Chapter 12
TWELVE
Cara
Having to reassure Grant that we’ve got this was a nice position to be in. I always see him so stoic and domineering, almost as if he’s been keeping his walls up more than I have when we’re together.
I know part of him feels like he’s the protector in our duo, but I can take care of myself. He knows that, but I think part of him does actually feel differently since we got married.
I understand that Brad’s message came with a warning, yet so much was left unsaid. It was almost a plea to a friend to stay away and not get involved. If this were any other scenario, Brad’s caution would be appreciated. It just fuels us even more, knowing how close we’re getting to the action.
The relationship between Brad and Grant is clearly deeper than Grant told me. As much as I want his attention and eyes on me, I want him to let his guard down fully. I want his truths and explanations for the past. I want it all.
Pulling up to the casino, Grant escorts me out of the car and keeps my arm wrapped around his as he leads me up the double set of stairs. He tells a guard our names, who then verifies we’re allowed to be here. All protocol is going as we assumed it would.
The guard tells us to go through the front door and take the elevator down to floor two. That’s where the tournament will be starting soon.
As we get into the elevator, we’re both quiet, not because of nervousness but because of all the planning and work that has led us here. We need to play our parts well and finally get into the inner circle of trust.
The elevator door dings and opens into a world of glitz, glamour, and guns. Too many guards with their firearms visible are walking along the perimeter of the floor.
People are laughing and drinking all around us. This isn’t just for the seedy members who operate in the night; this is truly for the wealthy and elite to be part of as well.
“To the back. I see Brad.”
I follow Grant’s line of sight and see two guards stationed in front of another set of double doors. A group of people is waiting there, and one of them is Brad.
I spot Noelle nearby, with a glass of champagne in her hand, talking to a woman I haven’t met yet. I assumed that could be the case. I’m going to have to play the role of the perfect wife here as I mingle with the other women.
This is possibly my biggest challenge. I grew up with boys and had very few girlfriends. As an adult, I’ve been so focused on work that I haven’t made many female friends either. The only ones I truly know well are because of Lachlan, Grayson, and Liam.
I can make it happen. I’ve gotten to know women before.
“I see Noelle.”
Grant spots her too.
“We’re a team, Cara. All night. Okay?”
“Team Weston.”
“Team Weston.”
Cara laughs as we walk toward them.
“It’s a little cheesy, you know?”
“I do, but it makes you smile, so I’ll take it.”
My breath hitches as I grip his arm tighter.
I’m getting my answers about Grant, one way or another.
Earlier tonight, I thought I was so close to him kissing me in private. Then words were mixed together, and I’m not sure why he didn’t. It’s as if I said something wrong, but I can’t figure out what it was.
As we approach the group waiting to be let into the next room, Grant and I pull apart to go to the opposite sides. The sudden loss of his touch is overwhelming.
It’s so hard to focus on what I should be, and I hate it. I’m not a woman who swoons over a man and lets him occupy her every thought. Yet there is so much behind what Grant knows and how he feels that I’m dying to discover.
“See you in there, love.”
“Find me.”
“Always.”
He places a small kiss on my forehead, and my body melts into it. Grant steps away and starts to put on the facade of Ace Weston.
“Cara! You’re here,” Noelle shouts.
I close the distance to her and move farther away from Grant.
“Hi!”
We kiss each other on the cheek, and Noelle gestures to the unknown friend she was just speaking with.
“Aria, this is Cara Weston. Ace’s wife.”
Aria perks up.
“The one who captured the elusive Ace’s heart. Well done,” she says.
“Thank you,” I answer, confused.
How does Aria know Ace?
“It’s nice to meet you,” I continue.
“You as well. You look so gorgeous, no wonder Ace was willing to come off the market for the looks of you,” she says.
“Oh, Aria. Don’t make Cara blush,” Noelle says with a giggle.
“No, it’s fine. How do you know Ace?”
“I don’t, my dear. His reputation precedes him.”
“Well, then, thank you for all the compliments. I know nothing of that sort about my Ace other than the way he eagerly tried to win my heart.”
Aria looks annoyed but moves on easily.
I give her a half smile, and Noelle starts talking about the latest drama in the neighborhood. I learn that Aria isn’t from around Charlotte but flew in for the event.
Ace and his reputation.
Another secret part of his past life that I have no idea about.
It’s infuriating.
Maybe Cara Collins doesn’t have a right to know about his past, but Cara Weston certainly does. This is more of what I can’t make out about Grant.
