Granted Wishes (The Granted Series Book 1)

by Tanya Vought

  “You need to go now! You need to leave now and save Gracelynn. She’s in danger. Go! Now!”

  He looks around, baffled and confused, wondering where this voice came from.

  “Leave NOW! Gracelynn is in trouble. IT’S LIFE OR DEATH! GO NOW!!!!!”

  Giovanni is speechless and scared – not just because of the voice, but because of their warning that Gracelynn is in trouble. He hastily grabs all his paperwork and throws it in his briefcase. He immediately calls his driver to park a car in front of the hotel and to have the plane ready to leave in fifteen minutes.

  His driver gets him to his small runway to enter his charter plane. He urges the driver and the pilot to hurry up, more scared than ever before. He’s not sure what the voice was talking about, but he’s confident it was telling the truth, and that Gracelynn is in danger. He feels it in his soul. He closes his eyes while he leans back on the leather seat of the plane, praying he’ll make it to her in time.

  The plane lands and another driver waits for him at the airport. He ushers the driver to get to the motel as fast as he can. As his heart races in his chest, hoping to God he can save her from whatever is or about to happen, his phone dings showing he missed a call, but the caller left a voicemail. He dials his voicemail and hears Gracelynn shouting: “Help me! Please, leave us alone!”

  His blood boils in his veins. He wants to hurt everyone and everything. Thankfully, the car pulls onto the motel parking lot at that moment. “Call 911,” he tells his driver, and then he rushes out of the car, hoping he’s not too late.

  He runs into the motel, his emotions a mix of anger and fear. What will he find when he gets to Gracelynn’s room? Oh God, what if she’s dead? He runs to her room as fast as his legs can carry him. The door stands ajar, which makes his heart beat as fast as a speeding train. He pushes the door open, and nearly chokes up. A man lingers on top of Gracelynn, who is lying lifelessly on the floor, like a broken doll. Holly is near the bed, unmoving. The dog looks hurt pretty badly too. “Yes, I’ve got the pics,” the man says through his phone. “They look real good. No one will believe I was able to pull this off.”

  “Get off of her!” Gio hollers.

  Startled, Xavier slams down the phone and lunges at Giovanni with a knife. Gio pulls his hand back and then punches Xavier out cold just as officers and EMS personnel come barging into the room.

  Gio quickly explains what he thinks happens, and points at Gracelynn and Holly.

  Xavier moans from on the floor, holding his head in pain. “What the…”

  The officers handcuff him and yank his arm so he stands up straight. Xavier glares at Gio, his eyes filled with burning hatred. He starts cursing that he’ll get him for this, while the officers take him away.

  Gio stands there feeling absolutely powerless while the EMS personnel start to examine Gracelynn. She’s been severely beaten, she doesn’t respond to anything, and her clothes are torn. Gio’s heart breaks as he watches her. The paramedics insert an IV and pull a breathing mask over Gracelynn’s face. One of them also checks on Holly, and then turns toward Gio. “Do you know these ladies?”

  Gio nods and the man continues. “She needs to be taken to an animal hospital right away,” the paramedic says. “I’m not an expert on animals, but she’s in bad shape and should be seen immediately.”

  Gio nods. But he can’t think straight. He calls Kat and tells her to get to the ER, where they’ll take Gracelynn.

  * * *

  After going to the vet hospital, where they assured him Holly will be all right – she suffered two cracked ribs, but will make a full recovery – and leaving his beloved dog in the hands of the staff, Gio rushes to the hospital. When he arrives, he finds Kat pacing back and forth in the waiting room. ”Don’t worry,” she says as soon as he burst in, although the worry is etched on her own face as well. “She’s doing okay. A nurse came out a few minutes ago to tell us a doctor will be out soon to speak with us.”

  Gio hugs Kat, trembling from fear, afraid of losing another person in his life.

  As they sit on the sterile white chairs, waiting for the Dr. Gio, closes his eyes and prays for the first time in years. He prays that Gracelynn will survive. He couldn’t bear the thought of her passing away.

