Falling with Grace

24. Grace

24

Grace

" T hey knew we were coming, Javier." The door slammed behind a cacophony of boots and items tossed to the side as I closed Rosa's gardening picture book and slid off the couch.

"Does that matter now?"

Eduardo and Ramirez glanced at each other as they leaned against the far wall.

The men they'd replaced followed me all day long like two toddlers holding weapons.

"Rafael, give me some gauze, would you? And grab some towels, too."

I walked around the corner. My jaw fell, and a queasiness stirred my belly as I rushed toward him. "What's going on…what happened?"

Elias leaned against the wall, one hand at his side, coated in a crimson liquid that dripped onto the floor. A gash sliced through his brow, the blood streaming down his cheek and throat.

"Elias?" I gasped, my hands flying over my mouth as our gazes connected.

He was hurt.

"I'm fine." He slapped Javier's arm off him as he stumbled towards me. "I just need to get some sleep."

"You are not fine." I dropped my hands and followed him with my eyes as he stalked past me and down the hall, leaving a scarlet trail splattering across the marble.

" Jefe." Javier's glare seared into me as he rushed after him.

My thunderous heartbeat clanged against my chest. My ears are ringing like bells on the highest tower.

There was blood.

So much blood.

"Elias." My voice broke, my feet moving of their own volition until I came to a forced stop at his door.

He turned, his bloody hand smearing the door.

"Are…" I shifted my gaze to Javier, his glare searing through me, before returning my attention to Elias. "Are you OK? Is there anything I can do?"

Elias swallowed, his gaze darkening with a slight growl emanating from his throat.

He shot forward, brushing Javier aside. His hand gripped the back of my neck as he yanked me forward towards him through the cracked door and into his room before the door slammed closed behind me.

His lips hit mine, his tongue piercing through my closed lips. They danced together, warmth flooding my core, his bloody hands roaming my body as he pressed me against the door, abandoning Javier and my guards.

He tugged on my shirt, inflicting shivers across my flesh, my insides liquefying.

"Elias." Javier beat against the door, vibrating my back. "Don't do it."

He pulled away, slamming the side of his fist on the door, mirroring Javier. "Go away."

"This is a mistake."

What's a mistake?

I gasped for breath as the nauseating metallic scent hung in the air, harboring the aroma of death and decay. "You're bleeding. Let me help you."

"You are helping me." He shucked off his suit jacket, then tore the buttons on his shirt, revealing a sliced abdomen as though someone tried carving out his liver and a faded Grim Reaper tattoo on his pectoral muscle. "And it's just a graze."

I leaned against the door, my head swimming as he pressed the shirt to his oozing wound.

My knees wobbled. "I think…" Blood rushed from my face in a violent whoosh. "I'm going to…"

"Oh, whoa." His hand pressed into my shoulder, pinning me to the door. "Hang on." Elias dropped his shirt, dipped down, and hoisted me in his arms. "It's okay." He carried me to the bed in the center of his master suite. "Lay here for a minute."

"I want to help." My mind spun like a vortex, twisting my tongue into a heavy weight as he set me down.

He kissed me back.

"You won't be of any help if you pass out." He turned and walked into the bathroom.

Bright lights flooded the room like a soft blanket.

I'm going to pass out, or vomit…or worse.

A muffled grunt echoed through the massive bedroom.

He needs my help.

Swinging my feet off the bed, the waves in my belly shifted. I held my stomach, placing one foot in front of the other until I breached the bathroom threshold and crept around the corner.

Elias stood at the dual vanity, running a washcloth under the water, his gun holstered into his suit pants against his bare back.

My eyes swept over the blood smeared across his chest and torso. I gulped. "Can I help?"

He jumped, his fist squeezing the water out of the washcloth as his body went rigid. " Merda."

I winced. "Sorry."

"You're quiet." He sighed, dropping the cloth in the sink. "I'll give you that."

"Product of…" Heat crawled up my cheeks as I moved closer to him. "Never mind."

Just breathe.

"You're supposed to be lying down."

"Shouldn't you be the one lying down?" I braced myself against the countertop. "Maybe I should have Javier call Dr. Navarro?" I turned for the door.

His strong, wet hand clamped around my wrist, spun me around, and lifted me in a single breath, my ass hitting the vanity top. "Don't run from me."

I shook my head. "I wasn't..."

