Page 12 of Grayson's Angel

Chapter 6

Kara replayedGrayson’s words in her head. Don’t leave this spot. She knew deep down she should listen, but every sound was making her nervous. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and it felt like someone was watching her. When a black town car pulled into the parking lot, Kara knew she needed to move.

A family of four exited the side of the building. Slipping her hand in between the door and the frame before it could shut, Kara made it into the motel without having to go through the front. She also wasn’t in view of the town car that pulled into the parking lot.

Kara rested her back against the wall closest to the door so she could see out. She slowly slid down the wall and planted her ass on the floor, the layers of her dress piled around her. When she looked down at the bloodstained fabric, the events of the day came crashing down.

Her father might still be out there. She had no clue if he was alive or dead. And she had also pulled Grayson into her problems.

As if summoned by her thought, Grayson ran by the door, and she jumped into action. He would be pissed she had moved. After checking to see that no one else was around, she yanked the door open.

“Grayson, I’m over here.”

His head whipped around at the sound of her voice, and he jogged over to the door. “I told you to stay put.” His voice was full of worry.

The last thing she wanted to do was make him angry. He had helped her out so much already. If he hadn’t been at the stoplight, she wouldn’t still be alive.

The words came out between sobs. “I thought… I saw… a town car.”

Strong arms wrapped around her body. Grayson pulled her against his firm chest. He smelled like the outdoors. She let out a long breath and laid her head against his chest.

Grayson rested his chin on top of her head. “It will be okay. I was worried when I didn’t see you outside. Let’s get you out of this dress.”

“Okay.”

Kara followed Grayson to their room. It was a basic corner room next to an emergency exit. A king-size bed was covered with a crisp white bedspread, and a plaid couch sat under the window.

He must have noticed her staring at the bed. “I’ll sleep on the couch. Why don’t you jump in the shower and get the blood out of your hair? You’ll feel better when you’re clean. While you’re in the shower, I’ll order us some food, and we can talk more about what happened.”

* * *

“I hope you like cheese bur—”Grayson’s words stopped midsentence when Kara stepped out of the bathroom.

“Holy shit,” Grayson gritted out. “Let me find something for you to wear.”

She had stepped out of the bathroom in a small white towel. There was no way she would have put the ruined wedding dress back on. Kara had forgotten to ask if he had a shirt before she stepped into the bathroom to take her shower.

Grayson tossed her a white T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

“Thank you,” she whispered and headed back to the bathroom. The shirt reached her knees, and she had to roll the shorts over five times before she could get them to stay up.

When she exited the bathroom, Grayson was standing next to the window, watching the cars go by. At the sound of her footsteps on the carpet, he turned around.

“Our food is here.’”

“Thank you. I’m starving.”

“Let's sit down on the couch to eat, and then you can tell me everything.”

“Thinking about it is making my appetite go away.” Kara was frustrated that her day had not gone the way she had planned at all.

She felt Grayson’s gaze as he looked her over. She had examined herself in the bathroom mirror, so she knew what he was seeing. She looked exhausted. Dark circles had formed under her eyes. She felt Grayson’s body go tense when he looked at her neck, where Rovshan’s grip had left dark bruises.

“What the fuck happened to your neck?” he asked loudly.

“Rovshan,” she muttered, giving him her profile. She reached for her neck to cover the bruising. “He didn’t like my back talk.”

“He won’t put his hands on you again.” Kara went to speak, but Grayson shook his head and continued. “From what you’ve said, Rovshan Nikitovich wants you as his wife. When was the last time you crossed paths with him?” She noticed he was gritting his teeth.

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