The American Soldier Collection 3: Amazing Grace (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (10 page)

Grace was looking at him as he stood there so strong and serious. He was not a man to trifle with. She could see that in his eyes and in his body language, which only made her more attracted to him. She was feeling battered and emotionally drained but she needed to fight those feelings and she needed to be strong. She had learned to depend on herself and that was what she needed to do right now. It was her only defense, her only protection she had as she once again had to leave her family and her home behind her. Poor Donald could have died.

“Explosive devices, handmade bombs, what the hell is going on?” Donald asked then ran a hand through his hair

Sandman promised to protect her and she felt he could do it. He would try his hardest and he was determined to keep her safe. He was strong, so compassionate about his work and her safety. She had watched him as he gave orders to the men standing around him, calmed everyone down after the explosion, took control, and got organized. He had so many great qualities that she found attractive and likeable. How could she not? He was handsome and fit, standing before her with his rather large gun sticking out of its holster by his rib cage. She knew he had another one, smaller and hidden on his ankle because she felt it against her leg when he covered her body with his.

“I have a plan to sneak you out of here. It involves you putting on a uniform. I’m going to leave in a separate car and make sure I’m not followed. You’re going to leave with one of my associates, who will also be dressed in a police uniform. We’ll meet up at a private hangar near the airport. No one can know where we are going, Grace. That means no phone calls.” She was about to object but Sandman stopped her.

“We’re doing this my way from here on. This is the only way it’s going down. I’ll set up some secure lines when we get to our destination. You and I have a lot of information to go over. You may not know it but you could be holding the answers and the clues we’ve been waiting and looking for.”

Sandman placed his hand over her knee and spoke softly to her.

She stared into his dark blue eyes and swallowed hard.

“I know you must be very scared right now. I’m here to protect you. After we leave the building separately and meet up at the airport you no longer will be out of my sight, you understand me?”

She nodded yes.

Grace could tell by his eyes how serious he was and she knew he was still upset about the incident in Donald’s office. He looked fierce, and as she absorbed the sight of the muscles in his jaw, she thought he was biting the inside of his cheek.
God, he smells incredible. Jesus, Grace, snap out of it. I’m leaving my family again. Someone wants to kill me.

“Do you trust me, Grace?”

For some odd reason she did, but she was compelled to not give in so easily. After all, he was a stranger.

“What choice do I have?” she asked him as the door to the office opened.

Her brother Frank entered the room holding a police uniform.

“Here’s the uniform, Sandman,” Frank said as he passed it to him.

They left the room so Grace could change, and outside the door the three men spoke.

* * * *

“My family and I are putting our sister’s life in your hands,” Frank stated to Sandman.

“I know that, Frank. You can trust me and know that I would protect her with my own life.”

“Let’s hope that won’t be necessary. You’re going to keep in touch with us, right?” Donald asked.

“Yes, but limited phone calls are important. Jim will set up a secure line for you here at the department. I’m good at what I do, Frank. I’ll take care of your sister. I promise you,” Sandman stated as John came down the hallway.

“I’m going to go check on a few things and get ready to leave. You guys should take a few minutes with your sister. Have her ready at the time we discussed,” Sandman said as Grace opened the door.

All four men looked at her and made similar comments simultaneously.

Grace held up her hand up to stop them from continuing.

“Stop, guys. I know. I look like some call girl stripper on her way to a bachelor party,” she said and they laughed.

“I think you fill that uniform out nicely.” Sandman winked at her and told the guys to have her ready to leave as they had discussed earlier.

“Keep your hair tucked in, and your hat down low, Grace. Don’t make any eye contact with anyone,” Frank told her as he fixed the police cap on her head and softly tucked a loose strand of hair back under it. “I love you, baby sister. Be safe.” He kissed her on the cheek and hugged her.

“The guy who’s driving the car is named Justin. Stay close to him and follow his lead. You’ll only have to go by one or two real cops and possibly a reporter. Keep your hat down and walk like a cop not a sex symbol,” John teased as he kissed her on the cheek and hugged her as well.

Grace looked at Donald.

“What are your words of advice?” she asked Donald.

“Keep asking questions and stay by Sandman’s side. You can trust him. He really cares about you, Grace. You have that instant effect on people.” Donald kissed her cheek.

Grace touched the bandage on his forehead and told the men to keep an eye on her mom.

Justin met them by the door and the three men watched as Grace disappeared down the stairwell.

“Everything’s happening right on schedule,” the killer said out loud as the news reporters outside the Houston Police Department reported an explosion that occurred inside.

He listened as the fire alarms wailed and echoed through the television set and police scattered everywhere.

The package arrived on time and detonated precisely as planned.

He was feeling good as he watched the media coverage and saw Grace’s face.

She looked so sad those three years ago. He remembered it so clearly. Especially the way the detectives arrested the wrong man. It was so easy to plant the evidence in the crazy guy’s house. He often thought about doing the same thing in other murders he committed. It would be funny for some poor fool or enemy he wanted revenge against to be blamed for one of his killings. So easily he could set them up. He couldn’t believe the media attention he was getting for the homicides. The stupid cops had no idea what this was all about. Shit, even he had changed the game plan along the way. Life was looking promising. He just needed to keep his cool. He wanted everyone to know it was the same serial killer. “Serial killer.” He loved the sound of it. He was famous now. But that also served an additional purpose. One that led to getting away literally, with murder.

He was impressed with his ability to evade capture and warrant the attention of a special investigator.