  Footsteps startle him out of his prayer, and a doctor comes into the waiting room. He’s young, looks fresh out of completing his residency. “She’ll make a full recovery,” he stresses. “Her face is bruised, she has four cracked ribs and a slight concussion, but there won’t be any permanent damage.”

  The doctor then bids them farewell and leaves the room.

  Gio bursts out in tears and Kat reaches out for him, hugging him. He cries for the pain Gracelynn has endured, but at the same time he also cries because he’s so relieved she’ll make a full recovery.

  Chapter 19

  WHEN GRACELYNN WAKES UP, three sad faces peer at her. Giovanni, Anne and Kat sit next to her with gloomy expressions.

  She slowly tries to move, looking around, trying to figure out where she is. Giovanni gets up from the chair, leans over her bed and kisses her on the forehead. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers.

  “What’s going on, guys? Where am I?” Then the memories come back, overwhelming her. She starts shaking and pulls the covers up to her chin.

  “Oh God. He didn’t rape me, did he?” Her voice breaks and she starts sobbing.

  Gio grabs her hand and wipes her tears with his other hand. He turns her swollen, bruised but still remarkably beautiful face towards him. “No, he didn’t. I got there just in time.”

  She sighs into his embrace as her tears subside, but then she remembers Holly. “Oh my God, is Holly okay? She tried so hard to protect me…”

  “She’s stable. Just a few broken ribs. She’ll make a full recovery, just like you.”

  “Thank God.” Gracelynn takes a deep breath. “When can I go home?”

  “Soon. The doctor wanted to keep you here for observations and…” Gio stops and rubs the back of his neck, before he continues. “Also, the officers will need a full, detailed report of what happened before you leave.” He kisses her forehead again. “I…I’ll let the staff know you’re awake.”

  Anne reaches for Gracelynn’s hand. “Why didn’t you tell us you were in trouble?” Her voice barely reaches above a whisper. “If I’d known you were staying at that motel, I would’ve made you stay with Kat and I. That place gives me the creeps. I can’t believe Giovanni let you stay there.”

  “He didn’t. He told me I should stay at his place, or at least one of his hotels, but I didn’t listen.”

  Anne gives her a bewildered look, but Gracelynn continues. “He told me to not go to that motel, but I was stubborn and wanted to be alone. I should’ve listened to him in the first place.”

  Just then a knock on the door interrupts their conversation and in walks Gio and a big, strong, muscular and very attractive police officer. She reads his badge. It reads “Officer Hughes.” He’s at least six feet tall and broad-shouldered with jade-colored eyes.

  Gio notices her trepidation and moves around the officer to sit next to her on the bed. He grabs her hand, which gives her instant comfort. He whispers lightly in her ear so only she can hear him. “He won’t hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.” He gives her the warmest, gentlest embrace. The warmth gives her peace and she relaxes into his embrace.

  “Ma’am I’m sorry for what happened to you, but I need to speak with you about what happened and if you’ll be pressing charges against Xavier Farley.” The officer’s tone is stern and sympathetic. “Can everyone please leave the room? You can all come back when I’m done interviewing Miss Calhoun.”

  Gracelynn tries to hold it together, but inside, she’s freaking out. “Excuse me, Officer Hughes. I know you said everyone has to leave, but I don’t want Giovanni to leave.” She clutches for Gio’s hand. “I would feel be
tter if he was in the room with me when I give you my statement.”

  The officer looks skeptical for a few moments, but then he nods. “Okay, Miss. I will allow it. But Mr. Antonetti, please make sure you remain calm while listening to Miss Calhoun’s statement.”

  “I’ll handle anything Gracelynn has to say.” Holding onto Gio’s hand, Gracelynn tells them the entire story from the beginning. About how Xavier scared her from the first day they met, how he wouldn’t leave her alone or respect her wishes and that his father, the owner of the motel, also gave her the creeps.

  The officer writes all the info down. “We’ll place Xavier in custody for now. If you press charges, he will go to jail for what he did to you.”

