Now or Never

Derrick. Josh was not one to back down from a fight.
    “You need to mind your own fucking business,” Josh spat his icy blue eyes wild.
    “I think you need to leave asshole. Gray has made it painfully obvious she doesn’t want you here.”
    “Gray? He calls you fucking Gray?” Josh turned to look at Grayson. “You’re fucking this asshole? You moved on quickly didn’t you? I knew it! I knew you were nothing more than a fucking slut.”
    “You need to go,” Grayson glared at him and moved a step closer to Derrick.
    “You heard her.”
    Josh let out a primal growl and lunged forward dropping his shoulder before he barreled into Derrick’s midsection knocking him to the ground. What happened next was a blur of arms flying and the two of them rolling on the ground. Eventually, Derrick sprung to his feet, and Josh stumbled to stand. Derrick’s lip looked swollen and Josh had blood pouring out of his nose.
    Grayson stood watching in shock as they stalked each other in a circle. She should stop it, but part of her was enjoying seeing Josh getting some of his own medicine. She knew Derrick could hold his own, and then some. Two violent men—one wanted to hurt her and the other wanted to protect her.
    Josh’s fist came forward in a wild roundhouse punch which Derrick easily ducked.
    “You’re fucking pathetic,” Derrick said in a low voice.
    That just pissed off Josh even more. “I’m going to kill you,” He growled, his face was contoured in rage.
    Derrick laughed.
    Josh advanced again and Derrick grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him forward slamming his knee into his sternum twice and then released him. Josh staggered backwards, and dropped to his knees gasping for air.
    Grayson covered her mouth. “Enough,” she screamed.
    Derrick looked over at her and stepped back.
    Josh was still kneeling on the ground his head bent. When he looked up, Grayson’s eyes widened. He was a mess. His face was swollen his nose was clearly broken, and he was having trouble breathing.
    “Derrick, maybe you should go.”
    “Not a chance. I’m not leaving here until he’s gone.” Derrick’s chest heaved up and down. His green eyes met hers, and he winked. Grayson had to hide her smile. One small movement from Derrick in a horrible situation calmed her.
    Grayson walked over to Josh and knelt down next to him. “Please leave, Joshua. We’re done, and you need to get on with your life. You should probably go to the hospital.”
    “Fuck you,” he snapped and tried to stand, but fell forward. “You were my life you bitch.” Tears glistened in his eyes.
    “I’ll get you some ice,” Grace stood up and brushed off her pants.
    “I don’t want your ice or anything else from you. I don’t know why I wasted my time on you.” He wiped blood off his face with the back of his sleeve. “You can go to hell for all I care. Both of you go to fucking hell!”
    Josh spit blood onto the grass. “She’s a good fuck isn’t she? She’s got that sweet, tight pussy, and she’s always ready to go.”
    Grace looked over at Derrick to see his reaction. His face was still. “Your loss is my gain. Now get your ass out of here before I call the cops.”
    Josh was able to get to his feet this time and stumbled to his car without looking back. The door was still open, and he fell into the seat and leaned his head on the steering wheel. He sat like that for at least ten minutes, before he shut the door and drove off. Grayson hoped it was the last time she would see him.
    What a disaster.
    When the car was out of site Grayson threw her arms around Derrick. “I’m sorry you had to get involved, but I am so glad you were here with me.”
    He brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I despise guys like that. Only a coward would lay a hand on a woman.”
    She hated how vulnerable she felt, and she knew Derrick could see through her facade.
    Leaning down he brushed his lips across her forehead. “You don’t deserve that.” He whispered and smoothed down her hair before his lips found hers. His kiss was soft and tender she could feel the tension leaving her body. When he winced Grayson pulled away and grabbed his hand. “Let’s get you some ice. Your poor lip is swollen as hell.”
    “You should have seen the other guy.” Derrick gave her a crooked grin that made her heart skip a few beats.

>CHAPTER 20

    Six days had passed since she heard from Derrick. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she missed him—a