by Lucy Smoke
“I’m not sure,” Grayson admitted, dropping his hand away from his head. “I have some things to take care of.”
“Things like Teddi.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.
Still, he answered. “Yes,” he said. “I think I know how to get her off my back and if I can, then it’ll be over with her.”
I sucked in a breath and finally looked to Knix. “Can you guys give us a moment?” I asked, beseechingly.
Knix frowned, his brows drawn down in concern as he took a glance between the two of us. He knew something was up—had been ever since the masquerade—but he merely nodded and gestured for the others to leave. Texas and Bellamy left willingly, but Marv paused between Grayson and me, shooting a glare at Grayson.
He pointed. “You make her fucking cry and I make you cry, got it?” he demanded. “I’m tired of this bullshit. You tell her the truth and I mean everything.”
Grayson—full of surprises, today, apparently—didn’t even offer up a smartass comment. He merely sighed and nodded, acquiescing to Marv’s order. Knix clapped Marv on the shoulder and nodded towards the door. Marv nodded. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m going.” But he paused and turned back, those cloud gray eyes of his finding my gaze. “He’s being hard-headed, Sunshine. I know you’ve been down, but just know…we’re here. We’re not leaving you.”
My lips parted. I couldn’t stop myself. One moment, I stood there, ready and willing to battle with Grayson—to finally come to grips with his non-answer at the masquerade. To ream him a new one for breaking my fucking heart. And the next…I was grabbing Marv by the shirt collar and yanking him towards me. I slammed my mouth down on his, reaching up and shoving my hands through his hair—messing it up—as I claimed his lips. I kissed him like a wild creature, one that wanted to consume him completely.
And when I finally let him go, he merely stood there blinking at me in a dazed confusion. Knix chuckled and grabbed Marv by the shoulder again. “Come on, buddy,” he said as he pulled him from the room. Just before he completely exited, Knix turned and winked my way. “Give him hell, Little Bit.”
Oh. He didn’t have to worry about that. I would, I thought as I turned back towards Grayson. Let the reaming begin.
“Harlow.”
I held up my hand as Grayson started. “Wait,” I said. “I don’t want to do this here.” I turned and left the room, heading towards the back of the house, away from where the others had gone. Grayson was still for a beat and then I heard the sound of his footsteps following close behind me. I led him out of the living room and towards the backdoors. We left through the back entrance and took the path towards the pool house.
“Why did you want to come out here?” Grayson asked as I stopped in front of the entrance to the pool house and waited for him to unlock and open the door. I gestured and he shook his head. “Open it,” he said. “It’s unlocked.”
I opened the door and let him go first. Grayson turned, looking at me over his shoulder as he moved. I shut the door quietly behind me and then gestured for him to start as I headed to the kitchen. The walls were still unpainted, but the place was lived in now that Grayson had been there a while. I went rummaging through the kitchen, almost confident that I would find what I needed to.
"Okay..." Grayson said as he approached the breakfast bar that separated the kitchen and the living room. I opened the fridge and when I didn't see what I needed, I went for the cabinets. Grayson didn't continue talking. He just stood there, watching me as I opened all of the lower cabinets and then the upper ones.
I finally found what I was looking for. Unfortunately, the bottle of vodka was on the top shelf. I stretched up, putting a knee on the counter as Grayson's eyes widened and he came around the side of the counter. By the time he got to me, however, I already had two knees on the countertop and a hand outstretched, reaching for the bottle of clear liquid. I grasped it and brought it down as Grayson's hands closed over my waist.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Getting supplies," I said simply, letting him help me down.
"For what?" When my feet were back on the ground, I turned, but Grayson didn't drop his arms, keeping me close to him with the bottle of vodka between us. He didn't look at it as he examined my face.
"For this conversation," I replied.
"You need alcohol for a conversation?"
"For this one, yeah," I said. And for this day, but I didn't tell him that. I stepped out of his arms and circled him, heading for the cabinet where I'd seen drink glasses. I paused as I opened it, considering...then I quietly shut the cabinet without retrieving one and headed for the living room. Grayson trailed behind, seeming to grow more and more confused with each of my actions.
