Page 44 of Rough Return

He’d just spent days telling her how he wouldn’t hurt her. Wouldn’t leave. Wouldn’t… she couldn’t even remember all the promises he’d made. She stomped through a huddle of Demons to the bar. Lisa put a beer in front of her—they hadn’t told anyone but Jez, Hamilton and Sage about the baby. “Where’s Autumn?”

Angry Fiona never bothered with niceties like greetings. “Back room with…”

Fiona didn’t stick around to hear his name. She stalked to the hallway that led to the rooms with beds and half-naked chicks hanging on the walls. As she opened the first room—empty except for the poster—she made a mental note to tear those damned things down as she slammed that one and moved to the next. It took three before she heard a high-pitched female squeal. She shoved in and stopped. Autumn, naked and straddling Hamilton, covered herself as she scampered off the bed.

“What the hell, Fi?”

“Uh, carry on.” Her skin had to be the color of a Sox uniform for all the burning just underneath. She backed out of the room and sauntered back to the bar where Grier stood leaning against the bar, her beer in his hand and his cocky smile in place.

“I think we’ll talk about this at home.” But he wrapped his arms around her. Even though she’d, once again, distrusted him.

She nodded. At least he was coming home.

His breath warmed her ear as he pulled her against him and lowered his head to whisper, “Somebody might need a spanking.”

And again with the hormones, she pulled her lower lip between her teeth. “We could take care of that here.” Her panties went damp just thinking about it.

“No. Here’s what I want you to do.” He kissed her neck just below her earlobe. “I want you to go home, get undressed, and wait for me.”

“How long will you be?” She was already hot and panting.

“Long enough for you to send me a video of you touching yourself.”

A video? That was a lot of trust to give someone. “Grier.”

He smiled softly and leaned his forehead against hers. “It’s okay, babe. And don’t worry. I’ll still give you your spanking later.” His voice had that sexy growl quality she’d come to—dare she think it?—love.

And love meant trust. She kissed him hard and fast. “Keep your phone close, babe.”

She turned and went out the door. Trust truly was a many splendored thing. And so was the night she planned to have with her husband.

* * *

Grier raced his bike toward home, Sage riding next to him. Fiona had indeed sent a video, but while she might have done as he asked, she’d hit a button wrong or forgot she hadn’t turned it on. The video she’d sent started when Tyler Sedotal walked into her house.

What are you doing here?

Grier couldn’t see, but he’d certainly heard Sedotal’s drunken answer. I came to show you how a real man treats his woman.

Still no picture, but Grier heard glass shatter. Her voice came in a shriek. Get away from me. She kept a gun in the hallway closet, and Grier hoped she was making her way toward it.

You walk around like you’re so tough. But I’ve watched you letting that piece of shit tell you what to do. Do you really like it when he tells you to suck his dick or is that an act? Because if it’s an act, you’re wasting your time here. You should be in Hollywood.

Watched? That word stuck with Grier. Had that fucker been in the house again? Watching them when they thought they were alone? It didn’t matter. Grier was going to kill him. Tyler Sedotal would never see another thing again.

Fuck you. But her voice trembled. Grier should never have sent her home alone. His fault. All his fucking fault.

Oh, you’re going to. Just like you do Grier. He said you would like it. Do you want to wait for him? Maybe he can join us. Some shuffling noises then Fiona yelped, and Sedotal talked some more. You don’t like hair pulling? Shame. It makes me hot.

Ty, it doesn’t have to be like this. Fiona’s voice softened. I’ve always liked you. I’ll do whatever you want, just let me get cleaned up, okay? You sit down, and I’ll be right back. A long pause, and Grier’s heart stopped. See, baby? We’re good. Just let me get ready. Then came the gunshot.

And the video stopped there. He couldn’t even tell if she stopped it or he did. For all Grier knew, he could have been walking into a trap set by his wife and her lover, but he had to believe that Fiona hadn’t lied to him, that she genuinely cared for him and complied to save herself and the baby.

He pulled into the driveway and ran up the porch steps to the door, gun in hand.

Sage, beside him, pointed to a droplet of blood on the concrete next to his boot. Grier didn’t wait to bust through the door. He couldn’t. The wood splintered as he put his shoulder into it. “Fiona!”

Silence.