Page 21 of Saving Grace
“Stop!” I roared, fed up with fending off her puny attacks.
I pointed a finger in the direction of the chair she’d been sitting in earlier.
“Sit your violent ass down and let me talk to you.” I dared her to but raised voices and menacing looks didn’t seem to motivate her to cooperate. So, I threatened her, “If I have to, I’ll have Tank help me tie you to the fucking chair.”
For a minute she still looked as if she was going to put up a fight. When she finally sat down, I felt relieved. I was glad she didn’t call my bluff. I knew Tank wouldn’t participate in tying her up and I wouldn’t be able to by myself without hurting her.
I remained, blocking the door, just in case. When I felt she was going to behave, then and only then did I walk away from the door. Soon as I took a few steps away, she got up and bolted towards it like a track star before I could have reacted she opened it and ran smack dab into Tank’s chest. She collided with him so hard he damn near fell backwards. He grabbed her arm just in time to stop her from falling.
“I don’t have time for this.” I knew what I was about to do would piss her off even more than she already was, but I had no choice.
“Tank, take her to my house and make sure she stays there, lock her in the panic room if you have to.”
Her head snapped in my direction. “No, I’m going home. In my car, by myself. I’m not going anywhere with him and I’m not going to your house. Just leave me alone Atticus, I can handle myself.”
“I can’t do that Grace.”
“Why not!” She exploded, she came over and got right in my face. “You left me, and I handled everything that happened by my got damn self. I don’t fucking need you.” Tears welled in her eyes.
I wanted to comfort her but didn’t have time.
“Just go with Tank. We’ll talk about it later.”
Backing up, she shook her head.
“Please Atticus, just let me go.”
“No.” I said with finality. Then I spoke directly to Tank “Take her to the house. Carry her if you must, just go now.”
“Atticus, she doesn’t want to go, man. I’ll take her to a hotel and watch out for her until — ."
“Do what I said,” I ordered without raising my voice.
Grace tried to run, but Tank blocked the door.He restrained her, barely.
She looked back at me, giving me an agonized expression, panicked, her voice filled with pleading. “Don’t do this Atticus. You can’t keep me against my will.”
“Do it,” I ignored her dramatics. She’d get over it when she realized what I was doing was for her own good.
Tank shook his head at me in disapproval but picked her up like she was a rag doll. He threw her over his shoulder, she thrashed against his hold. Clawing at his arms. He didn’t even flinch.
“Atticus, tell him to put me down.” she demanded hotly.
Ignoring her I started packing my things. I had to go or I was going to be late.
“Put me down,” she cried as he walked away.
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Three hours later, I stood in front of my grandfather in the office in his house. Downstairs there was a party going on, a party thrown in my honor.
“Are you ready for this?” Grandfather peered up at me through narrowed eyes. Eyes exactly like mine.
I wasn’t. Every mention of getting married felt like a noose tightening around my neck. But he wouldn’t care.
I nodded “Yes”
Grandfather laughed. “That’s my boy. Before we go down to celebrate, we need to talk about last night's profits from the gun sales.” My grandfather talked while thoughts of Grace distracted me.