I popped a squat on the floor and gestured for him to do the same across from me. Resting my back against the small, worn couch the guys had carried in some weeks back, I opened the bottle and took a drink. The fiery liquid slid to the back of my throat, held there for a moment, and continued downward.
Grayson frowned and reached for the bottle. "I don't think I like you with this."
I moved it out of his reach as I struggled to keep a straight face. "Too bad," I said. "Start talking."
Grayson huffed out a breath and relinquished the vodka. When he looked away, I let the grimace I had been hiding show on my face as I downed another shot straight from the bottle.
"I'm going back to Teddi," Grayson said.
I paused, keeping the bottle pressed to my lips for another moment. I didn't like that so I let a little bit more vodka enter my mouth. It was almost like I was punishing myself as more fire burned a trail down my throat, but in actuality, I just wanted to stop feeling so much. After talking with Dr. Galston and walking back into the house to see Marv at Grayson's throat and even though I wasn't quite over Grayson's fuck up at the masquerade, I didn’t want to deal with this. So... bottoms up. I sucked back another mouthful.
"Okay, that's enough." Grayson ripped the bottle from my hand, letting some of the liquid spill out onto my chin.
It dribbled down my neck and soaked into the collar of my t-shirt. I shot him a dirty look as I wiped the wetness from my chin. It was too late, though. I'd accomplished my objective. I could feel the light buzzing in my veins. I didn't drink much. I hadn't had a drink in quite a while. I blinked at him as he sniffed the open bottle—as though he wanted to check to make sure it was actually what the label said it was. He grimaced and then set it down at his side.
"This is serious, Harlow," he said. "I know you're mad at me about what happened at the masquerade—with your brother and then... afterward, but—"
"I'm not mad at you," I said, interrupting him.
"What?" Grayson looked at me in surprise, then his brows drew down as he frowned. "You've been hiding out in your room for the last few days and you haven't spoken more than a sentence to me."
"You haven't been around." I shrugged. "And I'm hurt, not mad. There's a difference." I reached for the bottle again. Grayson held it out of my reach easily and I growled. "Give it," I demanded.
"No," he said. "We have to talk and I want you to be sober while we do it."
“Why do you want me sober?” I asked.
"Why do I want you sober? Seriously? Harlow. You don't drink."
I stopped trying to reach for the bottle and stared at him, my chest only a hand's width away from his. "You don't go back on your promises," I shot back.
He froze, the bottle nearly slipping from his grasp as he held it up. I reached up and steadied it as I met his eyes. Slowly, Grayson let the bottle sink into my hands. I took it from him and set it to the side without taking another drink.
“I know you probably hate me,” he started, “but I’m not…I’m only—” He broke off, shaking his head.
I waited as a storm swirled in his ocean blue eyes. They were bright and so full of pain and regret and sadness, it echoed in my own hurt.
"I don't hate you," I said quietly, letting my head fall against his chest as I sighed.
"I'm not mad at you, but you're really frustrating, you know that?"
He chuckled quietly, a subdued sound. "I know, Babydoll. It's a wonder you put up with me."
"Do you know why I do?" I asked. "I put up with you because I love you, Grayson. I put up with Texas' childishness because I love him. I put up with Bellamy's grumbles, and Marv's perfectionist ways, and Knix's quiet because I love them. I love all of you individually. I love you with your flaws, not in spite of them."
A breath shuddered out of Grayson and his arms closed around me slowly, hesitantly. I breathed in his scent and snuggled against him, moving closer as I did so. "I love you too, Harlow." The admission was quiet, whispered against my hair, but it healed the wound he had created.
"That's what I needed to know, Grayson," I said. "Do you regret this?"
"No." The word was ripped from between his lips so harshly that his arms contracted around me, squeezing me tight as though he was afraid I wouldn't believe him. I did believe him. Hearing it confirmed, though, was a lot easier than just hoping I was right.
