Page 81 of Grace

“I think I should go, Cyrus. I’ve changed a lot recently, and I think it might have a positive effect on our relationship. Greta…”

“It’s not Mom who doesn’t want you to come.”

My breath stops, my lips part slightly. My eyes narrow, boring into the man sitting in front of me. The ceiling fan stirs the hot air with a menacing sound, and our junk of a fridge fights for its life in the July heat, rattling.

“You’re going to be safe here. I’ll get an officer to guard the house. It’s only for a few days.”

“What are you hiding from me, Cyrus?”

“Mom’s in hospital.”

“What?” I cover my mouth with my hand. “Why?”

“Someone beat her up. Her skull is fractured, but she’s stable, thankfully.”

“Who would do something like that?” I slam my fist down on the table. The sweet milk splashes across the motorcycle magazines. I watch as the liquid soaks page after page, leaving small creases behind.

My suspicion is only reinforced by the look in Cyrus’s eyes, which tells me what’s going on without words. The cruel realization pulses mercilessly through my veins. “They figured out you were a cop, didn’t they?”

“I can’t talk about this, Grace.” He crouches down in front of me and takes my hand in his. “All I’m asking is that you trust me and do nothing stupid while I’m away, okay? Can you promise me you’ll be careful?”

“I can. But wouldn’t it be safer if we were together? What if they come for me too—or for you while you’re there?”

“You couldn’t protect me.”

“I can run fast.”

A faint smile curves across Cyrus’s face. He strokes my cheek with his hand.

“Like last time? You couldn’t run.”

His words hit me like a punch—only this time it lands in my wilting heart instead of my head.

“You’re right.” I pull my hand from his and tuck it beneath my thighs. “But the cop who was here the other day… he wasn’t here every second.”

“Well, he has to eat, drink, and pee, too.”

“Of course. I didn’t mean that…”

“Nothing’s going to happen in those few minutes.”

“Can I go to the bar?”

“You’re a grown woman. You can go wherever you want.”

I gulp and give him a restrained nod. I can’t thank him enough for helping me fit back into a world I once moved through so easily.

“How long are you going to be away?”

“No more than a week.”

“A whole week?”

“Mom’s going to need me when they release her. You can reach me on my phone, and if anything happens…”

“I should go to the police station.”

“Yeah.”