I hadn’t noticed how tense my body was until his presence engulfed me. It calmed me instantly. I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him into the room. He kicked the door closed behind him, lifting me off my feet, clutching me so tight to his chest that I almost couldn’t breathe.
“Fuck, Princess. That was torture,” he said against my lips. “I fucking hate him touching you.”
Grayson’s strong body felt so right against mine. His voice soothing over the frayed ends of my nerves. My body was already alight, tingling where his hands touched. He placed me down on the edge of the bed, and knelt before me, taking my face into his hands.
“Are you okay? You don’t have to do that again. Let me take you to the Bahamas. I’d rather see you on the beach, in a bikini, soaking up the sun, with a Piña Colada in your hand than watch him undress you with those beady eyes.” He pulled a face that had me snickering.
“I’d like that.” I pressed my lips to his. “But only after we get your mother’s diamond. And as soon as you make him pay for his horrible crimes.” I couldn’t believe I just had dinner with such a monster. How could he have sat there with a smile, enjoying a glass of fine wine, knowing all the terrible things he had done? How couldIhave sat there and swallowed my steak, knowing the hands that just touched me had done gruesome things?
Grayson tugged at my hair, looking worriedly at me. His fingers glided down a strand of my hair.
Had Grayson’s hands not also done some gruesome things? And here I was, craving his touch. Letting his fingers stoke fires in me that I’d only dreamt of existing before experiencing his calloused palms against my skin.
“Anderson didn’t stand a chance against those bewitching green eyes,” Grayson murmured with a proud smile.
There was a quick knock before the door swung open, pulling me abruptly from the depths of those admiration-filled eyes.
Hunter was standing in the doorway, grinning, holding up my favourite brand of red liquorice. “We brought snacks.”
“God, Hunter! Will you get out of the way?” Gemma was trying to push him aside, while trying to catch a glimpse of me over his shoulder. “Ava, are you okay?” she said in a huff as she finally got past Hunter.
I laughed at the spectacle as Grayson stood. “I’m fine! Stop worrying.Please,” I groaned. Between her and Grayson, the past three weeks had been unbearable. It was a constant battle of wills.
“Iwasn’t worried. I knew you’d nail it.” Hunter grinned even wider as he threw the liquorice at me, then made himself comfortable in a chair with a box of chocolate cereal. He liked eating it from the box with no milk.
“You would do that? For me?” Hunter made a shrilly voice trying to mimic mine, batting his eyes and fanning himself.
I rolled my eyes at him but couldn’t stop my giggle. He’d become an unlikely ally in the last three weeks. Always advocating for me to make my own decisions when Grayson and Gemma wanted to usurp my choices if they did not agree with them. But me and Hunt, teamed up, could persuade even the most obstinate Grayson to our chosen course.
We spent the rest of the night together like we spent most of our days. Planning and plotting and joking and laughing. I was still in awe of them, my newfound family. With how we all, each so different, just fit perfectly together. I was at home with them. I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging.
And when Gemma and Hunter went to their own suite at midnight, Grayson slowly undressed me and showed me just how much I belonged to him.
Charles’shandwasonmy knee, inching higher and higher with each mile that passed. We were in the back of his sleek, black car, heading for his buyer. I had to think of a way to stop it, or his hand would end up inside my pants before we could reach our destination. All while Wesley had one eye on the road, the other one on me from the driver’s seat. He was suspicious of me. He should be.
“How do you think Shaun would feel about this?” I bit at my lip, conflicted. “I mean, it would be weird for him, wouldn’t it?”
Charles sighed and shifted his weight, taking my hand instead. It had worked. Cooled him right off.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to spoil the mood, I’m just genuinely concerned. I don’t want anything to ruin this.” I squeezed his hand.
He smiled a too-white smile and kissed the back of my hand. “You worry too much, dear. He would just have to accept it. Now that I have you, I’m not letting you go.”
I shuddered at his words. It was a threat I had to pretend I didn’t hear for what it was. So I faked my best smile.
Charles turned to look out the window. “Besides, the little shit cheated on you. Wouldn’t it be the best revenge to become his stepmother?” Hewinked at me and laughed boastfully. “I’m just mad I didn’t find you first.” He looked out the front window. “We’re here,” he said as the car came to a stop.
Wesley came around and opened the door for Charles. I was glad for the time to right my face. It was no secret that Shaun’s relationship with his father was strained, but I just now felt how little Charles actually cared for his son. There was no love or respect in his voice when he spoke of Shaun. How had I missed it all those years before? Another thing Grayson was right about. Charles saw his son as a rival. Shaun was next in line to take over the family business, but Charles kept him out of it. I had thought that maybe Charles was trying to shelter his son from what they did, but it was obvious now that Shaun was kept away because he was competition.
We stood in front of a shabby building in one of the lesser pretty streets of Paris. A street you would never be taken down when on a tour bus. There was graffiti on the brick walls. Some spots were dull and flaky, as if someone had attempted to clean it, but gave up. The large window was covered in a sticker, so no one could see inside. The store’s very French name was written in yellow cursive letters on the window sticker that was supposed to look like gold but didn’t. The smell of urine hanging in the air, paired with Charles’s overpowering aftershave, was enough to make me gag. I supressed the urge but couldn’t stop the crinkle of my nose.
Charles suddenly pulled me against him. If it weren’t for the van I saw over Charles’s shoulder, easing around the corner, I would have turned and ran.
But Grayson was there. I was safe.
I let my hands glide down the lapels of Charles’s blue suit, so there was a bit of distance between us. I made sure to keep a shy smile on my face. Yes, Charles wanted a strong woman on his arm, someone who wouldn’t balk at his indiscretions against humanity. But he also expected his woman to be demure when it came to him. He wanted to be the hunter. And I had to play the gushing maiden.
“Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about Shaun?” His icy eyes inspected my face, narrowing slightly.
