Grimm Protector (Book 2) The Grimm Dragons Series

Chapter Twelve-Coralee

Hello, Lovelies, 

I hope everyone is safe and well.  I am trying to get back on schedule.  So, I am getting this book caught up first.  I hope everyone is enjoying it so far.  Thank you so much for your patience.  

-XXXX Amanda 

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I twisted my hands in front of me as I waited for Alpha to return to the room, my thoughts moving through my mind jumping from one thing to the next. My mother had left me money and Mark Bishop was the key to that money. A frown crossed my brow. I would have enough money to leave Ozland. Would I really want to do that?

I closed my eyes trying to stop all of the thoughts going through my mind. Alpha's face floated through my mind, causing my heart to clench. He was the first person who had helped me since my mother died. He was the first person who had risked my father's wrath to protect me. Because of that, I was torn between wanting to escape a town where I had known nothing but pain and staying with the only people who made me feel safe.

Family...The word was something that had once brought me pain but here among men and women most would be frightened of, I found safety.

"Coralee?" Alpha's voice washed over me, calming the anxiety in an instant.

I raised my head to look at him. His blue eyes flashed with concern.

"I didn't realize you had come in," I said, softly.

A crooked grin moved over his face, causing my heart to race. "Yeah...You looked like you were deep in thought. I guess finding out you're an heiress is a lot to take in."

"And that my fears were confirmed about my father wanting to kill me." I sighed heavily, wishing that I had a father who actually loved me...Who actually cared.

He nodded, his eyes shadowing. "I know how it feels to have a parent harm you. I wonder if my mother wanted to kill me that day." He stepped forward before lowering to the bed beside me. "But no matter how much I wonder that now, I have these people who are like family to me and I know they have my back. It makes it better to know that I'm not alone. I want you to know you aren't alone, Coralee. I'm here to help you and everyone else in this building is here to help you. You aren't alone. Not anymore."

I gave him a smile, my eyes shining with tears. "I-I know. It's because of that, I'm not sure if I can leave. I-I really need to have all of you."

His eyes widened as he blew out a breath. I raised my brow because for a moment it seemed he was relieved. He flashed me a brilliant smile.

"As long as you want to stay here, we'll keep you safe." He grabbed my hand, squeezing it. "I promise. Any one of us will give our lives to protect you."

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, his lips on my skin reminding me of another kiss before he stood. He bit his bottom lip.

"I think you should know, your father will eventually know you are here. Remember, you'll have to say you want to be here." He shifted on his feet. "John called Mark Bishop. He'll be here tonight to meet with you. He's relieved you're away from Jonathon Nichols."

I straightened. "If my father knows he's coming to Ozland, he'll hurt him."

"I wouldn't worry about that. You haven't really met him yet but Beast is on his way there. No one messes with him. I promise he'll be okay."

I nodded surprised at how much I trusted him...Trusted this club. I could only hope that trust was enough to protect them all.

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It was eleven o'clock before Mark Bishop arrived in John's office. He was a handsome man in his fourties with wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes. Behind him was a man tall enough he had to duck through the doorway with long dark hair and bright eyes. I would have been frightened of him if he didn't give me a gentle smile.

"You're Coralee, right?" He asked, nodding toward me.

"I-I am."

His smile widened. "I'm Beast. I hope you get to meet my ol' lady soon. She would love you."

"Abby's great," Alpha said, leaning up from the wall he had been leaning against and faced Mr. Bishop. "I know you've met Beast and you've talked to John. I'm Alpha."

"Mark...Please call me Mark," Mark said as he reached out his hand and shook Alpha's. "You're the man who rescued Coralee. Thank you so much for that."

"No thanks need." Alpha's eyes met mine as Mark turned to me.

He inhaled sharply. "You look so much like your mother." His eyes misted as he gazed at me.

I swallowed as I stood from the chair in front of John's desk and reached my hand forward. Mark's eyes watered more as he took my hand in his.

"It's nice to meet you, Coralee," he smiled, softly. He pulled his hand from mine, hesitantly.

John motioned toward the chair for Mark to sit next to me. I lowered into the chair, angling toward Mark.

"You've explained to me about Coralee's inheritance. She'll have a good life with that amount of money. The problem is Jonathon Nichols. He plans to kill her as soon as she signs over that money to him. Is there a way to protect her...Legally."

Mark raised his chin. "Jonathon doesn't know but there was an amendment to the will. It basically states that Coralee can not sign over her inheritance to anyone. If she passes away, it does not go to her Jonathon. It will be dispersed through the rest of the family."

John smiled as he glanced at me. "I see your mother was a smart woman. She did everything she could to protect you against your father."

Mark straightened as he turned toward me, his blue eyes wide. "That's another thing. Jonathon Nichols is not your father."

I frowned, trying to adjust to the relief flowing through my body. Alpha stepped forward.

"Who is?" Alpha asked.

Mark's watery gaze met mine. "I am."

My heart galloped in my chest as a tear fell down my cheek. My mind twisted around relief but still, I wondered why he had left me alone with a monster.