What saddened her the most was knowing her dad had lost his right-hand man. Her brother, a best friend.
Billy!
Feeling horrible that she hadn’t thought about him first, Brynnon asked, “Billy?”
Sadness filled Grant’s eyes. “I’m so sorry, baby. He didn’t make it.”
This time, when the tears began to fall, they didn’t seem to want to stop.
Brynnon’s face crumbled. She began sobbing uncontrollably as all the pain and loss she felt was set free.
Careful of her wound, Grant slid onto the thin mattress beside her and held her closely. With his strong arms wrapped securely around her, the gentle giant stayed like that until finally, the gut-wrenching sobs subsided.
As he pulled back, Grant brushed some hair from her forehead. “Whatever you need, I’m here.”
“Thank you,” she whispered with a sniffle. “You know, it sounds awful, but part of me thinks Billy would have preferred it this way.”
“What makes you say that?”
She smiled sadly. “You met my brother. He never would’ve survived going to prison.”
Brynnon knew her thoughts were twisted, but they stemmed from the love she felt for Billy. It tore her heart in two to know she’d never see him again, but he hadn’t been the same since their mother passed. Maybe now, he would finally find the peace he’d spent years searching for but never found.
Take good care of him for us, Mama.
“How’s my dad?”
“As good as can be expected. He’s been in and out of here this morning, trying to check on you while dealing with the fallout from Martin’s actions.”
Brynnon’s heart ached. “It must be awful for him.”
“Yeah, he took it all pretty hard. I think the only thing keeping him going is the fact that the doctors told us this morning they expected you to make a full recovery.” Grant smirked. “He wanted to stay but I kicked his ass out.”
Her brows rose high. “You did?”
Grant nodded. “I know sitting around here wasn’t helping him, so I told him to go take care of whatever business he needed to attend to, and I’d keep him updated. He’s been checking in through texts and phone calls. He’ll be by later this afternoon.”
“He trusts you,” she smiled.
With a wink, Grant said, “Your father’s a smart man.”
The two sat in silence for a moment before Grant took her by complete surprise by blurting out, “I love you.”
Brynnon blinked quickly, her heart skipping. “W-what?”
He cringed. “I’m sorry. I know my timing’s shit. But I’ve wasted so much of my life.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ve spent years avoiding the type of pain and loss I felt when my mom died, and again when I found out about my son. My entire life, I’ve tried so hard not to get hurt that I...I forgot how to actuallylive.”
“Grant,” Brynnon whispered back, shocked by the man’s emotional confession.
“Then I met you,” he whispered, his voice cracking at the end.
Unshed tears filled the fierce warrior’s eyes as he continued filling her heart with more love than she could’ve ever imagined.
“You make me feel whole, Brynnon.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Because of you, I’ve known happiness again. I’ve laughed for the first time in years, and I’ve...I’ve loved.” He blinked, sending two silver streaks racing down his rugged cheeks. “I love you, Princess. God, I love you. And I know we have a lot to work through with everything that’s happened, but I swear I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re happy and safe from here on out.”
She thought she understood, but just to be sure, Brynnon asked, “W-what are you saying?”
Grant’s lips curved up into that sexy, half-smile she loved so much. “I’m saying, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
