“It’s one of the girls on the dance team.”
“What kind of trouble? Like on drugs?” His eyes hardened as he put on his cop face.
She shook her head. “No, nothing like that.” She took a deep breath. “I think one of the girls is being abused by her boyfriend.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Did you see him hit her?”
“Not exactly. I tried asking her about it, but she wouldn’t say anything.”
“Who’s the boyfriend?” He walked around the other side of the desk and sat. He pulled out a pad and pen.
“Chris Meadowbrook.”
He dropped his pen and looked up. “The quarterback? You think Chris is abusing Melanie?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ask her?”
“Yes, but I think she’s lying. She was wearing long sleeves to practice.”
He sighed. “Grace, I can’t go arresting someone because of some girl’s fashion choice.”
“It’s not a fashion choice. She’s wearing long sleeves to cover her bruises. When I touched her arm she flinched.” Grace curled her fingers into fists. “I know the signs.”
He stood and walked around the desk. “Grace, I want you to be honest with me.”
“I’m trying, but you’re not listening,” she hissed.
He took her hand and his gaze softened. “Tell me who hurt you.”
Grace felt the blood drain from her face. For a few seconds she forgot to breathe and her head spun.
“Grace.”
She jumped to her feet and her purse fell to the floor, scattering the contents.
She knelt, trying to gather the items.
Sloan dropped to his knees and reached for her. “Talk to me.”
She eased out of his grasp and clutched her purse to her chest. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” They both stood.
“You can trust me. You know that right?”
She stared at him, wanting to believe what he was saying. She so desperately wanted to run into his arms and burrow into his chest. In the end her fear won out.
“Just look into it, please. I don’t want to see Melanie hurt, or worse.” She opened the door and hurried out of the building.
***
“Damn it.” Sloan grabbed his keys and hurried down the hall, hoping to catch Grace before she left the parking lot. The look of fear on Grace’s face had almost knocked him to his knees. He needed to find her, to take her in his arms and show her how much he cared for her. He needed her to know he would always protect her.
“Sloan!” Felicia stepped in his path.
“Not now, Felicia.” He moved past her.
She grabbed his arm. “I need to talk to you.”
“I can’t. I need to find Grace.”
“It’s about Grace.” Felicia tightened her grip on his arm.
“What is it?” He glared at her until she released her hold.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
He laughed. “Really? ’Cause you didn’t seem to think about that when you were screwing around on me.”
Felicia’s cheeks reddened as she nervously glanced around. This time when she spoke she made sure her voice was a whisper. “Sloan, how many times am I going to have to say I’m sorry?”
“You know what? I’m over it. And I’m over you.” He shook his head. “I’ve got to go.”
“Something’s not right about Grace. I think she’s hiding something. I think she’s a criminal.” Defiant, Felicia cross her arms over her chest and lifted her chin.
Stunned, Sloan stood there staring at her. Yes, Grace was hiding something. To suggest that she was a criminal was ridiculous. “Are you that vindictive?”
“What do you mean? I’m just looking out for you.” She gave him her most sincere expression. It didn’t work.
“Here I was thinking you were just stirring up some shit because you know I’m seeing Grace.”
Her face flushed bright red.
He smirked. “I overheard you two talking. In case you were wondering, let me affirm the fact that I am seeing Grace. I think she is an incredible woman. She’s kind and generous and gorgeous.”
Felicia’s mouth tightened as he ticked off each glowing attribute.
“To be honest, I have never been happier.” He turned and walked out into the parking lot.
He scanned the area, but Grace’s car was nowhere in sight.
***
For the first time since trying to stay out of trouble, Grace broke the speed limit going home. Lucky for her, traffic was light and she didn’t see any cops.
The second she walked in the door, she stripped off her clothes and jumped into the shower. Her dirty memories needed to be scrubbed away.
Grace stood under the spray of the water and closed her eyes until the water ran cold and she started to shiver. She turned off the shower and grabbed her robe.
Grace padded barefoot into the kitchen and took a wine glass out of her cabinet. She uncorked the bottle of cabernet and poured the garnet liquid into the glass.
A hard knock at the back door made her jump.
“Come on, Grace, I know you’re in there,” Sloan called out.