Claiming Grace (2017)

## Series

Ace Security, Book 1

Originally published on March 14, 2017

## Official Blurb

> For Logan Anderson, moving on from a traumatic past means moving back to his hometown of Castle Rock, Colorado, to start a personal-security business with his brothers. But it’s not long before Logan runs into Grace Mason, his best friend from high school…and the woman who never answered his letters during his Army years.
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> Grace was pleasantly surprised to see Logan return to Castle Rock, despite their falling-out ten years ago. Everyone always assumed they would end up together, including Grace, who had eyes only for him. But as Logan eventually escaped their town, Grace got pulled further into her family’s controlling grasp—and farther away from the man she loved.
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> Now, united by scars both visible and not, the two must fight to free Grace from the suffocating hold of her family. But the Masons won’t let go easily—and they’ll do whatever it takes to keep the couple apart.
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## Characters

### Main Character(s)

* Logan Anderson
* Grace Mason

### All Characters (in order of appearance)

* Logan Anderson
* Blake Anderson
* Nathan Anderson
* Ace Anderson (Logan's father, deceased)
* Rose Anderson (Logan's mother, deceased)
* Cole Johnson
* Grace Mason
* Felicity Jones
* Margaret Mason (Grace's mother)
* Walter Mason (Grace's father)
* Bradford Grant
* Josh (gym employee)
* James (the Masons' employee)
* Betty Grant (Brad's mother)
* Brian Grant (Brad's father)
* Alexis Grant (Brad's sister)
* Donovan

## Synopsis

### Prologue

The Anderson triplets stand around their father's coffin. Their mother killed their father in a brutal murder-suicide. Throughout their lives, their mother was abusive to them and their father. Logan realizes that their father didn't tell the three of them how bad their mother's abuse had gotten because he was likely embarrassed and had little support options for men's abuse survivors. Logan proposes that since their mother is gone, they can return to their hometown and create a security company to serve people who need help leaving abusive situations. They decide to name it Ace Security, after their father.

### Chapter 1

Six months later, Logan chats with his friend Cole at his business, Rock Hard Gym. Cole asks Logan what happened between he and Grace. Logan brushes him off, making the excuse that they grew up. Meanwhile, Grace arrives at her parents' office before her coworkers. She signs into her computer, which is monitored by her parents, but then pulls out a secret phone they don't know about. She thinks back to the ways her parents have kept her under their thumb over the years, and how she feels imprisoned by them. Grace considers Logan, who she still longs for, but who clearly is not interested in her.

### Chapter 2

Grace and Felicity eat lunch at Subway. Grace asks about Logan, and Felicity informs her friend that Cole tried speaking with Logan about Grace earlier that day, but that Logan shut him down. Grace reflects on the day Logan left for the Army, and how they agreed they would pursue a relationship between them, but Grace never received communication from Logan again. Felicity invites Grace to a blacklight party at the gym that weekend. Grace admits that her mother invited Bradford, an architect at their company, over for dinner that night. Her mother was trying to set the two of them up, but neither was interested. Grace diplomatically says she'll consider coming to the party on Saturday.

### Chapter 3

Logan and Blake discuss the latter's interest in learning more about their mother's motivations. Logan is uninterested in revisiting the past, whereas Blake wants to solve the mystery. Logan asks Blake if he's going to attend the blacklight party at the gym that weekend, and that it would be a good place to hand out business cards. They both consider Nathan's introverted nature, and how unlikely they are to drag him along to the party. Logan leaves Ace Security thinking of Grace. When he returned to town, he noticed that she seemed to be going through the motions of her life but not really enjoying it. He was still attracted to her, and was impressed that Cole and Felicity were so close with her, as neither trusted easily.

### Chapter 4

Grace eats dinner with her parents and Bradford. Her parents continually praise Brad's ambition while criticizing Grace's perceived lack thereof. They leave Grace and Brad together, who admit to each other that they aren't physically attracted to one another. Grace apologizes for her parents and warns Brad that they are both determined to see Grace and Brad together. Brad reassures her that they'll come around, and leaves. When Grace walks back in the house, her parents berate her for not spending more time with Brad. Her mother warns that Grace will marry Brad. She continues to lecture Grace about watching her weight, being friends with Felicity, and helping to take care of her parents. Grace retreats to her bedroom, thinking of how much her parents have controlled her.

