Page 51 of Guarding Grace
My employees were clearly shaken and mumbling between themselves.
Zane positioned himself at the door. “It’s okay now,” he told them. “The cavalry’s on the way. Just hang out for a little while.”
They didn’t look convinced.
“Never a dull day,” I joked. “But he’s right. The excitement’s over.” Still jittery from the adrenaline, I leaned against the wall like I had no cares and waited. I had to be strong for my people.
It wasn’t long before Terry burst through the door with a yell. “Grace?”
I’d never been so happy to see anyone. I wasted no time running over and planting a kiss on him.
He broke the kiss far too soon for my taste. “We can’t do this,” he lamented. “I shouldn’t have left.”
I’d forgotten and broken my own no-PDA rule. “It’s okay. I’m safe. We all are.”
“That’s not the point. You’re my responsibility. I’m the one who needs to be taking care of you.”
“You did. You sent Zane, and he took care of business.”
Zane watched us, a curious look on his face, then shifted his attention to Peyton again.
Peyton smiled at us, but she smiled a lot.
Looking up into the eyes of the man who’d saved me twice already, I smoothed a hand over his chest. “I’m fine, and Zane took down the asshole.”
Terry released me. “Where are they?”
I pointed. “In the conference room. Zane trussed them up like two hogs.”
Terry raised a hand to Zane. “Thanks, man. Keep the employees calm, and no calls.”
It was only a split second, but I caught Zane trying to hide how he’d looked at Peyton. Then the SEAL’s face turned stoic, and he nodded back at Terry. “Will do. That one’s a wildcat.” He inclined his head toward me.
“I know. My girl has claws.” Terry led me toward the conference room.
That was the first time he’d ever called mehis girl, and it warmed me inside.
“What’s her story?” He pointed to Maria as we entered.
“She wanted me to go with her to see a guy named Victor Russo.”
“Victor, huh? He’s the mafia dirtbag we just met with, the son of the guy who runs the Italian version of the mob here, a real piece of work.”
“She introduced herself as Maria Torelli. I don’t know if that’s her real name or not.”
“We’ll check it out.”
“She said the guy was her driver, called him Lorenzo. Anyway, oncewe were in the demo room, she threatened to have him start killing my people if I didn’t tell her where Elliot was. I finally convinced her I didn’t know, because I don’t. Then she waited for a phone call, and when it came, she threatened to have him—” I nodded toward Lorenzo. “—kill one of my people if I didn’t go with her quietly to meet this Victor guy.” My hand tremor had started again.
“Dammit,” he swore. “We were just leaving to see Victor when he made that call. The bastard must have told them to snatch you while we were with him.” Anger at the situation, or maybe at himself, came off him in waves. “I?—”
“It’s not your fault.”
Terry’s anger ramped up. “I’m going to?—”
“Stop it,” I snapped. “Come with me.” I led him to my office and closed the door. “Pete warned me a long time ago not to start something in anger. ‘Plan with a cool head,’ he said. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m okay.”
Shaking his head, Terry disagreed. “The call was odd. I should have figured it out and called Zane to warn him. And as for going off half-cocked, I promise to make a careful plan before I go beat the shit out of him.”
