Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

LUKE

“What do you mean, he's made another threat?” I growl into the phone, my free hand clenching into a fist. Jason's voice crackles through the line and I can hear the tension.

“Derek's escalating, Mac. He left a message at Gracie's old place. It was... graphic. The police are taking it seriously now, but I'm worried.”

My jaw tightens as I glance towards the bedroom where Gracie's still sleeping. “I'll keep her safe, Jace. You have my word.”

“I know you will,” Jason sighs. “Just... be careful, alright? Both of you.”

I end the call, my mind racing. We need a plan, and Gracie needs to be prepared for anything.

I head back into the bedroom, and my heart clenches at the sight of her curled up in our bed, looking peaceful and vulnerable.

“Gracie,” I say softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Wake up, baby. We need to talk.”

Her eyes flutter open. “Luke? What's wrong?”

I pull in a deep breath, steeling myself. “Your brother called.”

“Jason?” She rubs at her eyes. “What did he say?”

I exhale, scrubbing my hands across my face. I hate to scare her, but she needs to know. “Derek's made another threat. I think with the threats he’s made, it’d be wise for us to have a plan.”

Gracie sits up, the sheet falling to her waist, and I have to force myself to focus. “What kind of threats?” she asks, her voice small.

I shake my head. There’s no way in hell I’m telling her the disgusting things that motherfucker said on her answering machine. “It doesn't matter. What matters is keeping you safe. I'm going to teach you some self-defense.”

Her eyes widen. “You think I need to know how to fight?”

“It’s just precautionary.”

She nods slowly, but I can tell she doesn’t like it. I don’t like it either, but it’s better to be prepared.

An hour later, we're in the makeshift training area I set up in the backyard, and Gracie's standing in front of me with a terrified look on her face.

“Alright, baby,” I say, circling her. “Show me your stance.”

Gracie shifts her weight, raising her fists.

I nod approvingly, moving behind her to adjust her posture. My hands on her hips, I can't help but notice how perfectly she fits against me.

“Good,” I murmur in her ear. “Now, when I come at you, I want you to use your elbow and aim for the solar plexus.”

We spend the next few hours going through various techniques and like I knew she’d be, Gracie's a quick learner. By the time we finish, we're both sweaty and breathing hard.

“You did good, baby,” I tell her, pulling her into my arms. “But remember, if it comes down to it, you run. You hear me? You run and you don't look back.”

Gracie nods against my chest, her arms tightening around me. “I hear you.”

The next day, when we head into town for supplies, I'm on high alert. It’s not until we're in the hardware store that I feel it—that prickle at the back of my neck and I know someone is watching us. As discreetly as I can manage, I turn, positioning myself in front of Gracie, and that's when I see him.

Derek.

He's standing at the end of the aisle, a twisted smile on his face as he stares at Gracie. Something about the way he’s looking at my woman sends me into a red haze, and without thinking, I lunge forward. My fist connects with Derek's jaw with a satisfying crack, and he staggers back, but I don't give him a chance to recover. I'm on him in an instant, my hands around his throat.

“You think you can threaten my woman?” I snarl, squeezing tighter. “You think you can come here and scare her?”

I'm vaguely aware of Gracie calling my name and the store owner yelling for someone to call the police, but all I can focus on is the fear in Derek's eyes as he realizes he's fucked with the wrong man.

It's Gracie's hand on my arm that finally breaks through my rage. “Luke, stop,” she pleads. “He's not worth it. Please.”

I release Derek, watching with satisfaction as he crumples to the ground, gasping for air.

The local police arrive moments later, and I stand back, my arm around Gracie as they cuff Derek and read him his rights. When they start to lead him away, he turns, his eyes locking on Gracie. “This isn't over,” he spits. “You're mine, Grace. You'll always be mine!”

I start forward, ready to finish what I started, but Gracie's grip on my arm tightens. “Don't,” she says softly.

The drive back to the cabin is tense, and as soon as we're through the door, I have Gracie pinned against the wall, my mouth crashing down on hers.

She responds instantly, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pulls me closer. I lift her, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the bedroom.

Our lovemaking is frantic, desperate, both of us needing to feel alive, to feel connected.

When we finally collapse, spent and breathless, I pull her close, burying my face in her hair. “Marry me,” I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.

She pulls back, her eyes wide. “What?”

I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing her cheeks. “Marry me, Gracie. I know it's fast, but I don't care. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Be my wife.”

Tears fill her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. “Yes,” she whispers. “Yes, I want to marry you, Luke.”

As I pull her in for another kiss, I know that Gracie's mine, now and forever, and I'll spend the rest of my life making sure she knows just how much she means to me.