Detective Ramos shifted in his seat and continued. "You're the one who helped to stop the attack." It wasn't a question.

Shane smiled at me, gently rubbing my back with his hand. I clamped my mouth shut, afraid that the b.u.t.terflies that were wreaking havoc in my belly would fly out of my mouth and attack Shane at any moment. "Grace was doing a pretty good job of defending herself. I think she would have taken care of him all by herself if I hadn't get there in time, but I'm confused. We already spoke with the arresting officers at the hospital that night. Has something changed?"

Detective Ramos and Allens shared a glance. Then the older man nodded his head and Detective Ramos looked to Shane and me with a somber expression. "After Mr. Sumpton was arraigned, he was remanded and housed in Riker's. We don't know how it happened, but he was put in his cell at 1400 hours and at the evening head count after the meal he wasn't accounted for." He hesitated for a moment, letting the news sink in. "The cell was still locked when they went to feed him. No one understands how he escaped, since the cell hadn't been opened since his arrival. Furthermore, when questioned, none of the other prisoners even remembered seeing him inside his cell."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and the pressure in Shane's hands became tighter on my back, holding me steady. "Like he just vanished?"

Detective Ramos gave me a tight smile. "No. Most likely, he found some way out with help from someone on the outside of the cell. He probably terrified the other prisoners so badly that they pretended to see nothing. He was a monster when they brought him in. They needed a few corrections officers to settle him down when he was left in his cell, but there's an even more disturbing part," he explained.

I nodded for the detective to continue. What could be more disturbing than telling me the guy who attacked me could be roaming around the streets of New York City ready to attack another girl?

"When we ran his name through our system, nothing came up. Investigating further, we found him to be an outstanding citizen until the last five months or so."

Shane looked curiously at the Detective; asking the question that was formulating in my head. "What happened five months ago?"

Taking a deep breath, Detective Allens stepped forward to answer, "He was admitted to the Sans de Barron Hospice; he was terminal. His doctors had given him only a few weeks to live. He'd been comatose and unresponsive for weeks, then sometime last Sunday, he just walked out of the hospice. Am I right in saying that you had been living at the hospice with your brother Jacob for approximately six months?"

I swallowed hard and nodded a yes. "There must be a mistake though. The man that attacked me, there was no way that he could have been that strong and dying of some disease at the same time. Maybe the guy stole the real Carl Sumpton's ident.i.ty or something."

The detectives both shook their heads in agreement, but their expressions never reached their eyes. They had their own theories and they weren't going to share it with us.

Detective Ramos cleared his throat and continued, "When a perpetrator of a crime of this magnitude is arraigned, the District Attorney on the case usually requests a temporary order of protection to be issued to the victim. This is your copy of the order." He placed another paper on the table from his briefcase. "I wanted to say that I'm sure this matter will be resolved soon."

Shane's hand was still on me. It was quickly kindling a fire under his fingertips. His features were angry. "And you think a piece of paper will stop this lunatic from trying to hurt Grace again? What should she do if he comes up to her when she's walking down the street? Should she say, hold on let me look in my purse, here this piece of paper will stop you?"

I placed my hand on Shane's knee and his eyes snapped to mine at the touch. "Stop it, Shane. I'm sure they will do everything they can to contain him again." I looked at both the detectives. "Thank you both for coming here and telling me instead of calling me on the phone. I appreciate the paperwork and everything. Is there anything that you think I could do in the meantime, while you...um...work on this matter?"

"We understand your anxiety, Mr. Maxton. For the next twenty-four hours, there will be a uniformed officer sitting outside this apartment in a patrol car. Just be aware and keep your eyes open, Miss Taylor."

After a few more words, I walked the detectives to the front door and locked the deadbolt.

Shane came up behind me and gently placed his hands on my shoulders. They felt strong and safe; I stepped away quickly. The last thing I needed was my head muddled from his touch. "I'm fine, Shane," I snapped.

He stormed off down the hallway. "Yeah, well you definitely will be, because Conner and I are staying here with you and Lea until that a.s.shole is behind bars again."

Somehow, I thought that would prove to be more dangerous than Carl Sumpton trying to kill me.

Chapter 10.

Shane thundered into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him, "I'm taking a shower! Do not leave this building without me!"

"Make sure you scrub yourself real well, Shane! That perfume you were wearing when you came here last night stinks!" I screamed, as I slammed my bedroom door. Now he was going to be Mr. Chivalry and pretend to care about me? Was he trying to prove something? Who did he think he was? And who in the world was going to protect me from him? AND, what gives him the right to shower in my apartment? Oh, this is the perfect time to start doing my laundry with really hot water!