  Gracelynn nods. The officer hands her his card, informs her he’ll be in touch and that she can always call him if she has any more information. Then he nods at both of them, and leaves them alone in the room.

  “Why didn’t I speak up sooner, Gio? I could’ve stopped it from getting this far.” She sobs into his jacket.

  He wraps his arms around her and pulls her close. “Don’t ever say that again! You told him no. What happened is all his fault,” he whispers to her.

  Kat and Anne come back into the room with a new doctor tagging behind them. She introduces herself as Dr. Connor. She’s an older woman; plump with gray hair and lines around her eyes, but with a smile that could brighten a room. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry about what happened to you. You should be proud of yourself though. Don’t look like you’re the victim here. You’re not. You’re a strong young lady.”

  Gracelynn nods and smiles at the doctor.

  “Told you,” Gio whispers, stroking her hair.

  “You’re hereby discharged,” Dr. Connor tells her. “Which means you can go home. Make sure to get some rest though. Take it easy, and take the pain medicine as needed.” After giving her the most heart-warming smile, Dr. Connor leaves.

  Anne, Kat and Gio help pack her stuff, help her in one of those hospital wheelchairs, and then they head out. “Gracelynn…” Gio starts while pushing her down the ramp. “I think you should come back home with me to the cabin. I don’t want you to stay at any motels.”

  This time, she doesn’t fight him. She’s in too much pain, and the thought of the cabin makes her feel safe, whereas the thought of a motel room turns her stomach upside down. She feels safe when Gio’s around…almost the same feeling she had when she was around Angelo.

  She grabs her necklace for comfort and smiles. “Let’s go.”

  Giovanni wheels her to his car, helps her in the car, and his phone rings.

  “Hello, Dr. Miller. Yes, that would be perfect. We’re just leaving the hospital now. I will be there shortly. Thank you.” He’s so happy both of his girls are able to come home.

  Gio arrives at the vet clinic, leaving the car running and Gracelynn inside. He doesn’t want to wake her and knows getting her up and about right now, wouldn’t be smart.

  He enters the vet clinic and is amazed to see Holly up and about. She’s limping, but walking. “Holly, girl, get back here.” The vet tech tells his dog, but Holly only sees him and wants him. The vet tech apologizes as Gio grabs his dog and holds her. “I’m sorry, Mr. Antonetti. This one here was ready to go home, as you can see. She’s making remarkable progress. She can go home, but just let her rest as much as she can.”

  He thanks the gracious staff and places Holly in the backseat, wraps her in a blanket and drives away, happy to know his girls will be okay.

  * * *

  Giovanni carries Gracelynn into the cabin and places her on the sofa. He starts the fire in the fireplace before heading out to the car and getting Holly. He brings Holly into the house and then places her on her dog bed at Gracelynn’s feet. “Would you like anything?”

  “I’d like a drink,” Gracelynn says. “And I’m a little hungry too.”

  “I’ll go fetch something.” Gio goes to the kitchen and comes back with sandwiches, soup and a drink for them both.

  Gracelynn looks up to him, tears pooling in her eyes. “You’re the sweetest man. Thank you for saving me. Thanks for lunch. For letting me stay here. I can’t thank you enough,” she mumbles as she eats her lunch.

  Gio looks at her and notices she’s in a lot of pain and inner turmoil. He doesn’t know how to say that ‘thank you’ isn’t what he longs to hear. He wants her to ask him to come sit with her, to hold her, kiss her and take her to bed, but he knows that’s not right. Especially since she was just assaulted.

  “I’ve told you before,” he states in between bites, “you need to stop thanking me. I’m here for you whenever you need me. You know that.”

  “Do you know where my meds are, Gio? My ribs hurt so much. I’d like to take my meds and then take a nap if that’s okay.” She swallows down the last bite of her sandwich, grimacing at the pain in her ribs.

  “I’ll go get them.” Gio stands up. “I’ll be right back.”

  When he returns, he hands her the pills and then carefully carries her to his bedroom. Gracelynn looks confused, scared even.