"Good," I said. "Then don't fucking make me doubt you again." I paused for a moment, sliding my cheek against the soft fabric of his shirt. "I don't think I can take it again."
"I won't," he said. "I swear it."
We stayed like that for several minutes more, just basking in each other. But we couldn’t stay like that forever. I put two hands on his chest and backed away, looking up into clear blue eyes.
“Now,” I said, “tell me what’s going on.”
Grayson's eyes darkened, but he nodded. "I'm going back to Teddi to throw her off. I talked to Texas and had him track down my dad. He's been living out of the states with his new wife for a while, but he just recently came back for a business trip it seems. I'm going to go talk to him and see what he can do while I distract Teddi long enough to get her off of everyone else's back."
I nodded. "Okay. Do you think your dad will help?" I asked.
He shrugged, his shoulders stretching the fabric of his shirt with the movement. "I hope like hell he will, but there's no telling. I haven't seen or talked to him in a few years."
I contemplated what else we could do.
"What about her money?" I asked. "I mean, your dad was paying her child support for you until you turned eighteen, right?"
He nodded. "Yeah, half her money dried up then. Her alimony is about to run out too. I think that's why she's been so desperate to keep me close because if she can control me, she can get the money that's in my trust."
"She's used to a certain standard of living," I agreed.
We were both quiet for another moment, our thoughts circling. I knew when we both came to the same conclusion as our heads jerked up and Grayson's smile matched mine.
"How do you think we can disrupt that standard of living?" I asked.
Grayson chuckled. "I'm sure Texas might be able to help."
I nodded. "I think he'd be more than happy to."
Chapter 22
"I'm sorry, you want me to do what now?"
"We want you to freeze her accounts," Grayson explained. “Make it so that she can’t get any of her money. She’s gotta have at least a few credit accounts as well.”
Texas sat back in his computer chair, the soles of his feet pushing against the floor as he swung it to one side and then back to the other several times before replying. "You both realize that's illegal, right?" he asked.
I lifted an eyebrow at him. "Are you saying you don't want to do it?"
Texas burst out laughing. "Don't want to do it? Hell, Princess, I'd love to fuck her shit up. I'm just making sure you know what you're getting into."
I smiled and leaned down, letting my face hover over Texas'. "I'm more than ready to get into it," I said lowly. Texas' eyes widened as I leaned down and licked his lower lip. "Are you ready to go to work?"
Texas' eyes darkened and he reached up, capturing the back of my head as he brought me forward to take my lips in a demanding fashion. I gasped into his kiss as he slid his tongue in, swiping it across my lower lip before delving inside. When he was done, I was blushing furiously, panting as he gently pushed me back and swiveled his chair to face the row of computers on his desk.
"I'll have her broke within an hour," he said sharply. "Count on it."
Grayson reached for me, pulling me back and away. "Good, I'll head out then,” he announced.
"You're going to see her today?" I asked, shocked as I tried to regain my composure.
"He already has," Marv said from the doorway.
I twisted to look at him. "What? You already went to Teddi?” My eyes flashed between them as Grayson grimaced, but nodded, confirming Marv's statement. “Is that why he was so mad at you earlier?” I asked.
Grayson looked to Marv.
"That was part of it," Marv admitted. "But it was also about how he hurt you at the masquerade."
"What happened at the masquerade?" I repeated.
“Working here,” Texas snapped back at us. “If you three are gonna have a conversation, take it out into the hall. I’ve got shit to do.”
Grayson nudged me towards the doorway and Marv stepped back, letting us exit the room.
“What about what happened at the masquerade?” I asked once it was just the three of us.
Marv looked at Grayson as he spoke. “I knew something had gone down between the two of you,” he said. “You weren’t yourself. Whatever it was, I knew Grayson had hurt you.”
“Okay…” I started. “That still doesn’t explain why Grayson saw Teddi today.”
