He sighed against my hairline. “Nah, I suppose not. How’s Danny doing?”
I put my head on Grayden’s shoulder. “Alive. We saw him earlier. He’s still sedated. Stable but not out of danger. There’s nothing I can do for him, obviously, but I’m staying here becauseOllie can’t. I need Ollie to know I did all I can. Danny doesn’t have anyone else.”
“How’s Ollie handling it?”
“He’s scared. But he’s brave.”
“He is. You’re an incredible mom. And far more than Danny deserves, but anyway. You know that.” Grayden smoothed back my hair. “Piper, there’s something I haven’t shared with you. Last Thursday, after Danny showed up at Ollie’s school and took him to dinner, I followed Danny to a bar. I confronted him. It got heated.”
My mouth dropped open. “You didn’t tell me? Why?”
“Danny said some pretty despicable things. I didn’t want to repeat them. But today, the incident came up with Chief Nichols. She was pretty convinced I’d attacked Danny to protect you and Ollie from him. Not such a far-fetched idea. Either that, or you’d asked me to do it.”
“And I’d told her everything about Danny threatening me.” I cringed. “Iwasterrified you’d do something stupid to protect me. Like confessing and telling Chief Nichols I had nothing to do with it.”
He kissed my temple. “I thought about it. For all of two seconds. I wouldn’t leave you like that, Piper. It’s you and me.”
“Bonnie and Clyde,” I murmured.
“Shouldn’t joke about that anymore. Not within hearing of anyone from Silver Ridge PD. Aside from Teller, but I doubt he’d be laughing.”
Yeah, I didn’t think my brother would enjoy that particular reference.
Grayden breathed deeply, and his brown-and-gold gaze met mine. “My biggest fear was that you’d believe I hurt Danny. You’ve seen me angry before. You’ve had your doubts about me before as well.”
“Not anymore,” I said. “Not for one second today. You told me you’d found him like that, bleeding, so I knew it was true.”
The only way Grayden would strike out against my ex was inself-defense or defense of others. I knew that in my bones. Grayden wasn’t a violent man.
He cupped my face. “I’m so damn lucky to have you.”
“Maybe it’s luck. Or maybe you’re finally getting what you deserve. People who care about you and have your back.”
“God, I want to deserve you. Thank you for sending Teller to the station. It helped. Sounds like you went to bat for me, and I love you for it.”
The word gave me an electric jolt.Love.
My first reaction, even after what I’d said to Ashford about opening my heart, was to pull away. To hide, as if that would keep me safe.
But I wantedmore. I wanted to leap. And it wasn’t even that scary. Because I already knew Grayden would catch me.
“I’ll go to bat for you every time,” I said. “You might be stuck with me.”
“Best news I’ve heard all day.” Grayden’s lips curved. “There’s new evidence about Danny’s attack. So much I need to explain. But I think there’s something else I have to do first. Something that’s long overdue.”
“Talking to Ashford and the others? Like you mentioned to him?”
“Do you think Ashford will listen?” he asked.
This morning, I would not have been optimistic. But now?
“He went to call Emma, and I’m sure she’s encouraging him to sit down with you,” I said. “Also, he didn’t curse you out when he saw you a few minutes ago. Progress.”
“Hey, I’ll take it. I’ll round everyone up, and hopefully, Ashford will be willing.”
“Do you want me to be there?” I asked.
“I need you there.” He took my hand and laced our fingers. “Not sure how I survived so long without you, but I need you, Piper. Whatever this is, I don’t think there’s a cure.”
