Chapter 32
CADEN
I wrapped a blanket around Grae’s shoulders. She looked so damn small sitting on my couch. She hadn’t said a word on the way home. Not when all four of her brothers had descended, along with her parents. They’d talked over and around her, all fighting about what they thought might be best for Grae.
“Baby, don’t you think you should move back in with Dad and me?” Kerry asked.
“I think she should stay with my team in Portland. Whoever this is had enough foresight to spray paint the damned camera I installed,” Holt argued. “She should go stay in one of Anchor’s safe houses.”
My gut tightened at the idea of Grae going anywhere without me.
“If she leaves, the stalker could go to ground,” Nash said. “We should keep her here but in protective custody.”
I lowered myself to the couch and took Grae’s hand, squeezing.
Her eyes came to me. They were bloodshot and had shadows in them that I hadn’t seen in years.
“What do you want to do?” I asked.
Grae blinked at me as if shocked that anyone would ask her that. “Huh?”
“What would make you feel safe?”
She stared into my eyes. “I want to stay here. With you.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
Everyone erupted, and the arguing started all over again.
“Enough!” I barked. “I know you all love Grae, but the last thing she needs right now is you guys fighting like cats and dogs.”
“She’s our sister,” Lawson growled.
“Yeah, your sister. Not your property. She’s an adult with a mind of her own. And she’s one of the smartest and strongest people I’ve ever known. But it looks like you’ve all forgotten that.”
Everyone went silent.
I sighed, squeezing the back of my neck. “The thing that I always loved about your family is how you were always there for each other, no matter what came your way. But that doesn’t mean you get to steamroll Grae in the process.”
Nathan clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re right.” He looked at his daughter. “I’m sorry, Pumpkin. You know it comes from a place of care.”
“I know,” she whispered.
He winced. “But it probably feels pretty overbearing.”
Grae didn’t agree or disagree, but he had his answer.
Nathan released his hold on me. “Let’s clear out and let Grae and Caden get some sleep. We can talk about a plan tomorrow.”
“Dad,” Holt argued.
“No,” Nathan said, finality in his tone. “You taught me some valuable lessons when you came home. I’m trying to do a better job of seeing what my kids need from me. And right now, Grae needs support.”
Lawson scowled at Nathan. “I’m positioning two officers outside.”
“That’s fine,” I said, trying to make peace. Grae wouldn’t have to see them, and she wouldn’t have to leave.
He turned that scowl in my direction. “You’re not law enforcement, Caden.”
“I know that. But I would do anything for your sister, and I think you know that.”
Grae stiffened next to me, her muscles going hard as stone.
Lawson’s jaw worked back and forth, but he didn’t argue.
Roan crossed to his sister, bent, and kissed her head. “Stay safe.”
There was a fury brimming just beneath his surface that had concern flashing through me. But he turned and left before I could say a word.
Kerry hugged her daughter. “I’m sorry, baby. I just worry about you. It’s hard to turn that off, even when you’re grown.”
Grae hugged her back. “I know.”
“Call if you need anything,” Nathan said, ushering Kerry out.
Lawson sent another glare in my direction and followed them.
Grae looked at Holt. “Go home to your pregnant fiancée, who is probably worried sick about you.”
Guilt flashed across his face. “I could stay tonight…”
“No. You’re going home. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
He sighed and then bent to hug her. “Please, be careful.”
Grae returned the embrace. “I’m not leaving this locked and guarded house. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. Call me if anything happens.”
“I’ll light the bat signal.”
Holt shook his head, but I saw a hint of amusement in his expression as he headed to the door.
The only one left was Nash. He leaned forward in the overstuffed chair, resting his elbows on his knees. “We’ve been screwing everything up, haven’t we, G?”
Grae’s eyes widened. “What d’you mean?”
“You hate telling us anything about what’s going on with your Type 1. You didn’t tell us Rance was bothering you. You just let us fight about your damned life without saying a thing. We’ve been suffocating you for years.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “You love me.”
