He holds out his hand. I take it and let him show me the house. It’s small, a perfect size for just the two of us. A kitchen with a window into a living and dining room. A bedroom and bathroom tucked out of the way. Stairs lead up to a big bedroom and bathroom on the second floor. It’s bright and airy.
“Do you like it?”
I nod, releasing him to run my hands over the kitchen counters, the walls. I turn on the faucet just for the hell of it, wetting my fingers before I shut it off and wipe them dry on my pants. I let out a laugh.
“You mean we don’t have to worry about anyone overhearing us?” I ask.
He smirks.
My smile slowly fades. “I have something to ask you.”
His expression turns serious, too. “You can ask. You don’t have to preface it with a warning.”
“Okay.”
He waits. When I remain silent, he stalks forward and smoothly lifts me onto the counter. I part my knees, letting him get closer, and loop my arms around his neck.
“Vi,” he urges. “I might die of curiosity.”
He knows that Mia threatened his life. He knows his father came to the hospital and his guarantee of her prosecution was the only reason I confessed.
But he doesn’t know what Mia told me.
“Jack’s the one who broke into my room,” I admit. “And I think he had something to do with the articles about you. Or at least my portion of them.”
Grey’s gaze shutters, and then he meets my eyes again. “That’s not a question.”
I grip the back of his neck. “I know you took care of it last time.”
“Still not a question.”
“I figure you might strike back again. With this new information. And… I want to be there. Will you let me?”
“You’re asking to come along with me?” The corner of his lips turn up. “You want to watch me break his other leg, Violent? Or maybe you want to break it yourself?”
He doesn’t wait for an answer. He presses his lips to mine.
My eyes close, and I hold him tightly. I let my mind go with his kiss, wiping the slate clean. His hand moves up my front, his index finger finding the scabbed cut on my breast. He pulls my shirt down and breaks the kiss to look down at it.
“We’re connected, you and I. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
I nod.
“If Mia Germain ever gets out, I’m going to kill her.” He catches my lips again, nipping me before retreating again. “That’s a fucking promise.”
“I believe you.”
He brightens. “Good. Now, let me show you how I really feel about you…”
59
GREYSON
We win by one.Myone.
The buzzer sounds, and suddenly my teammates are rushing onto the ice. They slam into me, jumping up and down. Celebrating. It echoes in my ears, mixing with the roar of approval from the crowd.
I automatically search the crowd and find Violet pressed against the glass with a huge smile. She’s surrounded by a sea of blue and silver. I point at her, and she pretends to catch it. I’m pulled away before our exchange can continue.