32
Grace
I don't know when I fell asleep but I somehow managed. The guys are surrounding me in a warm pile and I've honestly never felt safer. Last night was yet another shit show but they didn't leave, they were there for me in ways I've never really experienced.
I untangle myself and put on some sweats and a tank top and make my way downstairs. It's still really early and I can't find Ruby so I start Mission: Secret Breakfast. I’ve been waiting forever to get a hold of this kitchen.
I started out with thoughts of pancakes but I know I need to think some stuff over and that means baking. I decidecheese and herb focaccia, muffins and scones are the better decision.
Once the smells start wafting through the air, I've already come to a few decisions. By the time I hear people waking up, I have a plan that I'm proud of.
Jai is the first one downstairs wrapping his arms around my waist kissing up the back of my neck.
"Good morning. It smells delicious." He murmurs against my shoulder as I flip some eggs.
"Want a breakfast sandwich?" I offer.
"That sounds fantastic. Yes, please."
"Well, have a seat it's almost done." I smile. He pouts but does as he's told. I hand one over to him and he takes a big bite and moans.
"So fucking good, Princess." Making me giggle.
"You better not be up to no good in my kitchen, Grace Jacobs!" Ruby scolds coming around the corner with her hand over her eyes.
"Not in the way you're thinking." I laugh. Her finger split apart to peak out and sighs in relief.
"Oooh! You made bread! It smells amazing!" She beams as I hand her a sandwich.
"You made them?!" Jai asks incredulously.
"Yes." I smile. "Would you like another one?" He nods vigorously and mumbles something under his breath that I don't catch.
Keir, Christian and Liam come down next and I already have breakfast sandwiches waiting for them and working on more. Thank God I made a shit ton.
"These are so good, Grace!" Ruby commends making me blush as the guys hum their agreement while stuffing their faces.
Andras and Richard come in next looking hungover. I pass them coffee and some sandwiches and they grumble a good morning. I plate the muffins and scones and cut up fruit onto the counter so everyone can dig in while I have my sandwich.
"Andras?" I say getting his bloodshot attention. "I want to see a therapist." I somehow manage to not whimper it. My voice comes out strong and clear even as the room goes still.
"Done." He nods. I do love that about my uncle. If I need something, there are rarely any questions it just gets done. "Anything else?"
"Actually, yes." I turn to the guys. "I need a meeting with all The Heads." Brows pull down but all four of my guys nod.
"We'll call after breakfast," Keir vows. I nod and we all go back to breakfast.
I'm cleaning up with Ruby after the guys head home to change for the day when Kennedy calls.
"Hello?" I ask .
"Turn on the news." She commands. Uh oh. I do as I'm told and see a picture of a familiar man who was the victim of a "gruesome murder" found in a dumpster. Like a piece of trash.
"You wanna explain?" She asks.
"There are some really awful people out there. It's a shame what this world is coming to." I shake my head at the screen.
"Yeah, shame. You'd think such awful things wouldn't happen to such a stand-up guy. The news lady said he was a pillar of the community and he gets attacked twice in one week." She says. I can hear the smile in her voice.
"It's a real pity. Want me to pick you up today?" I ask.
"Sure. That sounds great." I smile as we hang up. I may have made some decisions this morning about being a better person but I have no regrets about killing the asshole who hurt Kennedy.
"You're a good friend," Ruby says quietly with a soft, proud smile. "Go get ready for school."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Oh and Grace?" I turn back to look at her. "Breakfast was delicious. You may want to think about culinary school after graduation." I feel my face heat.
"Thank you." I manage before bouncing up to my room to get changed before my eyes mist over.
Kennedy and I are making our way to class when I'm shoved against a locker. My head hitting the metal in the same spot as the asshole did from my kidnapping. Fuck! That smarts. I blink a few times so I can make sense of what's happening.
Tyler and his other buddy, What's-His-Nuts are in front of me. Tyler is pinning me to the lockers while What's-His-Nuts fends off a screeching Kennedy.
"Not so tough now are you, little bitch?" Tyler taunts. "I know you killed Callum."
"I didn't," I say but his thick hands grip my throat tightly. I try to fight but I can't. My head hurts and lights are going in and out of focus. Oh good, a concussion. I can't hear Kennedy anymore but I can hear Tyler and his buddy just fine.
"Man, she's losing consciousness. Loosen up." What's-His-Nuts says trying to pull him off.
"Nah, man. If she's passed out she won't fight back when I fuck her." Tyler spits. Oh, fuck no.
