13. CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
SCARLETT
Maybe I should have taken the easy way out.
Grant gave me the opening. When Cole called this morning to ask about coming over to discuss my case—it’s not just a police case now, but one Blade and Arrow is actively investigating on their own—Grant asked me if it was okay. “If you’re not up to it,” he offered, “I can put Cole off for another few days. Your health comes first.”
I thought about it. But not for the reason he suggested.
In the week I’ve been at Grant’s cabin, each day has been better than the last. While the first couple of days were rough—I was exhausted and in pain and still a bit shell-shocked after everything—as the days have gone by I’ve felt more like myself.
And having Grant with me has been wonderful. Once we had our talk about nightmares and PTSD and he really opened up to me, I haven’t felt a moment’s doubt about staying here. And if I’m reading him right, Grant’s just as happy having me here as I am.
We watch TV and cook meals together and cuddle while we talk about everything. I shared the frightening time when I had my appendix out and how the nurses inspired me to make that my career. He told me about how his father and grandfather were Navy and all he ever wanted was to follow in their footsteps. And the other night, I spoke to his mom on the phone, and she was so incredibly sweet as she asked if Grant was taking good care of me.
Sleeping next to Grant is everything I imagined, though as I’m feeling better, I’m getting impatient for more than just tender kisses and lingering touches.
No, I’m not fully healed yet, which is why Grant is being so gentle with me. And in those early days, that was all I could handle. But now… my body is coming back alive and it wants the same things I was thinking about when I originally asked Grant to stay over.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot, actually. My hesitation from a week ago is completely gone—after spending this time with Grant, I couldn’t be more sure that I want to be with him. And it’s not just because I’ve seen him getting out of the shower in just a towel, his muscly chest and legs and arms on full display. Or because I’ve woken up snuggled into his body, feeling his impressive arousal jutting against me.
That’s part of it, but it’s also how amazing Grant is. How kind. Secretly sensitive. Protective in a way that makes me feel treasured instead of smothered. It’s the affection—or is it something deeper—when he looks at me.
So I’m trying to figure out how to convince him I’m ready to take our relationship to the next level. And I’m not going to have any luck doing it if I beg off a meeting I really should attend, claiming I’m not feeling well enough for it.
I’m definitely not going to tell Grant I’m scared to let the real world in again. That’s not the strong woman I’m trying to be.
In theory, it all makes sense. But sitting across the coffee table from Cole and Leo—both of them wearing matching solemn expressions—I’m having some serious second thoughts about this meeting.
My foot is tapping in a staccato rhythm and my chest is tight and my heart is pounding so hard I can feel it. The anxiety I’ve managed to keep under control is roaring back with a vengeance, and my body is fighting an instinctual urge to flee.
It’s just information , I tell myself firmly. I’m at Grant’s house. I’m safe. The worst has already happened. There’s no need to be nervous.
If only my brain would listen to reason.
As if he senses my trepidation, Grant squeezes my hand and casts a reassuring smile at me. In a low tone, he says, “It’s going to be fine, Scarlett. I promise.”
Taking a deep, steadying breath, I meet his gaze. “I know.”
But the quiver in my voice betrays me, and Grant’s brows draw into an unhappy V.
“Grant’s right.” Cole’s dark eyes are sympathetic. “I know everything feels overwhelming right now, but we’re going to get to the bottom of this.”
Stop being a baby .
“I know,” I repeat, more firmly this time. “I’m not sure why I’m so nervous. The guy who attacked me is in jail, so he can’t come after me again. Rationally, I know it’s fine. It’s just…”
Cole nods, his expression softening with understanding. “It’s a lot to take in. I get it.”
Grant gives my hand another little squeeze and shifts closer on the couch so our legs are touching. For a moment, I just concentrate on our connection—his rough fingers gently stroking my hand, the heat of his thigh searing into mine, the way his gaze settles on me like I’m more important than anything else.
Then I take another deep breath, grit my teeth, and meet Cole’s gaze. “Okay. I’m ready.”
“Okay.” He exchanges a quick look with Leo before continuing. “So we already know the attacker is claiming it was a random robbery attempt. According to his statement, he knew a single woman lived there and thought it would be an easy target.”
Cole’s features harden. “When he was questioned about hurting you, Scarlett, he claimed it was accidental. That you surprised him, fought back, and he hit you without thinking. That it was never his intention to harm you.”
Grant stiffens. In a near growl, he says, “That’s bullshit. I was there. Nothing about what I saw was accidental.”