### Chapter 5

It's Saturday, and Grace is at work. Her mother insisted that Grace "show some initiative" and work over the weekend. Grace texts Felicity about their plans later that night. Hearing a loud engine, Grace heads to the window and watches as Logan gets off his motorcycle and walks into Ace Security. She reflects on their past, and decides that if Logan attended the party that night, she would confront him about why he never wrote to her.

### Chapter 6

Logan is at the gym's blacklight party, drinking a Lone Star beer. Nathan had come with Blake, and Cole and Felicity had outdone themselves with the ambiance. Logan is acutely aware of Grace on the other side of the gym, looking casual and "approachable." Cole approaches Logan and encourages him to talk to Grace. Logan chastises Cole for bringing her up, but Cole doubles down, telling Logan about Grace's controlling parents and the emotional abuse she's endured over the years. Logan scoffs at this, claiming that emotional abuse isn't real. Cole shows his displeasure at Logan's words, warning him that if he really believes that, he needs to stay away from Grace. As Cole walks across the gym to Grace and greets her, Logan considers Cole's words, and decides to pursue Grace.

### Chapter 7

Grace stands next to Felicity, worried that her parents will discover she snuck out. She's also aware of Logan's presence, as he has made no secret of keeping an eye on her all night. When talk turns to the blacklight party, Grace suggests numerous ideas for promoting them and making them even bigger. Felicity asks if Grace heard back from her college application to study marketing, and Grace confirms her acceptance.

Cole appears, greeting Grace and asking Felicity if they can speak for a moment. Distracted by her friends walking away, Grace doesn't realize Logan has come up behind her. They awkwardly say hello, then Logan asks if they can speak in private. As he leads her to Cole's office, Grace remembers the last time they touched: at a high school football game.

### Chapter 8

As Logan leads Grace to Cole's office, he remembers the last time they touched: at a high school football game. It was then he realized he had feelings for Grace. Sitting her on the couch, Logan begins the conversation by stating that he doesn't want things to be "uncomfortable" between them. They both confirm that they liked each other in high school.

Logan admits that he was upset when she didn't respond to any of his letters, but came to understand that she had focused on a life in town. Grace tells Logan he didn't write, but he insists that he did, frequently, for nearly a year. He said that Grace returned each of his letters, and on the last one, had written "'I'm dating someone. Leave me alone,' on the back."

Grace begins to have a panic attack, understanding the situation. After a few moments of Logan helping her breathe, she tells him she didn't receive any letters. She explains that she wrote letters to him, but kept them, waiting for his contact information. Eventually she figured he just wasn't interested.

They spend a few minutes considering this before Grace loses her temper. She tosses papers around Cole's office, ranting about not receiving his letters, and ends with an admission that her parents kept his letters from her. Logan is oddly relieved at this turn of events, as he realizes that he still has a chance of being with Grace. He hugs her, telling her that he thought of her encouragement often during his time in the service. Logan lets Grace know he still has the letters that were returned to him. She apologizes, telling him she thought he just wasn't interested. He admits that he still cares for her.

Grace asks for the time, and at hearing that it's 10:30 PM, she claims she needs to leave. Logan attempts to get her to stay, reminding her that she's an adult and can be out after midnight. Grace pulls away and looks around the messier room, asking Logan if he'd apologize to Cole for her. She tells Logan she'll stay for a little longer, and they return to the gym. Logan gets her a bottle of water and notices the tattoo on the back of her neck, which he says "fits her." He leans against the wall and pulls her against him, apologizing for waiting so long to speak with her. She accepts part of the blame. Logan expresses interest in dating Grace and asks her out. She accepts, but when he suggests leaving and getting something to eat right then, Grace remembers where she is and backs away from him. She tells him she's not sure if things will work out between them. Logan asks her what she's "afraid of," to which she denies being afraid. He offers to drive her home but notices the signs of an impending panic attack, and leaves Grace to find Felicity and get her to take her home. As he watches her run away, he recognizes the red flags in Grace's behavior, and vows to take care of her.

### Chapter 9

Grace sits in Felicity's car, having just changed back into her slacks, heels, and blouse. Felicity asks what's going on. When Grace informs her that Logan had written her "dozens" of times when they were younger, Felicity makes the obvious jump and assumes Grace's parents were responsible for Grace not receiving the letters. Felicity tells Grace she needs to cut off her parents, but Grace repeats what her parents have told her: that they pay her and support her, and that she needs to be around them to help them, as they're getting older. Grace admits, "I'm afraid if I don't help them when they ask, or if I quit, they'll force me to stay," and insinuates that it's not easy to say no to her parents.

