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"W-What?" Her eyes are panicked as they meet mine again. "How... how did you know?"
"I did a background check on you, obviously." I stop the car in the parking lot of a mall so we can speak without worrying about the road. "I had to. I needed to know you weren't a liar."
"Please." She looks panicked now, a look of pure fear taking over her pretty face. "Please, don't hurt my grandmother. She's everything I have. Please, Alaric. Promise me she won't get hurt. Not because of me."
"Don't worry." I take her chin in my hands and gently tip it back so she's forced to look at me. "I won't let anyone hurt her. There's no reason anyone should find her, either. I'm paying for her care from an off-shore account. She's safe."
Monroe nods, but her bottom lip is trembling as she looks up at me. "I just... I can't bear the thought of Gram getting hurt because of me. I'd never be able to forgive myself."
"I understand." While I don't have a relationship with family, I do get her. She wants to keep the innocent party in all this safe, and since I'm her future husband, it's now my job to take care of her loved ones. "Like I said, nobody will find out, and she'll be safe. Don't worry. I promise you, nothing bad will happen."
She nods, and from the trusting look in her eyes, I can tell she believes me, which makes me grin.
"How often do you usually see your grandmother?" I ask next.
"I try to go twice a week," she responds. "Although sometimes I can only manage it once a week. Depends on my shifts."
"So it's been a while. You think she's worried?"
"She must be." Monroe nervously twists her arms in her lap. "I call her every day. She's surely wondering why I haven't been in touch."
A pang of guilt hits me hard, shocking me. I don't do guilt. I don't have a conscience. And here I am worrying about some old lady I have no connection to.
"We could go see her." The impulsive words shock me as much as they do Monroe.
"Me and you?" She laughs softly. "I don't think so, Alaric."
I shrug, turning the car back on. "Suit yourself. But the only way you'll see her is with me in tow. If you don't want to, though, it's fine. Just thought I'd offer."
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her trying to decide what to do. She chews her bottom lip, nervously glancing at me as I continue to drive.
"Visiting hours are over by now, anyway," she mutters. "It's too late to go there."
I smirk, turning the car around, already knowing I've got exactly what I wanted. And I guess I'm about to meet my fiancée's grandmother. I can only hope she accepts me and doesn't cause a scene. But something tells me Monroe's grandmother is somewhat like her granddaughter, and I'm going to like her.
Monroe stares at me as I wink and start driving to the nursing home, the address for which I looked up a few days ago.
"You know I like to break all the rules, sugar."
