Twenty Six

“Did you notice anything out of the ordinary?”

Glancing at Dominic before replying, I said, “Out of the ordinary? Uh, no. Everyone was busy with their work as office people should be. Besides I was too busy running from those media dudes to even notice if anyone was specifically standing somewhere, observing me.”

I knew I was being a bit snarky with my response, but truthfully, I was getting tired. And one would tend to be especially after being offered your job back just because of the person you are dating to your great annoyance and then receiving some threatening text that suggests that you are being watched.

After I got the text which found a way to make me shiver despite my claim of being unmoved by some threat, I headed straight for the hotel. After showing Dominic the text, he insisted he got his friend that owned a security company to come over and ask me some questions which would further help in their investigation. Apparently, Dominic has had some research going on ever since we found a word on my bathroom mirror.

“How about when you were coming back here?”

“I did not,” I took a second lasting deep breath to calm myself. “,notice anything. Okay? I was too busy thinking about stuff to notice anything.” I felt Dominic hand slowly rub its way along the length of my arm.

The man in front of me who had a face cap that boldly announced his name hung on his knee cap, passed a short, patient smile, his eyes smiling even better than his morphed lips. “I get that you are feeling a bit tired Grace, but in case you remember anything, please let me know, it will help our findings.”

Nodding understandably, I asked, “So, are you a cop or…?”

He adjusted the hand of his long sleeved pattern t-shirt exposing more of his beautiful milk chocolate skin. “I used to be one. Anyway, do you have anyone in mind that you think might want to hurt you?”

“Not exactly. But relating to this situation, even though I don’t know her personally, I think it might be Regina.” My eyes made contact with Dominic’s blue ones which remained unblinking until I tore my eyes off his.

“Hmm.” Dave scribed something onto his notepad. “What about Diane?”

“Well, I have reasons to believe that she is out of Dominic’s and Ruby’s life.”

“What if she isn’t? What if she is the one sending you the threats?”

“I guess she is a suspect then.”

He nodded slowly, noting something else.“Any other person?”

Giving off an unintended, sort of loud scoff first, a short laugh soon escaped my lips. “No. No freaking other person. And I know your actual question is; Is there anybody on my side that would want to hurt me?” Dave’s eyes flickered in Dominic’s direction. “The answer is no. There is no other person.”

“Grace.” My head swung sideways to answer Dominic’s soft call. As his hand squeezed my shoulder pads, he said, “Stay calm Grace, he is just doing his job.”

Dave paused the words in his mouth for some seconds as though he were waiting for me to give him permission to speak. After an arched eyebrow from my end, my irritated self recalling at the same instant why I was being so snarky, he resumed his talk. “Well Grace, uh… I have a suggestion that will guarantee your safety to an extent pending the time we sort this threat issue out.”

“And that is?”

“You can relocate somewhere secluded and assuredly safe. We hope that wherever you will be, this person making threats will not be able to reach you. Meanwhile…”

“Where could this place possibly be? Because frankly speaking, I don’t exactly have any place in mind.”

“I am taking care of that Grace.” Dominic abruptly replied, interrupting Dave.

“Okay. But wait, is it just me that is relocating?”

“Oh no. You and Dominic actually.”

Shifting in my seat to face Dominic, I asked, “And what about Ruby?”

“I don’t want us to drag her into this, so she cannot come with us,” he briefly explained, his voice low and steady.

Huffing in response, I adjusted a bit further from his warmth. “ I get that you want to protect her. But where on earth will Ruby stay? Here? Alone?”

“No.” A short frown formed on his forehead as he reached for my hand. “Grace, I am going to figure out something. I assure you, Ruby will be kept safe. But her coming with us, is taking a risk. We might think this person is Diane or Regina, but what they are not the ones? What if the person turns out to be very dangerous and figures out where we will be hiding?

That will not be good for Ruby. So, what we need to do is reason out somewhere safe, very safe and unknown to even the suspects. So, if you have any place in mind that Ruby can stay at, you can tell me.”

