Chapter 24
Malachi
My team arrived at around seven as promised, but I’d been too distracted by my Gracie to care. She caught the eye of everyone she passed, and she didn’t even know it.
“Stop staring.” Oakley waved his hand in front of my face to get my attention.
“What?” I tried to tune back into the conversation, but my gaze kept flicking to Grace, like a magnet finding home.
“You’re a lost cause,” Oakley exclaimed, exasperation lacing his voice. “We’re trying to discuss the security upgrades. You know, the stuff you recommended, and that is kind of important.”
I turned to Ev, my gaze questioning as I asked. “Ollie agrees with my assessment?”
“Yep, as did Walker, and we’ve ordered the parts. We just have to wait for them to arrive.” Ev leaned on the booth table, gaze full of concern.
“I’ve got Willa and two new hounds, Jett and Nitro, ready to go,” Hunter piped in.
“That’s good. Should we tell the rest of the staff?
” My gaze flicked to Grace as she glanced at her phone and visibly paled.
My body going on high alert, I stiffened in my seat.
Who was calling her? Why did she look so worried?
All the thoughts flitted through my mind as I watched Grace disappear out the back.
I wanted desperately to run to her, ensure she was okay, and fight anything that was making her look that way.
But this was her place of business. I couldn’t just invade like I owned the place, no matter how much I wanted to. She was safe here.
“Not yet. No point in making everyone worry if it’s nothing.” Ev hedged, but as my gaze flicked back to him, he didn’t seem sure.
“Did any more comments pop up throughout the day?” I asked.
“Maisie said there were a few from another new account, but nothing like the implied threat. Just scripture quotes,” Ev mused.
The conversation turned to other things, and I tuned out again, watching for Gracie to return. How long had she been gone?
Avery rushed out of the back with her phone to her ear and through to the kitchen.
She looked as worried as Gracie had earlier.
Something wasn’t right. I got to my feet, worry gnawing at my gut as I made my way to the kitchen.
I crashed through the double doors as Axel’s gaze caught mine.
The same hints of worry creased the edges of his eyes as had Avery’s.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Nothing.” But his shoulders had risen with tension. “You shouldn’t be back here.” He pointed at the door, signaling I should leave, but that wasn’t happening until I saw Gracie.
“Axel! I need help in here!” Avery’s frantic voice came from the back where the staff toilets were. Axel’s gaze shot to mine as we both dashed for the sound of Avery’s voice. Crashing through the bathroom door, I found Avery still on the phone and clearly agitated.
“It’s Grace. She’s unconscious, and the door is locked.” Panic laced her voice. “She’s not responding.”
My military training kicked in and I jumped into action, as I crawled under the adjacent toilet door and carefully assessed Gracie. Grace had slumped on the floor almost in the fetal position. Caressing her face, I called her name. “Gracie, sweetheart, can you hear me?”
Her answering groan was music to my ears as my heart raced at finding her like this.
“Easy, sweetheart,” I cautioned. “I’m going to shift you so I can unlock the door.
” She was so slight, we could have slipped her out under the door without issue if her shoulder wasn’t in the way.
I quickly removed and folded my flannel, putting it under her head to keep her from pressing her face against the unsanitary bathroom floor.
Moving her limbs into the recovery position, I lowered her shoulder enough to unlock and open the stall door.
Avery’s frantic face came into view. “Is she breathing?” For an already pale punk-goth chick, Avery’s skin tone had gone ghost white as her worried gaze flicked between me and Gracie.
“She’s breathing, but not fully conscious.” I checked her pulse, and it was thready, but there; her breathing was shallow. What had caused her to pass out again? Worry ate at me. What was wrong with her?
“Theo will be here soon,” Avery said to me before returning to her phone. “It’s okay, Doc. Thanks for calling. I’ll get Grace or Theo to update you as soon as they can. I’ll tell her. Thanks again.” And she hung up.
