Grace would be mine. Nothing would stop me.
The ER was dead as I strolled in, a lone nurse was standing behind the counter. She wore pink scrubs and was head-deep into some paperwork. “Hi there,” I said in a low voice, my charm literally oozing out of me.
The nurse looked up and flushed immediately. Her chest heaved up and down as she gazed at me behind her lashes. “What can I help you with?”
I played around with a pen on the counter, averting eye contact. “I'm looking for Doctor Holmes.” I glanced up at her. “Do you know where she is?”
The nurse gulped. “Umm, I believe she's taking a nap in room seven.”
The information was easy to obtain. Hopefully Grace wouldn't yell at her later. It's not her fault she was Putty in my hands. “Thank you so much.” I dropped the pen on counter and walked down the hallway.
Up ahead a familiar doctor walked down the hall. It was him—Doctor Blue or Green—I couldn't remember which. What was he still doing here? Why didn't Grace get him fired or arrested? He was different than before though. He kept his eyes trained to the floor with his shoulders slouched forward. My hands balled into fists and I thought about ending it all right here. One twist of his neck and the bastard would never be able to hurt Grace ever again. But by looking at him, I knew, this boy would never harm a living soul again. He was safe...for now.
As I walked by, the doctor raised his head and his eyes went wide as they met mine. I raised my fists and cracked my knuckles, winking at him. The doctor went flying down the hallway screaming incoherently. I chuckled to myself and continued down to room seven.
I opened the door to discover Grace laying peacefully on a hospital bed in a dark and empty room. I sat down in a chair and watched her sleep. Her full lips were parted just a little as she inhaled and exhaled. Her blonde hair was unbound and messy across the pillow. Grace's chest expanded and contracted with every breath. She looked so serene, like the incident with the doctor never happened.
“How long have you been there?” she asked, rubbing her tired eyes.
I leaned back in the chair. “Only a few moments. I didn't want to wake you.”
Grace sat up and yawned. “Don't you think this is a little creepy?”
Creepy? Maybe it was but I couldn't help myself, she looked so beautiful while she slept. “I didn't mean to alarm you.”
“No it's fine. The nurses jostle me awake for every small little thing. I might have a heart attack one day. So what are you doing here?”
That was a good question. Could I tell her that I couldn't stop thinking about her? No, that would be way too forward. Keep your cool, King.
“I just wanted to thank you for saving my life.”
She smiled. “You've already thanked me a million times. I was just doing my job. I should be the one doing the thanking. You saved me from that monster.”
I nodded. “I saw that doctor in the hallway. So he's still working here?”
Grace sighed and her eyes went dark. “I thought about filing a complaint or going to the police. But have you seen the guy? Taking away his career just feels wrong. Whatever you did to him worked like a charm. He's now a shell of a man.”
My blood was boiling with rage. Just the thought of him hurting Grace again made me want to do something bad. “For what he tried to do to you, he deserves worse than death. I can make him go away for good.”
Grace reached out for my hand and instantly calmed me down. “I don't think he's going to stay here much longer anyways.”
I nodded. I'd keep an eye on him. Make sure nothing ever happened like that again. “It was good to see you, Grace.” I stood up and brushed off my jeans.
She looked confused and desperate as I walked to the doorway. “Leaving so soon, Tanner?”
“I have a lot to do today and not enough time to do it.” That was a complete lie. I had absolutely nothing to do today. I opened the door and began to walk away.
“I want to take you up on your offer,” she murmured. Her words made me stop in my tracks. “I'll go on a date with you.”
I turned back. “When is your shift over?”
Grace glanced down to the small watch on her wrist. “Still have three hours left.”
“I'll pick you up at ten.” I left the room without giving her a second look but I knew she was beaming at me. She didn't know it yet, but she was already mine.
I walked by the same nurse at the counter and winked at her again. I think she melted in her shoes. I could kill a man with all this confidence.
Chapter Ten
Grace