Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“You killed Benny?” she asks, fear laced in her words.
“Grace, I told you. I couldn’t allow him to be a constant threat to you and Asher. I’m going to be dealing with the Korslovas next. You and Asher are mine to protect, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Grace shakes her head back and forth, tears falling from her eyes. “You never once said you killed him. Oh my God, Ford. You’re going to lose your freedom over this! Are you insane? You’ve ruined your life, and for what?”
“Grace, sweetheart, stop it,” I demand quietly, gently putting a hand on each side of her face. “I’m not going to get in trouble. Everything is fine.”
“It’s not! You killed someone. They arrest people for that. Oh God, I don’t even know if this state is a capital punishment supporter. You have to leave, Ford. You must get out of here. There are countries that don’t have extradition to the US. You could—”
I laugh. I can’t help it. I press my lips against hers to keep her from talking. “Grace, you dated Vector. I don’t know the story, but I do know that. His club is a lot like mine. You can’t tell me you don’t understand the lifestyle.”
Her forehead crinkles. “Andrew always kept me separate from that. The only member of his club I ever met was Roman. He said he didn’t want that world touching me. He wanted to protect me. I thought it was because he loved me, but in hindsight, I think he just never saw me as part of his life—long term, anyway. It would have been nice to have known that before I gave him my virginity, but by the time he disappeared without so much as a goodbye, it was way too late.”
I digest this information and frown. “He disappeared?”
She shrugs. “I guess the term is ghosted. He tried to explain. He got hurt in action while in the military and just cut me out. Said his head was messed up and whatever. Apologies don’t really mean much. It happened, and I’d just rather forget it ever happened. I guess that’s why I didn’t really want to be around them when we were here before. Why did you put everyone in the hotel here? This place must be expensive.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. She goes from worrying I’m going to get the death penalty to me spending too much on a hotel room. I sit up, leaning my back against the quilted backboard, then gently pull Grace across my lap and hold her. She goes willingly and I let that soothe me. “I need you to listen to me, sweetheart. I have enough money not to worry about living in this damn hotel. The club has money. We’re sound financially. That’s something you’ll never have to worry about as my wife.”
“Wife? Ford—”
“If you don’t want marriage, I’m still claiming you as my old lady with the club. I love you and I heard you last night. You love me. I’m not letting you go. It’s just not going to happen. You need to accept that.”
“I live in North Carolina. Are you going to just be happy in a long-distance relationship?” she asks, sounding annoyed.
“Nope. You’re coming back to Virginia with me.”
“And if I refuse?”
I frown, looking at the stubborn face of the woman I love. “If you seriously dig your heels in and insist on staying, you’ll be forcing me to give up my club and being close to my daughter and grandbaby.”
“I wouldn’t—”
“You would, Grace. As much as I love them and my life in Virginia, I love you in a way that I can’t give you up. It’s just not possible. I have never been in love in my entire life. Not once have I ever felt like this.”
She stares at me, and I just look at her, letting her see the truth on my face. “I hated Virginia,” she mutters.
“You were with the wrong man,” I counter easily.
“I’ve never liked Virginia, not even when I thought I was in love and happy with Andrew.”
“Still the wrong man, sweetheart.”
“I have Asher to think about, Ford.”
“I love that little boy as much as I love you, Grace. He’ll be happy, I can promise you that.”
“I can’t agree to move,” she whispers, and I exhale. I was hoping she’d give us a chance. I look down at her and as much as it hurts my heart, I know that I’m going to choose her and Asher.
“Then I’ll send Grunt and the others home tomorrow. We’ll need to go down there soon so I can transfer some things over and let Grunt take over the club. I’ll sign over my house to T and Lyla. They have their own place, but they’ll make sure—”
She puts her fingers against my mouth. “Stop,” she says, her voice weak, but completely serious. “I can’t agree to just move, but I’m willing to go home with you and see what it’s like.”