Noticing Felicity's concern at her recent revelation, Grace informs her friend that Logan wants to pursue a relationship with her. Grace worries about her parents ruining his business. Felicity encourages Grace, telling her she needs to fight for control over her life. Grace agrees, admitting it's time for her "to stand up to [her] parents." She asks for Felicity's help, and claims that she is "really weak when it comes to them." Felicity argues that Grace has incredible "inner strength," and encourages her to reach out to her friends for help. Arriving back at her parents' street, Grace climbs from Felicity's car and goes to sneak back into the house.

### Chapter 10

The next day, Nathan and Blake ask Logan about Grace. They've noticed that his mind has been elsewhere in that morning's meeting. He tells them that Grace's parents kept his letters from her. Blake goes on a mini-rant about getting involved with a rich woman before Nathan asks Logan how they can help. He says he wants to get to know her again, and that he'll let them know if he needs their help. He confirms the next day's work before leaving talk to Felicity at the gym.

Felicity leads them to her office, where he immediately asks if Grace got home okay. Felicity reveals that Grace has a secret cell phone, as her parents check her regular phone. Grace worries about them reading her emails, so she set up a separate account, and keeps clothes in Felicity's place and car that her parents don't know about. Logan is shocked at this revelation, realizing that he had let his preconceived notions about her cloud over his judgment of her situation.

Felicity asks Logan if he was afraid of his mother and what "she could do to [him]." He considers this and decides that he had mostly just been relieved to be away from her. Felicity asks, "But what if you *couldn't* get away from her?" Logan, seeing where this is heading, argues that Grace's parents don't physically abuse her. Felicity agrees, but explains that Grace is constantly belittled, monitored, manipulated, and controlled by her parents. Felicity thanks Logan for pulling Grace to the point where she's willing to fight for her life. Logan asks what he can do. Felicity tells him not to "give up on her." She hints at rumors she's heard of Grace's parents coercing people in town to do their bidding. Logan scoffs at this, claiming it's not "1822." Felicity starts to warn him about hurting Grace, but he promises he won't. Logan gives Felicity a hug and tells her to call him or his brothers if she needs anything.

### Chapter 11

At breakfast, attempts to speak with her parents about her returning to school and spending more time at her apartment. Grace's mother refuses. Grace tries again, explaining that she's 28 and has her own place, and wants some privacy. Grace's father refuses. Grace's mother sighs heavily and signals her father to leave the room. Grace's mother grabs Grace's upper arm and leads her to her bedroom, telling her to sit on her bed. She then begins lecturing Grace, telling her what a disappointment she is, and how their only goal for Grace is for her to give them a grandson. Grace's father appears, handcuffing her to her bed. Grace's mother informs Grace that she will seduce Bradford, get pregnant with his son, and force him to marry her. Then Grace's parents will raise the child as their own. "I'm going to keep you chained to this bed until you realize that I can do whatever I want," Grace's mother vows. She also threatens Grace, saying if she doesn't follow suit, she's going to ruin Felicity and the gym. She then reveals that she knew Grace snuck out the night before and spent time with Logan, and confirmed that they hid his letters from her. Grace, shocked at these revelations, turns to her father for support. He reprimands her for not being a better daughter. Grace's mother rubs salt in the wound, reciting Logan's last letter to Grace, which she thinks proves that Logan hates her. With a few final parting shots, her parents leave her with her thoughts and a bucket.

### Chapter 12

On Tuesday, Felicity approaches Logan, upset that she hasn't heard from Grace. Logan guesses that the Masons did something to her, which Cole doesn't believe. Logan has a bad feeling, and capitulates to Felicity's request that he go to Grace's parents' house to check on her. Felicity tells him to dress up for the occasion and play by their high society rules to see her.

Later, Logan arrives at the Masons' house. An employee answers the door, claiming that Grace is sick. Logan pleads with the man, telling him that several of Grace's friends are worried about her. The man leads him to a room to wait as he asks Grace's mother if she can have visitors. Logan examines the room as he waits. Eventually, Grace's mother enters the room, making small talk. She tells him that Grace was sleeping and not feeling well, and had to get up and change to meet with him. Logan thanks her for allowing him to do so.

