Page 83 of His Saving Grace

Chapter 20

Therainhadslowed, and the dense trees gave even more protection. Mason stopped behind a large fir, listening. In this weather, anything that lived in these woods would have run for shelter a long time ago.

The earthy scent of the forest filled his nose. The drip of the rainwater off the trees and the intermittent clap of thunder forced him to strain to hear anything. His heart thudded faster than he liked. He’d gotten soft since his discharge.

The brush to his right rustled. He held his breath and forced his mind to clear. Focused in on his other senses. He turned slowly, squinting into the darkness. What he wouldn’t give for a pair of night-vision goggles. He had a flashlight in the pack strapped to his back, but had decided not to use it. Although they had the gun David had shot Grace with, there was no telling what other weapons he might have. Being a beacon of light in the darkness was a stupid idea.

Something crashed through the trees behind him and he spun around. The flash of color as something—or better yet, someone—raced past, caught his eye. Stupid moron might as well put a bullseye on his back. Mason shook his head and followed the fool.

Simon kept pressure on Grace’s wound, his gaze trained on the familiar cream and white floor beneath his feet. The tile had been there for as long as he could remember. Focusing on it soothed his frayed nerves. He ran his free hand through his damp hair for what had to be the hundredth time today.

When had tonight turned into such a shit show?

He’d come home after a rather long day and had been hoping to grab some food, take a hot shower and fall into bed. An almost kidnapping, a shooting, and someone bleeding to death on his mother’s kitchen table had been nowhere on his radar.

Grace gave a shallow, wheezy breath. She was so deathly pale it made his lungs squeeze. He had no idea what to do. Livestock didn’t usually get shot. He was so far out of his element.

He pressed his fingers to her throat again. Her pulse was still disturbingly weak. If they didn’t get her some help soon, it wouldn’t matter.

She moaned and sucked in a deep breath. A wave of relief washed through him. Until she began to cough. A wet, guttural sound. Blood bubbled up between her lips.

“Grace?” Panic laced the word. “Stay with me. Please, Grace, stay with me.” He cupped her cheek. She was a block of ice.

She moaned again, and the tension bled out of her.

“Grace.” He gave her a little shake. “Open your eyes, Grace. Look at me.” No response. “Don’t do this to me, Grace.” His hands trembled as he scrambled to check her pulse again.

She expelled one last breath.

Mason followed David through the trees, his aching leg making him slower than he’d like. Thankfully, David swathed a path of destruction behind him, so he was easy to track. Problem was, the idiot was headed directly for the ravine that ran through this part of the property.

The rain continued, but they were deep enough in the woods that the tops of the trees blocked most of the deluge. The water just dripped annoyingly from the branches, splashing on cloth and skin with perverse abandon. Mason was freezing and wet and tired and more than willing to commit cold-blooded murder.

He picked up the pace, ignoring the pain. Rest could come later, once this was over and Grace was safe. He sent a silent prayer that she was okay. She had to be alright. He would accept nothing else. After everything they’d both been through, it was the only acceptable outcome. He fought for what he wanted, he always had, and he wasn’t about to stop now. He just needed Grace to fight.

The sound of rushing water got louder. The normally quiet creek was making the best of the influx of water. He halted at the edge of the clearing, slipping behind a tree to watch the idiot.

David had stopped and was bent over, trying and catch his breath. The moron didn’t even realize how close he was to the edge.

Mason slipped out from behind the tree and lifted his rifle, aiming it at the fool. It would be so easy to end him, here and now. His finger itched to pull the trigger, and he came so close to giving into the urge, it scared him. The fear—and the bloodlust streaking through his veins—stopped him. He wasn’t a coward, and he wasn’t going to jail for murder. David wasn’t worth it.

If they were going to do this, it would be man to man. May the best man win, and he fully intended to. He lowered the rifle and tucked it against the back of the tree. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the clearing.

It took a moment for David to spot him. His eyes widened, and he took a faltering step backwards. His feet slipped out from under him on the muddy ground. He hit with a thud, the air rushing out of his lungs.

Mason strode across the clearing to loom over David’s prone form. “Get up, asshole.” He nudged David in the side with his foot. So, maybe it was more of a kick. Sue him.

David grunted, hatred glittering in his eyes. “You enjoy fucking my fiancé? She’s a pretty fantastic lay, isn’t she? Too bad she spreads her legs for anyone who comes sniffing around.”

Mason bent down and hauled David to his feet by the edges of his jacket. Anger burned through him, tinting the world crimson. He pulled the prick forward, so they were nose to nose. “She was never yours, motherfucker. And you don’t deserve her. If you ever disrespect her again, I will end you. Understand?”

Fury blazed in David’s eyes and he shoved Mason back, breaking the hold. “She’s mine and always will be. You touch her again and I will kill you.”

It took every ounce of Mason’s rapidly fraying willpower not to throttle the asshole. He clenched his fists to stop from wrapping his hands around David’s throat. “Here’s what’s going to happen.” He forced the words out between clenched teeth. “We’re going to go back to the house and you’re going to cooperate until the authorities get here. Then, you’re going to go away forever. You’re not going to come back here, you’re not going to call, you’re not going to even think about Grace. Do you understand me?”

David had the gall to laugh, which just pissed Mason off more. Which was surprising, because he didn’t think he could get any angrier. Looked like he needed to teach the asshole a lesson.

Before he could let his fists fly, David yelled something unintelligible and leaped forward. He caught Mason around the waist, his shoulder digging into Mason’s abdomen, and sent them flying.