“Doc was on the phone with her when she stopped responding. He thinks she might be in shock, but couldn’t tell me why. He needs to see her at nine tomorrow.” Her gaze was troubled as she answered my unasked question.
I was about to ask a question when Gracie’s fingers ghosted over the back of my hand and her tired green gaze caught mine. Moving a lock of hair off her face, I skimmed my hand over her clammy skin under my palms. “Wildflower, you scared me. What happened?”
So many emotions flickered through her irises before she glanced away. “Just fainted again.” Her voice was devoid of emotions and that chilled me more than finding her unconscious.
“There’s nothing just about it. You could have been seriously hurt.” Fear gripped my chest at all the what ifs.
Before we could say anything else, Theodore Papadakis, followed closely by Everett, crowded in, halting all conversation.
Ev looked straight at me. “You okay?”
“Yeah, fine. Situation handled.” I spoke curtly, but Ev knew I wouldn’t leave Gracie’s side.
“We’ll be right outside. Let me know if you need anything.” With a nod, he left, followed by Axel.
“Can you tell me what happened?” Theo asked the room, and Avery spoke, filling in a few blanks before my arrival.
“Doc called my office and asked if I knew where Grace was. He’d called her and was worried she’d gone into shock as she wasn’t responding.
He wanted to know that she was okay. I found her locked in the stall, unconscious and unresponsive.
Mal climbed under, unlocked and opened the door, and Grace came to. She said she fainted again.”
“Her breathing was shallow when I arrived, and there were no cuts or injuries that I could see. I only had to move her slightly to get her into the recovery position and open the door. Her pulse is strong, and she has been aware and alert for about a minute before you arrived,” I cut in, my voice stilted but authoritative as I dropped back into my default Medical Sergeant mode in an emergency.
Theo nodded to both of us. “Grace, can you move? Did you hit your head when you fell?” He was probing her neck and the back of her head, which we couldn’t see.
“I’m fine, just embarrassed.” She sighed. “I can move. I feel exhausted and a bit shaky.”
“Any nausea?” Theo asked.
Gracie’s body stiffened an imperceptible amount. If I weren’t so in tune with her, I wouldn’t have noticed.
“A little. But I don’t think that’s from fainting,” she mumbled.
“Alright, let’s get you onto your back. I want to check your vitals.
” Theo nodded at me and together we helped slowly move Grace to lie flat on her back.
Theo placed a manual blood pressure cuff over her upper arm and got to work, while I held her other hand.
She kept her eyes closed while Theo worked.
“Open your eyes, Grace. I’m going to check your pupils.” He flashed a penlight in her eyes, making her wince. “Good responses. Any headaches?”
“No. Really, I’m fine. I’m just sorry I caused all this fuss.”
Theo beat me to it. “You have nothing to be sorry for. We can’t help what our bodies do sometimes.
” He pulled off his gloves and packed away his remaining equipment.
“I think you’re right; you’re fine. Your vitals are good, and I think you could just use some water and rest. I’d recommend you see Doc as soon as possible, especially if this is the second time you’ve fainted recently. ”
“Thanks, Theo.” Gracie reached out and grabbed his wrist. “Please don’t tell Indy. I don’t want him to worry.”
Theo paused before patting her hand. “It’s not my place. Let’s get you to sit up slowly. Mal, come around here so she can lean on you.”
I scrambled to do as suggested and helped Gracie sit with her back to my chest. My legs stretched out on either side of her.
“You feel okay? No dizziness or additional nausea?” Theo watched her carefully as she moved and shifted.
“No, nothing.” She moved, leaning forward, so she was barely touching me.
I didn’t understand what was going on. She was acting as if nothing had happened, but something else was eating at her.
She wouldn’t make eye contact with any of us, and she kept picking at her cuticles.
A definite sign that she was anxious or upset.
“Well, take it easy for the rest of the night and see Doc tomorrow, okay?” He leaned down to catch her eye.
