Can't Let Go (12 page)

“What happened
?” Mitchell asked, staring into her glassy eyes.

Grace
focused on him and the bag of peas fell to the ground with a plop. “I need your help.”

The naked vulnerability and fear on her face made him tense. Gone was the
self-assured Grace who took the punches of life and kept walking. It was the first time he’d seen her falter and she looked suddenly very young and weary. Gone was the mask she wore in public. She looked defeated and it made all of his protective instincts vibrate with anger.

“I can help you,” he said gruffly
. He would do anything for her. Didn’t she know that?

She didn’t seem to hear him. “I know I’ve been pushing you away and we have our issues but this is bigger than that. I know you won’t let her take
Evie from me.”

He stilled. “What?”

Grace leapt off the counter and paced the kitchen. “My mom wants Evie.”

“
Why?”

“
She needs money so she wants Evie. She thinks she can convince the court that I’m this loose woman, a workaholic who doesn’t have time to raise Evie,” Grace’s voice was hoarse with tears she refused to let fall. “I can’t let that happen.”

“The judge won’t give your mom custody. She’s an alcoh
olic. Even Ray found that out.

Ray hadn’t used an investigator. He’d told Mitchell all he knew from personal experience but they didn’t need to talk about that right now.

“You don’t understand. My mom’s a chameleon. She can convince anyone of anything. That’s how she got-” she stopped before she said “Ray.”

“Sh
e can’t just take Evie from you.”

“That’s why I’m here,” Grace said urgently
and grasped his arms. “I know I’ve been an ass and we’re not really talking but you’re the only one I know who fights dirty enough to go against her. You have lawyers at your beck and call. Can you ask them what it’ll take to make sure Vicky doesn’t get custody?”

He
looked down at her. “Yes. I can do that.”

She limped with relief.
“I’ll pay you. I know you like Evie and you won’t let my mom take her from me. How soon can you find out? I’m so freaked and I just want to make sure-”

To stop the frantic note in her voice
and her wildly gesturing hands he wrapped his arms around her. He braced himself to be pushed away, for her to start shouting at him. Instead, she melted into him as if she couldn’t hold herself upright a moment longer. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his chest.

“I’m sorry,” Grace murmured.
“For before.”

Where Maggie’s touch had felt wrong
and intrusive, Mitchell’s arms around her felt so right. She felt as if she had a bunch of weights strapped to her back but once she heard his agreement to help she went limp with relief.

“Did your mom do that to your face?”

She didn’t answer. He drew back and looked down into jade eyes drenched in tears. She didn’t make a sound.

“Did she?”
he pushed, needing to know.

“She’s not my mom anymore,”
Grace whispered. “She got my messages about Casey and she didn’t even care. The only reason she came to see me was money. I’m not like her.”

“I know you’re not,” he soothed.

He held her securely until the shaking stopped. When he felt her knees buckle he picked her up and took her to the couch. He sat in the corner and sprawled her over his body. She was fast asleep. The bruised side of her face enraged him and he reached in his pocket and took pictures of her face with his phone and forwarded them to Max so he would get them to the police as evidence against Vicky. He would convince Grace to do a police report but right now she needed to rest.

H
e made himself comfortable and relished the fact that she was in his arms, that she’d come to him. He spent way too much of his time trying to think of a plot that would force Grace to come to him and now fate had finally shown him mercy. He couldn’t imagine Grace coming to him yet here she was. There was naked pleading and trust on her face which brought out his protective instincts and he vowed Vicky wouldn’t get near Grace or Evie. They were both under his protection. He made a call to Grace’s home phone.

“Hello?” said a cautious female.

“My name is Mitchell Price. I assume you’re Maggie.” He wouldn’t tell Grace how closely he’d been keeping her monitored. She would be pissed.

“Yes. Grace is with you?” she sounded relieved.

“Yes. She’s gonna stay with me tonight. Were you there when Vicky came?”

“Yes. She’s a mean bitch,” Maggie said acidly.