He'd wiped the blood from his face and throat, leaving a watery, wet smudge where the cloth had touched.

My mouth dried as the pink dribbles crossed over his nipple towards his stomach wound. He stepped between my legs and handed me the bloodied cloth, my tongue turning to sandpaper. "You wanted to help."

I glanced at the fuzzy balled material in his hand and reached for it. "How do you want me to help you?"

"You can start there." He took hold of my hand and guided it toward his side wound, which had stopped bleeding. "Let's break you free of this hemophobia."

"My what?"

He released my hand, and I patted the cloth below the deep cut with trembling fingers.

"The fear of…" He hissed through clenched teeth. "Blood." He growled, his jaw pulsing as he glanced down at me, our height still unmatched despite me sitting on the counter.

"Sorry."

"Gentle."

"I'm trying." I glanced up through my lashes. "My hands won't stop shaking."

"Don't look at me like that."

I swiped the cloth against his abs. "Like what?" My bottom lip sucked between my teeth.

He hissed again, reaching behind his back as he clamped down on my wrist. "Better yet…" He pulled his hand forward, holding a pistol tucked inside its holster, then placed it on the far side of the vanity, my wrist never leaving his grasp. "Remove my belt."

I glanced down and followed the faint trail of hair that disappeared into this waistband, then reached for his buckle.

This was on my terms.

He'd stop when I…

I reached for his belt buckle with my free hand and tugged on the metallic buckle when he trapped me in his other.

"Only if you want to, mi peque?a."

His little one.

"I'm a monster, Grace, but I'm not that kind of monster."

My stomach flipped and fluttered, and my heart skipped a wild beat, stealing the breath from my lungs.

I tipped my chin up, meeting his gaze, our lips a single breath from touching. "Okay." I gave a subtle nod, wrapped my fingers around his belt buckle, his hand falling away from mine, and pushed the lever, releasing it from the thick leather fed through.

He dug his fingers into my hair at the nape of my neck, fisting the strands, causing needle-like pricks to explode across my scalp as I slid his zipper down, one metallic tooth at a time.

"Now's not the time for teasing." He tipped his head back, the wound on his brow oozing again. "I'm not of the right mind to resist."

A smile ripped across my lips as the zipper opened, his pants hitting the floor with a clank and clunk, freeing his long, hard erection.

Saliva pooled in my mouth as he kicked his shoes and pants off and then pushed it to the side with his foot.

He moved closer and pulled me towards him, my heart surging into overdrive, the burning nausea transforming into a flutter of butterflies. "You smell like fresh strawberries and mint. "

My breaths grew as rapid as my heart, and a slick sheen of sweat coated my skin. "Is that a good thing?"

His lips brushed against my earlobe. "Depends on when you ask me." Warm cinnamon breath caressed my throat. "Now that I can have you, yes." He switched sides and pressed his lips to my neck. "But if it's when you're walking around with my mamá, in your tight jeans and shirts, no." His lips grazed over my cheek, peppering kisses along my jawline. "My mouth waters for you, Grace."

I sighed and soaked in his warmth enveloping me, my butt inching closer to the edge, my core pressed against his hard length.

"Prove it."

A growl grew from his throat. " Dios mio, Grace." Our lips brushed against one another, our breaths a life force we shared. I pressed into him, my eyes closing as we took each other in. "You're dangerous."

He deepened this kiss, our teeth clashing. My clothes flew in all directions. Moans oscillated throughout the marbled-encrusted bathroom as he pulled me from the counter. I wrapped my legs around his waist, my thighs hovering below his wound.

"Last chance to walk out of here." His hands kneaded my ass, his fingers grazing the space between my thighs as he stood beside the bed.

I tightened my arms around his neck and shook my head. "I'm staying."

His jaw pulsed as he sighed. "Wrong answer." In one swift motion, he dropped me onto the bed, my bareback touching the soft material, his cock hanging heavy against his leg. He pushed my thighs apart and settled between them, my teeth dimpling my lower lip. "I'll go slow if that's what you need."

I shook my head and pressed against his chest. "I want you. Just…" Sucking in a deep breath, I stared into his chocolate eyes. "Just don't hurt me, please ."

"I can do that." He smirked as he tucked his arms beneath my back and rolled to the side, bringing me with him. "Ride me."

My knees straddled his waist, my nails raking down his chest, creating soft lines. He hissed as I rubbed my wet center against him. "Like this?"