“Okay,” she mumbled.
“I’ll head out. I’ll call Doc and let him know you’ll be in tomorrow, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks for coming, Theo,” I said.
“No problem. Ensure she takes it easy.” And with a nod, he left.
Grabbing Gracie’s hand in her own, Avery’s voice was still full of anxiety. “Are you sure you’re okay? You scared me, honey. Doc was frantic too, so worried he’d upset you.”
She did look at Avery then. “I’m so sorry I worried you. I’m fine now. Thanks for helping me.” A small smile lifted her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Avery’s gaze flicked between me and Gracie. “I’ll give you two a moment. Take it easy and come and rest in my office, and we’ll get you something to eat.” She patted Gracie’s hands before standing and walking out.
Once we were alone, I pulled her body back to mine and hugged her from behind. “Are you sure you’re okay? You scared me, sweetheart.” I kissed her cheek and breathed in her sweet, strawberry scent.
“I am fine, just embarrassed about all the fuss. It’s so silly.”
“Your health and safety is anything but silly, Wildflower,” I uttered into her hair. “Do you think you’re ready to stand up?”
“Yes, please. I realized that I’m still on the floor of the bathroom. Gross.” Her indignant tone caused a laugh to burst from my throat.
“Let’s get you up.” I carefully helped her to her feet and over to the sink. She washed her hands, and when I was sure she was steady, I offered her my hand. I was beyond thankful when she placed her fingers through mine, and we left the bathroom.
Eyes followed us as we walked through the kitchen towards the swinging door. Axel assessed Gracie from head to toe, worry clear in his features.
“This is for you,” he said as he pushed a tray containing a bowl of fresh fruit, loaded fries and a bottle of water towards Gracie.
“Thanks, Axe.” She took the tray and headed for the doors.
I nodded to Axel and followed. “Let me,” I offered as I took the tray from Grace. Her gaze flicked over the bar as Flora rushed back and forth and Gracie’s steps faltered.
“I should be helping,” she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else.
“Not today.” I gently nudged her back and got her to continue into Avery’s office.
Avery assessed Gracie as she entered. “Take the couch. Now you rest, and I’ll work the bar tonight. Once you feel better, you head home. I don’t want you working tonight.”
Gracie’s eyes flashed, but Avery held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it. You need to take care of yourself.” She came over to stand right in front of Gracie. “Please, honey. Rest tonight, and we’ll talk tomorrow.” She pulled Gracie in for a hug before heading out to help at the bar.
“I’m really fine now,” she all but whined.
“Are you really? What did you do for most of Monday when you got home?” I already knew the answer from our text chats, but I needed her to put two and two together.
“Slept.” She huffed as she flopped back onto the well-worn black leather couch. “But this is my job, Kai. I need to be doing it.”
“I get that, but maybe not tonight.” I understood her frustrations more than she knew. “At least eat something.” I placed the bowl, plate, and water on the coffee table in front of her.
She glared at me before pulling the bowl of fruit closer, picking out a strawberry and taking a bite.
Her lips momentarily distracted me as they wrapped around the strawberry.
Some of the juice glistened on her lower lip before her tongue came out to lick it off.
Suddenly, my pants felt a little tighter.
Focus, Kai! Not the time.
“You were talking to Doc?” I asked, recalling the information Avery shared with Theo.
“Hmm?” She was digging through the bowl to find more strawberries, clearly avoiding eye contact and perhaps my question.
“Gracie, sweetheart.” I took the bowl from her hands, and her gaze met mine, filled with so much pain it felt like a lance to my heart. “What’s wrong? Why did Doc call?”
After I put the bowl on the table, I took both her hands in mine. “Talk to me, Wildflower.” The pleading was clear in my voice.
Her big green eyes flooded with tears as she broke and took me along with her. Fear slashed through me. Something must be horribly wrong, as worst-case scenarios bombard my mind. I couldn’t lose her. I wouldn’t.