Lyon
Chapter 64

Wedding plans are coming along just fine; Colton thinks I don’t know he pulled a fast one with the planner to get out of doing anything but we’ve always known that’s the way it would go; I won that bet beating Elena out by a nose.

I won’t tell him that his boys were in on that action though. I’ve been floating around here for the past few weeks in total heaven; I’m in love with my ring it’s the most flawless thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

The cut is called empress or something like that I looked it up; I know it’s about ten carats but I have no idea neither do I want to know how much it cost. He’d had the words Lyon’s Angel forever inscribed inside; how sweet is my guy huh?

Mom has been singing a different tune lately as well, now she’s Colton’s biggest ally. Dad’s smile is a little less strained these days also. As for Colton’s family, well let’s just say they’ve all been exceptional, even Daniel who is a complete riot when he’s high.

I’ve hardly been out without Colt since that night of the whole James thing at the restaurant bar; there were a few times here and there and yes he’d gotten better about it, but I didn’t fool myself for a second that I had the all clear.

Now the girls are talking about a bachelorette party and I’m not sure how well that’s going to go over but we’ll see. Things have been really smooth between us lately and I don’t want to rock the boat. Maybe the fact that his mom will be there might make it go over easier; like I said, we’ll see.

The office is kind of quiet today, everyone’s in the shop in back because of this crazy order Grimaldi placed that has to be filled like yesterday. Colton has been cussing up a storm all morning and I thought it prudent not to tell him my old buddy was having a field day making him crazy.

He keeps calling me for updates on Colt’s frame of mind and cackling like the demented derelict he is whenever I told him he was a mean old buzzard. Who’d have thought him and I would become such good friends after our first encounter?

It’s really strange, but between him and Cyrus, I’d filled my grandpa quota. Colts grandpa was also a sweetheart but he kind of scares me a little; even though I only met him a few times and the others claim he was the nicest guy in the universe I found his hawk like visage a bit intimidating.

Grim as I fondly call Grimaldi these days was always sending me little gifts, which made Colt see red and grumble for hours. Nothing inappropriate of course for all that he loved to tease Colton every chance he got that he was going to run away with me.

I happen to know that he’s crazy about his wife of thirty-eight years; he just so loved to get a rise out of Colton and Colt was an easy mark for him too.

“Babe stop daydreaming, I have to make a run to pick up some parts we need. The guys are in the back but it’s kinda loud back there, not that I’m expecting anything to happen but keep your eyes and ears open okay.”

“Stop worrying I’ll be fine.” It’s a wonder he got anything done the way he’s always busy worrying about my safety. The truth is I haven’t thought of my experience in a long time; each day with him made the horror recede further and further away.

My days and nights are filled with only happiness; well except for the occasional spat when Colton and I got on each other’s nerves. But really, life had become something completely unexpected.

Instead of the dark stormy days of fear I’d come to envision for myself I was loved and cherished by an amazing man who is willing to move mountains to keep me safe.

His love has made all the difference; I would never have imagined my life becoming this when I made the decision to move here. Jared was still the same big brother he’s always been and now I have Colt and his family as well; life couldn’t be better.

It was almost lunchtime and I suddenly had a hankering for a turkey club with lots of mayo; maybe on sourdough bread. Usually Colton would run out and get it for me if no one else was heading out since this particular place didn’t deliver this far out, but they had the best homemade bread. I’d have to borrow one of the bikes that the guys used to run around on but I could be there and back before I was missed I’m quite sure.

I saw Cyrus coming out of the shop as I was sneaking off the lot; I raised my hand to wave but before I could do anything something hit me from behind and I went down hard but still more confused than hurt.

I heard Cyrus shouting and running as I was thrown into the back of a running vehicle, which took off in a peal of burning rubber. Now fear kicked in and my heart raced out of control as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.

I realized that somehow during the melee when I’d been knocked to the ground whoever had taken me had tied my arms behind my back. I looked up from the backseat where I was laying and saw wild hair and a scruffy jaw.

It almost looked like that James guy but not; he looked rather rundown since the last time our paths had crossed.