“What now?” Asa asks.
Grady speaks to the room but is looking straight at me. “You thought my sister was safe with you? You’re. Fucking. Wrong. Everything just changed.”
Chapter 23
Xs, Os, and Hearts
Gracie
They file in—all of them—my brother charging the way with Noah on his heels.
“Are you going to tell me now?” Noah is glaring at Grady as he comes to a stop in the middle of the great room.
Grady turns to him and raises his voice. “Did you even ask her? You’ve laid claim to her, just spent a week with her, but did you ask about the incident? About the people who did this,” he points to me, “to my sister?”
“Grady,” Maya lowers her voice, “the kids are sleeping.”
“I did ask her,” Noah says. “But I also knew she’d just been through something traumatic so I didn’t push it.”
My stomach drops when Noah turns to me, his deep brown eyes crinkle with confusion and something else. Hurt? Disappointment? Betrayal? Something, but all of it so different than his normal expression of desire and lust and other things I haven’t allowed myself to process. “What’s he talking about?”
I look to Maya who almost had a freak-out moment when I admitted what I did. She confirmed what I haven’t been able to stop worrying about. She called Grady right away even though I tried to stop her.
“I’m sorry, Gracie,” she tries just like she has ever since she hung up the phone with her husband. “But this is bigger than what happened to you. We’re all affected by this. You’re just learning about this world … the life we live in that these men do everything they can to protect. This is huge—a secret that absolutely cannot be kept, no matter how much you want to shield him.”
“Shield who?” Noah demands before looking back at me. “What haven’t you told me?”
I try to control my sprinting heart but my palms are sweating and I swear I can feel the blood pulsing through my veins. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to be upset.”
“Gracie,” he rumbles and takes a step closer to me. I brace. I’ve never seen him like this—tense, on edge … I don’t know … bigger?
“She was targeted because of you.”
My mouth drops and I swing my head toward my brother, who is livid and glaring at the man who called me his lover just hours ago.
“What the fuck?” Noah’s deep voice rumbles off the walls and ceilings. “Is that true?”
I open my mouth but nothing comes out.
“What didn’t you tell me, Grace?” Noah takes another step toward me and the way Grace drips from his lips hits me somewhere deep. “Tell me what happened. The truth.”
Words tumble from my mouth, words that hardly make sense but I can’t take him being angry with me. “I’m sorry. I promise, I didn’t tell him anything about you. I didn’t know what to say to you, how to tell you—”
“Tell me what?” His face is set to granite and he’s not the person I’ve come to know over the last three weeks.
“Jarvis, let her talk,” Maya pleads.
I look around the room—Maya’s sympathetic eyes are on me, anger is radiating off my brother, and Crew and Asa are staring at me, waiting on an answer I don’t want to give. “He knew you. Or of you. He said you took his brother from him. He knew your name and wanted me to tell him how to find you. He said he had pictures of us at the airport and even a video when we were in Brussels. I think he said he was tipped off by a reporter?”
“Fuck,” Crew hisses and I’m pretty sure Asa pulls out his phone to make a call but I don’t know for certain because I can’t take my eyes off Noah.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when you asked,” I whisper.
Noah doesn’t move. Not one muscle besides the tick of his jaw when he demands, “What did he look like?”
I shrug and shake my head. “I mean, he was big. He had an Irish accent. And he was bald. I don’t know, tattoos … but everyone has tattoos these days. I’m sorry. I knew you’d be upset.”
I see his fingers flex that have touched every spot on my body, squeeze into a tight fist and I cringe when his tone comes out low and as rough as gravel. “You thought I’d be upset?”
My chest rises and falls so deeply, I feel it in my ribs. I nod, afraid to say any more.
“You thought I’d be upset because this,” he waves his hand up and down my body, “happened because of me?”
This time I don’t speak or move. I can’t.
“Jarvis—” Grady raises his voice but it’s too late.
Noah turns, takes two steps, and I thought I knew what it was like to see someone lose it when my brother went at Noah on the tarmac. But that was nothing compared to now.
Noah explodes, grabbing the first thing within his reach. My body coils when a plate hits the wall of the kitchen, bursting into a million pieces—not unlike the control of the man I’m falling for. Control that is usually even and balanced. I don’t recognize what’s happening in front of me.
Maya yelps but Grady is already across the room, crowding Noah, pushing him out the front door they walked through just minutes ago before I was forced to burst the bubble of so many lives I care about.
I hear my one-night stand-turned-more roar. One expletive after another falls from his lips.
Asa follows, giving orders to someone over the phone and Crew turns to Maya as he touches the screen of his phone to make his own call. “Don’t go anywhere. Keep the kids in the house and make sure every sensor on your property is activated. I need to call Addison, shut down Whitetail, and go from there.”
Crew doesn’t even glance at me. He’s got bigger things to worry about, like someone penetrating his entire life with pictures and videos of his employee.
Chloe starts to cry over the monitor and Maya moves to me, pulling me into her arms in a sisterly embrace. “It’s not your fault—you didn’t know this was as big of a deal as it is. They’ll fix it, I know they will. You get Chloe and I’ll clean this up.”
