“Whatever you’re thinking I did to him, it was worse, ten years later and he’s still in physical therapy”
“Did Kinsley do anything else?”
“Can I keep one secret, please?”
“Sure.” I feel so defeated and lost. I knew this would happen. This is why I had the plan to begin with, to spare both of us this pain. He leans his head on the top of the couch, staring up at the ceiling. His voice is lighter. “Is your cat an assassin, evil crime lord, secretly Batman?”
“No, she's just a cat.” I lift my head and point to the door again. “You really should go. It’s fine.”
“So,” He pushes his hands through his hair, and his feet are planted firmly on the ground. “For twelve years, give or take, you’ve been secretly pulling the strings of the people I care about while watching my career take off?” He waits until I give him confirmation. “And then you bought a security company that I’m a client of because you like me.”
“That’s not why I bought it.”
“Shhh,” he grins and puts a finger on my lips, making me shoot him an icy glare. “The day the kids were taken, the world’s entire stock of Majesty burnt up in purple smoke. I’m assuming those two things were connected.” I pause for a beat and then dip my chin. “But you had already saved the kids.” His shoulder straightened as he put the pieces together. He shows me his teeth. “So I think the burning of the crops was revenge.” He leans in close, “Because you liiiiiikkkkke me.”
“Shut up.” I push his face away. “This is really serious.”
“Oh, I know. You wouldn’t be so worried if you didn’t lliiiiikkke me.”
He stands and starts shaking his ass. I have no choice but to smack it and call him a dork. He spins around on his heels and puts both arms on the back of the couch, pinning me between them, his face inches from mine.
“There’s my girl.” He kisses my nose. “I knew she wasn’t gone forever.”
Years of guilt and secrets vanish. Even the stress of the last few hours loosens around my chest. I can breathe without pain, and it's nice to have some level of normalcy. He leans in and whispers in my ear, “I loved Kinsley for so many reasons. But the biggest was how she could take care of herself and that was hot as hell.” His breath on my neck makes me shiver. “And Alana has that in spades.” His lips press into my neck, and he takes a nip with his teeth. Instantly, I’m aroused.
“So, this is what’s going to happen.” Butterflies swarm in my belly as he takes control of the situation. “We’re going to go back into your bedroom, and you’re going to do whatever you want to me to get yourself off. Then I’m going to tie you up, lick every inch of your body, and do all the things you wanted to try when we were younger but didn’t have the time. Do you know why?”
I try not to smile but fail miserably. “Don’t say it.”
“Because I liiikkkke you.”
CHAPTER 20
Grae
Day 5
I left Alana’s place this morning, sent off an email and went to the gym. I was about halfway through my run when my phone rings.
“What the ever-loving fuck, Grae!”
“Good morning to you too, Alana.”
“You cancelled your contract with Mastodon? Knowing full well… everything that you do.”
“Yep.” I turn up the speed and grab my water bottle, taking a sip.
“Do you care to explain yourself before I make good on every threat I've ever issued but you’ll be the one who takes the punishment?”
I pretend to think for a moment. “Hmmm punishment. Hot.”
“Grae!” My feet hit the treadmill harder with every step.
“I was thinking that you and Amanda have a lot in common. Amanda doesn’t know who her friends are and who's there for the money or fame. Everyone in your life is transactional. Lena’s a client, the Olympians contract you out, and I don’t know what the hell is going on with you and the Four Families but clearly money has exchanged hands at least once. They either work for you or you work for them.” The words are becoming harder to say between my breaths, so I hop my feet on the side of the treadmill and say, “Yes, you've blurred the lines between personal and professional but still there is an economic exchange. I want to be the one person in your life that can’t be bought or lost.”
She’s silent for a moment. “That’s kinda sweet.”
“I know.”