Grant Sinclair is nothing but secrecy, deception, and lies. A trifecta I plan to unravel. He’ll be at my mercy by the end of this.
As I stew on that interaction, I barely engage with the conversation that Aria and Noelle are having. Maybe I do have to try harder to gain female friends, after all.
Aria steps away, and Noelle focuses her attention on me.
“Don’t listen to Aria. Ace has never been anything but a gentleman.”
“You know him well?”
“Not well, but…”
Commotion goes on behind us, catching our attention. It’s the tournament doors opening and a sea of people entering.
“I know his character. That’s all I need to know.”
“How?”
“Ace saved Brad from a fire.”
“I…” I stammer.
I compose myself as more noise erupts around us.
“I didn’t know that. Thank you.”
“I’m sure he’s meant to tell you. It’s a complicated past.”
I smile, unsure if that’s true.
“Let’s go find our men before this starts.”
Noelle loops her arm in mine and pulls me in their direction. At this rate, I’m beginning to feel like I’ll be pulled at all night.
“How are you doing, love?” Grant asks.
I know it’s all for show, but I can’t help the way my heartbeat quickens every time he calls me that. Even when I’m so confused by who Grant really is.
“Okay. This is all something else. I’ve never been to a tournament at a casino before like this,” I say.
“This one is over-the-top compared to others I’ve found myself in.”
“With Brad in the time before?” I cock an eyebrow.
“Exactly,” he says with furrowed eyes.
Chatter continues all around us, and it’s growing louder by the minute since the last game ended.
“How do you think Cordelia is going to take me losing? I had to do it.”
“I think she’ll understand. I was watching your tricks, and I’m sure she could also tell what you were up to.”
I revel in the warmth as he slips his arm around my back and places his hand on the lower part. We head toward the poker tournament table since blackjack just ended.
Grant finished second, much to everyone’s surprise. As a newcomer, people were skeptical as to why he was able to play in said tournaments altogether. It wasn’t until Cordelia shared that he was a special friend of hers that everyone closed their mouths.
Everyone is afraid of Cordelia Miller. Another sign of the power she holds, even outside of the fact that this is her casino.
“That’s the only way I was going to get their trust for the rest of the night.”
“It was the right move.”
Grant and I approach the poker table. As we wait, he faces me completely.
“How did Cordelia look when I lost?”
“Like she understood. There was no sign of frustration or confusion. I promise. You don’t have to second-guess yourself.”
“Good. Then this is all going according to plan.”
I look around the room and shake my head.
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing,” I say with a shrug of my shoulders.
“It’s something.”
“Mr. Weston, we’re ready for you to take your seat,” a host interjects.
Grant gives him a curt nod before focusing back on me.
“Come with me.”
He takes a seat in his assigned chair and pulls me into the open seat next to him. The other players are still gathering, and it doesn’t look to be an issue for anyone just yet.
“Grant, I have to get up.”
He leans forward, and I want to hold onto the look in his eyes forever.
“I need to know what you were thinking.”
“One of these days…” I say as I lean back slightly and hang my arm on the back of the chair.
“What?” he asks with a twinkle in his eyes and a lopsided smile.
“One of these days, you’ll have to tell me all your lies.”
Grant gets serious, and he nods, almost to himself. He flashes me a wide smile and adjusts his jacket. When I start to stand, he gently catches one of my arms. Looking down at him, I wait for what he needs to say.
“Stay close. You’re my lucky charm, remember?”
I roll my eyes playfully as I swat his shoulder.
“How could I forget? All those years of calling me your lucky charm, and now, here we are.”
“Who would have guessed it?”
“Certainly not me,” I tease.
“Believe me, I know. What is it you said?”
Grant feigns confusion before a teasing smile takes over his expression.
“You’ll never be my anything.”
“Looks like you won that battle.”
Heat simmers in Grant’s eyes, and I know there is so much we need to talk about between us. This isn’t the right time.
“For now.”
I swallow thickly as the announcer starts talking. Grant puts on his sunglasses and lets go of our embrace.
“Stay close.”
“I will.”
I take a few steps back to leave him to the game. Suddenly, a figure stands beside me.
“He’ll win.”
I look over my shoulder to see it’s none other than Cordelia.
“He will.”
“Confident. I like that.”
“He has more than skills.”
She chuckles softly.
“I knew I had a good feeling about you both. Ace’s past speaks for him. You, on the other hand, I wasn’t too sure about until I did a little check.”
“You ran a background check on me?”
“I asked around.”
Our eyes meet.