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)
“People are reacting to the speech. They’re sharing stories and offering support. It’s incredible.”
Grayson glances at my phone screen before one side of his lips hikes high. “It’s amazing, Mace. Your speech is making a difference.”
“I hope so.” My voice is barely audible over the loud beat of my heart. “Because I really want to bring Kendall home.” Emotions drown out my following words. “I want her to meet her niece or nephew when she or he is still a baby.”
“She will.” Grayson’s tone is so convincing that I let myself believe the same. “We will do whatever it takes.”
As the sky lightens, I slouch back in my seat and relish the peace. With Grayson’s help, I trust that we can navigate the unknown road ahead relatively unscathed.
And one day, we’ll bring my sister home too.
13
GRAYSON
As the Los Angeles skyline recedes, the city lights dim and dawn breaks with a perfect orange sky. I glance at Macy, who is staring out the window while her finger does a figure-eight pattern on the frosty glass. The angst of her exchange with her parents vanished from her face within seconds of us pulling into a ma-and-pa diner at the halfway point of our travels.
Even the most preposterous task is less daunting when you have thousands of calories in your stomach. That’s why I haven’t been so hard on myself for not putting any hours into Cameron’s case over the past seventy-two. It isn’t that I’ve forgotten her. It is the knowledge that cases like the joint one Macy and I are working on, and the appeal Macy made on stage last night, are imperative in bringing women like Cameron home.
Each syndicate we take down brings me one step closer to achieving that. So guilt is there, but it’s not consuming me just yet, since it can’t push past the pride swelling in my chest.
Macy’s strength is undeniable, and watching her stand up for her beliefs made me even more convinced that she has grown into a capable and respected agent. She’s grown since leaving the academy. She’s no longer the shy, timid woman who hides behind others and only speaks when spoken to. The fire in her eyes announces she’s no longer finding her footing. She’s figured out how to navigate the complexities of the bureau, and I couldn’t be prouder.
I take back everything I just said when Macy cranks her neck my way, and I spot the teasing smirk tugging at her lips. It has popped up several times over the past six-plus hours, and it always arrives with a heap of sass. “Come on, Malfoy. Would it kill you to go a little faster? You drive slower than my grandma.”
“Because I’d rather not step you through hemorrhoid treatment until after you’ve given birth.”
I clenched my ass together so often when Macy took over driving two hours into our trip so I could get some shuteye that I’m sure I will need to borrow the stool softeners I forced her to buy when it’s time for the food we gorged on to come out.
Her inability to follow basic road rules rewarded me with buns of steel and a sphincter that wasn’t appreciative of how many times I forced it to crawl back into itself instead of loosening my butt’s clench and diving for the wheel.
Macy laughs like she’s not panicked about my hemorrhoid comment. “It’s not like you’ll get a ticket. The golden boys never do.”
I chuckle. “Not all of us have a trust fund to fall back on, freckles.”
It is a low blow to bring up a sore point so soon after her run-in with her parents, but the playfulness in the air assures me it is the right time. If we let things get too stale, the freshness that forever fuels our exchanges may never return.
Macy rolls her eyes before leaning back in her seat. “No, you don’t. Well, I don’t think you do.” She winks at me playfully, maintaining the light mood while also further spreading the rumors that my bank account is as stacked as my cock.
I understand I am mistaken when she murmurs, “You just have the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at your disposal.”
I scoff, the rattle of my tired breath coming out as a chuckle. “Why do you think I’m keeping it five below the designated speed limit? My father is a hard ass. If I were caught speeding by even a fraction, I wouldn’t just lose points from my license. I’d probably spend time behind bars.”
Macy laughs, assuming I am joking.
I’m not.
I appreciate the rarity of her shocked expression, then glance back at the road. “My father made me pay for every mistake I ever made. He believes in tough love, and that’s why his rules have rules. One time I was playing baseball with some friends, and I hit the ball through the neighbor’s window. I had to work the entire summer to pay for the window repairs. I was ten. Ten!”