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I crossed my arms under my breasts, attempting to hide my nipples that poked through the silky pajama top. "What are you talking about?"
He shook his head, and the scent of hard liquor rolled off him. "You have to leave tonight.”
“Why?” I croaked. “At least give me a reason.”
Cole knelt on the bed between my thighs and lowered his voice. “We’re leaving tonight.”
“What’s going on?” I struggled to catch my breath. “Why are you doing this?”
A dark expression cast over his handsome face like a storm cloud. “Because I said I would protect you.”
“From who?”
“Rhys.” His knee slid off the bed, and he inched backward toward the door. “Your grandfather. The Founders.”
“What does Rhys have to do with my grandfather?”
He shook his head, scrubbing a hand at his jaw. “If you trust me, do as I say. Pack a bag and meet me in the game room at two o’clock. I’ll explain everything.”
Without another word, he exited the room.
ChapterThirty
GRACE
Ipacked whatever I could into a backpack and slung it over my shoulder. Creeping into the hallway, I kept my footsteps light, careful not to make a sound. This place had more rooms than I could count and enough staff to run a hotel. I couldn’t risk letting anyone see me.
It was almost two o’clock. The upper floors were dark, with only the dimly lit wall sconces creating a golden glow on the hardwood floor. Using the light as my guide, I tiptoed in a pair of sneakers down the long corridor.
Clutching the thick, wooden railing, I descended the stairs with the grace of a dancer, light on my feet. Downstairs, it was much darker. I bumped into a table with my hip. A glass vase tipped over, but thankfully, it hit my stomach, and I saved it in time.
“Is someone there?” A female voice called out. “Mark, is that you?”
Shit.
I stumbled into the living room and waved to Willow. “It’s just me.”
“Grace,” she whispered. “What are you doing up so late? You should be in bed.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I said nothing.
Willow padded over to me, tugging at the belt of the silky robe. Her long, blonde hair flowed down her shoulders, slightly curled at the ends. Cole was the mirror image of his mother, who was still stunning.
Her eyes lowered to my bag. “Grace, you can’t leave.” She curled her fingers around my wrist, concern dripping from her tone. “If you were to disappear from our home, your grandfather would hold us responsible.”
“Then why did Cole tell me to pack a bag?”
Her eyes widened with surprise, but she quickly recovered from the news and said, “Sweetheart, he’s not thinking clearly, especially regarding you.” She led me over to the couch. “Cole means well, but he’s misguided.”
I dropped my bag onto the floor and sat beside Willow, propping myself against a throw pillow. “What’s so important that he wanted me to leave in the middle of the night?”
She smoothed a hand down the front of the robe. “Your grandfather is coming back to Devil’s Creek.”
My heart pounded so hard I wondered if Willow could hear the rapid beating. It felt like it was ready to punch a hole through my chest.
“Why?”
Willow sighed. “I’m sorry, Grace. Your grandfather has plans for you.”