I shook my head dejectedly. “Why… why are you…?” My eyes closed as my slightly shaky self began to feel at loss of words. As Dominic’s hands went on to hold mine a bit more assuredly, I let a short smile slowly morph on my lips. “Why are you even helping me? This is my problem Dominic. I am the one being threatened.”

“You are being threatened because of me Grace. Because I have chosen to be with you, someone out there is determined to get rid of you. And let me be damned if I don’t do everything within my power to keep you safe.” He delved deeper into my darting, searching eyes.

“I am going to make sure you and Ruby will be kept safe. I promise. But Ruby can’t come with us. Okay?”

Even though I was not exactly still seated well with his suggestion, I nodded in agreement, an idea popping into my head almost immediately. As I turned to face Dave who I had momentarily forgotten was still around, I said, “I think I know where Ruby can stay.”

He adjusted in his seat, his head lifting up from his phone which he had trained his eyes on so seriously. “Where is that?”

“My friend Samantha’s place.”

“And can you trust your friend with Ruby?”

“Trust is a strong word, but yes I can. She will take very good care of Ruby and her safety should be guaranteed.”

“Well, if that is the case, I guess all that is left is to do some findings and in no time, you all will be in your safe places until I say you can come back . Is that cool with you?”

Having cooled down a bit, I replied him a bit pleasantly. “Yes. Thank you.”

“All right then, I will take my leave. You can send any information you have on your friend to me later. It is very essential we check her out. Alright, later Dom.” The man beside me replied him with a short grunt and we both watched Dave sway out of the room.

“Did something happen back at the office?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Do you always answer a question with a question?” His brow went up as his gaze held me on the spot. Already aware of how useless it will be to argue his question I replied him, my eyes flickering away from his.

“I shouldn’t have even gone to that place at all. Can you imagine? The company wants me back just because I am dating you. They believe it will be an advantage to their company. Bloody leeches!”

“It is so easy to figure out that you are angry when you are. You don’t have to let their silliness affect you. Come here.” As I delved into his beckoning arms, I felt a huge rush of tranquility flow through my system. I instantly felt at peace. I forgot about my anger, I forgot about the unknown person threatening me and I just enjoyed the feel of his arms around me.

“This feels nice,” I said, my eyes doing this weird gooey thing as his hand started to stroke through my hair.

“Yes it does.” His deep voice vibrated my insides to my delight. “Grace?”

With eyes closed, I replied, “Hmm?”

“I am going to do my best to protect you. You know that right?” I nodded gently. “I mean my words.”

“Good.” I was already feeling sleepy, his hug was that powerful. “Thank you.”

His lips found my forehead and sent another form of calmness into my system making me feel totally liquid inside. “No, thank you,” Dominic softly said.

And silence went on to govern the room for a little while. And while we stayed in that position, I started to dig into my imagination. My mind started to wonder how life would be without Dominic and Ruby and honestly, the feeling of disgust and hurt my heart gave towards the thought surprised me that I had to open my eyes and think over what I had just imagined.

A life without the Powers. That would be a difficult thing to experience.

My lips formed a coy smile as I recalled Dominic’s sweet manners and approach over the past few weeks. For some reason, a part of everything still feels unreal. Sometimes I just sit down and find it hard to believe that I am actually with Dominic Powers. It feels just like yesterday that I was almost drooling over his beauty and here I am! In his life and in his arms!

Wow. Crazy shit does happen sometimes. And… I am happy and grateful for my kind of crazy shit.

“What on earth are you thinking of that has got you smiling? Is it me?” I chuckled lightly at the second question that his

“Nope.” I hit him playfully. “I am just wondering where the safe place we will be going to is going to be.” I looked up at him, noticing some facial hair resting on his chin. “Where are we going?”

“Oh darling, that is going to be a surprise.” His hand reached for mine and he played with it, his long fingers intertwining with my slender digits.

“You just have a thing for surprises, don’t you Mr Powers?” His head drew closer towards mine causing me to smile in anticipation of what was to result from his little motion.

“Yes I do, Miss Sands. Yes I do.” And his lips went on to claim mine