He felt a little challenged by that one investigator, Sandman. Even his name was intimidating and intense. That was one huge-ass man. But as long as he kept his wits about him, then he could continue to kill and evade capture.

Sandman intrigued him, too, and the man had arrogance about him, like he was so strong and skillful. The killer would enjoy messing with him.

It was difficult to get information on the investigator. Everything kept coming up classified. Even with his small connections he was unsuccessful and he feared if he pushed too much, then he would look suspicious. Right now no one had a clue who he was. He was in complete control and would be sure to keep it that way until the time was right.

The killer was impressed with himself for getting away with his special hobby for so long. Who would have thought his ability, his talent and gift for killing, would come in handy even in his career and daily life.

“This is going to be fun.” He continued to watch the media coverage.

* * * *

The police car slowly rolled into a vacant air hangar located inside a private airport.

“So far so good. Where’s Sandman?” Grace asked as she got out of the patrol car.

No one had noticed who she was when she left the precinct. She fit in perfectly. She thought she was busted when a reporter bumped into her on the way out the door, but the stuck-up snob hardly acknowledged Grace as she brushed by her without saying sorry. Grace laughed to herself.

“There he is now,” Justin said, and as she turned to look toward the back entrance of the building, there was Sandman. Her heart skipped a beat as she absorbed his attire. Dark blue jeans, cowboy boots, button-down blue shirt and a Stetson on his head. He removed the sunglasses and damn did her libido do a double, no triple take.
Oh my God, he’s gorgeous.

She cleared her throat as he eyed her over and then shook Justin’s hand.

“Everything go well?”

“Yes, sir, no one followed us,” Justin replied then smiled before looking at Grace.

She pulled the police cap off her head causing her long brown hair to fall past her shoulders. It wasn’t like she was trying to look sexy, but the way Sandman stared at her then gave an intense expression made her blood pump through her veins. He reached his hand out toward her.

“Come on. Big Jay should be landing any second.”

“Big Jay?” she asked as the sound of the rotors of a helicopter approaching filled the air.

Justin glanced at his watch.

“Right on time.”

“No, he should have been here thirty seconds ago.”

Grace wondered who Big Jay was and why Sandman was so concerned over a lousy thirty seconds. She was about to ask him when a beautiful black helicopter landed on the blacktop right outside of the hangar.

“Come on, sweetheart, your chariot awaits.” She tried protesting as Justin waved good-bye and Sandman dragged her closer to the helicopter. The rotors continued to pump round and round, making that very distinct sound as her hair blew around her face.

“Sandman, I’m not going in that thing. I thought you said a plane,” she protested as they stood by the edge of the helicopter door.

“Honey, this is the plan. It’s safe, I promise. Big Jay is the best.” Sandman stared at her with those intense blue eyes of his and she weakened.

“Oh God, I can’t believe this.”

He lifted her up, placing his large hand against her waist and hip. She looked at the pilot and holy shit he was just as big and attractive as Sandman. Dressed in some camouflage pants and a tight fitted black T-shirt, the pilot was filled with big muscles. He smiled.

“Get strapped in, sweetheart.”

Before she could reply as she sat down and tried to figure out the seat belt situation, Sandman was moving her hands out of the way and adjusting her position in the seat. His face was inches from hers. He smiled and looked relaxed and excited. He liked this kind of stuff.

“Don’t be scared,” he told her and she nodded her head as he turned toward the pilot.

“Hey, brother. Long time no see. I get why now,” the pilot said and they shook hands before Sandman took his seat beside the pilot and placed the headset on his head.

The pilot looked at Grace and she wondered if the two were really brothers or if it was just a friendly nickname.

“Ready, gorgeous?” the pilot asked.

“As I’ll ever be,” she replied and he chuckled loudly before the helicopter began to lift.

It wasn’t like she had never been in a helicopter before, but she didn’t know these men. She didn’t know this pilot or where they were going or how long it would take. She knew nothing and that was what made her a nervous wreck.

She remembered Sandman’s words. “Trust me.”

God, I sure hope I can.

* * * *

The helicopter trip had only taken about a half hour. They were still in Texas, but nowhere near civilization.

As the helicopter began to land, she noticed the huge log cabin set back in a bit of wooded area. As the helicopter touched down, she noticed the pilot as he began to shut down the helicopter. It appeared that he was staying.

As the rotors continued, Sandman stood up and helped to undo her seat belt.

“We’re here, Grace.”

He touched her cheek and then lightly gripped her chin.

“You look exhausted. As soon as we get you settled in, you can lie down for a bit, while I go over some things with my brothers.”

“Brothers?” she asked, her voice barely audible, because she felt so weak and Sandman was strikingly handsome. The feel of his fingertips below her chin sent tiny chills through her body.
I must be exhausted. He’s just doing his job and protecting me.

He took her hand then stepped down out of the helicopter first. He grabbed her by her waist and hoisted her out of the helicopter and against his chest. She was stunned as she held on to his shoulders and stared down into his eyes.

“I got you. No worries now, darling.”

His bold Texas accent added a zinger of a punch to her feminine parts. He had to notice as he smiled softly, but that sweetness in his smile didn’t reach his eyes. No, his eyes appeared darker and glazed over with desire.

He placed her feet down on the ground as he took her hand and led her toward the house. A quick glance over her shoulder and the pilot was preparing to leave the machine. Her thoughts were right. He was staying, too. Could the helicopter belong to Sandman and his brothers? He did say brothers. Did that mean there was another one or more lurking around? She again felt her belly tighten and anticipation skitter along her nerves.