  “I’d like to lie next to you while you sleep,” Gio confesses. “I thought you’d prefer it to being alone. I will lay on top of the covers, promise. There won’t be any gal business,” he chuckles.

  She starts laughing, but then grimaces and grabs her ribs. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts my ribs. And you can stay with me. I feel safer when you’re around, but can you bring Holly too? I’d feel better if she was with us as well.”

  Giovanni is touched she cares so much about Holly. “Of course, dear.” He leaves the room to get Holly and carefully places her on the bed. By then, Gracelynn is already fast asleep, which puts a smile on Gio’s face. He slowly climbs into the bed, lying next to her and falls fast asleep, thinking how wonderful it is to have this lady by his side.

  Chapter 20

  GRACELYNN WAKES UP FEELING WARM. When she opens her eyes, she notices Gio’s arms wrapped around her, a smile on his attractive face. She reaches out to touch him, careful not to wake him and he moans. That makes her smile – she feels great that she can bring this man the comfort he brings her.

  “Good Morning, angel,” he whispers and places a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I’ve slept this well. I enjoy sleeping next to you.” He blushes. “I hope that doesn’t freak you out.”

  Gracelynn smiles, still enamored by how peaceful he looked while asleep. “Would you like me to make you some breakfast? It’s Saturday and I have nothing to do. I was hoping to give you a surprise yesterday, but that didn’t happen. So I guess I can improvise and bring you a breakfast and then a treat. Sound good?” he asks sincerely.

  She shakes her head since she doesn’t know what to say due to being distracted by his delectable bed ensemble. He’d taken off his remarkable suit and now wears a white undershirt which fits him like a fitted glove. It showcases his well-defined six pack abs. He also wears a pair of black boxers that accentuates all the right places. She feels her face start to flush.

  “Like what you see, Angel?” Giovanni smirks and does a sexy dance for her.

  “You know I do. Now get out of here and make me some breakfast.”

  Giovanni comes back with their food, and they sit down to have a nice breakfast. The rest of the day is filled with laughter, board games and so much fun that time flies by until it’s six pm and they need to eat again. ”Do you mind if I get us some takeout from the place I wanted to go to on Friday?” Gio asks, his face suddenly pulled in a painful expression. She thinks that sounds wonderful and watches him leave the cabin in an unusual manner.

  Once Gio is gone she decides to go back to the room he placed her in when he first found her after the car accident. It’s only been a few days, but it feels like a lifetime ago. She turns the bath water on, adds some bubbles and slowly gets into the bath tub to relax
and let her body heal. “You are safe now,” a voice whispers while she’s in the tub. “He’ll protect you. He won’t let anything happen to you. We know he’ll protect you always.”

  She opens her eyes and sees nothing out of the ordinary, but it looks as though her angel necklace is glowing. She grabs it. “Angelo, I love you.” She looks outside the window while she soaks in the tub, still awed by the amazing scenery.

  She steps out of the tub, grabs a plush, purple towel and goes in search of her clothing.

  By the time she’s almost dressed, carefully trying to not hurt herself, she hears Gio yelling for her in the distance.

  “I’m in the bedroom, Gio.”

  He barges into the room, and his mouth almost drops to the floor when he notices her. She didn’t finish putting her shirt on, and he’s nicely raking in her body.

  Having him look at her like that sends a shiver down her spine as he steps towards her. “Let me help you. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” He tries not to look at her gals as he helps her with her shirt.

  “Thanks for not staring too long at the gals, Gio.” She laughs. “What took you so long? I was going to call you when I was done getting dressed.”

  “Sorry to have kept you waiting and worried. I got tied up with a few things. I went over to the motel and got in an interesting conversation with the manager. I told him you weren’t paying for any of your stay due to his son’s infractions against you,” Gio says while still holding onto her shirt.

  He lets go of her shirt and smiles at her. ”Let’s have dinner and then we can talk, okay? Our date was ruined last night and I’d love to make it up to you. So please follow me. I’ve prepped things in the kitchen.”