Chapter 17

Mystery_Man

You haven't deleted me!

I hope you are having a good Saturday

I didn't sleep. Can't get over the "you think you are being hunted" thing you mentioned. Let me know what I can do

I hope you had a good Saturday night and that you are safe

Sweet dreams, I hope you have a great work week

Grace waited until she arrived at work to unmute the dating app. She knew that if she checked the app at home, she would have messaged him before she wanted to, or was ready. Monday felt like a fitting time to at least read what he had sent.

The grovelling had begun.

The weekend was brutal. Sleep would not find her for more than a few hours at a time, and she couldn't shake off the paranoia she felt from Friday.

This was not like her. She didn't live in fear. Yes, she knew and understood the dangers of her hometown, and had made peace with death a long time ago. She carried a bag with an arsenal of protective measures, but that didn't mean she was afraid. It meant she was prepare d to fight for her life and for others around her.

She had never lost sleep knowing death welcomed her every day, lurked around every corner, and was all around her. But that small insignificant incident had her spooked.

"Don't panic," Scarlett said as she ran past Grace's office door, closed it and pressed her back against it.

"What? What is it? What's happened?" Grace asked, her heart working overtime reacting to Scarlett's sudden intrusion.

"I think I saw Mr. Kennedy walking this way. I ran," Scarlett said, slightly breathless.

Grace rolled her eyes at Scarlett's over-the-top theatrics, as she tried to hide her slight excitement for seeing Archer after almost a week.

After he sent those texts.

Okay, maybe "don't panic" was solid advice, because she was starting to do just that.

"Do I have any messages? Have the cops called back?" Grace asked trying to distract herself.

She had left messages over the weekend and called that morning to get answers about Dimitri but was given the runaround. She even reported what happened on Friday, but was still told that someone would call her back.

"Nothing, but more importantly, how do my boobs look? It's a new top. Can you tell I'm wearing a bra? Because it's totally supposed to look like I'm not," Scarlett stated as she arched her back and moved her shoulders to show Grace the full effect.

"No, you can't tell," Grace replied, knowing that if she didn't answer, Scarlett would keep talking about it.

"Perfect. Oh honey, you look terrible," Scarlett said when she finally took in her boss, her voice laced with sympathy. "Do you want to borrow my concealer? The bags under your eyes are so big you could sleep in them."

"I'm wear ing concealer," Grace mumbled when there was a knock at the door.

Scarlett whipped the door open.

"Mr. Kennedy! What a nice surprise. We weren't expecting you back until Wednesday," she said bringing her shoulders back to exaggerate her chest.

"Did Lucas not send word of my return?"

"You know what? It's been a busy morning, maybe I missed that message," she said unconvincingly.

"Maybe you missed it when you were running away from me three minutes ago," he said. His face remained expressionless, but he gave Grace a secret wink when Scarlett looked away.

"Was that you? I thought maybe Grace's secret boyfriend was finally coming to meet her, so I ran ahead to warn her. I didn't see your face," Scarlett lied.

Grace flashed Scarlett a dirty look, then glanced at Archer who regarded her with a slight tilt to his head, one eyebrow raised. She silently communicated that Scarlett was crazy with a subtle shake of her head.

"I must say, Sir, that this office felt empty without you. We've already gotten so used to having you around. You provide such a strong, masculine, safe environment when you're here," Scarlett said, laying it on thick with her best soft, seductive voice.

"Scarlett, can you please make another call to the station? If you get a person, tell them that it's urgent if they say they'll call back," Grace said, dismissing her assistant before she properly embarrassed herself.

"No problem," Scarlett said. "And let me know if there is anything I could do for you , Sir," she purred before leaving.

Feelings of hostility and disdain bubbled to the surface as Grace watched Archer watch Scarlett leave.

She saw green .

Why is he watching her? I thought he wasn't into her, she thought, her mind spiralling into a fit of jealousy.

She had witnessed Scarlett act inappropriately and unprofessionally with clients, staff, and people's family members, and it never bothered her. At least not on a personal level. She was continuously having conversations with her about her lack of propriety and professionalism, but just now, after seeing Scarlett throw herself at Archer, she was getting on her last nerve.

Archer waited until Scarlett had left and the door was closed before he turned to Grace.

"Station as in police station? Did something happen?" he asked, concern heavy in his eyes.

"No. Yes. I'm not sure," she admitted.

"Explain everything," he demanded, clenching his jaw.

She explained the problem she was having getting more information about Dimitri. She knew her rights, and as his potential victim, she had a right to know if there was still a threat against her. She was hesitant, but she told him about the brief encounter on her walk home, and how it made for a long, anxious weekend.

"Honestly, maybe my imagination was in overdrive and I escalated an innocent run-in," she concluded.

Archer stared at her. Anger radiated from his eyes beneath furrowed brows, while his jaw worked overtime grinding his teeth. He opened his mouth to say something, closed it, then turned and rushed out of the office.

"I guess I'd run away from my crazy too…" Grace murmured feeling slightly offended.

She wasn't sure what their reunion would look like after his work trip. After those texts. Grace had imagined several scenarios, but this didn't fit into any of them. She wasn't sure what exactly just happened.

