CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sawyer
After talking with Sam, I decided I needed to meet this guy myself before I leave. I’m not convinced my dad is wrong about him and I need to make sure she’s going to be okay when I’m gone. Especially since my parents are coming to help with the kids. It’s the last thing I want to worry about when I get home, when all of my focus will be on Grace.
I enter the swanky office building and head toward the receptionist. A guy in a suit is bent over the desk whispering in the chick’s ear, making her giggle. The sound of it makes me cringe. When she makes eye contact she quickly stands, her eyes flaring with interest as she sticks her chest out. Fake tits spill out of her suit jacket, making it look like she’s not even wearing a shirt under it. It’s clear to see where the asshole in front of me was staring.
“Can I help you?” she asks, her voice as annoying as her laugh. Or maybe it’s just the bad mood I’ve been in since last night.
“I’m looking for Grant Fleming.”
The guy in front of me tenses then turns around. A sick feeling forms in my gut at the way he sizes me up, his head barely coming to my chin. He crosses his arms arrogantly. “I’m Grant.”
My bad mood just got a whole lot worse. “I’m Sawyer Evans, Sam’s brother.”
The bitch has the decency to look ashamed, her head dropping in embarrassment, but the dickhead in front of me doesn’t. He remains standing tall with his chest puffed out, but can’t hide the flash I saw in his eyes. It wasn’t remorse, though I’m not sure what it was.
“Ah yes, of course. The brother who’s in town visiting, which is why I haven’t been able to see her over the past few days.”
My eyes narrow at his response. “Yeah, she’s been a little busy catching up with her family, especially her niece and nephew.”
“So she said. Unfortunately, she never told me you were stopping by.”
“She doesn’t know. I was in the area and figured I would stop by to meet the guy in my sister’s life.”
“I see.”
Actually, he doesn’t, but he’s about to find out.
“Heidi, hold my calls please.”
“Yes, Mr. Fleming,” she obeys.
“Follow me.” He leads me down a long hallway, passing by a few offices before entering in the last door on the left. Of course it seems he has the most elaborate space of the bunch.
Not surprising.
He props his hip against the large oak desk, his stance relaxed when I can clearly see he’s feeling anything but. “Samantha told me you were in the navy.”
The way he refers to my sister as ‘Samantha’ pisses me off, because I know for a fact she hates to be called that.
“Used to be,” I reply, wondering why he’s bringing it up. I have a feeling it isn’t to thank me for my service like most people would.
“She’s spoken quite a bit about you.” He doesn’t elaborate what she’s said and I’m sure it’s to purposely get under my skin. This motherfucker and his head games are getting old fast. I get the urge to knock him on his ass. I’ve only been in his presence for two minutes and I can see why my dad hates him. He’s a prick, and definitely not someone I can see my sister with.
“I’ll bet she has. Sam and I are close. My whole family is, but I’m sure you know that.”
“Actually, I wouldn’t have guessed.” His response and smug smirk have me closing the door to his office and moving a little closer.
“Let’s cut the shit, Grant, and get to why I’m here. My dad doesn’t like you and after being in your presence for only a few minutes, I can see why. He’s worried about my sister and now so am I.”
“Yes, I already know your father doesn’t like me, and to be honest, I don’t really care. All I care about is what Samantha thinks.”
My fists clench at my sides. Every second that I’m near this asshole shreds a little more of my composure. “You should care about what we think because I’m not someone you want to fuck with, Fleming.”
He doesn’t heed my warning. “Look, if you’re so concerned why don’t you just ask your sister about us? She’ll tell you.”
“I did and I don’t believe her. She’s not the same girl I’ve always known and I think that’s your fault. So I’m going to make this as clear as possible for you. My parents plan on moving to South Carolina and we want her to come. It’d be wise of you not to interfere with that.”
His eyes narrow but his smirk remains. “Well I’m sorry to disappoint you but that’s not going to happen. Samantha has already made her choice and that’s me. Nothing is going to change that. What goes on between us is our business and no one else’s. Now I can appreciate your concern being her big brother and all but you don’t need to worry about her. She’s in very good hands.” The little wink he adds shatters my control.
Grabbing the back of his neck with a swift hand, I slam his face down onto the desk. A howl of pain explodes from him followed by blood spraying out of his nose. As he struggles to get free, I grind his face even harder into the oak and lean in close.
“Now that’s where you’re wrong, Grant. My sister is my business and always will be. So you listen closely, motherfucker. If I find out you made her shed one goddamn tear I will come back here and rip you apart, limb from limb. Then I will hide every piece of your fucking body so no one will ever find you. Do you understand me?”
When the only response I get is painful breaths, I lift his head only enough to slam it back down on the wood, drawing another howl from him.
“Answer me, asshole. Do you understand?”
“Yes! I understand.”
Flipping him over, I smile down at the mess of his once perfect face. “Good. Make sure you don’t forget, you won’t like the consequences otherwise.” I let the threat hang in the air for a moment before giving him a few hard slaps in the face. “Glad we had this talk, Grant. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
Pushing away from him, I walk out of his office, feeling a little lighter since I got to take out some of my aggression. I don’t bother looking in the receptionist’s direction as I leave, knowing I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut. The whore isn’t worth my time.
When I arrive home I head right over to the guesthouse, wanting to wash away the blood that splattered on me before seeing anyone. But as I step inside I see Grace folding towels and cleaning up. That tightness in my chest comes back with a vengeance when I can tell she’s been crying.
“Hey,” she greets me softly.
“Hey, baby.”
“Where’ve you been?” she asks, moving toward me. Her eyes drop to my chest and narrow. “What on earth is on your shirt?” She gasps when she realizes what it is. “Is that blood? Are you bleeding?”
“Yeah. I mean no. Yes, it’s blood; no, it’s not mine.” I reach down, taking my shirt off, then move to the kitchen to wash my hands and up my forearms.
“What happened?”
“Went and paid a visit to good ol’ Grant. My dad’s right, the guy is an asshole.” I shut off the water and begin drying my hands.
“Oh lord, Sawyer, please tell me you didn’t kill him.”
I turn around to see her hands on either side of her face, looking panicked. “Calm down, Cupcake. I didn’t kill anyone, as tempting as it was. I just made myself clear where Sam is concerned.”
“So your dad’s right about him, huh?” She shifts nervously, looking unsure, and I fucking hate it.
With a breath I lift her up and place her on the counter in front of me before stepping in-between her legs. “Yeah, baby. He’s a first class asshole, but I’m pretty sure my message was loud and clear. At least it better have been. Let’s hope Mom and Dad will be able to convince her to come with them.” My hand goes to her cheek, my thumb stroking her soft skin.
She encircles my wrist and leans into my touch, her sad eyes telling me everything she’s not. “I love you,” she whispers. Slightly turning her face, she kisses the palm of my hand.
I drop my forehead on hers, my eyes squeezing shut at the pain lancing through me. “I love you too, Cupcake.”
“Are we okay?”
My eyes snap open, and I stare into her warm, heartbroken eyes. “I’m trying, Grace. It’s hard but I’m fucking trying. Just know we’re okay. We’re always okay.” She wraps her arms tightly around my neck. I pull her in close and kiss the side of her head, the sweet smell of her hair penetrating my senses. “We’ll get through this.”
She leans back, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I just need you. As long as I have you, I can get through anythin’.”
“You have me. Always.” I take her lips; losing myself in a sweetness I crave every day, one I need to survive and one I refuse to live without.