Chapter 24: Taken

Grace pulled back from Jean hugging her once more with relief, "I can't thank you and your friends enough."

"That's what they do." Jean was overjoyed with the news that the charges were being dropped. "They help those who need it."

"And you took me into your home…Jean you've done so much for me."

Jean rubbed her arm, "It was a pleasure having you here."

"Ms. Cabrea said that the police are releasing the house and the she's even going to process his will for me. I can't believe it will all be mine."

"You can start over Grace."

Grace nodded as tears sprang to her eyes, "I want to sell the house. It wasn't…there aren't any happy memories there. I just want something small. Maybe I'll go back to school."

"That's a wonderful idea. You're more than welcome to stay here until you find something else. There's no rush."

"I appreciate it. I think I need to go back there though…just to pack up my things. Well the stuff that I want to keep anyways. Maybe get closure."

"Would you like some company?"

"No you have plans with your husband. I'll be fine. I think I need to do this alone. I was never able to stand up to him when he was alive but now is better than never right."

Jean understood and she and Josef had made plans before the wonderful news came in. He had made plans for them to go to the theatre to see a play. "I'll keep my phone on vibrate if you need anything."

"Don't worry about me. It'll only take an hour or so I don't really have much there, nothing worth keeping really. I left before with 2 suitcases. I'll be back in the guest house before you get back from your date."

Neither said anything more for a moment just enjoyed the view out the window. Grace was the first to speak again, "Your husband…he really loves you. He's really powerful, like he could take someone down with one look but when he's around you…the way he looks at you. That's what I want, that look."

Jean felt her emotions pull. She was touched that Grace could see their love so clearly but knowing she'd yet to experience it broke her heart. "You'll find it Grace. You just have to find that person who is your match."

"Never settle for less," Josef added as he came out of nowhere. Grace sucked in a breath and Josef smiled, "Sorry to startle you lovely ladies I was just coming to see if we were still on for tonight or should I reschedule."

Jean leaned into Josef's embrace and kissed him softly, "We're still on. We were just talking about the good news. The charges were dropped today."

"Candice called and informed me," Josef grinned. "I was happy to hear it."

Grace steps forward again, "Thank you again for everything you have done for me. I can't begin to repay you for your kindness."

"No need," he looks at Jean and then steps back. "I'll leave you two alone I have a few phone calls to make before we leave."

Josef disappeared as he had appeared and Grace shook her head, "Okay you should go and get ready for your date."

"I'll come see how things went when I get home."

"Can't it wait until tomorrow. I don't want to interrupt your date night."

Jean understood, "Tomorrow morning we'll talk."

Grace had the guard, Kyle, whom Mr. Kostan had assigned to her drop her off in front of the house. She had managed to convince him to wait outside in the SUV. He had been given special orders to respect her wishes and so he did advising if she needed anything to call out to him.

She made her way inside cautiously. This had never been her home. Never a safe place. Nolan had bought the place once he found her in LA. After he'd put her in the hospital and played concerned husband he'd brought her here. He warned her not to do anything stupid like try to leave again or things would get far worse.

At first things had seemed to improve. He hadn't touched her and things started to feel better. Until she was healed that is. Once she had healed he had wasted no time in forcing himself on her each and every night. He never cared for her comfort just on getting what he needed to get off. He was so rough sometimes she couldn't help but cry even though she knew that made him angry.

Shaking off her feelings she made her way up the stairs towards their bedroom. She had to get her things and get out of there. This had never been a safe place and the moonlight shinning through the large windows didn't help her nerves. Nolan was dead. He couldn't hurt her anymore but still that sense of unease she always got when he was near. That sense that at any moment he could turn violent and beat or rape her was still tingling through every fiber of her body. It must be the house, she thought to herself as she gathered her luggage from the back of the closet and started to toss her clothes inside.

After taking her bags to the door Grace headed to the kitchen to clean out the items that would spoil. She didn't want the house she'd had to keep clean for so long smelling like soured milk. She dumped the expired items into the trash and bagged it up and set it out the back door in the garbage can before heading back inside.

Grace ran her hand through her hair as she thought about cleaning out the rest of the house. She stood in front of the kitchen trying to decide if she wanted to take the time now to clean out the rest of the things or come back another day when she heard a noise behind her. Grace looked at her watch and realized she'd been inside for just over two hours, Kyle was probably checking on her.

She turned around, "Sorry to keep you—" Her words trailed off as her heart froze in her chest and her throat closed up in terror.

"Why do you always have to screw things up Grace?"

Finding her voice Grace feels the world begin to spin around her, "Nolan."

As he lunged toward her she tried to scream but his hand was over her mouth so fast she wasn't sure if any of it made it out. Her head spun as ever horrible thing he'd ever done to her flashed before her eyes. Still on top of all that she couldn't help but wonder how he was alive. Praying deep inside that this was just a nightmare and she'd wake up safe in the guest house any second. Oh God no, her last thought before it all went dark.

To Be Continued…

Evilous