A memory slams into me—my arm yanked violently out of its socket, being slammed into the unforgiving floor with a breath-stealing blow—and gray dots dance across my vision for a second .
“Of course it’s a lie,” Cole replies, his jaw like stone. “I spoke with Oliver, and he assured me that given Scarlett’s injuries, plus the statements from both of you, there’s no way this guy is getting off.”
“What we want to know,” Leo adds, “is if it was actually random, or if it was connected to the robbery at the Cunninghams’. The guy is sticking to his story, but it’s very possible he’s just trying to mitigate more serious charges.”
“More serious charges?” I meet Leo’s hazel gaze. “Like what? He already attacked me. And broke into my house. What else could there be?”
As Leo exchanges a quick glance with Cole, my stomach drops with the realization that yes, this could get worse.
“Well,” Cole starts, “This could be part of a string of robberies. If it’s connected to the one at the Cunninghams’, it brings new charges along with it.”
“But why would someone who broke into the Cunninghams’ want to rob me? I mean… I live in a rental house. I do okay, but I’m not wealthy. It’s not like a robber would really get a lot from me. Some electronics, a little cash and jewelry, but…” I trail off before admitting the terrifying thought that’s haunted me for the last week. “What if he wasn’t there to steal from me? What if he came there to hurt me? Or…”
Through a constricting throat, I whisper, “When he… I thought he was going to kill me. He said he was going to enjoy himself before…”
“Fuck,” Grant grits out. A tiny muscle in his jaw twitches .
“That’s why we need more information.” Cole leans forward in his chair. “Leo is looking into the Cunninghams and the backgrounds of the two men arrested. It’s possible this was random. Or that it all ties to the Cunninghams and you were dragged into it by association.”
Leo jumps in. “But I need to look into your contacts, too.” He glances at the laptop resting on his legs. “Find out if there’s anything suspicious. If there’s anyone in your life—past or present—who could have a motive to hurt you.”
My heart flutters madly. “I don’t think… I can’t think of anyone. In Sleepy Hollow… I don’t know that many people. My patients. Maya and you guys. Grant and his friends. But that’s really it.”
“If you’re the target,” Cole replies, emphasizing the word if, “it could be someone you knew from Poughkeepsie. Or Saugerties. It could even be someone from high school. Or it could be some person in Sleepy Hollow you barely know.”
Leo scowls and his lips press together tightly. “Unfortunately, sometimes it’s the last person you’d suspect. Or someone you had a fleeting connection with years ago.” He blows out a breath and the creases in his forehead smooth out. “But that’s where I come in. We’ll make a list, and I’ll start investigating. Hopefully, we’ll discover this was random, and there’s nothing more to worry about.”
Grant’s voice dips dangerously. “And if there is something to worry about? ”
Cole lifts his chin at Grant. “Then we’ll handle it. We have Oliver as our contact with the police. And we’re going to make sure Scarlett is protected.”
I nudge closer to Grant, and he wraps his arm around me, tugging me into his side. “I’ll do whatever I need to do,” I tell Cole, trying to sound confident and not like I’m about to throw up or pass out from anxiety.
“You’ll be okay.” Grant holds my gaze. The anger in his voice shifts to a gentle caress. “I’ve got you. Everyone at Blade and Arrow is behind you. All my friends will drop anything to help. You’re not alone in this.”
Emotion makes my nose prickle. I’ve been so insistent on doing things on my own, I’ve ignored how good it can be to let people help. What a reassurance it can be. How it can make the burden of worry easier to bear.
“I know.” I glance at Cole and Leo before looking back at Grant. “I know I’m not alone. And it’s going to be okay.”
The mind is a tricky thing.
I said everything would be okay, and logically, I know it makes sense. Even if Leo finds out the break-in wasn’t random, and I was actually targeted, it’s still nothing to freak out about. The police are investigating. Blade and Arrow is doing their thing, using all their resources to investigate and protect me .
And I have Grant. It’s impossible not to feel safe when I’m with him.
No, I’m not at the Blade and Arrow building, with its reinforced fences and dozens of cameras and alarms and even special sensors to detect an attack from above. But Grant’s property is impressively secure, too. He has cameras and sensors all over his two-acre property, and his cabin has a security system that rivals the one at B and A.
On top of that, I know Grant will do anything to keep me safe. Not just as a strong, skilled, former Special Forces operator, but as the man who cares about me. The man who looks at me with something that seems deeper than affection.
