Free Wounded Birds (The Grayson Series Book 1) by Unknown Page A

relieved he was with me and grateful to Trent and Josh, who are willing to go out of their way to help me.
    The wonderful aroma of bacon and eggs catches my attention. I pop my head into the kitchen, and Tina is pouring a cup of coffee. “Smells wonderful,” I say.
    “Why, thank you, Miss DiMarco. I hope they taste as good, although my husband never complains.”
    I laugh. “Most men won’t ever complain. Put a plate of food in front of them, and they’ll eat with glee.” I giggle. “And, please, call me Ariana.”
    “Thank you, Ariana, would you like your meal outside or in here?” she asks, holding the breakfast dish.
    “The counter would be perfect. It’s too cold at this hour for the terrace,” I answer, gazing out through the glass doors.
    She sets the plate down, and I begin to devour the mouthwatering feast before me, savoring every morsel. I had no idea how hungry I was.
    “Has Mr. Grayson called?” I ask, not wanting to sound anxious.
    “Yes, he phoned at six and seven this morning. He said he’ll be calling back around nine.”
    I glance at the clock on the wall, reading eight thirty, and I smile waiting with anticipation. To soothe my anxiety, I gaze at the radiant colors on the foliage nestled on the trees, a reminder of autumn.
    That reminds me . . . the charity ball is approaching. The theme is a masquerade on Halloween night. I’ve been preparing this event for eight months. This is going to be such a special evening for the ladies. I can’t wait to capture their excitement and glowing faces.
    I’ve decided to dress up as Cleopatra, the Queen of the Nile. Blake and Francis will be joining me. I could ask Michael to come along and dress as Mark Antony, but him being at the event may spark up a thousand questions, which I’m not comfortable answering now, or maybe never.
    I squirm in my chair like a schoolgirl, waiting for Michael’s call. I’m spinning with a multitude of emotions—joy, bliss, ecstasy, anxiety, terror, and panic all rolled into one ball. I don’t know what to do with these feelings. He has me all twisted up in knots.
    I dated a few handsome, successful men after Danny, nothing serious. Nevertheless, not one has ever made me feel so alive and roaring with want. I won’t lie to myself. I find him attractive, and we share a powerful chemistry between us, but it scares the hell out of me. After so many years of formidable darkness in my soul, Michael gallops into my life and triggers the light that once glowed with vibrant colors inside me.
    I start when the phone rings. God, he couldn’t wait another fifteen minutes. Tina hands me the cordless, and I push the talk button to answer.
    “Hello, Mr. Grayson,” I answer, grinning from ear to ear.
    “Well . . . well . . . well . . . sorry to disappoint you, baby doll.”
    I gasp and freeze, feeling the blood drain away from my face making me light-headed and numb. I glance toward Tina, unable to speak. My heart is beating painfully against my ribs.
    “I love you sweetie, please don’t be scared. I’ll never hurt you. You belong to me. We are going to marry one day. Hello?”
    “W-who is this?” I stutter out, my heart enlarged in my throat. The slime sounds like he comes from a toxic waste dump.
    “You’ll know soon enough, baby doll,” he answers with a terrifying laugh.
    “What do you want?” Silence. “Hello . . . hello,” I call out, but only the piercing sound of a dial tone vibrates from the phone. I place the receiver on the table with trembling hands and move away to the other side of the counter and sit. I place my hands over my chest to ease my racing heart.
    “Ariana? Are you okay, my dear? You look as you’ve heard from a ghost.” Tina asks with her sweet, soothing Irish accent.
    How long is this lunatic going to continue to torture me, and how did he get my number? What does he want from me or what is he looking for? The spotlight? Is he hoping for his fifteen minutes of fame? The sick bastard. I