After 10 tortuous minutes, Grace finally appears, politely thanking Logan for stopping by. He leads Grace to a couch and asks her mother if she can give them some privacy. Grace's mother refuses, saying that she wants to "make sure that Grace doesn't overdo it." Logan focuses on Grace, asking her banal questions about her health. To the untrained eye she appears to be calm, cool, and collected, but Logan notices clenched hands and overactive pulse. They continue to make small talk as Grace claims her parents are taking good care of her, but Logan notices she's pushed her sleeve up slightly, revealing some red marks on her wrist. He thinks they look like rug burn. Grace politely thanks him for coming by as her mother begins to usher him out. Logan hugs her, trying to comfort her before he goes. As Grace's mother orders her to return upstairs, Logan notices tears in Grace's eyes. Grace's mother then tells him James, the man who answered the door, will see Logan out.

As soon as Logan leaves the house, he calls Nathan, telling him that Grace is in "trouble." He asks his brother to call in Cole and Felicity. Nathan tells him Blake is on his way to the office, as well.

Grace follows her father to her room, mentally planning how she'll escape from them. Her father watches her change into comfortable clothing before he chains her to the bed again.

### Chapter 13

Logan recounts the visit to his brothers, Cole, and Felicity. They brainstorm ways to get access to the house to see what Grace is really going through. Nathan and Felicity surmise that the mark on Grace's wrist must have been from a type of restraint. Logan is angry by this prospect, and Felicity asks him why he's having that kind of emotional reaction for someone he just reconnected with. Logan admits that he has strong feelings for Grace. The conversation turns to how they can get into the house to see Grace, away from her parents.

### Chapter 14

Three nights later, Grace prepares for an awkward dinner between herself, her parents, Bradford, his parents, and his younger sister, Alexis. In order to keep Grace in line, her father threatened to sabotage the Grants' car and murder them. She continues to plan how she'll escape.

Meanwhile, Logan stakes out the house, watching as the Grants arrive and enter the house. He sees Grace, who appears to be safe and healthy, but as the meal goes on, he notices that she rarely speaks or eats. She has nervous habits that are on display, as well. For two hours, he watches the awkward dinner from afar, picking up on the increasingly worried looks on the faces of the Grants. When they finally leave, Grace's parents continue to berate her. Logan watches as Grace's mother grabs her by the chin and squeezes her jaw. Logan feels immense anger at witnessing this, finally comprehending what Felicity said about emotional abuse. Grace's father shuts the curtains, and Logan leaves, ready to take action to get to Grace.

Grace thinks back on the evening. Her mother continued her attempts to push Grace and Bradford together. His family was rightfully appalled, clearly upset at the persistence of their host. After getting lectured by her mother, her father escorted Grace back to her room. She sat, determined to break free as soon as she could.

### Chapter 15

The Andersons close in on the house. Logan and Blake are along the side of the building, under Grace's window. Nathan creates a distraction, ringing the doorbell to speak with Grace's parents. Logan cuts a hole in the glass of Grace's window, crawling into her room and performing a quick check of her physical wellbeing. As Grace jolts awake, Logan covers her mouth and tells her not to say a word, but that he's there to help her. As soon as he removes his hand, she begs him to take her away. She asks if he can remove her cuffs, which he finally notices. Sizing up the situation, he realizes that he can't break her out of them, but he can break the headboard off the bed to get her free. Logan asks what Grace would like to take with her, and her only request is for the bundle of letters she wrote to him. He gives her a hug and some final directions before breaking the slats on the headboard and passing her out the window to Blake. Logan joins them, lifting Grace out of his brother's arms and running to Nathan's getaway car.

Nathan worries about what to say the cops, who will likely be on their tail. Grace replies that her parents won't call the cops, as they'd have to explain how they chained their adult daughter to her bed and held her captive. When Logan asks if she's okay, she brushes off his concern. He continues, asking about the last time she ate. Grace reasons that she'll have something at Felicity's house, but Logan tells her she's going to his apartment, where he can protect her from her parents. Grace reveals that her parents threatened the Andersons, and doesn't want them to get hurt because of her, but Logan reassures her. Grace asks for cheese fries, leading Nathan to redirect the car. Grace continues to fret about how her parents will react, offering to pay Ace Security for their services, but the triplets quickly deny her. Logan asks Grace if she would have sent him the letters, had her parents not interfered. She nods her reply, causing him to kiss her passionately.

