AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The crazy playlist, which was thrown together earlier when the band bailed because of the snow, switches to an old family-favorite Journey song. I look across the table at Ares, who’s gaze hasn’t left mine, and smile before placing my hand in Henny’s and slipping out of Ares’s tux jacket.
“This conversation isn’t over, Grace.”
“This conversation never started, Ares.”
Ares
“Don’t go there, man.” Maddox Beneventi drops down in the chair across from mine and passes me another beer.
“Go where?” I ask, accepting the bottle but blowing off Beneventi.
“You’re staring at the most protected woman in this room, Wilder. And that was before your brother married her sister.”
I glance his way from the corner of my eye, not wanting to look away from how Grace laughs as she lets her little brother spin her around the dance floor. “I figured the most protected woman in the room would beyoursister, Beneventi.”
“Point taken.” He nods and sips his beer, making it obvious he’s watching the same woman I am. “Butthatwoman...”—he nods toward Grace—“the one who can light up Main Street with her smile... that one doesn’t have claws. You screw with my sister, and Caitlin will fuck your shit up all by herself long before my brothers, my dad, or I have you dead and buried. You hurt good twin, and God himself couldn’t save you.”
When the song switches to a catchy Lizzo tune, the girls all scream and run to the center of the dance floor. That group could suck the air out of any room they walk in. Each of them, including my own sister, is gorgeous. And together, they’re something to see. But Grace... Grace is a fucking knockout. A seductive angel in a soft, pale-purple dress that shows off her delicate curves with long, soft ribbons tied at her neck andhanging loose down her back, tempting a man to tug. It dips down low in the front, clinging to her chest, and cinches in at the waist before it floats out around her hips and legs. And that hair... Damn, I love her hair. It’s long and brown and falling out of the perfect up-do it was in earlier.
I thought everyone was going to shit when she dyed it last month, but it’s absolute perfection on her. And man, does it make her aqua eyes sparkle.
She’s gorgeous and sweet as hell.
The perfect one-two punch.
And she’s leaving in three damn days.
My smile kicks up at the corners when I realize she told me about her job but not Beneventi. Fucker loves to know everything that’s going on with his people.
I turn to face him and take another pull of my beer. “You got a thing for Grace, Maddox?”
“Nah... Told your brother the same thing about Everly. I look at those girls the same way I look at Caitlin. They’re family. Just remember, nobody fucks with my family, and we’re good, Wilder.” He holds my stare, making sure I’m picking up what he’s putting down.
“I hear you, man.”
And I do hear him.
Doesn’t mean I give a shit what he thinks.
This fucker isn’t the first person to underestimate me. Won’t be the last either. When you grow up in Cross Wilder’s shadow, it’s hard for people not to underestimate you. And I get it. Crossisthat guy. The one everything comes easy for. Motherfucker has always been the best hockey player on any rink he’s ever put a skate on. He’s the fastest. The best shot. Hell, he was even the best in school. Had full-ride offers to go Ivy League before he decided to forgo college and enter the pros right out of high school.
You’d think that would be a shit ton to live up to, but you’d be wrong. Because big brother was so fucking perfect, nobody expected anything from me. They focused all their expectations on him. Made it real easy to fly under the radar. Made it even easier to surprise everyone when I succeeded—because their expectations weren’t low, they were nonexistent.
I like when people underestimate me.
It lets me catch them off guard.
They never see me coming.
The music changes, and the song slows to Sam Smith. For a brief moment, I watch something sad flash across Grace’s face, and I don’t fucking like it.
Without another thought, I push back from the table and tune out whatever Maddox is saying. I have someone more important in my sights. The girls disburse, and I stride past my sister, dancing with Maddox’s little brother, and almost stop to fuck with him.Almost. But I’ve got better things to do.
I reach Grace as she turns to walk off the dance floor. “Can I have this dance, beautiful?”
Her face flushes a pretty pink, and she closes her eyes for a flash of a second. Then she shakes her head with a soft smile but still places her hand in mine. Everything about this woman is elusive and elegant. And it’s plain as day why everyone and their brother wants to protect Grace Sinclair. She’s different from anyone I’ve ever met.
“I’ve got you, Gracie,” I whisper as I pull her against me, and Sam Smith sings about staying.
