The American Soldier Collection 3: Amazing Grace (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (25 page)

“You’re damn straight. You know you’ll have no control over that decision. We won’t be able to stop them, and knowing Grace, she’ll do it. She’s emotionally distraught and wants to be with her family. She wants a normal life,” Big Jay said then pushed an envelope across the table toward Sandman.

“What’s this?”

“I picked up these pictures Grace took last week. She had asked me to get them developed for her. She’s a great photographer. I’ve never seen pictures like these before,” Big Jay said.

“She took some nice candid shots of us, but some amazing ones of you,” Duke added.

Sandman sat at the island thinking about Grace as he opened the envelope.

She had taken gorgeous pictures of the landscaping around the property along with individual pictures of the Koi in the pond as well as candid shots of Big Jay cooking and working and Duke trying to act cool. He chuckled as he scanned through the pictures. As he viewed each photograph he saw some of him that he hadn’t even known she had taken. The first one showed him sitting at his desk looking over some files. One showed him talking on the phone, holding his laptop on his lap, and drinking a cup of coffee.

There was even one of him cooking in the kitchen, talking to his brothers.

The pictures were great and he was impressed with Grace’s talent. He also had an instant thought that brought on worry and fear. She was a professional photographer. She had a career, a life in Europe. This visit to her family was for a wedding and she hadn’t planned on staying in the United States long. He couldn’t stand in the way of her career and what she so obviously loved and enjoyed doing.

He looked at his brothers.

“Once this is all over, we’ll work things out. We’ll figure out how she can continue her career as we continue ours.” Duke seemed as if he were trying to convince himself as he said the words

“We need to stay focused. You can handle this, Sandman. You’re one of the best.” Big Jay gave his brother a squeeze on his shoulder.

Sandman looked at the clock. They needed to head to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a doozy of a day.

“We should get to bed. Grace doesn’t like to wake up alone,” he said as he numbly headed upstairs. His heart was heavy. His mind consumed with the case, with a future for his brothers, him, and Grace, and with finding the person who held the cards in his hands and ultimately held their fate.

* * * *

The agents were questioning suspects all night and had just begun a new list this morning. They were coming up with dead ends and wondered what to do next.

Sarah walked into the police department and received warm welcomes from everyone that knew her. She headed toward Donald’s office to see if she could talk to her daughter or perhaps e-mail her.

“Sarah, how are you?” Donald asked, as he rose from his chair and greeted her.

Sarah smiled at Donald as she walked into the room. He was a handsome man and had become such a close friend of the family. She knew he would always be there for her and her children. God knew how much they adored him.

She said hello and took a seat across from Donald’s desk.

“Excuse the smell in here. The room was painted a few days ago but you can still smell the paint fumes,” he told her, and then gave that charismatic smile that was so Donald.

“I thought I might e-mail Grace or perhaps call her? I’m not sure what I’m allowed to do. Would that be all right?” she asked hesitantly as Donald rose from his chair.

“You can use this laptop right here, Sarah, and I think Detective Jim Warner is about to call Sandman soon. I have to leave for an hour or so but I’ll check with him and I’ll have one of the agents check up on you in a little while. How does that sound?” Donald asked as he pulled out his chair, offering for her to sit down.

“Thank you, Donald. I’m so glad that you’re part of this investigation. You’ve been part of the family for years and all the kids look up to you,” she said, and he held her gaze. Donald was truly a handsome man. She often wondered why he never remarried after his wife had died. He held her gaze and a funny sensation filled her gut. She shyly looked toward the laptop on his desk

“Let me go check with the detective and you get started.” He began to leave.

Sarah grabbed his hand to stop him.

“Thank you, Donald, for everything.” He smiled back, squeezing her hand.

“Sarah, you know that you can always count on me right?” he asked her as she smiled and nodded yes before walking away.

* * * *

Donald felt his chest tighten as he stared at Sarah before leaving the room. He ran an unsteady hand through his hair. He was in love with a married woman. It was instant and happened the moment they met. She was way too good for Eric but there was nothing he could do about it. He heard they had some troubles and there was a rumor going around town that Eric had cheated on her on multiple occasions. He didn’t know if there was any truth to these rumors but he knew that if she were his, he would love her, cherish her, and dedicate himself completely to her. He glanced back toward his office before heading to the elevator. Her heart was breaking and all he wanted to do was hold her, comfort her.

Donald bumped into Jim and asked him to assist Sarah. He of course obliged as he headed into Donald’s office.

* * * *

“Thank you for your help, Jim. I can take it from here,” Sarah said as Jim gave her a soft smile. He was a good man. He was married and shared his wife with his best friend. Of course Sarah found it difficult to believe such relationships existed, but who was she to judge? Her own relationship with her husband was questionable. She had been denying the fact that he truly didn’t love her anymore. She even believed that Eric was cheating on her. She couldn’t confront him though. Then she would be left completely alone. Instead she submerged herself in her volunteer work and pretended pure happiness with Eric.

She thought about Donald. Donald was so handsome, so kind and understanding. He always knew what she was thinking and what she needed. She couldn’t help but be attracted to him but she was a married woman and Eric was her husband. She pushed the thoughts from her mind as she sat down and began typing.

* * * *

Grace’s cousin Jamie had arrived home after food shopping. She was enjoying her new role as wife and career woman. It was her day off from the accounting firm where she worked as an office manager. She had taken the day off to go visit Sarah. It was the anniversary of Clara’s death today and she knew Grace was in protective custody. There was no way Sarah could speak to her on the phone and Jamie felt she should spend some time with her aunt. Sarah had planned to go by the police station to e-mail Grace and talk to Donald.