Nathan picks up the fries, which Grace tucks into. She's asleep by the time they arrive at Logan's apartment. Logan confirms a few details with his brothers, planning to gather the troops at his apartment the next day. As he carries a now awake yet sleepy Grace into his apartment, he reveals that he, too, kept the letters he wrote her. She admits she'd like to read them.

### Chapter 16

Logan settles Grace into his couch, asking if she needs anything before he leaves to retrieve some bolt cutters to remove her handcuffs. Grace sits on the couch waiting for his return, and going over the events of the past hour. She examines his place as he returns and gets to work on his task. They talk for a moment before he leads her to the guest room. She gets ready for bed, Logan tucks her in, and they discuss sharing their letters before saying goodnight. Throughout the night, Logan returns to her room, watching over her as she sleeps.

### Chapter 17

Grace wakes the next morning, disoriented for a moment at her new surroundings. She notices the pile of letters Logan wrote her sitting on the bedside table. She hesitantly reaches for them, nervous about what she'll find. For the next few hours, she tearfully reads all his letters, sad for the life they could have had, and furious at her parents' intervention. Gathering them up, she takes her stack of letters to Logan and enters his room. As she sits on his bed, he wakes and instinctively pins her to the mattress. He apologizes, explaining that his mother would come into their rooms at all hours to beat them. Logan asks if Grace is okay, and she expresses her extreme anger at her mother's actions. She demands that Logan read all of her letters to him, immediately. She continues her tirade until Logan kisses her quiet. He eventually pulls back, agreeing to read the letters after he makes her breakfast. Grace leaves the room to get ready, ordering her bacon extra crispy.

### Chapter 18

Logan and Grace eat breakfast while gossiping about people they knew in high school. Grace announces that she's going to nap while Logan reads her letters. She leaves while he agonizingly reads each of her letters. He carefully bundles them up and finds Grace lying down in the guest room. He fits himself around her and they share their regrets about the life they didn't have. They discuss their new relationship and how they want to proceed, (reluctantly) compare dating histories, and share a passionate kiss before leaving the room.

### Chapter 19

The Andersons, Grace, Cole, and Felicity convene in Logan's living room. Grace had just revealed a few details about being confined in the past week. Logan asks about the dinner with the Grants. Grace tells her friends that her parents want her to marry Brad and birth a son they can raise. Blake asks how her parents were able to keep her confined, when her parents have a house full of servants. Grace explains that their employees get paid partially for their discretion, and that her parents weren't physically abusing her, so the risk was low. Logan tells Grace she was abused, crediting Cole with his revelation. Grace admits that Felicity has told her the same, but that it wasn't the same as Logan's abuse. He agrees, but accurately describes how her parents have abused her until she starts to believe him. Grace questions why she didn't leave, musing that she must be weak. Nathan sets her straight, and Grace thanks him with a hug. The rest of her friends also add their support of her.

Blake asks more about the details of the dinner with the Grants. Grace explains that her parents started with business talk before Grace's mother mentioned that Grace and Bradford should get together. The Grants initially laugh off this idea, but Grace's mother begins extolling the virtues of combining their families' estates. Bradford's parents start defending their son's ability to choose his own partner, but Grace's mother vaguely threatens the Grants' business if Bradford doesn't comply. The Grants left, angry and confused.

Logan asks Grace what happened after that. She tries to skip the lecture she received from her mother, but Logan reveals he was watching and asks what her mother said to her. Grace admitted that her mother threatened her and her friends for Grace's compliance. She also reveals that her mother threatened to ruin Logan's Army career if Grace didn't leave him alone. Logan tells Grace she needs to file a restraining order against her parents. He warns her that her parents will continue to come after her, trying to threaten and manipulate her, but that she has to resist them. During that time, Logan promises to protect Grace.

Grace blurts out that she doesn't want to marry Brad, who she assumes is gay. She also doesn't want any of her friends getting hurt. Logan argues that anything her parents due are on them, not Grace. Logan slips in that he's falling in love with her before the rest of the crew hugs Grace and leave.

### Chapter 20

As the weeks pass, Grace is surprised that her parents haven't followed through on any of their threats. Grace has enjoyed living with Logan and getting to know his brothers. She's also spent time with Felicity, who has helped support her emotionally. One day, Grace asks Logan if there's anything she can do for Ace Security, as she's bored just hanging around the house. He suggests she help them with responding to emails and updating the website.

