Chapter 26 #2
In the gaudiest room in this castle, Charles plopped down onto the edge of his bed. “Show me, Ava,” he demanded, his words slurring. “I wanna see your body now.”
I gritted my teeth and undid the zipper at the back of my dress, reluctantly letting it fall to the ground, just in the off chance he might remember something the next day.
A drunken smile spread across his face. “Wow…”
I climbed onto his lap as his head lolled with that stupid grin still on his face and pushed him down onto the mattress.
He chuckled slowly. “Feist…” He didn’t finish his word as his hands slipped from my hips and his eyes slid shut.
I exhaled my frustration. “About fucking time.”
It took me a while to get his heavy body completely on the bed, needing to take a break to catch my breath, before proceeding in staging the scene.
I undressed him completely, wondering for a while if he was the type of man to leave his socks on when he fucked a woman, to which I decided, yes.
Yes, he was. I also smudged some of my red lipstick on his lips and neck.
Sneaking back into the library, past all the guards—like Grayson had taught me—I found the two bottles of wine the staff had left for us, which I took to his bathroom and emptied one in the drain, then almost emptied the other one.
I placed the wineglasses on the bedside tables as well, each with a bit of wine left in.
He would look around and think he had too much to drink. He would feel like it too.
When I was done messing up the room a bit, I climbed into bed next to a snoring Charles.
He had asked me to stay over, so that’s what I had to do.
But I couldn’t sleep. Excitement coursed through my veins.
I couldn’t wait to tell Grayson what I knew.
I took the cell phone out of my purse and sent Grayson a text.
I’m fine, he’s sleeping. And I know where your diamond is!
His reply was almost immediate. Thank God you’re okay. Two more seconds and I would have burned his house down.
A few seconds later: Never again, Princess.
He was still mad at me. I had left him in the hotel room, bristling. I could picture him pacing outside the van, around the corner of the street.
I’m not making any promises, I teased.
His reply sent a shiver through me. Don’t test me, Ava.
I paused, wondering if I should rather do the wise thing and end it there, but I typed out my reply anyway.
Then don’t tell me what to do. I’m a grown woman.
I make my own choices. And if it means dressing up in ugly red lingerie for a crime lord, then so be it.
You should thank me. I did something in three days that you couldn’t do in ten years, and I didn’t even have to fuck him. I found Dianna’s diamond, Grayson!
I might have been a tad harsh. But I was hurt. He was supposed to be proud of me, not mad at me. I was proud of myself; excited by what I’d accomplished. And I was starting to believe Grayson’s words all those weeks ago. Maybe I was made for this life.
I looked down at Charles. Drool made its way down his chin. I had infiltrated this monster’s home, got from him what I needed and completely disarmed him. No one looked twice at the doe-eyed, blushing red head.
I smiled. I could kill him right now if I wanted to and be long gone before anyone realised what had happened.
The cell phone buzzed in my hand. I’m too afraid of losing you. Nothing else matters.
I sank against the pillows. He would come around when I’m safe in his arms tomorrow. Maybe then he would let himself be excited.
Good night, Grayson, I typed out and waited for his reply. I wanted to continue talking to him, have someone share in my excitement, but he was not in the right headspace right now. There would be time for that later.
I’m here if you need me, Princess.
I deleted the messages and placed the phone back into my purse before lying back, grinning up at the ceiling.
I had done it.
The next morning, when Charles started to stir, I got up and dressed myself in the extra clothes I brought with me from the hotel. I made sure to drape the lingerie around the room.
I went to sit beside him as he groaned, rubbing at his head. “Good morning, sexy.” I caressed his face. “You must have a pounding headache after all that wine.”
He groaned his agreement.
I chuckled lightly. “Gods, I had so much fun last night.”
“You did?” he rasped, squinting at me, trying to remember the previous night and failing.
“Yes, of course! If I had any idea you were so good in bed, I would have been in yours a long time ago, Mr. Anderson,” I teased as I trailed my hand down his abdomen.
He grinned weakly.
“It had me thinking. I’m going back home. I can’t hide forever. Not if I want to be with you.”
He slowly sat up against the pillows, his face bleak. “What do you mean?”
“You want that too, don’t you? To be with me?” I questioned shyly.
He took my hand and kissed it. “I’ve wanted that for a very long time.”
I chewed at the inside of my cheek. He was being sincere. Could a cold-hearted man like him really feel something for someone else?
No. Not in any real sense.
I smiled broadly at him. “Then I have to go home. Talk to the police. Make up a story of how I miraculously escaped. And then… Will you come find me?”
“Of course, dear.”
I placed a piece of paper on his nightstand. “This is my number. Will you call me later?”
He nodded and I kissed him lightly. “I’ll have Wesley take me back to the hotel.
The sooner I get this over with the sooner we can be together.
” I stood. “You stay in bed. I’ll make sure someone brings you headache tablets before I leave.
” I caressed his face one more time before walking out the door.
“The legend returns!” Hunter exclaimed as I walked into the hotel room, bowing deeply to me with a goofy grin on his face. They were already there, waiting on me. Gemma came squealing at me, gripping my arms, jumping up and down excitedly.
“You did it!” she squealed in a high-pitched voice. “It was masterful! The dress, the innocent face, the potion! Ugh!” she swooned.
Pure joy radiated from my laugh and from my pores.
Grayson sauntered over to me; his eyes alight.
“How did I do?” I asked the same question I did that night we robbed the warehouse.
He beamed down at me. “You were fucking magnificent.”
My chest swelled three times its usual size, I was sure of it.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, baby,” he whispered for just me to hear, exactly what I’d wanted. “Thank you. Thank you for doing this. For me. And for my mom and Abby. I owe you so much. This means so much.” Emotion shined in his eyes that had my heart skipping a beat.
I threw my arms around him and kissed him. Forever wouldn’t be enough time with this man. I thanked the gods for bringing him into my life. There was nothing else I could ever want. He was everything.
Hunter cleared his throat, and I had no choice but to let go of Grayson, him doing so a bit more reluctantly than me.
“So? Where is he keeping the diamond?” Gemma prompted excitedly.
“He said it was back home. So it’s in Willsbury City. That’s home to him.” I peered up at Grayson, but he was already lost in his thoughts. His mind going a mile a minute. Already planning.
I shoved him with my shoulder to get his attention. “You have a plan?”
He blinked down at me, giving a smug grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Of course.” He stared down at me for a while then kissed me on the temple. “I was worried sick, you know.”
I noticed then, the shadows bruising the skin under his eyes.
“He really was.” Gemma’s eyes were wide. “I’m just glad it’s over. He’s so exhausting when he’s like that.” She blew out a breath.
I’d been so wrapped up in getting the job done, before having to fuck Charles, that I’d completely missed the way my man was severely falling apart with worry and… was that guilt in his eyes?