Grabbing my laundry basket, I raced to the bas.e.m.e.nt and started our archaic washing machine. When I did, I could hear Shane screaming from the shower above me. If he was really going to stay here for a while, he better get used to taking ice cold showers!

Overhead, I could hear him stomping through the apartment looking for me. Hearing the stairs creak under his weight, I turned to the door as he smashed it open. He strode across the tiny washroom, stopping a little more than an inch from me. His hair and skin were soaking wet; drops of water streamed down his skin.

"You really need to do your laundry right now? What? Are you mad at me for wanting to stay here? Ticked off because I might actually care if you are okay? What? Will it ruin your high expectations of me?" He cupped my face in both his hands, his breath quickening as he searched my face. "Or, maybe Grace, you want me here every freaking bit as much I want to be here and that scares the s.h.i.t out of you?"

My eyes looked down. His towel was loosely wrapped around his waist. G.o.d, please don't let that thing fall off! My eyes rose slowly over the beautiful muscles of his stomach and chest; over the vibrant colors of his tattoos right to his blue eyes.

I tore my face away from his hands. "Nothing about you scares me, Shane. I just don't want you getting the wrong idea about us."

"I know, I know. There is no us. I'm not talking about staying here to..." Realization crossed his face. "Grace, you really think so little of me to think that I want to stay here so I could try to..." He stepped back shaking his head. Turning around, he walked up the stairs and continued with his icy shower.

I opened a folding chair and sat watching the machine vibrating, knowing he was right. I did want him here. Guilt overwhelmed my senses. How many years had I made it through whole lifetimes of other people, never feeling anything for another man the way I did for him. Now, I'm here with the Shane, the most commitment phobic person I had ever met and he's the one that peaks my interest? There was no way that I could break the vows I made to myself to find him, on someone as flimsy and shallow as Shane Maxton. I don't care how absolutely delicious he looked right out of an ice cold shower!

At three o'clock, Shane came down to the laundry room with a plate of food a hot cup of coffee for me. "I thought you'd be starving by now."

I smiled. "More bored out of my skull than hungry, but thank you." Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato and a banana. I dug in hungrily.

He chuckled to himself shaking his head, "You know, Grace, you don't have to stay down here. I promise you I will not bite," he smirked. "Well, unless you ask me to."

"Shut up," I smirked back at him. "I'm sorry about before," I said in-between chews. I knew it was impolite, but I was really hungry and I just wanted to apologize fast so we could forget about everything. "I guess I'm just a little freaked out by the whole Carl Sumpton thing."

Shrugging as if it was no big deal, he asked seriously, "Do you remember him at the hospice?"

"Not at all," I said, swallowing my last bite. "He did look familiar, but not from anywhere I could pinpoint." Shaking my head, I threw my hands up. "There were so many people there. I used to play my guitar for Jake every night, well, up until the last few days. There was always a different crowd of people surrounding the door listening. But if he was comatose, he shouldn't have known anything about me. I barely left Jake's room, let alone walk into other patient's rooms."

"Maybe he thought your playing stinks," he said taking my empty plate.

"Probably. I mean, I am almost as horrible as you!"

My statement was punctuated by the sound of the dryer's buzzer. Cracking up, I walked over to pull out and fold my last load of laundry.

When I lifted the last handful of clothes onto the small wooden table, I blanched, noticing Shane was holding up my bra and panties. I lunged for them, trying to s.n.a.t.c.h them out of his hands. He just held them up higher, making me stand on my tiptoes, jumping for them.

"Hey, Grace. Maybe getting an eyeful of your lingerie woke up our friend Carl from his coma. These are pretty intense undergarments, I know I'll be thinking about them later tonight!" he teased.

I shoved him in the gut, not hard, but hard enough to make him bend over and hand back my belongings.

"You are a jerk, Shane Maxton."

"Thanks, that's like the nicest thing you've called me so far."

After I was finished, Shane helped me carry my clothes upstairs. We both pa.s.sed the front window and peeked out to see if a police car was parked anywhere on the street. It was. Smack dab in front of my door step. Yeah, that's not going to scare the neighbors.

Stretching himself across my bed, he watched me put my clothes away. Legs crossed at the ankles and hands under his head. I crossed my arms laughing at him.

He tilted his head toward my guitar, "Will you play something for me?"

I paused in thought, looking at him. I didn't want him to look at me with those intense eyes again. I ended the thought as soon as I had it. I would have to play in front of him later, next to him on stage, so I should get used to it now.

