"Got it."
"And Grant?" He looks up from his phone. "Keep that woman safe. She didn't ask for any of this."
"I know. I plan to."
We shake hands, and then I'm back on my bike, heading toward town. But my mind is racing the whole way. Grant Swain. It's been so long since I thought of myself that way. So long since I was just a man instead of a role.
But with Allison, I feel like I can be both. Like maybe when this is all over, I can take off the cut and the fake name and just be Grant. A man who loves a woman and wants to build a life with her.
If we survive this, I'm going to do exactly that. I'm going to tell her everything, lay it all out on the table, and hope like hell she still wants me when she knows the truth.
When I pull back into the Saint's Outlaws garage, Devil is waiting. He takes one look at my face and nods.
"Everything good?"
"Yeah." I kill the engine. "Everything's good."
"Then let's get back to work. The sooner we shut down the Rebels and figure out what the Clarks are up to, the sooner you can stop living a lie."
I don't miss that he says you, as if I'm the only one living a lie. Which tells me more than anything, he's made up his mind for when this is over. Above everything though, he's right. And as I follow him into the garage, I make myself a promise. Whatever it takes, however long this lasts, I'm going to protect Allison and finish this job.
Because Grant Swain doesn't leave things half-done. And Dime doesn't let his people down.
And right now, I'm both.
Nine
Allison
Being at Dime's by myself isn't as uncomfortable as I imagined it would be. Instead, it feels more like home than it probably should. I'm sitting on the couch, watching TV when my phone buzzes beside me. Reaching over, I grab it, and gasp when I see a text from Principal Harrison.
K: Hey Allison, I'm just checking in with you. I don't know if anyone told you, but Mason and I took Whiskers for you. I'm more than happy to bring her to you at Dime's.
I figured Dani was taking care of my cat, but it warms my heart to know that Principal Harrison has taken it upon herself to care for my cat.
A: Oh my gosh! I had no idea! Yes, please bring her to me.
K: Not a problem. I'll bring you everything we've gotten for her, and I'd love to make sure you're okay. Is that good with you?
A: Yes, I'd love to see you.
When Principal Harrison tells me she's on her way, I hurry to go and make myself presentable.
I'm suddenly very aware that I'm wearing Dime's clothes again, that my hair is probably a mess, and that I haven't put on makeup in days. But when I look in the bathroom mirror, I realize I don't look as bad as I thought. A little pale maybe, a little tired around the eyes, but not broken. Not like I feel inside.
I splash some water on my face and run a brush through my hair, then change into a pair of my own jeans and a sweater that Dani brought over. By the time I hear the knock on the door, I look almost normal.
When I open it, Principal Harrison is standing there with a cat carrier in one hand and a bag of supplies in the other. Her dark hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and she's wearing jeans and a t-shirt instead of her usual professional attire. It makes her seem more approachable, more like a friend than a boss.
"Allison," she says softly, and I can see the concern in her eyes. "How are you doing?"
"I'm okay," I say, then amend it. "Or I will be."
She gives me a small smile. "That's all any of us can hope for." She lifts the carrier. "Someone's been very vocal about wanting to see you."
I hear a plaintive meow from inside, and my heart squeezes. "Whiskers," I breathe, reaching for the carrier.
Principal Harrison hands it over, along with the bag. "Come on in," I say, stepping back to let her inside.