One day, Grace tentatively asks Logan if he'll take her for a ride on his motorcycle. He outfits her in his gear, promising to get her protective gear if she finds she enjoys riding. They tease each other with the promise of more intimacy after the ride before Logan leads her to his motorcycle.

### Chapter 21

Grace loves riding on Logan's motorcycle. She becomes sexually aroused at the vibration of the vehicle between her thighs. At an overlook, Logan stops and kisses her passionately. As they're getting settled back on the motorcycle, Grace makes a comment about the possibility of her orgasming just from riding the bike, and Logan promises to drive them home as fast as possible. When they get back, he pulls her into his bedroom. As Logan takes off his shirt, Grace examines his tattoos. He tells her of his plans to get two pink birds, to represent the two of them, tattooed on his forearm in the same special ink that Grace's is in. The proceed to make love for the first time.

### Chapter 22

Days later, Logan is out on a job when Grace hears a knock on the door. Looking through the peephole, she sees her father standing there. He starts to speak to her through the door, claiming that he has left her mother and wants to apologize to Grace for everything he's done to her. Shocked, Grace asks what he means, and her father claims that her mother had been blackmailing him to do what he's done, and that he only stayed with her to protect Grace. He mentions one time he was hospitalized when Grace was a child, and claims that her mother had hurt him and nearly caused his death. Grace doesn't know if she believes this, as she doesn't remember the details of that time. Again, her father asks to speak with her "face-to-face," so he can explain everything and provide evidence. Grace says that if she meets with him, it will be somewhere public. She first suggests Rock Hard Gym, but her father nixes that idea, stating that Grace's mother could see the business front from their architecture firm. She then suggests meeting at Ace Security later that afternoon. Grace's father agrees and thanks her, leaving Grace to her confused thoughts.

Grace calls Logan and tells him about her father's revelations. She says she's arranged to meet him at Ace Security later that afternoon. Logan promises to meet her there, telling her to call his brothers if she has any issues.

### Chapter 23

Grace sits in her car. Logan should have been there 20 minutes earlier, but she hasn't heard from him. It being 2:30, her father arrives and knocks on the car window. She exits the car as he thanks her for meeting him. She sternly tells him she's just there to hear him out; that this is no guarantee to repair their relationship. After he agrees, Grace feels someone grab her from behind and cover her mouth with a foul-smelling cloth. As she passes out, she sees her father's face grinning at her.

Logan calls Blake, telling him he can't get in touch with Grace, who is supposed to be on her way to Ace Security to meet with her father. Logan tells a stunned Blake about the morning's encounter, and then about how Logan got run off the road on his way from Denver. He has been on the side of the road with a broken bike and questioning police officers, and hasn't been able to get back to Castle Rock. Blake starts heading to Ace Security. After an agonizing 20 minutes, Blake calls Logan back and informs him that Grace never came into the office. Logan's truck, which Grace had been driving, is in the parking lot, but something must have happened to her before she could make it in the building. Nathan has been working there with headphones on, unaware of Logan's phone calls.

Nearly an hour later, Logan finally returns to Ace Security. By that time, his brothers have pulled up the security camera footage and witnessed Grace arriving, meeting her father, and being dragged away. Blake has called the police, but Logan is insistent that they head to the Masons' house to recover Grace immediately. The two of them leave.

James answers the Masons' door, aloofly claiming to know nothing of Grace. Her mother appears, dismissing her employee, and invites Logan and Blake into her house. Logan demands to know of Grace's whereabouts, but her mother claims that she hasn't seen Grace, insinuating that she must have gone "off her meds" and disappeared. Logan is unrelenting, leading Grace's mother to start insulting him and his upbringing. She continues to assert that she doesn't know where Grace is, flippantly offering that they can search the house if they want. Blake accepts the offer, and the two of them go through their house but find no recent trace of Grace. Logan threatens Grace's mother before he and his brother leave. As they drive back to Ace Security, Blake soothes his brother, promising that they'll find her.

### Chapter 24

Alexis Grant receives a collect call from her brother. Confused, she accepts it. To her shock, her brother informs her that he believes he's at a hotel in Denver, and that he needs Alexis to call Ace Security and tell them that Grace is in trouble. Alexis is confused and worried for her brother, but agrees to help him. She offers to come to the hotel herself and help him, but he tells her not to. She complies, promising to call the Andersons.