"Dude. Don't. She's got that Keir guy. Don't fuck with him." What's-His-Nuts begs.
"No, this bitch is mine." His eyes are wild and staring at me. Nothing good can come of this.
The lights flicker again for longer this time as my arms don't seem to work properly anymore. I'm at least going out with a big fuck you.
"Screw you, pencil dick." I gasp before the world goes black to the sound of violence.
Liam
I see Keir and his buddy, Alek, at Grace's locker. I'm surprised they're still there. Usually, they leave once Grace gets there.
"Hey fellas. What's up?" I ask.
"Waiting for Grace." Keir shrugs. There's a buzz of excitement and tension in the halls. I wonder who broke up? I dismiss it until I see Kennedy and my heart stops.
She's crying and looking panicked as she runs through the hall. What the fuck happened?
"Kennedy!" I shout and she looks positively relieved but not calm.
"It's Grace. Hurry." Three words and my entire world crumbles.
All three of us are running after Kennedy.
Something snaps inside of me at the sight before me.
Tyler fucking Moore has Grace pinned against a locker by her throat.
She looks like she's passed out. She's barely struggling anymore as he snarls in her face.
She comes to enough that I hear her gasp out a fuck you as we storm over.
"Screw you, pencil dick." Before she slumps in a temporarily victorious Moore's grasp. My fist hits him square in the jaw. How dare he?! Keir has Grace and Alek is taking care of Cuntington thoroughly.
I look over to see Grace limp in Keir's arms and blood on the locker where she was and I lose it. All I can think of is Grace and how this fucker tried to take her away from me. From us.
"Liam! Liam! He's out! You gotta stop. Grace doesn't want you in jail.
She needs you in the nurse's office." Kennedy's voice breaks through the fog in my mind.
She's right. Grace needs me with her. I leave Moore a bloody mess dragging Alek with me.
Cuntington is looking rough as well. Good.
I see Kennedy throw a kick into each of their ribs and I smirk. Grace will be so proud.
Grace isn't in the nurse's office. The nurse said they had to call an ambulance and my heart feels like it's being shredded in my chest. I need to get to her. I haven't told her that I love her yet. I was going to wait until the restaurant tomorrow. I never should have waited.
All I have is my bike. Kennedy got a ride with Grace and Alek came with Kier. Fuck!
I pull out my phone and call Christian.
"Bianchi." He greets.
"Grace is in the hospital. We need to get there can you pick us up at the school?" I ask.
"Why? What happened? Is she okay?" He rushes out panic clear in his voice.
"I don't know if she's okay. They called an ambulance. Some asshole attacked her. I took care of it for now." I explain.
"Be right there. Call Jai. I'll deal with Andras and the others."
"Got it." I hang up and call Jai.
"Yo!"
"Grace is in the hospital. Get there."
"Turning around now. Is she okay?" He says stiffly, his mood taking an abrupt one-eighty.
"I don't know. Keir is with her."
"Okay, at least she's not alone. See you there." He hangs up and I see a Lambo peel into the parking lot. A Lambo? A fucking two-seater? Ugh! Why doesn't he just drive the damn truck all the time!?
"Alek, go with him. Kennedy, you're with me." We run to my bike and race to the hospital. I feel her hands shaking but her grip is strong on me as we pull into the parking lot.
The smell of antiseptic hits me as I spot Andras, Jai, Richard and Ruby arguing with a nurse. We charge up to see what's going on.
Keir
I don't know if this is worse than when she was kidnapped from the funeral.
She looked so small in my arms as I took her to the nurse.
She had a pulse so she's alive but she wasn't responding to me at all.
The nurse paled at the sight of her and immediately called an ambulance.
Now I'm in the back with her holding her hand as the EMTs hook her up to beeping machines.
They put a neck brace on her just as a bruise was starting to form.
Her knuckles were bloody from fighting back.
I want to kill those fuckers for even touching her.
I trust Liam and Alek to deal with them but I kinda hope they leave a piece for me too.
I follow the EMTs as they drive Grace through the hospital doors on her stretcher. Doctors rush over to her and I make room for them to help my beautiful Grace.
I hear words like "stable" and "contusions" and "head injury". I didn't know she hurt her head again. Fuck.
I follow them all the way to a room but I'm stopped at the door.
"I'm sorry, young man. You're going to have to wait outside until we get her set up." The lady in pink scrubs explains. I nod.
"Just make sure she's okay. We need her to be okay." I beg.
"We'll do everything we can." She says gently before leading me into a busy waiting room where everyone is waiting for Grace.