Her mood was already sour, but now she felt embarrassed and stupid. No one mad e her feel stupid. Embarrassment quickly evolved into anger. Her blood boiled and she was ready to erupt. She didn't want to take it out on Scarlett, even though she really did after she threw herself at Archer. She couldn't take it out on Archer, even though she had no problem squaring off with him before.

Before she left her office and took out her frustrations on the first young intern she came across, she conveniently remembered who else she was upset with and grabbed her phone.

Grace

I want a picture and a name

She stared at her phone, impatiently tapping her fingers on her desk waiting for a reply.

Mystery_Man

I'm sorry, Grace. I can't do that. I'm not ready

I am. I don't understand what we are doing anymore

We are getting to know each other

It's all for nothing if we aren't attracted to each other

I'm very attracted to you ??

I don't like when people have an advantage over me

You have seen my body, saw what I look like without a shirt on. What if I can guarantee that I'm not ugly?

You don't get to decide that for me or anyone else. You could be conventionally handsome but that doesn't mean I'll be attracted to you

And abs don't mean anything. Sure…I like them, but I won't date someone based on that

Sorry. I was being vain. I just want you to keep talking to me. I promise soon. I want to show you soon

You were ready to come to my house on the weekend

I was. I thought you were in danger. I also know that if I showed up, that would be the end of this

This is becoming too cryptic for me…

Grace heard shouting coming from the hallway.

I need to go. I can hear my boss yelling

Grace put her phone down, not waiting to see if he replied. She stood up, ready to walk to the door to pop her head out to see what the commotion was when Archer threw the door open and stormed inside.

"She wasn't a bystander or a witness, she was the fucking victim. He planned to drug her and do who the hell knows what else. We shouldn't have to beg for information. Your division exists to help victims. Her life could be in danger, so fucking help her!"

Grace sat back down, afraid to move as she watched Archer yell into the phone. She was worried that any small movement might set Archer off more so than he already was. She has seen hi m annoyed, and lose his temper a few times, but his anger was terrifying. She never wanted to be on the end of his rage.

"Oh how convenient, you found the file. No, I won't hand her the phone. You will gather every piece of information you have on this case and everything you know about that warlock. If he fucking jaywalked at some point in his life, we deserve to know about it. Then you will send your fucking Chief of Police down here, within the hour to personally deliver this information to my…to Grace. If your Chief fails to come, I'll create the most damaging smear campaign you have ever seen and get everyone who worked that night fired. Everyone! Even the goddamn janitors!

"Then I suggest you get off your sorry ass and run down the hall and find someone who can make this happen because the clock is ticking," Archer demanded before he ended the call.

Grace watched as he shoved his phone into his pocket, and aggressively ran his fingers through his hair. He took a deep breath, inhaling through his nose, and slowly let it out through his mouth before he turned to Grace. His rage was replaced with worry and concern.

"I'm sorry you had to see that."

"It's...it's okay," Grace replied in a hushed tone.

"No Grace, it's not. I came in expecting to hand you my phone when I finally got to someone, but they pissed me off, and, well, you heard the rest."

"You ran out. I didn't think you cared."

"I do that sometimes, sorry. I get hyper-focused, have a one-track mind," he explained. "I…I might care too much."

With that confession, he walked closer to her desk, where she sat with her eyes locked on him in a state of disbelief and anticipation.

"Grace," he started, as he placed his hands on the back of the chair across her desk, leaning forwa rd. The way he said her name had her heart racing. She could feel the warmth spread across her cheeks and throughout her body. His smooth deep voice came out husky, intimate. It was hypnotic. At that moment, she would agree to do anything for him, or with him, and found herself leaning forward.

Scarlett came into the office, without knocking, breaking the spell.

"The Chief of Police just called, he'll be here in five minutes," she announced. Then she turned her attention to Archer.

"Mr. Kennedy, Sir, we're all so impressed with how you put the entire police force in place. Me especially," she purred as she sat on Grace's desk in front of him. Her too-short skirt had pulled up, revealing the top of her stockings. "If there's anything, anything , you need, that Lucas can't do for you–"

"Scarlett," Grace snapped. "That will be all."

Scarlett turned to face Grace, her skirt hiking up even more.

"Did I interrupt something?" she asked, confused by Grace's demeanour.

"No," Grace said sharply.

"Yes," Archer said at the same time.

"Apologies," Scarlett said, as she stood and pushed down her skirt. She looked at Grace, who was glowering at her, then looked to Archer, whose eyes never left Grace. Scarlett looked back at her boss. Her eyes widened as confusion shifted to understanding. She flashed Grace a knowing smirk before she left.

"I'd like to be here when the Chief arrives if that's okay. In case there is any funny business. I want to make it clear that I threatened him, not you," Archer clarified. "Unless you feel like it's too private. Then, I can have a chat with him after."

"No, I mean, yes, you can stay. You were there , Dimitri tried to attack you too, so you should hear the information."

"Great, I'm going to run to my office, but I'll be back when he gets here," he said. He walked to the door, and hesitated, his hand hovering over the door knob. He looked conflicted, like he wanted to speak but wasn't sure if he should. Finally, he gave Grace a tight smile and left.