Maya lets me go and disappears around the corner, probably to the utility room. I look out of the glass double front doors and see Crew and Asa talking on their phones, but not Grady or Noah.
Noah is standing with his hand on the back of his neck, staring at the ground and Grady is at his side, arms crossed.
Shit, shit, shit.
* * *
Jarvis
“Fuck!”
Grady pushed me out the front door, down the stone steps, and onto his perfectly-manicured lawn.
I can’t believe this has happened. I’m careful—no, I’m meticulous. Careful is something you do while turning left into oncoming traffic, or using a sharp knife, or dealing with your mother so she knows you love her but that you cannot fucking go back to the house you grew up in.
I’m painstakingly, fucking perfect when I work. I know my surroundings, who’s coming, who’s going, and how to disappear like I was never there, disintegrating into a wisp of smoke.
Grady gives me another shove and this time I spin so fast he steps back. He’s not going to catch me by surprise again and if he comes at me, he’d better be ready, because right now I’ve got massive pent-up energy. Unlike earlier, I’m willing to use his face to release it.
But he doesn’t come at me and instead demands, “Settle the fuck down.”
“I don’t know how it happened. I wasn’t made. I’d know it.”
He narrows his eyes and eventually nods. “I agree. You’d know it. I’ve seen what happens when guys are made—it’s immediate and does not include the media.”
“I don’t think it’s Prosk. Carson said he hasn’t been out of the country. It’s the same fucker who approached my father. Even with her rough description, it matches. The one thing Gracie told me in Paris was the guy who took her and put his hands on her was called away. The building was cleared before I left with her—I got every single one of them.” I run my hand down my face and turn to Grady. “If I thought there
was even a chance this would happen, I never would have stepped near her in the first place. You’ve got to believe me because knowing what she went through is one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced.”
Grady shakes his head, his rage simmering below the surface but he has a handle on it more than I do right now. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but I believe you. Despite how unhappy I am about you and my sister, you’re not careless and you’re definitely not selfish. Doesn’t make this shit okay and doesn’t make me change my mind about you and her together. But I know why she didn’t tell you.”
“Why?” I turn fully to him. Crew’s on the phone with Addy and Asa just got off with Keelie and is now giving orders to Ozzie to step this shit up.
“How much do you know about my sister?”
I brace because he’s just calming down and I don’t need a second black eye. “Are you going to take another cheap shot at me?”
“If I do, you’d deserve it. Answer the question.”
“Everything,” I spout, telling him the truth.
This time I am surprised he doesn’t take a swing at me and he simply asks, “You sure?”
“I’m not going into details with you. But I found out she was your sister after we met. I went around everyone and had Carson pull her file. I know about what happened when she was nine and about you killing your son-of-a-bitch father. And I know not to let her drink when she’s already down, thanks to you.”
Grady rubs his jaw, staring me down before looking to the side to contemplate his land.
“What are you not telling me?” I demand.
“I know Gracie better than anyone—probably better than our sisters. She doesn’t trust well and keeps her circle small. She’d also cut her own leg off before upsetting someone she loves. Kills me to even think this, Jarvis, but if she kept that from you, then…” He stares off before bringing his eyes back to me. “Seeing as she did, I’m fucked because there’s no way I’ll be able to convince her you’re a bad idea. This is not the life I want for her. She deserves everything. Everything. You pulling her file doesn’t mean shit. Gracie has so many layers, there’s no way you could’ve peeled them all off in the last week.”
Veils—she’s got them in spades. I knew it, but it’s good to have it confirmed.
I still don’t give a shit what Grady thinks about us being together but at least he’s not jumping my ass like a rival gang member.
“Let’s let Ozzie do his thing. You were scheduled for some downtime anyhow. Don’t leave the compound. We’ll see what Prosk has to say when he’s in the hot seat.”
My phone vibrates with a text.
Addy – Soooo, Maya texted me.
Shit.
I ignore it and turn my attention back to Grady. “If it is the same guy who approached my father, we need to know why Prosk fed my information to him. I also need to give my father the heads up.”
Grady drags a hand down his face. “You’re right. Let’s see how fast Ozzie can find Prosk. He’s a reporter, not a terrorist. It can’t be that hard.”
My phone vibrates again.
Addy – And I’ve got to be honest, Crew told me about you and Gracie after the wedding reception weeks ago but swore me to silence. Trust me, I can keep a secret. But now that it’s out in the open, like, literally everyone knows—and by everyone, I mean Grady—we can talk about it, right? Maya told me about what happened at the airport. And Crew just informed me we’re in lockdown mode, not that he’d let me go anywhere right now with Aimée anyway. Your boss tends to up his intensity when it comes to his children. But anyway, I have an idea…
What the hell? I have more important shit to worry about right now.
“I talked to my father when I first got to Paris before my last assignment. He’s on alert and their house is remote enough and has decent security. I’ll send a courier message to his office.” I look at my watch. “I still have two hours. I’ll do that now so I can put off a visit for a day or two, but no more.”