Jamie had left Sarah’s house around an hour ago and decided to get the supplies she needed to cook dinner. She was planning on making a gourmet meal for her new husband Tod who was due home at around five this evening.

As Jamie unpacked her shopping bags placing the fresh spinach into the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator and putting the butter and eggs away, she heard a noise come from the upstairs. It sounded like Precious, her Siamese cat, had knocked over the planter in the hallway again.

Jamie stopped what she was doing and headed up the stairs. She noticed the planter lying on the floor and this time the cat made a big mess.

Jamie yelled out her name as she bent down and began cleaning.

“Damn it, Precious, why do you always have to do this? I have a dinner to get started,” Jamie said as she gathered up the broken pieces.

She never heard a sound or felt the presence behind her until it was too late. Suddenly she was grabbed from behind and Jamie began to scream.

The man sprayed something into her eyes and she couldn’t see. Her eyes were burning as the attacker covered them with masking tape.

She was screaming now, scared out of her mind as her attacker punched her in the mouth, trying to shut her up as he pulled the tape tightly across her mouth then patted it closed making sure it would stay put.

“Shut up, bitch. Or I’ll kill you right now.” He hissed at her as he threw her over his shoulder and carried her to the bedroom.

* * * *

The killer tossed Jamie onto the bed and then walked over toward the window where he had already closed the blinds.

This was real risky doing this in the daylight. He was taking a big chance. He was desperate and as they said, desperate times call for desperate measures.

He looked at his latest victim. This would send the message to Grace.
Come home or your family and friends are next.

He began to tie Jamie’s hands to the bedposts as she kicked her legs and grunted at him through the tape.

He laughed out loud at her. She was a tough one. He wouldn’t expect anything less from a cop’s wife. It would give him such great pleasure to do what he wanted with her then kill her right here.

He began to rip her clothes off, pleased with what he saw, claiming it with every touch, igniting all the fantasies and desires he had inside for Grace.

He would pretend she was Grace for a little while. There would be nothing better than the real thing and soon he would have her.

Grace was his goal. His ultimate prize. He would retire from his murder spree soon enough. By the time the cops figured out who he was and why he killed, it wouldn’t matter. Grace would be his to have forever.

He stared at Jamie. She was Grace’s best friend and cousin. She didn’t have shit on Grace, but she was quite appealing to the eyes. He closed his eyes a moment and envisioned Grace lying there, bound, naked and ready for him.

He moved closer and removed the tape from Jamie’s mouth.

“Don’t scream, my love. Don’t cry, don’t yell, just do as I say and maybe you’ll live.”

* * * *

Jamie shook with fear as the killer whispered to her. Her arms were aching, her eyes were burning and the killer was on top of her, touching her.

“I’ve missed you, Grace. You’ve been on my mind constantly.” He rubbed Jamie’s stomach with his hands. Her heart ached and tightened. This was definitely the killer. He came after her. Why?

“I’m not Grace,” Jamie began to say as the killer smacked her across the face.

“Shut up. You speak when I tell you to speak or I’ll kill you right here.”

Jamie couldn’t believe this was happening to her. She was going to die and her husband Tod, a seasoned detective, would be the one to find her. She was shaking with fear as the killer taunted her, acting like she was Grace. She tried not to freak out as the pounding sound in her head continued. She focused on his voice and it hit her. He sounded familiar.
Do I know him?

Her chest tightened and she gasped as different people’s faces passed before her eyes, but his words, the sick tone of his voice cluttered her thinking.

“I love you, Grace. I have for many years. Especially after Clara died. I wanted you then, but I couldn’t have you. Why did you go away?” He kissed her neck, her shoulder bone.

I know him. No, it can’t be?

“Do you love me, Grace? Tell me you love me.”

“No, you sick son of a—”

The killer began hitting her, punching her, and suddenly she felt his gloved hands around her neck. He was choking her, taking the life out of her.

“Tell Grace I’m waiting.” He punched Jamie and she fell unconscious.

* * * *

Grace slept until midnight. She couldn’t believe she slept through dinner and that the guys never woke her. As she looked around the room, she saw Sandman there, sleeping in the armchair.

His laptop was still on and she assumed he spent the day watching over her.

“Hey, sleepyhead, how are you feeling?” Sandman asked as he turned off his laptop and stood up to stretch out.

“I feel tired.”

He smiled at her as he approached the bed.

“We had an eventful evening,” he said, and she felt her cheeks blush. She remembered making love to them.

She remembered passing out.

“You were upset after reading the letters. I shouldn’t have pushed you like that,” he told her and she shook her head at him.

“No, don’t go back to that and start thinking I couldn’t handle the poems. I’ve had issues with anxiety and passing out before. And it’s usually around the anniversary of Clara’s death.”

Sandman held her face gently in his hands.

“Which is today, but you’re not alone, honey. I’m here for you. Duke and Big Jay are here, too.” He kissed her softly.

Grace kissed him back and loved the way his kisses soothed her.

“Why don’t you come in here where it’s more comfortable?” she asked him as she lifted the blanket and scooted over.

Sandman slid next to her and began kissing her lips then her neck and shoulder. Grace closed her eyes and leaned her head back with anticipation as Sandman moved on top of her then down lower and under the blanket.

She giggled and shivered at his every gentle touch wanting him inside her, making love to her, healing her pain.