Saving Grace

Chapter 7

Oswald hadn't been able to sleep, so when the sun started to peek through his curtains, he had given up and started his day much earlier than usual. After dressing, he returned Grace's knife to her, lingering at her bedside for a long moment when he did so. She slept on her back, her chest rising and falling, the shape of her breasts apparent through the thin, navy-colored fabric of her nightgown. Her face was calm, her lips slightly parted, totally relaxed. She looked even younger in her sleep. She was twenty-one, but she could have passed for eighteen.

Would she wake up if I touched her? Just a tiny caress, my thumb on her cheek? Her lips maybe?

An unbidden scenario arose in his mind. One involving waking up next to her.

If she sleeps on her back like this, all I would have to do is kiss her awake and roll on top of her…

He inhaled sharply and tried to banish the thought, but it refused to leave his brain. Sparing her one more look, he silently fled the room.

After having taken care of his baser urges in the privacy of his bathroom, he quietly went through his house. All was peaceful. He sat at the kitchen table and ate an apple. Everything was silent, except for the crunch of the fruit between his teeth. He took advantage of this time to himself and let his mind go where it wanted.

To her.

It's getting worse. I like her more every day. And after last night, my resolve is crumbling. It was all I could do not to ask her to stay with me.

He took a somewhat frustrated bite of the apple.

But no, I promised I wouldn't ask anything inappropriate of her. Only, if I make her a respectable offer, am I really confident that she'd accept?

He frowned and paused in his eating. He had never been wanted before, especially not by a beautiful woman. Could he handle her rejection? He wasn't sure. To see her sweet face grimace at the thought of being with him would be torture. But the way she had been there for him last night, and the way she had hugged him at the very end, gave him a painful amount of hope.

But say it did work out. Say it worked out so well that we fell in love and wanted to live happily ever after. There is still the ever-present danger that someone, somewhere, will use her to get to me. And then she could end up just like Mother.

He shuddered at the thought of a knife in Grace's back. Having to watch as she, too, died because of him.

So is that it? Am I supposed to live my life alone, surrounded by wealth and power, sharing it with no one? If I have a chance at love, am I supposed to walk away from it?

Oswald chewed thoughtfully.

Could I protect her? That's what it comes down to. I failed Mother…but I wasn't prepared then.

He nibbled off the last of the apple's flesh and tossed the core into the trash.

Shani came in just then, looking perfectly put together, as usual. "Good morning, sir. You're up early."

"Good morning. Yes, I wanted to get an early start today."

She started to get a pot of coffee going. "Can I get you anything?"

"Thank you, no. I've had my breakfast. I'm going out." He stood. "You can expect me back around one, I think. Oh, but I do have a task for you."

"Yes?"

"Starting tomorrow, begin familiarizing Grace with guns. I want her to know how to shoot one with some level of competence."

She looked unsure, but she didn't argue. "Do you want me to get her one of her own?"

He shrugged. "Perhaps. When she's ready."

"Taking her out in the field, are you?"

Oswald paused, then smiled. "I'm considering it."

Patiently, Oswald waited for Jim Gordon to arrive at work. He watched the front of the precinct from the back seat of his car, twiddling his thumbs and thinking about Grace.

"Men like us are better off unencumbered." Remember those words? Remember how much sense they made? Ed was right then, and he's still right now. Grace will become your weakness. That is a guarantee.

He spotted Jim. "There he is, Gabe. Invite him over for a chat."

I'm trying so very hard to talk myself out of forming an attachment. But who am I kidding? The attachment is formed. What can I do, really?

He observed as Gabe caught up with Jim and guided him over. The detective didn't look pleased, but when did he ever?

Why shouldn't I seize the opportunity? Why shouldn't I enjoy her for however long I may have her? If she likes me, who am I to turn her away?

Jim got into the back seat with him. Oswald gave him the usual friendly look. "Good morning, Jim. How are you? How's the family?"

"What do you want, Oswald?"