Nathan grumpily answers the phone at Ace Security. Alexis Grant is on the line and relays Brad's message. Nathan calls Logan over and Alexis repeats the message, but holds back the hotel room's phone number, demanding to know what's happening. Logan starts to threaten her before Blake takes the phone and explains that Grace is missing. He asks Alexis for the number and she gives it to him, sharing her own worries about her brother. Alexis expresses her disgust at the Masons, who threatened to publicly out Brad if he didn't marry Grace. The Grants thought this was strange, as Brad had been out since high school. Alexis tries to ask for more information, but Logan hangs up on her, calling the hotel room.

Brad answers the phone, relieved to hear from Logan. He tells them the hotel and room number he believes they're in. Logan, grabbing Blake and heading for a car, asks to speak with Grace, but Brad reveals that she's asleep "or something." He then explains that he arrived at the hotel room for a client meeting, only to be grabbed and injected with something. He doesn't have any memories until he woke up in a bed minutes earlier, finding Grace next to him. They had both been stripped naked, their phones and wallets stolen. Brad took a shower and dressed, and then found an envelope with pictures of the two of them (and someone else) in provocative poses. Logan orders Blake to pull over, and proceeds to vomit on the side of the road. In the car, Blake speaks with Brad, asking if he thinks Grace was raped. Brad isn't sure, as he covered with with a sheet as soon as he woke up. As Logan returns to the car, Brad promises to stay in the locked room and wait for them to arrive.

Logan is fuming. Blake warns him not to lose his cool, as he can't go to jail and leave Grace alone. They discuss the Masons' plans with the photographs. Blake ponders the possibility that the Masons have used blackmail tactics before, and if they can uncover such schemes to land them in jail.

### Chapter 25

Brad opens the hotel door for the Andersons, saying that a confused Grace is just waking up. Logan rushes to her side, giving her a cup of water. Alexis appears in the doorway, having been concerned about her brother. Blake pulls her inside the room, shutting the door and bickering with her. Grace drinks another cup of water as Logan asks her where she is. She seemingly just realizes that she's naked in a hotel room with Logan, Blake, Brad, and Alexis. The last thing she remembers is getting out of the car to meet with her father. Logan asks if she hurts anywhere, but Grace claims not to feel hurt. Logan leads her to the bathroom, gathering her clothes as he goes. Grace, obviously scared, silently cries as Logan looks her over and only finds a few bruises. Grace asks if she was raped, and Logan replies that he doesn't think so but that they're going to go to a doctor to be sure. He gives her a soothing hug, telling her he loves her, before helping her get dressed.

When they leave the bathroom, Blake tells his brother he's examined the photos. Grace asks about the photos, and Logan reveals the Masons' obvious blackmail plot. Grace asks Brad if he's okay. He claims he is, and briefly recaps the order of events after he awoke. Grace demands the photos from Blake, feeling sick as she thumbed through them. She quickly embraces Brad, apologizing for her parents' insane actions. She starts to rant about them until Logan calms her, explaining Blake's theory that there must be other people her parents have blackmailed, and that Grace can get back at them by giving the Andersons names of who they can question. Grace agrees, but Logan reminds her that he's taking her to the hospital and then home before they jump into that task. Grace worries about returning to Logan's apartment, not wanting to be in Castle Rock and thus close to her parents. Alexis offers her apartment in Denver, which Grace gratefully accepts.

Logan makes plans to speak with his brothers and the Masons the following day. After Blake hugs Grace goodbye, Alexis offers him a ride to her parents' house, then back to Castle Rock, if she can stay somewhere there for the night. Blake questions her age, claiming she looks 15. She tells him to "fuck off," that she's 25, and asks if he has a spare room. He reluctantly agrees to the plan. Logan interrupts their continued bickering to ask for Alexis's address, phone number, and any other security measures he needs to know. He and Grace have a relatively quick trip to the E.R., where a rape kit is performed. Although it would be a few days for the rest results to come back, the doctor tells her she doesn't think Grace has been raped. Logan comforts her as they head to Alexis's apartment.

Once there, they shower together, and Logan continues to gently care for her. Clean, safe, and snuggled close to Logan, Grace finally starts to relax. She asks Logan if he's upset about the photos. He says he's upset that she was violated. Grace wonders if her parents will ever stop their manipulative ways. Logan promises they will, as he and his brothers will "take them down." Grace tells Logan she loves him before dozing.

