Chapter 34

34

The journey to Brad's veterinary clinic passed in a disjointed blur. Outside the car window, the world rushed by Grace in a wash of green trees and hazy scenery as Caleb floored the accelerator of his brother's SUV, pushing the vehicle to its limits in a desperate race against time.

She cradled Dolly in her lap, trying not to think about the blood soaking through her clothes, the dog's labored breathing, or the feverish heat that radiated from her small, furry body. With each passing mile, Grace smoothed soothing circles over Dolly's soft ears, repeating a silent prayer for a miracle.

Grace's insides were a mess of barbed wire that cut her deep with every breath. She had brought this misery and suffering into Caleb's life when all he had done was care for her and keep her safe. It was time for it to stop. All of it.

He brought the SUV to an abrupt halt outside the clinic entrance, tires screeching against the asphalt as he threw the vehicle into park, heedless of who he was blocking. In an instant, he was at Grace's side, helping her from the car with the broken bundle of Dolly in her arms.

As soon as they were inside, Brad confirmed Grace's worst fears, his face grim as he examined the extent of Dolly's injuries. She insisted on scrubbing up alongside him, determined to do whatever she could to help and repair this traumatic fracture in Caleb's life.

Two hours passed. The steady beep of the monitors dominated the operating room as Brad worked with expert hands. After, Grace felt empty, as if someone had drained all the life and energy from her.

On leaden feet, she made her way out to Caleb in the waiting room. His handsome head hung low, but he met her gaze, his eyes locking onto hers with fierce intensity at the sound of her footsteps."Grace."

God. This man. A wave of emotion swamped her, and she swallowed, searching for composure.

"How's Dolly?"

"We won't know for sure for the first twenty-four hours." Grace kept her voice steady despite the fluttery feelings in her chest. "She's been through a lot, but..." A hiccupy breath escaped her. "But I'm hopeful."

A small flicker of hope, but it was all she could offer in the face of so much uncertainty.

His shoulders sagged, the tension draining from his body as he pulled a hand over his face, composing himself. "Thank God."

Grace's jeans were stiff with Dolly's dried blood, but she didn't hesitate, pulling Caleb into her arms with a fierce, desperate intensity. Her fingers tangled in the soft hair at his nape, memorizing every tiny detail. The solid warmth of his chest against her body, the heat of his arm at the small of her back, the gentle brush of his breath against her neck.

She soaked it all in, locking it away in a secret place deep inside her. No one could take this moment, this feeling, from her. Whatever happened now, he was hers, now and always.

Too soon, he broke the embrace, his eyes searching her face. "You okay?"

"Yeah." She nodded, pushing loose strands of hair back from her face with hands that still smelled of antiseptic. "Nothing a hot bath won't take care of."

He guided her toward the door, his hand steady on her hip. "I'll take you home."

Home.

The word echoed in her mind, a future that seemed possible only hours before.

Men were visible through the door glass, standing in the parking lot.

Of course.

She felt no surprise. With Caleb close behind, she stepped out into the fading light. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky a brooding canvas of deep purple streaked with bloody clouds.

Alex stood at the forefront of the gathered group, his stance radiating malice, his lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Grace—" Caleb stiffened at her side and took hold of her arm.

Grace inhaled a shaky breath. This was it. Alex waited silently, his eyes fixed on her with a predatory intensity. He had six armed men with him, the decks stacked in his favor.

She shook her arm free of Caleb's grip.

"Grace, what?—"

"I have to go."

"What? Grace, no—" Confusion and fear warred in his voice.

She twisted so he could not grab her arm again.

This was the end of the road. She was doing this for love. To keep him safe. But all she read in Caleb's eyes was pain and hurt that would destroy her if she allowed it. She averted her gaze, hiding the pain in her eyes, fearing he would doubt her decision and pursue her. The only way to keep him safe was to push him away, to make him believe she no longer cared for him.

"I'm leaving with Alex." Her voice grew icy. Distant. The woman she had been with Richard still fit perfectly. "This thing between us, it was a mistake. I shouldn't have let it continue for so long."

Caleb's eyes widened, his hands flexing open and shut. "I don't believe you. After everything we've been through..."

Grace forced a harsh laugh. "Everything we've been through? Caleb, you were a distraction, a way to pass the time while I figured out my next move."

His intake of breath was sharp. She was cutting him to the core. But she pressed on, knowing she had to make him believe her, had to make him hate her if necessary.

"You didn't really think I could love someone like you, did you? Someone who lives in a shack in the hills? I needed time to think, reevaluate, and you fit the bill. But now, I've made my decision. I don't need you anymore."

Caleb shook his head, his eyes bright. "This is fucking bull, Grace. I know you. You're doing this out of fear."

She stepped closer, imagining it was Richard she was tearing apart. "You know nothing about me, Caleb. You never did. I've played you from the start. Now I have what I need. It's time to move on."

He staggered back, as if she had physically struck him, his face tortured with betrayal.

God. What was she doing? Her nails, still marked by Dolly's dried blood, gouged her palms. Next time it would be Caleb's blood and she would stop at nothing to prevent that. "Don't follow me. It's over."

She walked away, unfaltering, even as every fiber of her being screamed at her to run to Caleb and never let him go. She had to do this—make him believe she didn't love him, that she'd never loved him. It was the only way to protect him from the darkness of her past life.

Squaring her shoulders, Grace passed Alex, her eyes fixed straight ahead, refusing to give him the satisfaction of eye contact. She wouldn't give him the power, wouldn't let him see how much this tore her apart.

She climbed into the waiting car, her movements mechanical, her mind numb with grief, her skin chilling as she sat on the leather seats. The driver on the opposite side of the dividing glass was an indistinct blur in her peripheral vision.

The group of men advanced on Caleb, their posture aggressive, weapons raised. This wasn't the deal. Panic surged through her veins. "Get away from?—"

The loud snick of the central locking echoed in the car. No. She reached for the car door handle, desperate to escape, yanked the handle, but it rattled uselessly.

Six of them, armed, and Caleb was alone.

Caleb took down the man closest to him with a volley of punches and, for an instant, she believed it could play out like a film. Caleb would subdue all six armed men by his wits alone, a hero triumphant against overwhelming odds.

Reality head butted her as a second man threw a sucker punch at Caleb, distracting him long enough for a third to smack the butt of his gun across Caleb's temple. Caleb crumpled to the ground.

No!

Grace hammered on the glass, screaming till her throat was raw. "Leave him alone! You have me! This is not the deal!"

The driver started the engine. Alex met her panicked gaze. His expression was one of grim satisfaction and a task finally completed.

Grace slumped in her seat, her eyes gritty with exhaustion.

Richard had won.