“He’ll know what to do?”
Another text.
“He might be an asshole but he’s not a stupid one,” I mutter as I unlock my phone.
Keelie – OMG, Maya told me everything. You and Gracie!
Addy – But honestly, I’m upset with myself I didn’t think to set you two up long ago. Pregnancy hormones must have thrown me off my game. I mean, she’s perfect!
What the hell?
Keelie – I want to come over and visit Gracie after what happened but Asa told me we have to stay put. Give her a hug for me. And I don’t care what Grady says, I’m so excited for you two! xoxo <3
Fuck me, if Asa knew his new wife was sending me Xs, Os, and hearts, he’d flip his shit.
“And there’s no way Gracie is going home right now,” Grady keeps on. “I don’t know what that means for her job and I don’t give a fuck. I’ll pay her bills until this shit gets settled—she’s not leaving my sight until we get the guy who did this.”
I look up and glare at him. “I’ll take care of Gracie.”
“Like hell,” he clips right back. “She’s in this mess because of you.”
And here we are, back to where we left off at the airport. “That’s uncalled for. I had no idea there was a threat. I didn’t do anything different than what you, Crew, and Asa do in your private lives.”
He takes a step and puts a finger to my chest. “But we’re not active. Big fucking difference and why she doesn’t need to be tied to you.”
I push his hand away and my damn phone is about to burn a hole in my pocket.
Keelie – I’m going to make some cookies. I’ll have Asa bring them over.
Addy – Did she love the apartment in Paris? Crew and I haven’t been since before I got pregnant this last time. It’s so romantic and I can’t think of a more perfect place for you guys to get to know each other.
Keelie – Oh hell, I’ll just make you dinner. You two need a home-cooked meal after everything you’ve been through. Fuck carbs, I’m making you baked ziti. Addy said she’s setting you guys up at her bungalow but Maya said to keep that quiet because Grady will lose it. Don’t worry, I won’t say a word.
What?
Addy – So, I probably shouldn’t do this because I know I’m going to piss off some people, but the bungalow is between tenants right now. It’s clean and ready to go, you know, in case anyone needs a place to stay. A quiet place. A private place where big brothers don’t linger and no one gets black eyes. I’m just saying…
Keelie – I will have to tell Asa because he’ll have to bring you dinner. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure he doesn’t say a word to Grady. Maya said she’ll handle her hubs and I have full confidence she’ll win that battle. She’s texting me as I text you.
“Are you in a group text to figure out your math homework or something? Who the hell is lighting you up?”
Like I’m going to tell him the wives are having a field day.
Addy – You say the word and the bungalow is yours.
Addy – …and Gracie’s.
I don’t need convincing but I do need these women to stop texting me. I put my fingers to the screen to text Addy.
Me – Done. We’ll take it.
Addy – I’m so happy!!!!! I’ll have Maggie stock the fridge and make you dinner tonight. <3 <3 <3
Shit. More hearts.
“Ozzie’s on the hunt,” Asa says as he and Crew join us.
“You two fix this?” Crew asks, looking between Grady and me.
“No,” Grady clips at the same time I say, “Nothing to fix.”
Crew sighs.
“The women and kids are going to stay put. It’s summer so it won’t be hard with school,” Asa explains.
I turn away from all of them and head back to the house.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Grady calls after me.
I look over my shoulder at the three men still standing in the yard with the hot afternoon sun beating down on them. �
��Trust me, Cain. You don’t want to know.”
Chapter 24
Black and White
Gracie
How can so much happen in such a short amount of time?
Just twenty-four hours ago we were in our bubble in Paris, where food and shoes and panties were magically delivered to our door, and we weren’t thinking about anything besides us. It was a beautifully selfish mindset to be in and I miss it. I miss the Tower, the lights, the muted chatter of the city, our shower, our bed, and our time that seemed to go on forever while it still seemed too short.
It was nagging at me, the fact I hadn’t told anyone about why I was targeted. In the back of my mind I knew it was a bigger deal than I was allowing myself to believe. But at the time Noah and I had blocked ourselves off from the world. We were safe. I feel like a fool that I didn’t think about my brother, Maya, my nephew and niece, whom I love more than anything, the Vegas or the Hollingsworths. How was I supposed to know when I didn’t even fully understand what they did … or, still do?
When I admitted to Maya that I was taken because I was seen with Noah, the storm that swirled around me was as unexpected as my complete and utter obsession with the man I’ve been having copious amounts of sex with.
Now, I’m playing with Cayden and Chloe while everyone else deals with the aftermath of my secret. But the front door bursts open and Noah strides back into my brother’s house, looking like he’s on a mission that I’m not sure I want to join him on.
He holds his hand out for me and demands, “Let’s go.”
Chloe is crawling all over me when I look up and shake my head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Jarvis!” Cayden yells and tackles his leg.
Noah looks down at my three-year-old nephew and gives him a fist bump, which might as well be a punch to my gut seeing him interact with my nephew. “Hey, knucklehead. Wreaking havoc as usual?”
Veils: A Killers Novel, Book 4 Page 20