I unbuckled my case, pulled out my guitar and nudged him to move over on my bed. Well, it was my bed. He rolled over on his side and propped his head up with his hand to listen to me. I twisted my body around to face him, fingering some strings.

"What are you in the mood for?"

"Surprise me."

I didn't close my eyes this time, just watched as the fingers I'd come to know as my own, played. I started with the theme song to Sesame Street, which landed me a pillow to the side of the head. Giggling, I drifted into a rendition of You're so Vain by Carly Simon to Lost Cause from Beck, stopping after (I Hate) Everything About You by Ugly Kid Joe.

"Nice, Grace. What was that a montage of how I feel about Shane songs?"

I smiled wide. "Gee, am I that easy to read?" I teased.

"Play something that means something to you," he whispered.

So I did. I let my fingers go. I let my voice soar; rough and edgy. Piece of my Heart by Janis Joplin. Wouldn't Shane get a blast out of knowing I used to practice with her before she became big?

I matched her voice, her tone, her essence and through the whole song, I never looked away from his eyes. It was intense and electrifying. I felt more sensual and erotic than I had ever felt in this skin.

"You are simply the most amazingly talented person I've ever met," he whispered.

"Eh. I bet you haven't met too many people then."

Lea and Conner arrived back at the apartment within five minutes of each other. Both of them came barreling into the apartment, demanding to know why there was a police car parked in front of it.

After Shane told them about our visit with the detectives, Lea became very upset, crying and hugging me. Then she spent a good twenty minutes locking all the windows, pulling up the ladders to the fire escapes and looking under all the furniture.

Conner agreed that he and Shane should stay with us. He also thought that Ethan should too, since he had some sort of martial arts training. However, Shane was completely against it. He wasn't drunk anymore, yet he was still against Ethan being with me?

"Well, I hate to say it, but Tucker had a really great idea last night," Conner said, wiping Lea's tears away with his hands. Oh, he's a keeper!

"That drunken fool had a lot of ideas last night, most had to do with Grace and him on the pool table, so which idea are you taking about, Con?"

Shane glanced at me and made a tight smile.

"We should definitely go up to his winter place for a few days to get away from here," Conner explained.

Lea shook her head and cried harder. "I can't take off of work next week. My boss is going on vacation and needs me to hold down the fort while she's away."

Shane was staring at me. "Tucker invited you to his winter house?"

I scrunched my face into a frown, "Yeah, Tucker thinks I will fall in love with him because of his house, his money, his jaguar, and his expensive bottles of champagne."

"And what do you think?" Shane asked me.

"I don't think about Tucker at all."

I loved the way he smiled back at me.

The guys sat for the next hour trying to formulate a plan to keep us safe. Lea cried and whined, and then cried again. She was terrified. I eyed Conner. He caught the hint and ran over to Lea, who was by then in hysterics, soothing her with kisses and soft whispers.

I grabbed Shane's hand and pulled him into the kitchen. "Leave them alone for a minute. She needs to calm down and he really seems to do it better than me lately."

"Are you okay with everything? I didn't know the right stuff to say to you before. I just tried to take your mind off it, but are you scared?"

"No. I'm not scared of Carl Sumpton hurting me. I'm scared of him hurting Lea, Conner, or even you."

His mouth curved into a concerned smile. He lifted my hands and held them wrists up, between us. I raised my eyebrow at him. "You're not scared of much, are you?" He rubbed the scars on my wrist again. "One day, I hope we become close enough friends that you'll tell me about these."

"That would be real close, Shane. I think you're missing that get close to a women chromosome in your DNA," I laughed. "I have to take a shower and get ready for the show tonight. Why don't you call ahead and let those bouncer friends of yours know about Carl and let's take the picture of him too?" I said, walking away.

I jumped into the bathroom ready to transform myself into Rock G.o.ddess of Mad World. I was insanely excited and all the thoughts of Carl Sumpton and his secret whereabouts washed away from me the more I thought about going on stage. I showered with the most scalding hot water I could stand, relaxing every muscle in my body. I wrapped myself in a towel and bolted through the hallway to my room, hoping I wouldn't be seen. I dried my hair and added a streak of temporary purple hair dye to it for a little funky feel. I polished my nails a deep purple to match the streak in my hair. While I was sliding a denim mini-skirt over my hips Lea knocked on the door and came in with a black bag.

A little time alone with The One and she'd forgotten all about the scary monster, she looked content and relaxed. Oh, I envied her.

