Grim lifts his hand in invitation, and I immediately step forward and take his fingers in mine. He leads us through the house and up the stairs to my room. “Get comfy, I’m going to shower.”
Grim lifts my fingers to his lips and kisses my knuckles softly before he releases me. I half expected him to join me in the shower, so it throws me off a little as I watch him move across the room toward my bed. Allowing him his solitude, I head into the bathroom, lighting a few candles as I go. The familiar fragrance of my house and the scents of the candles give me a sense of peace. Maybe coming home, even for a little while, was a good idea. I’ve only been away a few days, but I missed all the little things I’ve come to take for granted.
Not wanting to waste too much time, I tie up my long hair in a bun and take a quick shower. It would still be damp tonight if I went to sleep with it wet.
After toweling off, I blow out the candles and crawl into bed with Grim, naked. I curl my body close to his, laying my hand on his chest and my leg over his. He doesn’t even stir, but the slow thud of his heart under my hand tells me he’s okay.
Sleep is slow in coming, but I lie still so I don’t disturb him, and say a little prayer to anyone listening that he will be more like himself when he wakes up this evening.
* * *
I wake up alone,which is rather strange in and of itself. Since the guys have pretty much moved in, someone is usually around. “Grim?” My voice is raspy and low. I wait, but he doesn’t answer.
Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I grab the robe Grim gave me. The material feels amazing against my skin, so I don’t bother with panties. I doubt anyone else is here anyway, especially with Grim’s presence—my baddies seem to keep their distance from him.
“Hey, you down here?” I call, as I make my way downstairs. Grim steps out from the doorway leading to the kitchen. I scan his face. His eyes are the same intense gray as usual, and he has a little more color in his complexion. “Hey.” I soften my tone.
“Good evening, Damiana.” Grim’s voice is subdued. He’s a master at hiding his facial expressions, so it’s a big deal that I can see the dip at the corners of his mouth, even if it’s slight.
I make my way down the remaining stairs and stop when I’m right in front of him. Grim’s stiff, and he almost looks wary. Before I have a chance to second-guess myself, I step even closer, wrap my arms around his torso, and nuzzle my face against his chest. Grim’s clothes are ridiculously soft, probably made from angel feathers or some shit.
His arms come around my back, and he lowers his head until it’s resting on the top of mine. “Have you been up long? You could have woken me.”
“I wanted you to rest,” he replies without answering my question. I stay wrapped in his arms. I don’t know how to bring up last night, or if I should ask him if everything is okay. I’m shit at this kind of stuff, but I really feel like him considering ending the world isn’t something we should just ignore.
I lean back to see his face and admit, “You’re freaking me out a little, Loverboy.” Grim’s eyes close on a slow blink, and it takes a few seconds before he opens them again.
“I apologize. I lost control last night. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to get so angry.” His eyes are trained over the top of my head.
I reach up and palm his jaw. “Grim, I don’t care that you got angry, you’re allowed to have feelings. If you wanted to slaughter everyone in that room… well, except for Kitten and Calix, I wouldn’t have cared. I would have helped you if you needed me to. What’s freaking me out is how you were after… and now. Like you’re not really here with me.”
Grim doesn’t move, but his eyes shift to look down at me. “And if I destroyed the world, what then?”
“I’m not going to pretend that I would be happy about it. There are a lot of people I care about in this world, Grim.” I fist the fabric of his shirt. “But when it comes down to it, I care more about you. I would forgive you, still love you, even if you did do it. That probably makes me a psycho or unhinged or some shit, but it’s the truth. Want to know what else I know is the truth?”
Grim barely moves his head an inch, but I see his tiny nod.
“I don’t think you would do it, no matter how mad you were. We all feel like we want to set the world on fire sometimes. You just have the ability to actually do it. It doesn’t mean you would have gone through with it.”
Grim wets his lips. “I’m not used to being so angry,” he admits.
I tap my fingers on his chest. “Well, I used to be angry all the time, so I have lots of practice. Plus…” I waggle my eyebrows. “I can show you some really great ways to take the edge off.”
The corner of Grim’s lips tip up, and he lowers his eyelids. I can just see the glow of those fiery embers stoking to life. It’s the first time since last night that I can take a deep breath. I didn’t realize how scared I was that something had changed within him or with us. His hands, which were holding me gently, caress me instead. He leans down and rests his forehead against mine, and I close my eyes. With a whispered confession, I give Grim my truth, and it rings with certainty in my soul.
“I would burn the world for you too.”
Chapter 16
“It’s beendays, and we still don’t know shit,” I grouse as I sulk.
“Do you want to just go home and wait to see if Antonio shows up again?” Calix offers.
“We don’t have to go home, but do we need to stay here?” I hate Kim’s house, and Torin seems to be getting his shit together with his pack, for now at least. The party that ended in bloodshed did wonders to convince anyone who wanted to challenge the alpha to back down.
“We could find another rental if it’s a big deal to you.” Gunnar is cleaning a blade with an oil stained cloth. He even fixed Kim’s front door, and Calix jerry-rigged the kitchen table legs. The thought of Kim loading it up with groceries or food and collapsing the thing gives me secret joy.
“I mean, do we need to stick around here? Do you think Torin still needs you? He seems somewhat stable.”
