Page 37 of Saving Grace
“Um, boss, I think—” Roger started.
“No, she has to get used to my stupid fucking mouth saying stupid fucking things,” Matt growled. “So, let’s move on. If you insist on talking to Troy, I’ll allow it.”
“You’ll allow it,” I expressed inanely because I was still reeling from his declaration that I should get over it. I was feeling more justified about labeling him Mr. Asshole.
He speared me with a look of irritation as if prodding me to keep up with the conversation. “What time do we have to be at Troy’s?”
“You’re not coming with me.”
“The fuck I’m not.”
“Troy specifically told me he’s picking me up. He wants to speak with me alone.”
“Sorry, babe, I’ll chain you to my bed if I have to, but you’re not going to him without me.”
“Are you afraid,Matt?” My voice was saccharine sweet. “Are you afraid that Troy is the man I’m supposed to be staying with instead of you?”
His jaw clenched. This was an unresolved issue between us. Apparently, he had instructed every mechanic in his garage to keep mum about my relationship with Troy. Even Roger had no comment about it, and he’d worked with Troy before. But Matt had no control when I went over to Millie’s. One of the waitresses, Kyra, confirmed that I’d been with the biker boss the weekend before the bombing.
He took a menacing step toward me, but I stood my ground. I was not the insecure amnesiac from almost four weeks ago. Well, I still had amnesia, but I’d been slowly coming to terms that I couldn’t wait for my memory to return before my life moved forward. What if I never got it back? And with that acceptance, I had gained self-confidence.
He regarded me for what felt like an eternity, his expression inscrutable. Finally, he spoke.
“You want to be with Troy, go ahead,” he stated with a calm that sent a jig through my heart. “Don’t play me against another man. I don’t have time for that shit.”
“I wasn’t …”
“I did what you asked me. For three weeks, I gave you space to deal with your fractured memories, but I made it clear I wanted something more.”His eyes grew cold. “Now, I’m not sure if you’re worth the trouble.”
And with that statement, he walked past me to head back to the loft.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Grace
“I’m sorry my brother can be such a colossal jerk,” Cassie fumed.
“He is indeed, but it’s not your fault.” I lifted the mug of hot chocolate to my lips. I had met Matt’s sister two weeks prior after she had gotten back from her honeymoon. Cassandra, or Cassie as most people called her, was married to the sheriff of Buckland County, Trent Stone. I had hung out with her a lot at Millie’s Diner because ever since they’d come back from their vacation, her husband had hit the ground running with plans for this new urban combat training camp, especially following the terrorist attack in Atlanta.
After my blow-up with Matt that morning, I had escaped to the diner. I had lunch here and spent most of the afternoon surfing the net and reacquainting myself with the world that I currently lived in. I’d done my research on the Mexican cartels, ISIS, and other terror networks immediately after Elliot’s visit. But as Matt had pointed out, all these didn’t mean anything without my experience with the DEA.
“He’s also right about a lot of things,” I amended.
Cassie grinned. “That’s Matt. He can be insultingly blunt.”
I snorted. That was a perfect description.
“He hadn’t always been that way.”
“Oh, what happened?” My curiosity was piqued.
“You know we’ve been part of a government program, right?”
“The Enhanced Soldier project—Matt has mentioned it.”
“He’d always been a caring older brother to me and Lucas.”
Lucas was Cassie’s twin.