"Wow. Your hair looks hot! And, I'm glad you're not fully dressed, because I brought you a little surprise today on my lunch hour," she beamed.

"Oh no, should I be afraid?" I giggled.

Lea tossed herself and the bag on the bed and gave me a naughty smile. "Before you open this bag, you have to promise that you will wear what I have in there! You cannot say no, because right now, I'm so freaked out about this stalker of yours that I want you to cancel the show. So any little thing you say might set me off crying."

"Oh, shut up!" I laughed grabbing the bag. "You know that I won't let anything happen to you or me." I stopped talking the minute I pulled the tiny garments out of the bag. There was a black lacy see-through bra with matching underwear. Well, it was more like a piece of dental floss than underwear. I held it up to her, "What is this supposed to cover, really?"

Another wicked grin is all she offered me.

The last piece I unfolded was deep purple, and it was the most perfect top ever made in existence. The neckline daringly plunged to show more cleavage than I'd ever seen on one of Shane's ladies. The back was almost bare and it just provided a thin lacy piece of material across the back to cover the strap of the bra perfectly. The material was silky and soft and I hugged my best friend as tightly as I could. "This is the most insane shirt I'd ever seen." Yanking off the clothes I had on, I pulled on the new s.e.xy undergarments and slipped the luxurious shirt on. It fit perfectly.

When I looked at myself in the mirror, I gasped loudly. "This is lethal. This outfit is going to cause a riot. Lea, don't you think this is too much?" I frowned at my reflection; a part of me really, really wanted to wear this outfit, but another part was terrified.

"You look like a Rock Queen! It's perfect. Besides, I think my outfit it even worse than yours!" She dashed out of my room, came back with another bag, and started undressing and throwing clothes everywhere.

I stood in front of the mirror spinning around to get the full view. My shoulders were bare and the way my hair cascaded down in shiny black waves, I felt almost naked. But, I think the worst of all of my thoughts at that moment was the excited idea of what Shane would think when he saw me. I needed to stop these alien thoughts when I was around Shane. I needed to focus on finding him and not worry about meaningless urges I had for Shane. Besides, it's just this body's hormones that were acting up, nothing more.

All thought flew out of my head when I turned to see Lea's outfit. I looked like a nun compared to her. A deep red skin tight, shorter than short dress. It looked like it was made out of spandex and had huge openings to show off her waist. The color was brilliant, and the red accented her sandy blonde hair making her look like a vixen. Conner was going to be shocked.

We applied our make-up, giggling as if we were thirteen and up to trouble, and oddly that's exactly how I felt. Lea did my eye shadow, because she was always better at it than I was. She made them look smoky and sensual; my light grey irises looked like they could glow in the dark.

Holding hands, Lea and I walked out into the living room. All I heard was Conner curse and start demanding that Lea take the dress off, but when I looked at Shane, all the commotion seemed to get lower and fade away.

He had been leaning against the far wall and then pulled himself away, standing at attention when I walked in. His eyes greedily examined every inch of my bare skin. He lingered on my eyes and lips the longest, which I did not expect. He slowly walked over to me and gently reached for my hand. He entwined his fingers in mine, lifted my hand over my head, and twirled me around slowly.

"I have never seen anyone more exquisite in my entire life, Grace. You seem to have this knack of making me completely...breathless." He seemed shocked at himself for saying the words. He spun me around again, brushing the hair off my shoulders, his gaze sending shivers along my neck. His breathing stopped, caught somewhere in his lungs. Lightly touching the skin on my shoulder, he inhaled deeply, "You have another tattoo," he exhaled in a whisper. I felt him trace the lines with his fingers. My most special piece of artwork, my broken angel's wings. The very reason behind why I needed to step away from Shane's warm touch.

The corners of my mouth quirked upward. "I bet that's your signature line to try to pick up women, huh?" I stepped away; keeping the smile on my face, but inside I was dying. How could it be that every time he touched this body and I pulled away, it ached all over? I shook my head free from my thoughts and placed my hand on the back of my shoulder. "They are my angel wings. To remind me and to honor what I've lost."

Shane flinched and drew his hands back when I said the words. He tucked his head down and looked away, "Your family," he murmured.

I didn't correct his a.s.sumption. I tucked my lips between my teeth and clamped down tight. What would I tell him anyway? Gee, Shane, I was born thousands of years ago when the world was first created, in what people today call biblical times. When a small band of angels called the Watchers were placed on Earth to watch and protect the humans. Yeah, sure, that would go over well.