Grimm Protector (Book 2) The Grimm Dragons Series

Chapter Twenty-Two-Coralee

Hello, Lovelies,

I hope everyone is happy and safe.  I'm so sorry this has taken much longer than I anticipated.  For those who do not know, I was in a serious accident.  It took a while to get to the point where I could write.  Unfortunately, during that, I was exposed to Covid.  So, a lot happened.  I am okay though still healing.  I will have a wicked scar across my knee but otherwise, I'll be great.  

I want to thank you for your patience.  My readers are awesome!  I hope you enjoy this chapter.  

-XXXX Amanda 

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Alpha nodded toward Mariah and a man with dark hair and beard. He stood with his arms crossed causing the material to stretch across his muscles. He had an odd air of someone who could be both kind and dangerous. I glanced at Alpha realizing the same could be said of him.

Mariah smiled, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. "It's good to see you again, Coralee. I thought you might need some estrogen in this testosterone-fueled clubhouse."

I grinned. "Maybe a little."

Mariah's blue eyes moved to Alpha. "Glad to see you got tired of bed-hopping. I heard she's your ol' lady."

Alpha pulled me close. "She is."

"There are going to be tears shed over that." Lightning shook his head. "I'll be happy to comfort the grieving."

Mariah shook her head. "First, let's get you out of here. Somewhere safe." She winked at me. "Besides, I want to gossip with your girl."

"The van is ready," Bobby said shaking his head. As soon as the test results come in, we'll come to get you. We'll have the media ready so Nichols won't have a claim on you or your inheritance."

I swallowed. "It doesn't feel like it's enough. I want to expose him for everything. I want him to pay for killing my mother."

Bobby smiled but it was cold and hard. "Don't worry, doll. He will."

Something in his eyes told me he was telling the truth but somehow, I knew that Bobby wasn't talking about prison. I nodded once realizing that Jonathon's death didn't bother me as much as it had before.

Bobby patted my shoulder. "Stay safe." He glanced at Alpha before handing him a cellphone. "It's a burner but I'll be in touch. The number I will be calling from is already programmed."

"Thank you for helping me," I said as Bobby smirked.

"Coralee, don't think I don't get something out of this," He shrugged, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I nodded once as Alpha tugged my hand. I gave a final wave before walking away.

**********

The ride away from the clubhouse of The Chained Gods was tense. Somewhere along the way, I had fallen asleep against Alpha's shoulder. I woke to Alpha's whispered voice.

"I guess no one ever expected me to fall for anyone," he said. A hint of anger and shame coated his voice. "But John will have to find someone else to convince the ladies to talk."

"I'm sure that the other men will be jumping to take your place," Mariah laughed. I could feel her eyes on me. "I want you to know, I like her. She's stronger than she looks. She would have to be living with the abuse of Nichols. He should be flayed alive."

Alpha gasped as if shocked. "Ah...Mariah, I thought you were against violence."

"No. I'm against unnecessary violence," She sighed. "Nichols has earned every bit of pain anyone can give him. The man has no heart."

"No, he doesn't," Alpha said, "I can't imagine the pain she's been through. I'm sure there are things she hasn't told me."

"Some advice," Mariah whispered, "Let her tell you when she's ready. Don't push her. Be there for her when she does tell you."

He chuckled. "You don't have to worry about that."

"Alpha, you need to wake your ol' lady," Lightning said. "We're almost there but the road is a bit bumpy from here."

"Angel," Alpha whispered but as soon as he spoke the van rocked violently to the side.

"Get down!" Lightning screamed as Alpha threw himself over me, protecting me with his body.

The van stopped as the sounds of gunfire broke out around the car as Alpha pulled away from me enough to look into my eyes. "When I open the door run into the trees, I'll find you."

"N-No," I whispered, terrified of leaving him.

"Coralee, I will find you but I can't fight whoever this is with you here," he said, his voice shaking. "It will put us all in danger."

Through my fear, I realized he was right. I would have to run and hide if there was any way of saving us all.

"Mariah, you and Mark too," Lightning said as he tossed Alpha a gun over the seat. "There are five of them from what I could see. They took out the tires so it seems like they are after something or someone in here. We can take them out."

Mariah nodded as she moved closer to me. "I'll stay close to her, Alpha."

Mariah surprised me when she picked up the gun as if she were born with one in her hand. Alpha nodded. "Keep them safe."

"No problem." Mariah glanced toward me, "Keep up and keep low."

Alpha threw open the door and almost pushed me out. Mariah moved out of the van stepping in front of me while my father trailed behind. We were crouched by the van as shouts sounded from somewhere on the trail in front of us.

A man stepped out, his gun raised toward the van. "Run to those trees while his attention is on the van," Mariah said, pointing toward a line of trees leading to a large patch of forest less than three front from us.

Mariah moved first, sliding behind the tree soundlessly. I took a deep breath and followed, with my father close behind me. I found Mariah easily as she gazed through the trees her brows furrowing.

We need to get further back. As we walked through the trees, the pop of a gun sounded behind me, causing me to jump. I turned toward it terrified that Alpha or his brothers had been hurt. I turned without thinking and ran back toward them.

I was almost to the tree line when someone grabbed me from behind pulling me backwards through rows and rows of trees. I kicked so hard fighting against him until I lost my shoe.

I could hear the gunfire still echoing through the air. "You must be Coralee...What a little prize you are."

I fought scratching at his hands around my waist, slamming my head back, hitting him in the jaw, causing him to release me. The gunshots had stopped and I could hear Alpha shouting my name as I scrambled away from the man. He grabbed me by the hair, pushing me on the ground. I turned on my back and stared down the barrel of a gun. A shiver ran down my spine as I realized my time was up. With one twitch of his finger, I was going to die.