
The car skidded off the other side of the road as the eighteen wheeler clipped the back end sending it jerking in another direction as it hit the ditch. Snow blasted up onto the windshield, and Grace’s body tried to lurch forward with the impact, but Baymac’s hand on her kept her pinned to the seat. He wasn’t so lucky. She saw his head hit the side window and then slam off the steering wheel. When the snow finally settled and the car whined and then died, Grace was panting as she looked around them and then looked at Baymac.
“Are you…”
A snarl erupted from him as he shoved off the steering wheel and turned to her, his eyes fully black and intense as they studied her. “Grace! Are you okay?”
He didn’t wait for her response though. His hands were touching over her frantically as if making sure she was still in one piece.
“GRACE!”
“Y-yes. Yes!” she responded more firmly. “I’m good. I think, I’m good.” She reached for him, “But you’re bleeding!” When she leaned forward, she saw there were two wounds, one on his eyebrow and one on his temple. They were both bleeding so profusely that it scared her. “Baymac?”
He blinked and his eyes that were focusing on her a moment earlier suddenly seemed to be looking through her before he blinked and he locked on her again.
“BAYMAC!” Grace scrambled to get out of her seat belt but stilled to cover her ears when a high pitched whine filled the car. At first she thought it was something wrong with the vehicle, but then a blinding light flashed and filled the space causing her to squint as she looked at Baymac. His eyes were rolling back in his head and his body was slumping over. She swore she heard him breathe something that sounded like ‘mine’ before he passed out.