“Are you willing to make a statement?”

“Of course.”

“Good. I’ll send someone tomorrow. How’s Evie?”

“She misses Grace but she’s okay.”

“Grace will be back tomorrow,” Mitchell said and closed the phone.

He sent a text to Max to make sure he sent some men to Grace’s place. He didn’t move for fear of waking her. He sent things in motion even though it was near midnight. He made several phone calls to his lawyers and knew that by tomorrow he would have the answer to Grace’s question.

He couldn’t take his eyes from her and he ran his hands up and down her back. She was thinner than he remembered and there were dark circles under her eyes. Damn, she was stubborn. If he hadn’t found Casey’s pregnancy test would they be married now? Would they have a child or would they still be the content couple they’d been? He took her for granted a year ago. She was strong, constant and ambitious. She stood beside him and didn’t bitch about his schedule or his past lovers. She had enough confidence in herself to stand up to him and be his equal. How had he been so blind to the fact that she was utterly unique and perfect for him?

“I’m not letting you go,” he murmured into her hair and drew in her scent before he drifted into the first easy sleep he’d had in a year.

Grace came awake with a start. She raised her head from the heavenly couch she was well acquainted with. It had been her choice to buy it and although Mitchell had objected at the time, she knew he loved it. One side of her face felt swollen and raw and she sat up slowly. There was no sign of Mitchell and she was grateful she had some time to pull herself together.

Although she was groggy and her head
ached her thoughts were clear and focused. She was so tired. She had so much on her plate and she drained herself to the point of exhaustion and her body shut down in defense last night. There were some reservations in her mind about asking Mitchell for help. She knew there would be a price to pay but she didn’t care. She would do whatever it took to make sure Evie remained safely away from Vicky. The only way she would win was with Mitchell at her side. He was ruthless, powerful and knowledgeable. He also had the world at his disposal. He loved Evie and although his feelings for Grace were uncertain she knew he had a protective streak that would fight dirty if he had to. Knowing Vicky, Grace was pretty sure it would become a requirement.

She went into the bathroom and winced when she saw the bruise
on her cheek. It would take a couple of days for it to fade and she didn’t have any makeup with her. She freshened up and walked out of the bathroom and paused.

Mitchell leaned against the back of the couch
she slept on. He was dressed casually in jeans and a button up shirt. Her stomach dipped as they stared at one another. His gaze was fixed on her throbbing bruise and she self-consciously brushed her hair over her cheek.

“We need to talk,” he said shortly.

She nodded. Having Mitchell see what type of background she came from made mortification ball in her stomach. It had never been a part of Mitchell’s life. His parents had loved one another and him. Mitchell grew up with his parents supporting him in everything he did. He didn’t understand Grace’s parents.

“Take a shower
in your old bedroom. You’ll feel better. When you’re done, come to my office.”

Grace
knew good advice when she heard it. She walked down the hallway, looking up at her favorite paintings that she missed. It felt so strange being back in a home she’d left her mark on. From what she could see, Mitchell hadn’t changed anything. Grace paused outside the master suite that had been mostly her room because Mitchell was rarely there. She wasn’t sure what to expect as she pushed the door open and an assault of memories hit her full force. The last time she left this room it was in shambles. Someone had cleaned up the mess and it looked as if it was just waiting for her to walk in.

She passed the closet on the way to the bathroom and
stopped. She pulled open the double doors and stared. Her clothes hung undisturbed, shoes and purses lay in tidy cubbies in the back of the closet. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Mitchell wasn’t the type to hang onto a woman’s stuff once she left so what were her things doing here? She assumed he would donate her things and yet here it was. Even when she walked into the bathroom and saw all of her things lined up on the vanity, she still couldn’t believe it. When she looked into the mirror, her eyes were wide with shock. He couldn’t have expected her to return, could he? She couldn’t define the emotion that swirled around in her chest.

