Page 55 of Griz's Edge

“I don’t like seeing them upset either, but I don’t come at you or Marla the way you both seem to always want to team upagainst me.” I shrug and start away from him to where Griz is standing by the exit.

“I get that, Marley, I’m trying to apologize here,”

That stops me, in all our fights, not once had either he or Marla apologized for anything unless Mom or Dad forced the issue. “And I should forgive you?” I shake my head and let out a heavy sigh. “Look, Marshall, I love you. You’re my big brother, I’ll always forgive you, but you need to know I won’t allow you guys to keep it up.”

“Don’t think your man will either.” Marshall smirks. “I like the fact you have someone that will always have your back, Lee-Lee, and will always stand in front of you while letting you be who you gotta be.”

Marshall moves past me through the doorway as Griz approaches me.

“You okay, baby?” he asks. One hand comes up to cup the side of my face, his thumb strokes along my cheek, and the other hand wraps low around my waist.

“I’m okay.” I give him a small smile and lean into his touch. “I’m just ready to go back to sleep and be done with this day.”

“Hate to tell you, sweets, but you can’t be done with the day just yet, Adams wants your statement. After that, your ass is mine.” His hand at my waist lowers, cups my bottom, and squeezes. “Adams can talk to you outside. You don’t need to be in this place any longer than you have been.”

This whole thing was fucked up. Everything from what Hattie had been doing to me down to what we found she’d been doing to other people. I’m sure I’ll have nightmares about it all.

Who kills someone just to take the skin and put it on a sculpture? It’s enough to give a person the heebie-jeebies for sure.

Griz ushers me out of there to a waiting Detective Adams and Detective Ratford.

I give them a rundown of everything, including the notes. Griz had the one I’d left with mine that he handed over to Adams. Adams’s face grew more than a bit frustrated about what I hadn’t shared. However, I explained to him how I had to deal with a stalker before, so he let it go. Ratford, on the other hand, told me that if something like this happens, I best get with the police about it. It didn’t matter what it was I needed to tell them, if it involved any type of threat, it was best to bring it to them. He also threw in the fact that I was one of them because of my profession and that I couldn’t go it alone. If I was going to skip trace and be a process server, then I needed to do things the right way—no going rogue on them.

Finally, they said we were good to go, and Griz took me straight to his bike.

“We’re going to the clubhouse,” Griz shouts, telling the others.

“Meet you there,” Blow returns.

I wrap myself around Griz and hold tight to him. It’s a beautiful feeling riding behind him, holding to him as if he were the one holding me back from falling over the edge. He’s the person who keeps me safe, and I honestly like the thought.

The ride stops far too soon for me. I wish we could’ve kept on riding the rest of the day. Maybe another day, once I’m healed up, we can go out and spend the whole day out there riding.

Griz and I barely get off the back of his bike when the front doors fly open, and Marla storms out, face red,

Oh Lord, what now?

“What the hell were you thinking, Marley?” Marla screeches, my parents coming out behind her, much, much slower, eyes on me. “How could you be so stupid?”

“You need to back off, Marla,” Griz snarls, getting in front of me. “You nor anyone else is going to talk to Marley that way. You do, and you’re out on your ass. You hear me?”

“Marla, back off,” Marshall grunts, getting out of his car. “Knock it off with the attitude.”

Marla’s head swings toward our big brother. “Are you serious right now? Years you’ve bitched about what she does, and now you’re telling me?—”

“Enough, Marla,” Dad says, coming forward.

“I hadn’t ever seen Marley do what she does, still haven’t, but I saw today how she kept herself in check, unlike how you’re doing now.” Marshall grunts and looks to our dad. “Never seen it before today. Gotta admit, Dad, you’re right, and we shouldn’t have fought you on it.”

“I know my daughter.” Dad shrugs.

“Oh my God,” Marla snaps. “I can’t believe this.”

“I can,” Mom says, narrowing her gaze on my sister. “It seems your brother has finally clued in that he can’t dictate his sister’s life. Now, it’s time for you to grow up. I love you. Love all three of you, but bring a brat, and getting your way isn’t going to continue.”

“Marla, I already told you what I had to say. Now, I’m going to go inside, I want a shower and a nap. After that, Mom, Dad, I need to talk to you about something,” I say while taking Griz’s hand.

“Okay, Lee-Lee, how about you call us when you get up? We’ll do dinner at the diner in town. How’s that sound?”

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