“But that’s no reason to make you miserable.”
“I’m not miserable.”
I took Grae’s hand and squeezed, sending her silent encouragement.
She glanced at me and then looked at her brother. “Sometimes, it’s a little much. But I know it comes from a place of love, so I try to deal with it.”
Nash ran a hand through his blond hair. “But dealing with it means hiding things from us because you feel like you have no other choice.”
“Sometimes,” Grae admitted.
“I’m so damn sorry. I should’ve seen it before now. But I swear to you that things will be different.”
She swallowed. “It’d be nice to feel like I don’t have to hide things from you.”
“Teammates. Not taking over. That sound good?” Nash asked.
“That sounds good.”
Nash grinned and shook his head. “Anyone who comes at you has to deal with a knife-wielding badass. So, really, it should be you protecting me.”
I chuckled. “You’ve got a point there.”
Nash stood and looked my way. “Thanks for seeing my sister for who she really is. And for making sure the rest of us see it, too.”
I got to my feet and pulled him in for a back-slapping hug. “It’s impossible not to. She burns way too brightly.”
I followed Nash to the front door. Opening it, I took in the police cruiser in my drive and the two officers seated inside.
Nash paused in the entryway. “She’s lucky to have you.”
I stilled. “I’m the lucky one.”
“You both are.” He glanced out toward his SUV. “I’ll talk to our brothers and get them to back off a little. But it won’t be easy. We’re all used to protecting her. It was always our job.”
“No one’s saying you can’t now. Just that she has to be a part of it. Don’t steal her power.”
Nash nodded. “I see it now. I really do. I’m just pissed as hell that it took me this long.”
I met his gaze. “What matters is that you see it now and are willing to change things. Not every family is. It just shows how amazing yours is.”
He studied me for a moment. “You know you’re a part of that, right? Family isn’t always blood. Sometimes, it’s the people we choose to walk beside. And that has always been you, brother.”
My throat constricted as I struggled to swallow. “Love you, man.”
“Love you, too. Brother for life.”
His words meant more than Nash would ever know.
I cleared my throat. “Now, get out of here before I go back to Grae crying. She’ll use her knives on you.”
Nash barked out a laugh. “Can’t risk that.” He headed down the steps. “Call if you need anything.”
I gave him a wave and then closed and locked the door. Setting the alarm, I headed back into the living room.
Grae was right where I’d left her, but silent tears tracked down her face, glistening in the low light.
The sight was a sucker punch to the gut. I crossed the room in five long strides, picking her up and cradling her in my lap. “Gigi…”
Her breath hitched between silent sobs. “Do you know that I love it when you call me that?”
I held her tighter against me. “I thought you hated it.”
I’d started using the nickname when we were little, but sometime after I’d put up that wall between us, she’d started biting my head off every time I said it.
“Love it,” she hiccupped. “But it killed before, too.”
A burn lit deep in my chest.
“It reminded me of everything I’d lost.”
I nuzzled her neck. “I’m so sorry.”
“But I have it back now. I have more than I ever thought I would. But I can’t help but wonder if I’m being the most selfish person on the planet.”
I reared back. “Why the hell would you think you’re selfish?”
“You saw that picture, Caden. Whoever this is hates that we’re together. They’ve burned entire buildings. What happens when that isn’t enough? Everyone’s so worried about me, but it’s you they should be worried about.”
I pulled Grae against my chest, holding her tightly. “I’m going to be fine.”
“You don’t know that.” Grae’s voice trembled with each word. “I can’t lose you. Can’t be the reason something happens to you.”
Fear spiked deep, clawing at my insides. “Don’t even think about walking away from me,” I growled.
She shook her head against my chest. “I can’t. Maybe I’m too weak, after all. Maybe you’re just my kryptonite.” She pulled back, her watery eyes locking with mine. “Promise me you won’t leave me.”
I framed her face in my hands. “I promise.”
I just hoped she could give me the same.