He sighed. "One day, Jim Gordon, you are going to have to learn some basic manners. Here I am, bright and early, with key information regarding your current investigation, and I can't even get a 'good morning'?"

Jim looked more interested now, but no less unfriendly. "Good morning. What do you have?"

"I can tell you who kidnapped the mayor's niece." He leaned forward. "And better still, I can tell you where she is."

"Talk."

"Tsk tsk. You know how this game works by now, Jim."

"Then stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want. You're wasting time."

Oswald smirked and rolled his eyes. "There's plenty of time. Miss Cassandra Jansen is in no danger, I assure you. She's eloped."

"Eloped?"

"Yes. Run off to be married. In Metropolis of all places, to a Mr. Phillip Kane. She has no idea the trouble she's caused. It's Phillip's older brother, Edmund, who's making all of this noise about ransoming her."

"We'll check it out. Now tell me what you want."

Oswald pulled out a manila envelope and handed it to him. "This is all the evidence you'll need to clear my name of that ridiculous diamond heist. I'd like to be above suspicion for once."

"Fine."

Always a man of few words.

"A pleasure doing business with you, as always. Have a nice day. Oh, and do say hello to Lee for me."

Jim only continued to look irritable as he exited the car, but Oswald shrugged it off.

"Drive uptown, Gabe."

He finished his business a little after eleven o'clock, and then headed home. His mind had been buzzing through pros and cons all morning, and it was still going strong as he walked through the front door.

Loving her aside, protecting her aside, do I really want to go my whole life having never been with a woman? Who ever heard of a virgin crime boss?

He stopped in his tracks when he entered the kitchen. Grace stood at the sink with her back to him. She was wearing a pink camisole and a pair of cut-off shorts, and her feet were bare.

Yes. God, yes. I do want to be with a woman, and I want it to be her.

As she washed the dish she had in her hand, she hummed a tune Oswald couldn't identify off the top of his head. When she turned around, he noticed with some amusement that she had a sucker in her mouth.

She pulled it out when she saw him. "Oh my gosh. Boss! I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd be home this early."

Is she blushing?

"I'll run up and change into something nicer."

She was about to take off, but he stopped her. "Oh, no no. There's no need. Business wrapped up more quickly than I expected, but…you still have until one o'clock. Please, carry on with…whatever you were doing."

She smiled and picked up the dish again. "I, uh, I was just having an early lunch." She put it in the cabinet, standing on her tiptoes to reach the shelf. "I'm not sure what I'll do now. I'm not really used to a lot of time off."

"What have you done so far?"

She shrugged. "Laze around, mostly. Watched a little TV. And I ate a lot of candy." She popped the sucker back into her mouth.

He smiled. "Sounds lovely."

"Yeah, it's been pretty relaxing. It was really nice of you to give me the morning off like that."

"It was the least I could do." There was a somewhat tense pause. "In fact, regarding my new club opening next week…"

"Mm!" She popped the sucker out again and pointed it at him. "Before I forget, someone called and left a message. He said his name was Sergio, and to tell you that it's taken care of. He didn't say what."

"Oh, yes, thank you. I know what he's talking about. That's good news…Anyway, the new club. It's come to my attention that I am without a plus-one. And, as the owner, I think I should have one, don't you?"

She froze, looking unsure.

She's blushing again. Is that good or bad?

"…Are you…wanting me to find you a plus-one? Because…I'm not sure I know where to find one."

He almost laughed. "Ah, no. I'm…I'm asking you."

"As your…assistant?"

"Date…" Her uncertain reaction was making him nervous. "Unless that makes you uncomfortable, or—"

"Oh, no no. No, I'd love to be your date."

He almost couldn't believe it. "Wonderful. I…I'll make the arrangements."

She grinned. "Imagine me, walking in with the owner. All the other girls will be jealous."

Girls jealous over me? Now there's an absurd thought.

"I don't…know about that. But it should prove to be an exciting night." He smiled. "I'm glad I'll be escorting you."

"Me too."

I hope to God I know what I'm doing.