She stripped and took a hot shower and then did her best to hide the purple bruise on her cheekbone
using the makeup she left behind. As a child, she’d grown used to her mother’s rants and occasional outbursts. It worsened as she got older so she left the house as soon as she could with her mom screaming after her that she would come crawling back, begging to be let back into the house. Grace never had. When she felt human again she sat on the bed and called Maggie who answered on the first ring.

“Maggie,
it’s Grace.”

“Thank God! How do you feel?” Maggie burst out.

“I’m fine. How are you and Evie? Did Vicky come back?”

“No. Mr. Price sent his men here so even if she wanted to, she wouldn’t have been able to get off the elevator.
Evie was sort of fussy last night. I think she felt the bad vibes but she’s settled down. She’s eating breakfast now,” Maggie chattered.

“Mr. Price’s men?”
Grace repeated blankly.

“Yup.
He called me last night and not even half an hour later the bodyguards were outside.”

Grace wasn’t sure what else she said but when she hung up with Maggie she stared straight ahead for several minutes, lost in thought. Who was Mitchell? Was he the man who helped her with her business and loved her for two years or was he the man who
said she was the last woman he would want to raise her child? People may argue that he’d said that in the heat of the moment but she believed what came out of your mouth was in your heart and now… she wasn’t so sure. Mitchell’s actions contradicted his words and she didn’t know what to believe- what he said or what he did.

She made her way to his office and stood just out of his line of sight as he finished a conversation in French. It was so stupid how nervous she felt. She knew this man. She had slept with him, lived with him and cried in his arms and now…
she was so uncertain of him, of herself but she’d made a deal with him and she meant to see it through no matter what. She would give him whatever he asked in return. When he ended the call she stepped into the doorway.

Mitchell’s
gestured to the table in the corner covered in silver platters. She wasn’t hungry but she wasn’t ready to face him either so she walked to the table and made herself coffee and nibbled on bits of bacon and toast. She began to feel better and relaxed when he made another phone call, giving her time.

“Feel better?” Mitchell asked after he ended the call.

Grace rose and nodded. He leaned back against his desk, watching her. She walked several paces forward and stopped.

“Thank you for calling Maggie last night. I was too tired to even think that she would worry.” Even to her own ears she sounded
distant and formal. 

He incli
ned his head and said nothing. She lifted her chin.

“All of my things are still here.”

Still, he said nothing.

“Why?”

He shrugged. “I always thought you would ask for your things eventually and it wasn’t in my way.”

So, maybe she was making a bigger deal about the clothes than
she should, she thought.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“Scared, tired.”

“You don’t want your mom to get custody, right?”

Her hands fisted at her sides. “That’s why I came to you.”

“And I’ll make sure of it,” he said in a hard voice. “I got in touch with my lawyers. They should have some answers for me in an hour or so. In the meantime, I want you to talk to the police.”

She stiffened. “Why?”

His face was unreadable. “Your mom is an abusive alcoholic and the court needs evidence. If the cops take your statement, it can only benefit you.”

Her initial reaction was to shake her head in denial. How could she explain the shame that coursed through her? All her life she’d been trained to keep her family’s dark secrets. She hid evidence of her mom’s abuse and her father’s identity because it was her cross to carry. She didn’t want to see the way the news would affect Mitchell if he knew that Ray was her father. For some reason she’d always felt her parents actions reflected on her and it was easier to bear their sins in silence. What he wanted to do now was equivalent to announcing it from the rooftops and she was horrified.

“If you want to make a strong case against your mom, this is the way to go,” Mitchell said.

She swallowed and wiped sweaty hands down her jeans. “Okay. I can do it.”

“Good. Because he’ll be here in a minute,” Mitchell said and walked past her to the living room.

She wanted to thump him but she knew he was right. She was an adult and Vicky had to learn that there were consequences for her actions. If Vicky hit Evie she would have gone berserk so why did she think it was okay for Vicky to strike her? She rubbed her forehead as the doorbell rang.

