Free Dangerous Promise by Gwendolyn Cease by Gwendolyn Cease Page B

later.”
    He stood as Kate entered the room so she could cuddle and kiss the little girl. He left them and took a moment to peek in on Abby. She lay flat on her back with her arms curled over her head apparently sound asleep. Grimm took the time to walk through the house, making sure everything was locked and alarmed. They’d been on their own for two years without his help, and yet he was loath to leave them. It was crazy, really. He had literally just met all of them, but they were his and he knew it.
    Grimm turned as Kate entered the room. He would have known it was her, without even looking, since her scent totally rocked his world. Okay, everything about her did that.
    “Thanks for staying with us,” Kate said, “and thanks for letting Olivia ask you a million and one questions.”
    “It was my pleasure.” He brought her hand up and kissed the palm then swirled his tongue over her flesh.
    She gasped but didn’t pull away. In fact, she stepped closer and laid her head on his chest.
    He held her and just enjoyed the feel of her body next to his. It would have been better naked and lying down, but he’d take what he could get.
    “I should go so you can get some sleep,” he said but didn’t move.
    “I won’t sleep. I never do. I usually work all night long then catch naps through the day.”
    He wanted to ask her about what Olivia had told him, but didn’t want to ruin the mood between them. There’d be time for questions later. Now, he just wanted to hold her. Moving to the couch he eased them both down so she was cradled against his body. She snuggled in and relaxed against him. Trust. She trusted him. He wrapped his arms around her, grateful for the gift she gave him. Tomorrow—tomorrow was soon enough for the questions and explanations. Right now he just wanted to enjoy the feel of his woman in his arms.
    * * * *
    Grimm walked out of the empty COM Center in search of Joelle. If anyone could get him an extra cell phone it was her. On the drive from Kate’s house, he’d decided that Olivia needed her own phone with one number programmed in—his. He didn’t like the idea of the little girl scared, and he certainly didn’t like them without him. The only reason he’d left was because the sun was rising soon. It wasn’t as if he would burst into flames or some other shit, but he would get burned and that took time and blood to heal. He didn’t want to deal with either right now.
    He tracked her down in the PIA cafeteria where she stood staring intently at the soda machine. The place was half-empty since the night shift was ready to go off and the day to come on, but Joelle didn’t notice the people buzzing around her. Slowly, she picked up a small cup and put some ice in it. He watched her a moment more, but she never chose a drink. She just stood and stared.
    “What are you doing?” He approached her.
    “Trying to decide if my love of caffeine or sleep will win. I so want a Cherry Coke, but if I drink one then I’ll be awake forever. But if I get a Sprite I just won’t be satisfied.”
    “Wow, okay, so while you’re trying to figure it out I need you to get me a cell phone.”
    She finally turned and gave him her full attention. “Why? What happened to yours? You didn’t lose it, did you?”
    “No, I still have it. I need another phone.”
    Joelle stepped aside as a tidy little woman walked past them to the soda machine. She eyed Joelle a moment before she filled up her cup. Joelle gave her a huge smile and turned back to Grimm. “And you need another phone because?”
    “Someone I know needs to be able to get ahold of me.”
    “Wait, you want me to give you a phone so some chick can call you? Tell her to get her own damn phone.”
    Grimm lowered his voice. “It’s not like that. She’s little, and she’s scared. She’s had some shit go down in her life, and I want her to feel safe.”
    “Grimm—”
    He cut her off. “Her mom already has my number, but I want Olivia to be able to