The man I’m helplessly falling for already.
Which is why I want to push the meeting from earlier aside—the threatening possibilities and unpleasant process of going through everyone I know, wondering if one of them wanted to hurt me—and get my mind back on more pleasant things. Like spending time with Grant.
I’ve never thought about a man this much before. Not in high school when I had that enormous crush on Winston Eggleston, who had a terrible name but his looks more than made up for it. Or Troy, who I dated for two years after college, until he proposed and I realized I couldn’t see myself spending my life with him.
Grant is so much more than anyone else I’ve ever dated. I like—love?—everything about him.
And I wouldn’t even admit this to Maya, but I’ve had fleeting fantasies of one day being married to him. Living in this cabin with Jasper and Wilson, sharing our lives together, spending holidays with our families, and maybe, just maybe, starting a family of our own.
Is it crazy to think about that already?
Does it matter if it feels right?
Does it matter as long as Grant feels the same way?
“Scarlett. Is everything okay?” Grant’s unexpected voice makes me jump, and I let out a little yip of surprise. I’ve been staring out the window, so intent on my thoughts, I didn’t even hear him come into the bedroom.
“I’m sorry, baby.” He hurries across the room and gathers me in his arms, his expression tight with concern. “I shouldn’t have startled you like that. Are you alright?”
“No, it’s okay.” I rest one hand on his shoulder for balance, then stretch up on my tiptoes to kiss him. “I was just thinking. Zoning out, really. Otherwise, I would have heard you.”
“Thinking about earlier?” A tiny line creases his brow. “Do you want to talk about it?”
As I look up at him, I’m struck all over again by how handsome Grant is. His gray eyes that shift from molten silver to a deep pewter, depending on his mood. His strong features that are a bit too rough to be pretty, but soften with a vulnerability I don’t think he lets many people see. And as we stand by the window, the late afternoon sun starting to dip below the horizon, the light catches glints of copper and bronze in his brown hair.
I kiss him again, letting my lips linger for a few moments before answering. “I was thinking about you, actually.”
“Oh?” His brows jump up. “Well. That’s good. At least, I hope it is.”
“It is.” Although I won’t tell him exactly what I was thinking.
“And?” he prods, his lips quirking into a crooked smile. “Are you going to tell me?”
It takes me a second to sort through everything to come up with something that isn’t too revealing. I think it’s a bit too soon to tell Grant I’m falling for him or that I’m creating little fantasies of a life together. So I settle on another truth. “I was thinking that I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. Not like I do with you.”
Grant stares at me with an unreadable gaze, and I feel my cheeks start to warm. Was that too much? I’m never been so open with my feelings—at least with a guy—before, so maybe I’m doing this all wrong? Should I have kept that to myself, and waited until Grant said something first?
“Scarlett.” He strokes my cheek, his hand cool against my heated skin. “That you said that… I’ve never felt this way before, either.”
“You haven’t?” My heart does an uneven skip. Saying it to Grant was one thing, but hearing him say it back…
“Never.” He pauses. “And honestly, I didn’t think it mattered that much. Not before. I had the Navy. My team. There wasn’t time for serious relationships, and I was okay with that. And then after, once I moved here… I thought I had enough. My company. The station. My friends and family. But…”
“But?”
“Then I met you. And from that first day, you captured me. Even when I told myself I shouldn’t be with anyone. That I was too busy. That I had too much baggage. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“Grant—”
He guides me over to the bed, tugging me down to sit next to him. Catching my hands in his, he says, “Seeing you was the best part of my week. I tried to convince myself we were better off as friends, but deep down, I think I hoped one day—”
“Me too.” I hold his gaze. “I couldn’t wait to see you. Every week. It didn’t feel like enough.”
Regret shadows his features. “I’m sorry it took me so long. That it took you getting hurt—”
“I don’t know if I would have been ready before that. Maybe. But maybe everything worked out the way it was supposed to.”
“Not you being hurt.” It’s quick. Fierce.
“No.” I trace the line of his jaw, brushing my thumb across his short stubble. “I could have done without that part. But the way you came for me? Supported me? How you still are? Despite the bad things that happened, I feel lucky.”
“Ah, baby.” There’s that softness. The vulnerability. “I can’t tell you how lucky I feel to have met you. To have you with me.” He cups my cheek gently. “And Scarlett. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. Whatever you want. Whatever you need. Now that I’ve found you, I never want to let you go.”
Oh.
Joy blossoms inside me. “I don’t want to let you go, either.”