Chapter 106
Grace froze, reeling a cold prickle crawl down her neck. Had she heard Simon right?
But then he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing murmur meant only for her. “You’re not leaving. If you try, I’ll make your life a living hell. Even Ethan won’t be able to save you.”
His eyes were pure ice. Grace knew anyone connected to Ethan wasn’t someone to mess with. She stiffened, her mouth filling with the bitter taste of bile.
“Simon, you need to leave,” Ethan cut in mercifully.
Simon leaned in, his words a quiet hiss against her ear. “Stay. If I find out you run,
I swear those legs won’t hold you up the next time I see you.”
Damn! He was a full-blown psycho!
Grace wanted to cuss him out and flip him off, but instinct kept her still. Instead, she forced a brittle smile and scrambled toward Ethan. “Mr. Henderson, please, let me stay and help. I’m great at waiting on people!”
Pride wasn’t worth dying over.
Simon seemed pleased with her quick submission and gave a wave. “Ethan, I’m out. Got to go find myself a side piece tonight.”
Otherwise, the Yules would drag him back to play breeding stallion. His father had been on his case for months.
Ethan remained silent, only turning after Simon was out of sight. “You can go too.”
Grace wasn’t about to take the risk and put on her most sycophantic grin. “Mr. Henderson, I swear I’m really good with people. Please, let me stick around.”
She wanted to crawl into a hole the moment the words left her mouth. Damn Simon to hell!
Ethan stopped pushing his wheelchair before glancing back at her. “He put you up to this?”
“Nope. It’s my idea.”
By now, she was past the point of embarrassment. So, she might as well go all in. Besides, Ethan wasn’t so bad.
She crouched, placed his hands on his knees, and added, “Also, I give a pretty mean head massage. It might knock you out cold. Just throw in a little extra when you pay me later. I’ve got bills to pay.”
Unexpectedly, he chuckled, his chest heaving slightly. That smile of his could melt anyone.
Embarrassed, Grace pressed her lips together, unable to meet his gaze.
He wheeled himself into the elevator, a faint chuckle slipping out. “Fine. You can stay.”
A wave of relief washed over Grace as she followed him.
He stuck to his usual routine. The first stop was the study, where he immersed himself in paperwork. Grace stayed silent and barely made a sound, only stepping in to refill his water.
By 11:00 pm, she was done. She sank into a chair and struggled to stay awake, her head nodding before the rustle of papers pulled her back.
Ethan closed the folder in his hands. “If you’re that tired, go lie down.”
But where? She hadn’t expected to end up at Palm Bay. The rumors said Ethan hadn’t let any woman this close in years, yet here she was, slipping in without even trying.
“Mr. Henderson, I’m fine. Really.”
Ethan glanced up, his eyes lingering on the exhaustion in her face before he turned and rolled toward the hallway.
Grace hurried after him. “Are you turning in?”
He gave a noncommittal grunt.
His master bedroom was done in dark, moody tones, the atmosphere heavy and intimidating. She knew a shower was next when he grabbed his sleepwear and headed for the bathroom.
Her thoughts went to his leg injury, but she respected the boundaries. No way was she walking in on him.
Instead, she offered, “Be careful. I’ll go warm up some milk.”
Ethan leaned against the bathroom doorway, the harsh light behind him casting his figure in a golden halo.
Grace put on a smile. “Everything okay?”
He didn’t answer and stepped inside without a word.
Down in the kitchen, Grace had just filled a mug with milk when a voice suddenly made her jump.
“Who’s there?” she asked, turning around to find Susie Gaskin, the housekeeper, watching her with open curiosity. Then, Susie’s eyes brightened. “Ms. Lambert?”
Grace blinked in surprise. Since when did the housekeeper of Palm Bay know her?
“Yeah, I didn’t think you’d recognize me.”
Susie’s expression softened. “How could I forget? But it’s been forever since you were here. I was starting to think you weren’t coming back.”
Grace froze, her mouth slightly agape in shock. Had she been here before? Susie must have confused her with someone else, but Grace didn’t feel like correcting her.
The microwave beeped. Grace picked up the mug of warm milk and began making her way upstairs.
Just then, Susie spoke up. “Mr. Henderson’s not much for conversation, but he really does care about you, Ms. Lambert. Don’t be upset with him.”
Grace felt awkward, more certain than ever that Susie had mistaken her for someone else. The person who had been here before was likely Eleanor.
She simply nodded. “Right.”