Chapter 24
My watch showed that three agonising hours had passed since we’d sat down at the restaurant table. I had told Charles everything in detail and answered all his questions without missing a beat, thanks to Grayson’s thorough planning.
Charles had become bolder in his flirting as soon as he’d decided that I was telling the truth, and I let him.
He was excited by the idea that I wanted more in life than what I had.
I had even admitted, in an innocent manner, that I’d felt weirdly powerful for manipulating the robber the way I had.
That had him on the edge of his seat with excitement.
“I can help you with it, you know. The gold.” He looked at me with a twinkle in his icy blue eyes. “I have someone who’d buy it for eighty percent of its value. And he wouldn’t question its origin.”
“You would do that? For me?” I whispered shyly.
“Of course, dear. I will set up a meeting for tomorrow,” he answered.
I shook my head in admiration while staring wide eyed at him. “How do you even know someone like that?” It was a stretch, but maybe it would lead to the diamond.
He smiled smugly. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Ava.” He took my hand across the table, and it was a battle not to pull away. “I would like to show you if you’d let me.” He waited for my answer.
I nodded shyly, watching our hands.
“Good, now let me take you back to your hotel. And I hope to see you again tomorrow.”
“Of course.” I beamed at him but let it falter as I stood. “But what about Charlotte?” I bit at my lip, letting disappointment take over my expression.
He came around the table, putting a heavy hand on my bare shoulder. “I can let someone take her back home to Willsbury if that is what you want?” He looked hopeful. Eager to get rid of the girl. To have me instead.
I fought against every instinct in me and leaned closer to him. “I would like that very much.” The girl wouldn’t know it, but I was saving her life.
We walked out the large doors of the lounge, our arms linked, to the waiting black car. The chauffeur opened the door, and I scooted inside, but not before getting a glimpse of the van. The engine was already purring, waiting to follow. I let out a sigh of relief.
I had done it. It had gone better than expected.
Charles was already fantasising about me on his arm as his partner in crime.
Grayson would be proud. I was sure that I could get information about the diamond from Charles sooner than expected.
I’d underestimated his desire to have me by his side. His trophy.
Charles insisted on walking me to my hotel room. My heart was pounding in my throat at the thought of him wanting to come inside, but he didn’t.
“I will call up to your room tomorrow to let you know the details of our meeting with my buyer.”
“I can’t wait,” I chimed, and added, “Thank you, Charles. For helping me. And keeping my secret.” I put my hand on his arm.
He lowered his head to kiss my cheek. “Of course, dear.”
A moment later, he disappeared into the elevator, and I closed the door behind me.
I hadn’t made it two feet into the room before there was an urgent knock.
My shoulders sagged in relief as Grayson stood in the door, his brow creased and his eyes assessing.
He looked like a movie star in his jeans and tight-fitting, knitted shirt.
I hadn’t noticed how tense my body was until his presence engulfed me. It calmed me instantly. I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him into the room. He kicked the door closed behind him, lifting me off my feet, clutching me so tight to his chest that I almost couldn’t breathe.
“Fuck, Princess. That was torture,” he said against my lips. “I fucking hate him touching you.”
Grayson’s strong body felt so right against mine. His voice soothing over the frayed ends of my nerves. My body was already alight, tingling where his hands touched. He placed me down on the edge of the bed, and knelt before me, taking my face into his hands.
“Are you okay? You don’t have to do that again. Let me take you to the Bahamas. I’d rather see you on the beach, in a bikini, soaking up the sun, with a Pina Colada in your hand than watch him undress you with those beady eyes.” He pulled a face that had me snickering.
“I’d like that.” I pressed my lips to his.
“But only after we get your mother’s diamond.
And as soon as you make him pay for his horrible crimes.
” I couldn’t believe I just had dinner with such a monster.
How could he have sat there with a smile, enjoying a glass of fine wine, knowing all the terrible things he had done?
How could I have sat there and swallowed my steak, knowing the hands that just touched me had done gruesome things?
Grayson tugged at my hair, looking worriedly at me. His fingers glided down a strand of my hair.
Had Grayson’s hands not also done some gruesome things? And here I was, craving his touch. Letting his fingers stoke fires in me that I’d only dreamt of existing before experiencing his calloused palms against my skin.
“Anderson didn’t stand a chance against those bewitching green eyes,” Grayson murmured with a proud smile.
There was a quick knock before the door swung open, pulling me abruptly from the depths of those admiration-filled eyes.
Hunter was standing in the doorway, grinning, holding up my favourite brand of red liquorice. “We brought snacks.”
“God, Hunter! Will you get out of the way?” Gemma was trying to push him aside, while trying to catch a glimpse of me over his shoulder. “Ava, are you okay?” she said in a huff as she finally got past Hunter.
I laughed at the spectacle as Grayson stood. “I’m fine! Stop worrying. Please,” I groaned. Between her and Grayson, the past three weeks had been unbearable. It was a constant battle of wills.
“I wasn’t worried. I knew you’d nail it.” Hunter grinned even wider as he threw the liquorice at me, then made himself comfortable in a chair with a box of chocolate cereal. He liked eating it from the box with no milk.
“You would do that? For me?” Hunter made a shrilly voice trying to mimic mine, batting his eyes and fanning himself.
I rolled my eyes at him but couldn’t stop my giggle.
He’d become an unlikely ally in the last three weeks.
Always advocating for me to make my own decisions when Grayson and Gemma wanted to usurp my choices if they did not agree with them.
But me and Hunt, teamed up, could persuade even the most obstinate Grayson to our chosen course.
We spent the rest of the night together like we spent most of our days. Planning and plotting and joking and laughing. I was still in awe of them, my newfound family. With how we all, each so different, just fit perfectly together. I was at home with them. I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging.
And when Gemma and Hunter went to their own suite at midnight, Grayson slowly undressed me and showed me just how much I belonged to him.