Marv broke off his stare and looked down at me. “I wanted to figure out what happened and when I went looking for him today, he wasn’t here. I checked the tracker on his phone—”
“You put a tracker on his phone?” I asked, shocked.
Marv sighed. “There’s one on everyone’s phones,” he said. “You know this.”
“I didn’t think you’d gotten one on Grayson’s phone, though,” I said defensively.
"It's okay," Marv said, "but I did track him."
"Straight to Teddi's." I glanced up as Knix came around the corner.
"You too?" I asked.
He nodded. Marv and Knix looked at Grayson. “Marv approached him when we got home and not long after, you came home,” Knix explained.
“Oh...so…everything’s okay now, then?” I clarified. They nodded as one and I sighed in relief. “Good. That’s good. I guess you’re right, then. You should probably get back to her,” I said to Grayson. I didn’t like it, but we’d made a plan now and it was time to see it through.
Grayson stepped forward, cupping my face in his rough palms as my eyes widened. He pressed his mouth to mine and on instinct, my eyes slid closed. I soaked in the attention and the soft feel of his lips pressed against mine. When he pulled away, stroking his thumb across my cheekbone as he did, he grinned.
“Don’t worry, Babydoll,” he said. “You’ll see me again soon.”
“I better,” I retorted as he dropped his hands and turned to go.
He chuckled as he left. I turned and wavered a bit on my feet. Knix reached out and caught me effortlessly. “You okay, Little Bit?” he asked.
Marv frowned and leaned forward, crowding me against Knix. “Are you drunk?” He sounded surprised, not angry.
“I’m not drunk,” I said, pinching my thumb and finger together, “just a little tipsy.” I shifted from foot to foot as I pressed back against Knix. “I may have gotten mad at Grayson.”
“So, you…what?” Marv blinked, confused.
“I grabbed a bottle of vodka out of his cabinets in the pool house and had a few sips.”
He narrowed his gaze at me. “Just a few?”
I nodded sharply, raising my hand. “I promise—cross my heart.” I made the sign over the side of my chest where my heart resided.
Marv sighed, closing his eyes. “You’re going to drive us all mad, Sunshine,” he said.
I shrugged. “Sorry.” I wasn�
��t sorry. I kind of liked that I drove them crazy. It was a little revenge for how crazy they all drove me.
Marv opened his eyes and met Knix’s stare. “Take care of her?”
Knix chuckled and scooped me up. “Always,” he promised.
I blinked as Knix turned and began striding down the hallway. I glanced back at Marv over Knix’s shoulder, watching him grin back at me as we left. “Um…” I started. “I can walk.”
Knix hummed in response but didn’t say anything.
“I’m not drunk,” I pointed out. “I only had a little bit. We worked things out before it got too bad.”
"I know you're not, Little Bit."
"Oh." I circled my arms around his neck as he strode downstairs with me still in his arms. "Then why are you carrying me?" I asked. Not that I didn't like it, I did. Knix's size and strength always served to make me feel small and precious, but my confusion wouldn't let me disregard his actions in the moment.
"I like carrying you," he said.
"But..."
He chuckled, the sound a low rumble in his chest that echoed upwards. It made my bones shiver and goosebumps rise on my arms. "Maybe I just wanted to spend some alone time with you, Little Bit. Ever think of that?"
No, I hadn't. At least, not right now I hadn't. It was hard to think with his thickly muscled arms wrapped around me. I blushed as that thought crossed through my head.
He noticed. "Harlow?" I burrowed into his chest, hiding my face.
"It's okay. It's nothing," I said quickly. "I guess, just take me to my room."
Knix nudged the door to my bedroom open with the toe of his foot and carried me inside, striding to the bed and gently settling me down. I sighed and curled up against the softness of my comforter and pillows.
“It’s been a long day,” he said. “Bellamy’s making dinner tonight. Why don’t you rest and I’ll go check up on the others. Texas will probably be working on hacking that woman’s accounts for a while.”
“Wait,” I said, sitting up as he moved back towards the closed door.
Knix paused and glanced over his shoulder as I bit my lip, debating.