"I could cum just from seeing you above me and feeling you soaked for me." A low rumble erupted from his chest, his hands planted on my hips. "But don't play coy." He thrust his hips upward and pressed me down, grinding hard against my clit. "Wet my cock in your tight pussy, Grace. "

I rolled my lips together, masking a smile as I reached between us, and gripped his cock, my index and thumb spaced apart as I stroked his length.

My heart fluttered, and heat torched my cheeks. Adrenaline spiked in my veins, my body flushing.

Is this what it's supposed to be like?

Excitement?

Need?

Want?

I swirled his thick bulbous head around my clit, sending electrical currents into my belly, tightening my muscles. I relished his groans of agony and need— a response I coveted for the first time ever.

" Dios mio, Grace." He pushed up onto his elbows, his hand grabbing the nape of my neck, bringing me towards him, his lips crushing against mine. Our tongues swirled in a chaotic dance as we drank each other in. We broke apart, our gasping breaths filling the heated gaze between us. "We'll go at your pace, but I'm not sure how long I'll stay sane if you insist on torturing me." A crooked, sly smile formed on his lips as he released me and plopped back down onto the bed, my thigh slick with his blood.

I placed the head of his cock back at my entrance and slid down an inch. "We can't have that, now can we?"

His hands locked tight onto my hips as I slid down another inch, a lightness in my chest causing a strange euphoria.

This is different— he is different.

I studied his face, my lips pressed tight as I sunk down, his cock stretching me with a slight burn.

"Hey, if it's too much, we can stop."

A surge of heat rushed between my thighs, a blushing smile breaking free. I shook my head. "No."

It's okay— I'm okay.

Sweat dribbled down my spine, and my thighs shook despite never moving, my insides spasming around him.

Elias clenched his teeth together, his jaw muscles bulging as I seated myself to the hilt, his length pressing against the limiting confines inside of me.

Wiggling my hips, I adjusted to…him—to the peace and calmness he radiated, his patience with me enduring despite everything.

I gripped his hand and placed it over my breast, his finger pinching my nipple as I rode him in slow, languid motions, my wet core clenching tight around him. My thighs shook, my breaths wavering as a heavy tightening in my belly sent shock waves to my core.

"Are you going to come for me, Grace?"

"I think so..."

Is that what this was?

His hips thrust upward to meet mine as I let loose a ragged breath.

So close.

"That's it, mi peque?a." He growled, his hand gripping my waist. "Come on my cock. Let me feel you squeeze me."

I rocked my hips against him, my motions frantic as I fell over the edge, chasing the buzzing in my belly.

My hair cascaded onto his chest as I leaned over him, my mouth parted with a long, slow moan, the orgasm taking me in delicious waves.

"Beautiful Grace…" he cupped my cheek. "You should see yourself glowing."

Heat rushed through my cheeks as the final waves consumed me, molding me into a languid ball of euphoria.

I rocked against him, urging the orgasm to last longer, willing it to take me over again, but the edges fizzled like a torch out of oil.

"Don't worry, mi amor . I'll give you more." He moved me over, my belly against the mattress, his hips pressed against my ass. His thick head probed my wet center, then pushed inside my spasming core.

I groaned as he leaned over, his arm braced by my head, his other snaking around my throat, bending me backward before pressing his lips to mine.

Our tongues played together as his hips moved, plunging in deep, my groans devoured.

"You feel so good." He released my neck and grabbed a pillow, lifting my hips and propping it beneath me, then traced my spine with his lips as though my scars didn't exist. "So beautiful." His fingers interlaced mine, his palms warming the backs of my hands as he gripped the comforter and plunged deeper.

The new angle rubbed something inside of me that threatened an imminent eruption.

"Elias."

Oh god.

"Yes, cry my name." His tongue lashed out, licking my earlobe before drawing it between his teeth .

Shivers crawled across my skin, and I shuddered beneath him, my screams muffled in the comforter.

He pumped hard and fast, running my orgasm through me and then another. He pulled free from my convulsing body.

Hot ropes of cum puddled on my lower back and raced down my spine as he grunted, my muscles tingling and liquefied into a useless being melting into his bed.

I groaned and wiggled against his cock pulsing on my ass, my skin humming as though drug-induced.

"Don't move."

