“No,” Dillon said on a sigh. “Duke, Grace is doing well at BU. You’ll be proud of her. She’s also living in the dorms and loving the whole college experience.”
“That makes my heart so fucking happy,” I mumbled.
“I need to run,” Dillon said. “Denim, make sure you fill him in. I’ll see you guys later.”
Once Denim merged into highway traffic, he sighed. “Jade has a room ready for you.”
I eyed my brother, waiting. “Fill me in on what?”
He regarded Vince briefly. “I’m trying to figure out how to tell you.”
“Just say it, man,” Vince encouraged Denim.
For the first time in a while, my stomach sank with that feeling of gloom and doom. Fuck. I hadn’t felt that since the day I was carted off to prison.
“Who died? Please tell me it’s not someone close to me.”
Other than my siblings, the only important people in my life were Brian, Vince, and Fallyn, and Vince was in the car. I prayed nothing happened to Brian or Fallyn. But my mind went to Fallyn. Considering that she was a federal agent, her job was as dangerous as mine had been.
I gently backhanded my brother on the shoulder. “Speak already.”
“You didn’t want us telling you about Fallyn while you were inside,” he started as he moved into the high-speed lane. “She’s fine, by the way.”
I sighed loudly. “But?”
“She quit the ATF,” Denim said. “About a month after you were in, she decided to leave her job. She came to me to make sure Dillon and I would watch over Grace. Of course, we always do, but apparently, you asked her to keep an eye on our sister. But Fallyn needed to put distance between herself and the Hart family. Her words, not mine.”
“Please tell me she’s not married.” My gut churned with anticipation.
I wouldn’t fault her if she were. It would’ve been selfish of me to ask her to wait for me.
“No ring on her finger,” Vince said, easing my misery.
I hung my head as relief coursed through me.
Denim sped past a slow-moving vehicle. “She’s Grace’s mathematics professor at BU.”
My eyes widened. “From agent to professor. That’s a swing. Boyfriend?”
“Not according to Grace,” Denim said. “Our sister has been trying to befriend Fallyn, but Fallyn has kept her distance. Still, we’re trying to surprise Fallyn as well as our sister at Grace’s party. That’s why Dillon told Grace to keep her mouth shut. We wanted to surprise you, but we know you don’t like them, and we wanted to give you time to process in case you don’t want to see Fallyn.”
Vince’s hand landed on my shoulder from behind. “She looks good. Amber and I ran into her at a restaurant a month ago. She asked about you.”
My heart was freaking out at the thought of seeing her. A mix of emotions—excitement, hope—rifled through me along with questions. Would she still feel the same about me as she had the day she told me she loved me? Could we have a relationship? I was new at the relationship thing, though.
Then again, none of that mattered as long as I could see her and know that she was happy.
Three hours later, after we stopped at the cemetery in Weston, grabbed a bite to eat, and dropped Vince off at his apartment, Denim pulled into the underground garage at his penthouse.
I’d barely climbed out of the car when Grace came running toward me with the biggest smile on her face.
Holy hell, tears shot free as she jumped into my arms.
“I missed you,” she cried. “I’m mad at our brothers for keeping your release a secret.”
I set her on two feet. “It’s not their fault. I asked them to. The government kept changing the date.”
“I’m glad you’re home,” she cooed, taking my hand.
