MARKUS

 

 

A sudden gasp made me turn quickly, forgetting about Paul. What I saw almost made me gasp––Grace was falling toward the ground, about to hit her face on the coffee table. I don’t think I have ever moved so quickly.  

My hands and arms went out as I fell forward, trying to catch her before she was killed. Now I know what the saying, ‘heart in my throat,’ means.  Catching her head before it hit the corner of the table, Grace’s body fell on the hardwood floor with a jarring slam––but at least her head was safe.

Paul tried to grab her out of my arms, but I fought him off.

“Grace!” I screamed, terror in my voice. I heard a tremble, but could do nothing about it.

A moan was my only answer as I cradled her head in my hands––waiting.  Suddenly an arm moved, followed by another moan.

Hearing another groan elsewhere in the room, I ignored it.  Concentrating on Grace was my prime concern. I didn’t care about anyone else right now, especially her father.

The bright color of a pillow caught my eye, and I reached out to grab it, gently placing it under her head.

“Grace. Grace––talk to me.” I pushed the hair away from her face and inspected her pale color.  Thankfully, there was no blood. That was good, right?

Another moan––but this time her eyelids fluttered. “Come on, Grace.” I begged. “Open your eyes for me, bella.”

Her eyelids moved again, though this time they opened for a moment before closing. That brief moment they had been open there seemed to be no recognition.

How could she be hurt so badly, yet not hit her head?

Grace’s head moved slowly from side to side for a moment before opening, her blue eyes holding recognition of Markus in them.

She put a hand to her forehead, the space between her eyebrows wrinkling as if she were trying to remember something.

“My father was here?” she asked hesitantly, her eyes darting around the room as if maybe it weren’t true.

Hearing the deep groan of a male voice, I glanced in that direction. I almost sighed in relief when I saw Paul getting to his hands and knees, shaking his head.

Grace turned her head, seeing the state her father was in, “Dad?”

Helping her to her feet, she shook me off impatiently, as she took the few steps necessary, bending over to check on Paul. He placed a hand on her arm, as if he needed the help, and gave me a quick underhanded smirk. I knew I was in trouble then.

“Grace, are you okay?” he asked, concern deep in his voice.  Though the quick, smug glance he gave me while Grace was fussing over him didn’t go unnoticed.  Big trouble.

“Dad, what happened? Were you in a fight?” She stood, her hands on her hips and her brows furrowed.

“I don’t know, princess––I think Markus attacked me.” He tried to sound confused, and from the look on Grace’s face, she was buying it.  Turning toward me, she shot me a narrow-eyed glare.

“But why would he attack you, Dad?” She was at least thinking rationally. I had no reason to attack him

“What do you remember?” Paul asked.

Her eyes rose to the ceiling and rested there as she thought. “Not much. I remember a knock on the door––and that’s it. Did I hit my head or something?”

I nodded. “Or something. You fell and I held my hands out before you hit your head on the coffee table.” I jerked my chin in the direction of said object and her gaze followed my movement.

“So––Dad, what are you doing here? How did you find us?” I let her continue with her questioning––she seemed to be going in the right direction.

Giving them a moment together, I let them work it out. I wish I had known that idea was going to bite me in the ass.

I knew the small fridge in the living area held water bottles, so I headed there instead of the kitchen. Grabbing three water bottles I made my way back to the large foyer in hopes that things were working out.

When I entered, they were standing side-by-side, facing the direction I would come from. Grace was now dressed, bearing a betrayed look on her face, compared to Paul’s face full of satisfaction.

I cursed myself for trusting Paul. I just didn’t understand what he suddenly had against me. I knew he didn’t want me dating his daughter, but she was an adult.

I decided to tough it out and pretend I didn’t see anything wrong.

“Paul, I’m glad to see you’re doing alright.  It was a good idea trying to get to her, but I was closer,” I said with false joviality.

“Markus,” he lowered his head so Grace couldn’t see the expression his face was now wearing, while making sure that I could. Shaking his head back and forth in false disappointment, he replied, “I’m so disappointed in you. Why couldn’t you wait to fuck my daughter until she was twenty-one?  It’s only a couple months.”

I jerked my head up at his words about Grace’s age, glancing at her, but quickly looking away again. I didn’t want to give him any advantage.  I was hurt that she had lied to me. I know she wanted to get rid of her troublesome virginity, but I thought we had a connection––besides fucking. I guess I was wrong.

“Well she was a good fuck,” I shrugged at that, trying to hurt her as badly as I felt. “At least you’re here now, and she doesn’t have to leave alone.”

“How long are you planning on staying?” Paul was now jovial that he had gotten his way.

“Not long––since I finished with the board yesterday.  A few days probably; I need to finish dispersing my grandparent’s property.” I went to tuck my hands in my pockets, realizing I was still naked.  How could I have been walking around this place and neither one of them bothered to tell me I didn’t have pants on?

Grumbling to myself, I made my way back to the bedroom and slipped on the pants I had just been wearing hours ago. My––how time flies.

As I walked back to the foyer Paul smirked at me again. “Finally realized you had no pants on, huh?”

“Thanks for that, both of you.” I grumbled at them.

Grace looked embarrassed, “I didn’t realize either, Markus. I guess I got used to you being naked already.” Her cheeks got redder at that admission with her father standing next to her.  She had a determined look on her face as she asked, “Dad says you attacked him. Is that true?”

My brain went blank for a moment at her question.  How could she ask me that after the night we just had? She knew her father was an asshole. I had saved her life too, didn’t she realize that?

“Grace,” I started, my brain scrambling, trying to think of something to say in my favor. “Don’t you remember? Paul burst into the room and struck at me first?” I said gently. He was still her father after all.

She turned to her father, the question plainly written on her face.  “Princess––”

Grace made a cutting off motion with her hand, her expression changing to irritation. “No more princess.”

“Gracie––don’t you remember? I came to see you, and Paul attacked me.” I rolled my eyes at his lies. He was truly going all out.

“Why can’t I remember?” I could tell she was starting to get scared. I was as well. She hadn’t seemed to hit her head––I mean, I don’t think she hit her head.

“Let’s get you to the hospital for a head scan. I’m sure we’ll get some answers once we are there. Let me get a shirt on.” I rushed into the bedroom and threw on a plain white t-shirt. “Come on, let’s go.” I grabbed her hand and sweeping with my other arm, I swept her into my arms. Paul followed behind us, blustering.

The ride to the hospital was fast in my Jag, and I admit, I ran a couple red lights. I’ll pay the tickets if they had a camera. It would be worth it.

When we got to the hospital I picked Grace up into my arms and went into the emergency department. There, we were met at the nurse’s station. “What’s your emergency?” The nurse asked, her stethoscope out, examining Grace.

“She tripped and fell. As far as I know she didn’t hit her head, but she can’t remember what happened immediately before.”

“How do you know she didn’t hit her head? she asked, giving me an inquiring look.  Orderly!” she shouted.

“She fell, and I put my hands out, catching her head in the palms of my hands.”

“Was she unconscious at all?” The nurse spat the question out.

“For a few minutes.” I was getting scared with this line of questions. What if she was seriously hurt?  

The orderly came in with a gurney, and I gently placed her on it.  Craning my head, I watched as the gurney carried her out of sight.