Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 128307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Grayson only left two hours ago, but you wouldn’t know that from Mason’s reaction. You’d swear he’s been gone a year.
My response to his return isn’t much better. I’m dying for the sultry smirk he gives me in the seconds leading to his mouth landing on mine. Things are still wildly hot between us, and that has me unenthusiastic about my first undercover gig not under his command. I’ll still go, though, because the instant my sister is home, I will no longer be afraid that what I’m able to give Grayson isn’t enough.
I join Grayson and Mason in the foyer of our home. “How did it go with Alex?”
“Good. I’m on leave for as long as you need.” For half a second, I get the smirk I’m dying to see before Grayson’s lips brush the corner of my mouth. After breathing in deeply, he inches back. “Did you wash your hair? You smell like—”
I sock him in the stomach before he scars our son for life, and then I spin to face the suitcase I packed in a hurry last night. It took an Oscar-worthy performance to get Maddox to agree with my plan, but by trusting him, I am slowly earning his trust.
We fly out in a little under two hours, hence Grayson needing approval from his superior to take time off.
“What did you tell Alex?”
It takes Grayson a long time to answer. So much, I think he never will. “I said you were going to visit your grandmother, who is unwell.”
He hates lying in general, but it’s worse when it comes to the people who love and protect us.
“Are you sure you want to run point on this case, freckles?” He uses my nickname on purpose, hoping it will hide the worry in his tone. “I can swap with you.”
I smile, wordlessly acknowledging my appreciation of his offer before declining it. “I need to be there.” Once I’ve slipped my fake ID and passport into the front pocket of my suitcase, I turn to face him. “Besides, you promised Mason you’d take him to the first game Lennox Jamison pitches. That’s this weekend.”
“Because I never thought Lennox would skip his final year of college to go pro early.”
I act as if he never spoke. “And I would never forgive myself if I weren’t there to bring her home. We’re close, Grayson. So close I can feel it.”
Before I can blink back the tears welling in my eyes, Grayson cups my face, and his thumb strokes my thankfully dry cheek. “I feel it too, Mace. It’s time.”
He kisses me, aware that no amount of devastation could keep me from responding to the love he portrays when he worships me. It is a blistering embrace that would usually have Kailany gagging like she doesn’t witness her mom and dad doing it a hundred times a day.
“More. Please.”
I fist Grayson’s shirt and tug him back to me when he notches back long before I’ve had my fill. His muffled laugh warms my heart as much as his lips do, and it frees me to leave knowing everything will be okay. I have a man who loves me, a son who will never feel as alone as both his parents once did, and a team who knows sometimes it is okay to scuff the line between good and evil if it achieves a positive response.
Even if I don’t bring Kendall home today, I will one day.
Faith assures me of this.
And so does Grayson.
His love is the light that guides me through the darkness, and it is bright enough to bring Kendall out of the dark, too.
GRAYSON
I pace the length of the kitchen, phone pressed to my ear and eyes flicking between my laptop’s live feed and the clock. Every second Macy is out there, my nerves coil tighter. Covert operations don’t hand out second chances. This is our only shot. If we pull this off, we will get Macy’s sister back. If we don’t… I don’t allow myself to finish my thought. It is too devastating to consider. It could fracture Macy beyond repair.
The voice of one of Crew’s team members crackles through the speaker. “Macy and her target are exiting the tattoo parlor. The block is clear. No sign of any threats.”
“Copy. Keep eyes on her. She’ll improvise if needed.”
My finger has only just slipped off the mic button when a knock sounds at my door. I freeze. I’m not expecting any visitors.
After a quick update on Macy’s location, I head to my front door. I crack it open an inch, inwardly groaning when I spot my father on the porch, hands in his pockets and eyes as sharp as ever.
“Grayson,” he greets, like he’s dropped in for coffee.
“Dad?” My response reads like a question rather than a greeting. I move closer, obscuring the view of the makeshift command center in the kitchen. “What are you doing here?”