His weight slipped off the bed, causing a slight bounce, and his bare feet padded into the bathroom.

What do I do now?

I sat, my heart thudding in my chest.

Cooled cum rolled towards my butt as water splashed against a hard surface in the bathroom and plastic rustled.

My stomach churned, and the adrenaline zipping through my veins waned. Chills broke out across my skin as I stepped off the bed.

Elias walked out of the bathroom with a cloth in his hand. A frown creased his brow as he snapped his fingers. "Back on the bed."

Was he going to…

I drew my foot up and braced my knee on the bed, the congealed cum now running between my cheeks. I shook my head. "You don't have to do that."

A muscle clenched in his jaw. "I don't have to." He placed his warm hand on my shoulder and pressed my chest back into the mattress. "But I want to."

The warm washcloth swiped over my back and butt, leaving behind a chilled path, causing goosebumps to erupt across my scarred skin.

Is this how it's supposed to be?

Did the men take care of the woman afterward?

My heart drummed against my breastbone, my face buried in the comforter as his hands moved, cleaning himself from my body.

"How do you feel?"

I pressed up to my elbows and glanced over my shoulder towards him. "Cold. "

A wet slap hit the floor, and the bed dipped down. He wore a smile, his small dimple visible in the dim room. "Come here." His warm hand wrapped around my arm and tugged, causing me to roll over at a whiplash-inducing speed.

His bandaged, naked frame lay beside me, his perfect hair now hanging over his cut brow, which had coagulated.

The weight of a thousand elephants eased off of my chest as he stared down at me. "How are you even more beautiful than before?"

Heat climbed my throat and settled at my cheeks. "I don't know, but disheveled looks good on you ."

He gave me a half laugh and smile as he slipped his hand around my waist, tugging me closer to his chest. "Get into bed."

Stay?

I frowned—the smile eviscerated from my lips.

I couldn't stay.

What if he regretted me in the morning… like he did that kiss?

What have I done?

" You're thinking too much."

"Elias." I jerked from his grip and jumped from the bed, my feet landing on the wet washrag he'd tossed, his smile gone as though I'd stolen it.

Maybe I did.

"You want me to stay?" My hands covered my mouth, my stomach sinking as I shook my head. "No one asks me to stay." The elephant settled back on my chest as I drew in rapid breaths. "What if you see me in the morning and…"

Elias moved towards me—his arms wrapping around my trembling frame as he drew nearer. "Relax." He sighed and kissed the top of my head. "Nothing changes. No regrets." His pointer finger tipped my chin, forcing my gaze upward. "Do you understand?"

I swallowed the thick knot in my throat and nodded.

"Good." Moving me to the opposite side of his bed, he drew back the wrinkled duvet and forced me to sit. "Now climb into bed."

Nadia.

I bit my tongue.

What if she comes back?

How terrible of a person have I become?

I glanced up at his handsome face. A visceral spasm struck my chest, tinged with possession.

He kept me.

I'm his.

" If I stay…" I glanced at the pillow and then the door. "Will I be safe?"

"If you mean will Nadia find out, you don't need to worry about her."

I'm his dirty secret…

He dropped to his knees, his large hands tucking beneath my legs. "She's away until tomorrow night." His lips pressed against my knee, then climbed towards my hip, my hand dipping into his hair.

Heat pooled between my damp thighs. My swollen clit throbbed with unending need.

"Will you stay?"

I inhaled a shaky breath as his kisses roamed my lower belly, his lips grazing against the sporadic hairs on my pussy. "Okay." I exhaled as he glanced up, his eyes bright as he found his feet.

"Wrong answer."

His cock stiffened against his thigh as he cupped my cheeks and pressed his lips to mine in a kiss that sucked my soul from my body and flipped my world on its axis.

My belly fluttered as he leaned over me, pressing me back into the mattress, my fingers running through his soft hair, his hardness pressed between my thighs.

He gripped my waist, his thumb stroking my jugular as my arm wrapped down his neck, locking him in place, my mind floating on cloud nine.

We kissed, our hands exploring, our lips swollen and tender. We nipped and teased, laughed, and tickled. We ground against one another with our legs entangled until our heady breaths filled the silence of the room. His hard cock slipped between my legs and commanded a long and hard orgasm from the depths of my very being until my limbs refused to move.

Elias rolled off of me as the fringes of my orgasm receded, his still throbbing cock laying across his thigh.

