8. Grayson

CHAPTER 8

Grayson

H er face is pale and I don't think she's said more than one word at a time since we walked into her shop and realized how bad things are gonna get. Or have gotten. Seems like we're in the midst of a massive storm of anger boiling over and someone's about to get hurt.

It's my goal to make sure that the person who is doing this is the only one that's gonna get hurt.

I pull up outside of Raine's house and park my car, turning to look at Raine. I've never seen her so quiet and unmoving. Usually she's laughing and talking, her hands waving around like she needs them to be moving to talk.

I volunteered to bring her home and since Colt had an emergency call that came in, he agreed that I should take her in. Especially since I live right next door. I would have parked in my own driveway and walked her across but she's so out of it, I'm not sure she'd even know what was happening. She's…in shock.

I've seen it many times. Victims that have no idea why something happened to them, what they did to bring the wrath of someone down on their heads.

I study her for one minute more, not really sure what to do for her. I just know that I desperately want to take care of her. And I also want to kill the person who did this to her. With my bare hands in the worst way possible.

I reach across and she jumps when I touch her hand gently. "Hey, raindrop. Let's get you home." She nods but still doesn't say anything and I really want to hear her voice. I miss the sound more than I ever thought I'd miss something in my life.

She turns towards the door and then just stops, staring at it like she doesn't have a clue what to do. I sigh and step out of my car, running around to the door and opening it, holding out my hand to her.

"Come on, raindrop. I've got you. You're gonna be just fine." She barely glances at me but I know she hears me because her fingers tighten on my hand and she follows me without question.

We walk up the sidewalk to her house and she stops, staring at it blankly. At this point, I just don't think that she can be left alone by herself so I lean down and pick her up, carrying her over to my place. "I think you'll be safer over here with me, raindrop."

Still silent, she reaches over and rests her head on my shoulder, her eyes closing, a single tear trailing down her alabaster cheek, breaking my heart into a million pieces.

"Oh, raindrop. Don't you worry, baby. I've got you and nobody's gonna hurt you. They'll have to get through me and I'm a bit of an asshole."

I groan and settle her deeper into me, fighting the urge to lean down and take that sweet mouth of hers with mine.

I open my door and settle her on my couch before I lean down and kiss the top of her head, petting her soft curls gently.

"You stay right here. I've got to go get my car and check the windows and doors. Then we'll get you in bed for the night. You'll feel better in the morning."

I wish she would respond but she just nods and sighs, leaning back on the couch and staring off into space.

I rush over and move my car to my driveway, then I walk inside, checking the doors and the locks on all the windows. I installed a security system as soon as I moved in and I check to make sure that all the sensors and cameras are armed and good to go.

I settle in front of Raine and grasp her hands, wondering how long this whole thing is going to take because my whole body is buzzing with the need to kill someone. To make sure that they understand that they crossed a line that they shouldn't have been dancing across. Because I'm gonna enjoy taking them apart piece by piece.

"Hey, Raine. Come on, baby. Let's get you ready for bed." I feel like I should feed her but I don't think either one of us will eat. I'm too angry and wired and she's too out of it.

She nods her head and I wait but she doesn't move. I sigh and lean down, lifting her up. She doesn't even fight me and I'm starting to get scared. I've never seen her like this.

I walk to my bedroom and settle her gently on the pillows. She lies back, still wearing her t-shirt and jeans. "Honey, you need to get something else on or you're going to have one uncomfortable night."

She sits back up and I grab one of my huge t-shirts and turn to her. "Can you slip your clothes off and put this on, raindrop?" She doesn't move and I grit my teeth. This is going to be sheer, fabulous torture.

I grasp her t-shirt and drag it over her head, gasping for breath and trying not to look when her red lace bra is exposed. I quickly avert my eyes and yank my shirt over her head, then pull her jeans off and settle her back against the pillows, her red hair glowing like fire on my silver sheets. Her eyes close and within seconds she's fast asleep and I study her, my heart wrenching in my chest at how pale and tired she looks.

This has been an awful week and this is just the kicker on top of it. I can't bear to see her so crushed and silent.

I change into a pair of gray sweatpants. I usually sleep nude but obviously I can't do it tonight. I slip under my sheets and tug Raine into my arms, settling her in the circle of them, my chest pillowing her head.

I lean down and close my eyes, breathing in the soft, sweet scent of her. Like cinnamon and cookie dough. Then I close my eyes, trying to relax one muscle at a time until I can finally sleep.

But even during sleep, I don't let go of her. Don't lose awareness that she's here with me. Where I know she belongs.