Grimm Protector (Book 2) The Grimm Dragons Series

Chapter Eight-Coralee

Hello, Lovelies, 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!  Thank you so much for reading Grimm Retribution!  It means so much that you take time out of your life to read my stories.  I hope you truly enjoy the stories I write.  

I adore all of you.  

-XXXX Amanda 

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The party was loud...But I was used to loud. My brain was always this loud, coming up with ways to survive. I glanced toward the door, expecting my father or step-sisters to burst in at any moment.

"Coralee." Leah's voice broke through my panic. "No one knows you're here. I promise. This will be the last time your step-bitches step through the door of our clubhouse."

"But they will eventually know I'm here and they'll come to take me back. They'll hurt all of you in the process." I lowered my head in my hands, miserable because my existence was going to hurt people who had done nothing but help me.

Leah's laughter caused me to raise my head. I frowned, wondering if she had gone mad as she gripped her stomach. I glanced at Damara who was fighting back a smile.

"Little girl, you don't know us very well," Leah hiccupped through her laughter. She waved her hand a few times in front of her, taking a deep breath before gazing into my eyes. "We are family here. Once you stepped through that door and we took you in, you became part of that family. I see you want to run. I just didn't realize it was to protect us. We don't need for you to worry, darlin'."

"But I am worried." I glanced at the door again.

Leah shook her head. She reached up and caressed my cheek like my mother had so many years before. "Don't be." She grinned. "We can take your bitchy ass step-sisters. We can take your dad and have on multiple occasions. We can even take your cunt of a step-mother. They won't break us. I promise. You stay here and don't let anyone take away the one thing you really needed in life...A family that will actually fight for you, love you and back your ass up with violence if need be. Don't run from that."

"Why would you and your family want to help me?" I asked, years of abuse creating suspicion.

"Because beneath all the grit, blood and oil, we're good people." Leah glanced at Damara, who nodded.

"You think I can fit in with you?" I asked, shifting as I glanced down at myself. "You are all so tough. I-I'm weak."

Leah shook her head. "That's not what I see. I see someone who survived. You're stronger than you think. You've fought to get here. We're going to teach you to fight in a different way."

I nodded, closing my eyes, hoping she was right because the one thing I wanted more than anything was freedom but that second thing I wanted was a family who actually gave a damn about me.

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A knock at the door, caused me to jump. Leah and Damara glanced toward the door, staying perfectly still.

The key turned in the door and they relaxed as Alpha stepped in with a man who was just as handsome as he was but there was something in his eyes made me shiver. A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes walked in behind them.

"Hi, momma." She smiled at Leah before her crooked grin landed on Damara. Affection shined within her gaze. "I should have known Alpha would have you here to meet her first."

Alpha closed the door behind them before turning to me. "Coralee, this is Alison, Leah and John's daughter." He waved absently toward the blonde and then, pointed at the man. "This is Psycho."

My eyes widened at the man's name. It fit him perfectly. There was an aura of insanity that blanketed him, reminding me of a caged bear. Alison brushed by him as his eyes followed her, that aura dissipating for a moment before returning again.

"I-It's nice to meet you." I glanced between them.

"She's like a scared little rabbit," Alison said, smiling warmly. "I hope you didn't scare her."

"We didn't scare her." Damara sighed. "It's her crazy family that did that."

Alison nodded. "I heard." She turned to me and gave me a gentle smile. "Don't worry that's being taken care of."

Leah's grin widened. "You've got the sisters?"

Alpha nodded. "They are downstairs. John is sitting with them until you get there. He thought it would be best if they were questioned by a female...Before we send them on their way."

Leah stood and patted Alpha's cheeks. "Glad to see this handsome face could be used for something. I'll go find out what beans they will spill." She walked to the door and turned toward me. "Coralee, after this don't worry about being seen here. They won't be welcome back. Alison, Psycho, I think I may need your assistance."

They followed her out the door as Damara rose. "I'll be back tomorrow. I think I want to see what they find out for myself."

"Thanks for coming to keep her company." Alpha hugged his sisters.

"No problem." She glanced toward me. "We're friends, aren't we, Coralee?"

I nodded, trying my best not to cry. I had never really had friends. The moment I made one, my sisters would bully them until they stayed away from me.

"Yes...We're friends." I swallowed over the lump in my throat.

She smiled as Alpha led her out the door, locking it behind her. He turned to me, his blue eyes moving over my face.

"What happened with Riley and Eve?" I asked, still afraid they would burst through the door any moment.

Alpha grinned and moved toward me. "They are very drunk and telling their life stories."

I frowned. Even at their drunkest, they were careful. "That's not like them."

"They've never had our truth syrum." His eyes flashed with amusement. "That shit will make even the toughest of us spill their guts."

I raised my eyebrows, wondering if it had ever been administered to him. He moved in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Just trust me, darlin'," he said, his gaze roaming my face, causing my heart to pick up speed, "You're safe here."

Leah's words came back to me. I nodded. I was going to stay and maybe this family could be what I had always missed. Maybe they could protect me but even if they couldn't I knew they would try. That was more than anyone besides my mother had ever done for me. That would have to be enough...At least for now.

I gave Alpha a small smile. Absently, I wondered what role he would play towards me in this new family.