Amazing Grace (The American Soldier Collection 3)

He restrained them by using rope or handcuffs. It seemed like he victimized them in one location then dumped their bodies somewhere else. He had a place he liked to perform his acts and Sandman felt it needed to be nearby. Perhaps he had more than one place considering he had killed in other states.

“Going over the pictures again?” Big Jay asked as he sat down by the island in the kitchen.

Sandman ran his fingers through his hair as Duke walked in next.

“I can’t look at these anymore. You know what I see?” he asked as he turned the laptop toward Duke and Big Jay. They both looked at the collage of pictures. He watched Big Jay’s eyes widen then darken in anger.

“Grace?”

“Exactly. They look very similar to Grace. They’re professional, too, just like she is,” Sandman added.

“Shit.” Big Jay stood up and paced the room. “She could be the main victim he’s after, Sandman. He’ll want to find her and have her.”

“I still believe there is a connection to the affordable housing. That information Jim sent us from Donald has clues in it. Could this guy who harassed the builders and Donald be the same person who is killing these women?” Duke asked.

“That’s what we need to find out. I asked Jim and Teddy to check out the members of the fundraising committee associated with Reyas Developing. Maybe that will give us some insight.”

* * * *

Grace lay sleeping, tossing and turning as the day’s events replayed in her mind. She was frantic and running for her life as the killer began chasing her.

In her dreams she saw him, without a face, but he was mocking her, calling her names as he held her sister Clara by the throat.

Grace was calling out her sister’s name as she watched the killer stab Clara multiple times. She watched, unable to move a muscle as the killer plunged the knife into Clara’s body. He turned to look at Grace. “You’re next.”

Grace was screaming, kicking, and punching as the killer attacked her in her dreams. She couldn’t get away from him. He was too strong.

* * * *

From the other room Sandman could hear Grace’s screams and rushed into her room, gun drawn and ready.

His brothers were on his heels as they infiltrated the bedroom, too.

He was in soldier mode as he scanned the area, zeroed in on a half-dressed Grace tossing and turning on the bed. Big Jay and Duke checked the windows and the bathroom then joined Sandman by the bed. Sandman knew she was having a nightmare as Grace continued to toss and turn, kicking and fighting in her sleep while moaning. The blankets were all over the floor and Grace was wearing a tight V-neck T-shirt and short pink shorts that more closely resembled underwear.

Sandman put down his gun and sat on the bed next to her. She was hysterically crying now, calling out her sister Clara’s name. His heart pounded in his chest and he felt the tightness. It shocked him to care like this and feel so much for a complete stranger. He looked at his brothers, the scowls on their faces as they stood at the edge of the bed watching.

“Grace…Grace, wake up. It’s okay. It’s just a dream.” Sandman spoke to her softly. It took a few attempts, but then she finally opened her eyes. Startled, she sat up in bed, put her hands over her face, and continued to cry. Sandman pulled her into his arms.

She was trembling and sobbing. She had been so strong all week. Even after the reminders of Clara’s murder on TV and the blast in Donald’s office, she had remained strong and composed. He had taken her away from her family, her home, and didn’t even tell her where she was going. He felt terrible for her as he held her tight and whispered softly against her ear and neck.

* * * *

Grace pulled away suddenly realizing she was wearing hardly any clothes and had lost it, emotionally, in front of Sandman.

She tried to get up but he held her still.

“It’s okay, Grace. You’ve been through a great ordeal. Don’t be afraid to let it out.”

Grace held on to his forearms, as she stared at his bare muscular chest.

He sat there so close to her wearing only boxer shorts, with his well-toned, muscular legs showing. He was masculine and rugged looking with a light shadow of a beard.

He locked gazes with her and she shyly turned away, afraid of the arousal and the attraction she felt, only to notice the two large figures, standing at the bottom of the bed. She gasped at the sight. Big Jay and Duke were there as well. They wore only dark boxers and each held a gun in their hands.

“Are you okay, darling?” Big Jay asked while his eyes roamed over her body. She felt her nipples pebble and her pussy clench from their stares. Closing her legs tighter as she knelt on the bed, she began to move to the side and get up. Sandman stopped her.

“Don’t pull away,” he whispered then placed his hand over her waist to the other side of her hip. Slowly she lowered back down