The police officer was a woman
who had flawless dark skin and sharp eyes that went to Grace immediately. As they looked at one another, Grace thought she saw understanding and compassion. They sat in the living room with Mitchell beside her facing the police officer who pulled out a pad and began asking her questions. The officer, Leslie, had a gentle voice that put Grace at ease as she went over the events of last night, glossing over any references to Ray.

“Has this happened before?” Leslie asked.

“Being hit?” A nod from Leslie. “Yes.”

“When was the last time she struck you?”

Grace sat so stiffly she thought her spine might snap. “A year ago.”

“And why did she hit you?”

“She was beating my sister. I stepped in the middle to stop it. My sister was pregnant.” Grace’s voice trailed off.

Beside her, Mitchell went rigid.

“And will your sister testify against your mother?” Leslie pressed.

“She died in a car accident. Evie is her daughter. I’ve taken custody and Vicky thinks if she’s granted custody she can collect on the checks I’ll send.”

Grace
took deep, calming breath. She didn’t want to talk about this. She felt a scream building in her chest and she suppressed it with effort.

Leslie’s mouth compressed in
a thin line. “Life hasn’t been a picnic for you, has it, honey?”

Grace clutched her hands together in her lap as Leslie asked several more questions and then asked Grace to wash off her makeup so she could take several pictures of the bruise. Grace relaxed when Mitchell took a phone call and went into his office.

“He’s protective,” Leslie said lightly.

Grace blew out a breath. “That’s an understatement.” She tilted her face towards the sunlight and closed her eyes. Her privacy
had been so deeply invaded that she felt completely numb.

“
I wouldn’t worry about custody,” Leslie confided. “Between Mitchell Price and these pictures, I don’t think your mom’s gonna get close to any children.”

“I
can’t take any chances.”

Leslie nodded and handed Grace her card. “If you need someone to talk to or if you need to report anything else, call me.”

Grace swallowed. “Thanks.”

“I know this wasn’t easy but you did the right thing,” Leslie said and Grace saw her out of the penthouse.

Grace redid her makeup because whenever she spoke to Mitchell he focused on it. She had more bruises in her lifetime then she could count and she was an expert at covering them up. She went back to his office and found him waiting for her.

“We need to talk,” he said without expression.

“You talked to your lawyers? What did they say?” Her stomach pitched with nerves and fear.

“Talking to the police is a good start but your mom could still contest that she’s raised a successful daughter and she should get custody of her grandchild.”

Grace took a deep breath to smother the urge to scream. “I’m successful
despite
being raised by her.”

His face softened slightly. “I know.”

“So you’re saying there’s still a possibility I could lose Evie?”

“Casey didn’t leave a will,” Mitchell pointed out. “Most of the time, kids go with the grandparents.”

“This can’t happen!” Grace shouted and pounded his desk with a small fist.

Her eyes glittered with fury and he was happy to see that her fighting spirit was stirring again. She leaned across his desk and he could feel her will being pushed upon him. From the very first, it was what attracted him to her and her potency hadn’t waned.

“You’re the most ruthless man I know. You
will
find a way to help me keep Evie.”

It wasn’t a question or request. It was an order that made his stomach clench with want. She challenged him like no
else. She believed he could do anything. For her, he would.

“The lawyer did propose
something that could keep Evie away from your mom.”

“Well? What is it?” she said impatiently.

He met her eyes, wanting to see her every nuance of expression on her face as he dropped his bomb.

“
My lawyer said if you married, presenting a successful couple to take care of Evie, it would appeal more to the judge than a grandparent or single mother. Your mom wouldn’t be able to fight against that.”

Grace went sheet whit
e and staggered back a few steps as if his news had physically pushed her. She sat and stared at him as if he’d grown a second head. For several minutes she mulled this information over. He saw fear and doubt flit over her features.

“Do you think it will work?” she murmured a long time later.

Grace couldn’t read his expression or body language. What was he thinking?

“It makes sense,” he said with a nonchalant shrug.