Page 45 of Saving Grace

“Okay to come in?” Millie asked.

“Yup.”

She stepped partially in, looked down the hallway for a second longer before entering the room. The expression on her face was not promising.

“How did it go?” I asked anxiously.

“Troy admitted to having carnal relations with you,” Millie stated bluntly.

I winced.

“Matt didn’t take that announcement well,” she added.

“Oh, no,” I whispered.

“He nearly caused a brawl in the ER waiting room.”

“He did not!” I gasped.

“I said nearly,” the diner owner qualified. “I had a hard time convincing Matt to let you come home with me.”

“I promise to be out of your hair in a few days.”

Millie looked at me carefully. “You can stay as long as you want, sweetie.”

“After what happened tonight, I don’t want to put anyone else in danger.”

She looked offended, folding her arms in front of her, and cocked her head back. “You do realize who you’re speaking to?”

Millie Cross, aka Black Viper, a legendary assassin for the CIA.

I sighed. “Yes, but you’re facing El Segador, the legendary assassin of the Carillo Cartel. According to Matt, he’s ruthless.” And had a sick obsession for me, I didn’t add.

The older woman’s eyes turned shrewd. “Did something else happen at the loft, Grace?”

“He just threatened me, that’s all. I wish I knew what he wanted.” I looked around the room, evading her searching gaze. “Let’s go.”

Millie and I were quiet as we left the ER and headed for the parking lot.

“Stubborn man.” I heard Millie hiss and I looked up, following the direction of her sight. My heart leapt to my throat. Matt was leaning nonchalantly against a BMW station wagon which I immediately recognized as Millie’s car. I felt his eyes track me in the dark. The open parking area lit only by overhead lamps cast a sinister shadow across his face, masking his expression.

“Matt, I told you I’ve got her,” Millie said when we were a few feet from the car.

“Stay out of this, Millie.”

“I will not! I won’t have you upsetting Grace in her condition.”

Matt turned concerned eyes on me. “Are you okay?”

I threw up my hands in exasperation. “For heaven’s sake, I’m pregnant, not on my death bed. I’m not going to break with a little confrontation.”

“Oh, yeah?” Matt responded. “So, why are you avoiding me?”

“I’m not avoiding you, I just want to be fair to you and Troy.”

“That’s my kid you’re carrying,” Matt stated with conviction.

“We’re not sure without DNA testing,” I rebutted. “I didn’t peg you as the type to be so eager for fatherhood.”

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