"We'll have to finish this another time, mi amor."

My forehead creased as he grunted and pulled the covers over us, his arm gathering tight around me and dragging me into him.

"But you didn't finish." My peaked nipples brushed against his chest, my leg tucking between his thick muscular thighs .

"There's plenty of time for that." He pushed my hair behind my ear, his lips pressed to my forehead.

I pulled in a breath through my nose. "Was it something I did?"

He leaned back, his thumb moving against my cheek. "Of course not. You're perfect—more than perfect…but—" He adjusted his head on the pillow with a wince.

Of course.

How did I forget?

"Elias—"

His finger pressed down on my lips. "Don't say it. I'm fine."

I parted my mouth and sucked his finger into my mouth, cradling it on my tongue.

He popped his finger from my mouth with a groan. "You're making it difficult to refuse you."

My chest swelled as I smirked, tucking my hand beneath my pillow, my other resting on his chest laden with random old scars. My finger traced the edges of his fresh bandage. "How did it happen?"

He sighed. "A meeting gone wrong."

"Because of Andrés?"

His gaze trailed across my lips as his thumb moved in a repetitive pattern, his brows furrowing.

"You don't have to tell me."

"I lost a few men tonight." His brows knitted together. "That's all."

"I'm sorry." My stomach hollowed—a terrible ache eating away at my soul. "Andrés has spies everywhere."

His gaze flicked up to mine. "Are you one of them?"

I blanched, my entire existence radiating with ire. "I'd rather die than help him."

Elias slid his hand down to my waist and gripped tight, giving me a slight shake. "Then help me find him."

I studied his eyes, his face, the swelling brow hindering the movement of the other. "Do you know how my parents died?"

He pulled in a deep breath and exhaled. "A car accident."

Metal crunching.

Tires squealing.

Glass shattering.

I closed my eyes and gnawed on my inner lip, my sinuses stinging. "I'd run away from home, and the police caught up with me two states away. My parents drove most of the night and well into the day to reach me."

I'd been a rebellious teenager. Smoking, staying out late, bad attitude. My parents had tried everything and were ready to put me into a teen rehabilitation center. So, I tucked tail and ran, hitchhiking across the states.

"They checked me out of the holding facility, and we drove home right away, arguing nonstop." I gulped a deep breath. "The sun had just risen, and we were about two miles from home when a…" My eyes welled with tears. "A drunk driver t-boned us."

His hand squeezed my hip. "Why are you telling me this?"

I swiped at my tears pooling against my nose. "Because. I wanted you to understand why I'll never jeopardize someone's life again."

"You blame yourself for your parent's death?"

"Wouldn't you?"

He propped up on his elbow, his hand resting in his palm. "You're not responsible, Grace."

"If I hadn't been—"

"You can play this game your whole life, but sooner or later, you'll need to realize it wasn't your fault."

I sniffled. "This is why I'll never tell you where he's at. He still has three others I left behind." I let out a slow breath through crimped lips and then sniffled. "I can still hear them begging me to take them with me."

"And how do you know they aren't dead already?"

I gulped.

How did I know?

"I have to believe they're alive."

"What if I guaranteed they'd be safe if you gave me his location?"

I gave a contemptuous smile. "And how would you do that?"

"I have the entire Mexican military under my payroll."

A burst of laughter leaped from my throat. "If that were true, why did we have Generals walk through our gates?" I ran my tongue against the back of my teeth. "That's why we didn't run to the police when we escaped. He owns them. He exchanges our sex for their help."

His jaw clenched, his hand finding the back of my neck. "Who were they, Grace? I'm not messing around now."

My stomach fell, and a cold chill swept over my skin, his grip firm yet gentle. "I-I don't know their names. Andrés introduced them as Generals. That's it."

Make him happy, chica. Your life depends on it.

I winced as André's phantom grip bruised my arm.

"If I showed you pictures, would you remember?" Excitement lifted his voice, his eyes bouncing back and forth to mine.

I nodded. "Yeah, probably. Why?" A bite of panic hit my chest. "Don't put me in the same room as them, please. "

"You'll never be around them again, Grace." His hold loosened, yet his body remained tense.

My stomach churned as he rolled to his back, his arm tucked beneath me, his body cradling me. I slipped my leg over his and closed my eyes, willing the nightmares to not rear their ugly head.

"Get some rest."