Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 133321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 667(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 667(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
She rushes past him and he catches her arm, turning her to face him. “You took the job to pay off my debt?”
“Yes. I did. It was all one big set-up. Ri didn’t go after me because I got back with Grayson. He went after me and Grayson last year when this all started.”
Mac’s hands go to Mia’s shoulders. “I wasn’t blaming Grayson. And right now, I’m thanking God he’s back because I know he loves you.”
“You said ‘why are you even back together’ or whatever you said,” she snaps back. “I didn’t like it. I’m certain Grayson didn’t either.”
“I know he’s covered in blood because he was right there with you, willing to risk his life to save you.”
“He did risk his life to save me. He dared that man in every way to shoot him, not me, and Ri hated Grayson. I’m lucky he’s alive. I’m really damn lucky he’s alive. If I’d have lost him tonight, I’d be ready to go, too. Don’t you see that?”
“I had a moment of freak out, Mia,” Mac says. “It came out wrong. I love Grayson. I have always respected him and welcomed him to our family.”
I step behind Mia, and settle my hands on her shoulders, silently offering her support.
"And as for my debt,” Mac continues, “I hate that you went to that man for me. That means, this is my fault.”
“No,” Mia says. “It’s not and I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you’d say that. I let Ri turn me into a weapon against Grayson that is much deeper than you can imagine.”
“I’m certain Grayson doesn’t blame you.” He kisses her forehead and turns to me. “I am glad that you’re back. She was never happy without you.” He offers me his hand which I accept. “You’re a good man,” he says. “Take care of my daughter.”
“I will, sir, every day of the rest of her life.”
He nods and turns to Mia. “I’m going to leave because as much as I want to stay, I sense that you and Grayson need time together. Come see me soon.” He hugs her and looks at me. “Both of you.” He looks at Mia. “I love you, daughter.” He kisses her temple and then heads for the door.
The minute it shuts, I lock it and turn to Mia who is suddenly shaking all over again, adrenaline and emotions making for a bad cocktail when mixed with shock. I grab her, scoop her up and start carrying her toward our bedroom.
Chapter forty-three
Grayson
Iset Mia on the white tiled ledge of the sunken tub and then walk to the shower, turning on the water. Once it’s warming up, I walk back to her and stroke her cheek. “Stay right here,” I order. “I don’t want you to fall. You’re still unsteady.” I try to pull away but she catches my hand.
“Grayson.”
“I’ll be right back, baby. I want to get you something to take the edge off.”
She nods and releases me and the fact that she welcomes whatever I bring her says a lot. Mia isn’t a drinker and she hates drugs of any type. I walk out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, stopping at the mini-bar in one corner, pouring her a stout drink that she’ll hate, but it’ll help her relax.
I return to find her shoes kicked off and I go down on a knee beside her. “Drink,” I order, pressing it into her hand and when her hand shakes on the way to her mouth, I help her hold onto the glass. “Like a shot. All at once.”
She swallows hard and then downs the whiskey. “Oh God. That’s horrible.”
“That’s a twenty-five-year-old scotch that cost ten thousand dollars a bottle.”
“That’s a lot of money for something that tastes that bad.”
I laugh. “It’s good stuff. Even better with the second glass.”
“It made me warm all over.”
“I’d rather it be me that makes you warm all over.”
“Then take that damn bloody shirt off. I can’t look at it.”
“Let’s both just strip down and I’ll get rid of our clothes.” I set the glass down, stand up and take her with me.
She fumbles with my buttons and I take over, quickly pulling it over my head and then walk to the trash can, hit the lever with my foot, and stuff the shirt inside. “Better?”
“Yeah,” she says. “The blood reminds me that he’s dead.”
And the world is a better place, but I don’t say that to Mia. Ri was a killer. I saw that in his eyes tonight. He would have killed her. He would have killed again. I help her undress and then do the same. I then walk to the trash can, hit the lever on the floor and trash everything. “I’ll get it out of the house after we shower,” I say, grabbing her hand and leading her to the shower.