Chapter 27
A few days later, Grayson and I were sitting in a bar, across from Charles’s workplace—or the front company that hid his real dealings.
It was a large, ten-story building in the middle of Willsbury City.
And the location of his vault. We were staking out the place to make sure nothing had changed since the last time Grayson had done recon on it.
He had kept meticulous tabs on everything related to Charles, so I knew this was just overkill.
He already knew every shift change, every face coming in and out of that building.
“You’ve been very quiet,” I dared to say, taking a sip from my virgin cocktail. It was Grayson’s second most important rule—Never get distracted, and that very much included not getting drunk on the job.
I had chalked up his silence since we were back, to him being in scheming mode, as Hunter liked to call it. But I had a feeling it was more than that. That tiny voice, nudging at me, making me feel restless.
His eyes settled on me for a second, then back at the building. He didn’t answer me. And that was answer enough. The little voice was right.
“You’re not still mad that I went to Charles’s house, are you?”
He sighed heavily and leaned back into his seat. “Not mad. Just working through some things.”
I waited for him to elaborate, smoothing my braid nervously.
He opened his mouth, but closed it again, like he was at a loss for the right words.
“I just realised how powerless I am when it comes to your safety.” He scratched at the stubble on his jaw.
“You’d made up your mind, and I could do nothing but watch you walk right into that scorpion’s nest. It scared me, Ava.
I haven’t felt so helpless in a long time.
If something would have happened to you…
” He shook his head, unwilling to finish his sentence.
Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. “I’m sorry I made you feel that way. But isn’t that what it means to be part of your life? That I would be doing dangerous things? With you? For you?”
He nodded slowly. “It is.” He was quiet for a moment, just watching his hands balled together on the table. “It is,” he repeated, mustering a smile for me, before returning his attention to Charles’s building.
The conversation had done nothing but pull him further away from me.
There was a canyon forming between us, and Grayson was the one digging the hole.
Desperation started to claw its way through me, and I had to acknowledge just how dangerous this feeling could be.
In this state of mind, I would do anything to bridge that gap between us, even in detriment to myself.
It was unhealthy, yes. But it was necessary for two souls so completely intertwined.
How would we survive otherwise? If one pulled away like that…
Separation would kill us both. It sure as hell would kill me.
I had no words that would bring him back to me, but we never needed words.
I made my way around the table and scooted into his side of the booth.
He automatically opened his arms for me and pulled me in tight, his warmth seeping into my skin and soul.
I traced softly over his scar, watching the tightness in his face disappear as his dark eyes roamed my face.
I love you, they said. You’re mine, they blinked.
And I prayed to the gods that the way he looked at me would never change.
“It scares me sometimes how much I love you. I would do unspeakable things for you, Princess.”