SADIE
I managed to keep my anxiety in check for Megan’s sake, but my stomach was gurgling and my mind was racing with all sorts of terrible ideas of why her dad had suddenly reappeared. I wanted to talk to Mr. Grave so badly, but he didn’t come home in time for dinner. In fact, it wasn’t until much later in the evening, after I had put Megan to bed, that I heard the front door open, indicating his return.
I’d been waiting impatiently in the living room, trying to watch TV to distract me. The moment I heard him come into the house, I jumped to my feet and hurried out to the foyer to greet him.
“Mr. Grave,” I said the moment I saw him. “I need to talk to you.”
He looked momentarily surprised to see me and then let out a huff of breath, as though annoyed.
“It’s been a long day, Miss Bruns,” he grumbled. “I’m sure whatever complaints you have for me can wait until morning.”
I ignored his small insult and came to a stop in front of him.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” I insisted. “Something happened today at Megan’s school, and I have to talk to you about it.”
He snapped to attention at that, the irritation on his face melting into concern.
“What happened?” he demanded to know. “Is Megan all right?”
“She’s fine,” I assured him. “Though I’ll be completely frank and tell you she wasn’t for a little bit. I went to pick her up, and I found her talking to a man on the playground. She…she said it was her father.”
“What?” Mr. Grave exclaimed.
I quickly shushed him. “Quiet! You don’t want to wake her up.”
He gritted his teeth but nodded and spoke in a softer tone. “Tell me exactly what happened.”
I told him everything, though there really wasn’t much for me to tell. As I spoke I could tell he was growing angrier and angrier. I grew a little nervous that he was upset with me.
When I finished talking, he shook his head and said, “That bastard. I warned him what would happen if he ever came near her.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, even though there was really nothing I could have done to change anything.
“It’s not your fault,” he assured me. “Ralph is a devious scumbag. I should’ve known he’d try something like this.”
I watched him closely and grew more and more concerned at his obvious anger and concern.
“Um, Mr. Grave,” I murmured. “Is…is her dad dangerous? Should I be worried about Megan’s and my safety?”
He met my gaze and didn’t answer for several moments.
Instead of giving me a straight answer, however, he said, “I’ll put extra security in place to keep you and Megan safe. You won’t have to worry about Ralph.”
That didn’t actually answer my question.
“Mr. Grave, please,” I insisted. “Is Ralph dangerous?”
His body went stiff and his eyes narrowed slightly. I knew he didn’t like being challenged. It seemed to be a quick and easy way to tick him off.
“You don’t have to worry,” he said tersely. “I’ll take care of it.”
I released a breath of frustration, but honestly, I didn’t want to fight with him. I was still reeling from everything that had happened that day. I was admittedly scared and uncertain of what could happen. I was worried for Megan and nervous for myself. It was exhausting.
All I really wanted at that time was comfort.
Meeting Mr. Grave’s gaze once more, I whispered, “I…I trust you’ll keep us safe.”
His brows rose in surprise.
“I will,” he assured me with a nod. “I swear.”
We stared at each other for several moments, and the urge to reach out and touch him was almost overwhelming. I wanted him to put his arms around me and hold me. Comfort me.
Make me forget.
That startled me.
“Is there anything else I can do to put your mind at ease, Miss Bruns?” he asked in a low voice. It was an innocent enough question, but there seemed to be some unspoken temptation in his eyes as he looked down at me.
Swallowing, I forced myself to shake my head. “No…no, I’m okay. Thank you.”
He appeared to want to say something more, but he pressed his lips together and didn’t actually say a word.
Turning, I walked away from him and forced myself not to look back as I made my way up the stairs.
Chapter 13
CYRUS
My fury threatened to overwhelm me. The urge to go out and hunt Ralph down myself was so strong, I’d locked myself in my office to keep myself from getting into trouble. I had to remind myself what was at risk if I tried to handle him personally. My custody of Megan wasn’t permanent yet, and if I did anything to put myself at odds with the law, she’d most likely be taken from me.
Still, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to smash my fist in Ralph’s face over and over again. It was an immensely satisfying fantasy, and one I’d had ever since I’d discovered all that he had been doing to Kate.
I had to immediately shut down that train of thought. I was angry enough as it was. I didn’t need to remember all the abuse he’d put my sister through. Very likely, I wouldn’t be able to hold myself back from hunting him down if I let those memories run free.
I sat at my desk, drumming my fingers impatiently on the surface as I waited for my head of security to arrive. I didn’t often call him into my home, as he primarily oversaw the security at my business, but I wasn’t going to leave Megan and Miss Bruns home alone until I had bodyguards in place for them.
I was still reeling from what Miss Bruns had told me the night before. Ralph was back and coming for Megan. I could hardly believe it. He wasn’t a brave man, and I’d made plenty of threats to keep him at bay, but like a cockroach, he’d popped back up into our lives. Miss Bruns had looked so anxious the night before that I’d been struck with the desire to hunt Ralph down at that very moment to make sure he never crossed paths with her again. I’d never seen her scared before, and I didn’t like it. I much preferred her angry and fiery. The fact that Ralph had tempered her inner fire, even temporarily, made me hate him that much more.
My feelings toward her were confusing enough as it was, but this situation wasn’t helping matters any. My desire for her was one thing, but this protectiveness I was feeling for her was mind-boggling. I’d already known I’d do anything to keep Megan from harm, but the urge to defend Miss Bruns as well was making my blood hum.
There was also a part of me that had wondered if she’d quit the job. I wouldn’t have been able to blame her. This kind of scenario was way more than she’d signed up for, and much more than I’d anticipated we’d have to face. However, she hadn’t come to me with her resignation in hand. She hadn’t said a word about quitting, in fact. Had made no indication that the idea had even crossed her mind.
I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of that. Was it loyalty, stubbornness, or pure foolishness that was keeping her in my employ? I had no doubt that she cared for Megan, but it wasn’t as if she had any obligation to the girl, or to me. This problem wasn’t hers to deal with.
So, why wasn’t she just leaving?
The door to my office suddenly swung open, snapping me from my thoughts.
“You rang?” my head of security and closest friend, Caleb Edwards, greeted as he strolled into the room.
I scowled at him. “You’re late.”
He stopped in front of my desk, arching a brow at me. “Hello to you, too.”
I glared at him. Caleb wasn’t exactly what one might imagine when thinking of a private security consultant. He was tall and lean with strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes. He gave off more of a pretty-boy vibe, but I knew under that tailored Armani suit was a body packed with muscles and scars from his time in the military. Guy was tough as nails, and one of the only people in the world who I trusted not only with my life, but my family’s as well.
“Sorry,” I said, jerking my chin at one of the chairs in front of my desk. “Didn’t get much sleep last night. Have a seat. We need to talk.”
“I gathered that much,” he replied, settling into the chair and crossing one long leg over the other. “So, what’s up? Why’d you want to meet here?”
“Because I’m not leaving this house until I’m certain Megan is safe,” I told him. I intentionally didn’t mention Miss Bruns.
Caleb’s brow furrowed. “What happened?”
“Ralph’s back,” I said. “He was at Megan’s school.”
Caleb asked, “Did he do anything to her?” It was clear how angry it made him that he even had to ask.
I shook my head. “No. Our new nanny got there in time to chase him off.”
Nodding, Caleb said, “All right, what do you want me to do?”
“Hunt him down,” I snapped. “Make sure he doesn’t get anywhere near Megan.”
“Done,” Caleb said without hesitation. “Anything else?”