### Chapter 26

Over the following week, the Andersons work with Castle Rock police and the FBI to uncover dirt on the Masons. Alexis has joined them on their mission, proving herself as a good investigator. They gather evidence of the Masons' various criminal activities. They also track down the third person in the photos with Grace and Brad: a gang member in Denver who didn't hesitate to tell the cops what the Masons paid him to do. Nathan worked with the Masons' accountant to uncover fraudulent activities, as well. While Logan works on the investigation, Grace stays hidden in Alexis's apartment. Logan got her a new phone and Felicity has visited, which has helped her feel connected while still safe. The Grants have also agreed to participate in the investigation.

On the fifth day post-kidnapping, Grace and Logan relax on Alexis's couch. They discuss their parents' bad decisions and actions. They promise to put aside their generational trauma and create their own future together. Grace asks Logan to make love to her. When he removes her shirt, he notices that Grace has a new tattoo of a bird, this one on her breast. She explains that Felicity took her to get it. They share an intimate encounter. Afterward, Logan asks Grace to marry him. She happily agrees.

### Chapter 27

Weeks later, Logan receives a brief phone call, then informs Grace that her parents are about to be arrested on charges of kidnapping, extortion, blackmail, and more. Grace is relieved that they can return "home," which prompts Logan to offer to buy her a house instead of his apartment. Logan asks if Grace wants to be there for her parents' arrest. She asks for a few details, and Logan confirms he'll be with her the whole time. She agrees, wanting to put that part of her life behind her. She asks if they can meet with a real estate agent afterward. They share a shower before leaving.

Later, Grace watches her parents get hauled out of their house in handcuffs. Turning to Logan, she begins to consider their housing wish list items as they admit they want to have children.

### Chapter 28

An article from *The Denver Post* reveals details that after a three-month trial, Grace's mother has been found guilty of all the charges against her. Grace had given testimony of years of abuse from her parents. The article predicts that Grace's mother could receive live in prison. Her father had been found guilty the month prior.

Logan and Grace head toward the county jail, where her mother is being held. She considers how angry her mother will be at the news that Grace and Logan are engaged. They gossip about Blake and Alexis, who have been working closely together over the months. Grace wonders if they'll end up together, but Logan doubts it.

They arrive at the jail and go through security measures before being led to a visiting room with phones and a Plexiglass divider. Grace is worried about confronting her mother, but is happy Logan is there to support her. Grace's mother enters the room and immediately insults Logan. Grace starts by telling her mother she failed in keeping Grace and Logan apart. Grace's mother hatefully tells Grace she wished she would have aborted her. Grace shows off her engagement ring and describes how happy she is in her life, and how she and Logan have plans to get married at the same time of her mother's sentencing in a week. Grace has one more parting shot for her mother, as she turns to Logan and informs him that she's pregnant. They share a passionate kiss before Grace reveals that she's pregnant with twin boys. Grace's mother angrily storms out of the room while she and Logan embrace. After they leave, Logan takes Grace to a nearby hotel, claiming that he can't wait to drive the half-hour back to Castle Rock before making love to her. They express their love for one another as they drive. Four hours later, Logan calls Blake and tells him the good news. They chat briefly before Logan returns to his fiancée.

Blake ends the call with Logan and turns back to Alexis, who has a question about their recent investigation. The man who was involved in Brad and Grace's kidnapping was actually the leader of a gang called the Inca Boyz. Alexis has gone over some of their elicit behaviors and proposes that they investigate the gang. Blake makes Alexis promise to be discrete before approving her plans.

## References

* Cole jokes that "Grace's parents aren't June and Ward Cleaver."  These were the idyllic parents on the television series *Leave it to Beaver*.
* Felicity reminds Grace that she "knows what happened to" her.  In *Claiming Felicity* (2018), Grace doesn't appear to know about Felicity's past.
* Logan jokes that he wished they knew someone "who seems to know everyone and can get information with the tap of a keyboard."  Later, Alexis works with Tex to develop her own hacking skills.

1. ↑ ***Claiming Grace* (2017)**, chapter 6
2. ↑ ***Claiming Grace* (2017)**, chapter 9
3. ↑ ***Claiming Grace* (2017)**, chapter 13