I found myself in front of him. There was sweat on his brow. His chest was heaving. His eyes searched mine.
“Then show me, Grayson. I want to know what it’s like to be yours.”What it would be like to love you.
His face softened. He pulled his hand through his hair, his eyes troubled. “No, Ava.”
My breath left me, and I couldn’t take another.
Grayson took my hand. “You are sunshine. You aregood,” he breathed. “You are hope, Ava. The hope I had lost in humanity a long time ago. You do not belong in my world. You donotbelong with me. I’m no good for you, Ava. I will kill that perfect light inside you.” He brushed the tears from my cheek. “And of all the fucked-up things I’d done in my life, that would be the worst. I will not stain you with my darkness. Not more than I already have. You deserve better. You deserve someone who can love you tenderly, sweetly, warmly, honestly. And I’m incapable of such things.” He took myface in his hands. And as I looked into his eyes, I could see the aching I felt reflected there. “Forget about me, Princess. Go find someone who is worthy of that magnificent soul of yours.” His eyes roamed over my face as if memorising it, hungry to see every line, like he would never see it again. “I will take you home tomorrow. Before the snowstorms hit. You should go pack a bag. It’s a two-day drive.”
He turned then and placed another log on the chopping block. I walked back to the cabin in a daze. My mind not yet caught up to the already aching wound in my chest. I went straight up to my room, ignoring the burning smell coming from the oven.
He was taking me home.
He was taking me home. I collapsed against the closed bedroom door. He was taking me home.
Iwaspackedandready to leave. Or so I kept telling myself. The prospect of seeing my loved ones again kept me together.
Gemma came bursting through the door. “Is it true? Are you leaving?”
I nodded, not trusting my voice. Gemma threw her arms around me and hugged me tight, holding me for a few minutes before letting go.
“I don’t get it. Just yesterday you and Grayson couldn’t keep your hands off each other and now he’s taking you home? Did you talk to him like I asked? Is that it?” She looked at me questioningly, her eyes misty.
I shook my head, sucking my lips between my teeth to keep the tears in. “No, it’s just… It would have never worked, Gemma, you know that.” And I knew it. Gods, I had been a fool.
Gemma nodded slowly. “But now I lose a friend.” Tears were streaming down her face, which she tried to hide by looking off to the side.
I took hold of her hands, squeezing them tightly. “Oh, Gem. Please don’t cry! You’re gonna makemecry.” But, of course, it was too late, I was already crying.
She nodded again, trying to swallow back her tears. “I know we haven’t known each other for very long, and I don’t get to make new friends very often, not real ones, but I really enjoyed your company.Andhavinganother woman around. And I’m gonna miss you so much.” She threw her arms around me again.
“I’m gonna miss you too, Gem.” I hugged her tightly to me.
“Really? Even though I helped kidnap you?”
I laughed through the tears. “It was for a good cause,” I joked. “You were kind to me. I won’t forget that. And thank you for being my friend.”
“Ready?” Grayson’s voice was soft. He was standing in the doorway, his expression sombre at the scene in front of him.
Gemma let go of me. “I will walk with you.” She glared up at Grayson as she passed him, towing me behind her. When we reached the front door, Hunter was there, waiting.
He looked uncomfortable, fidgeting with the cuff of his shirt. “What will you tell the police?”
“Hunter,” Grayson warned from behind me.
Hunter ignored him. “Are you outing us? Because I swear to God, Ava…”
Grayson was in his face in an instant. “Don’t you dare fucking threaten her, Hunt. Don’t you dare cross that line.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that Hunter would be a fool to ignore.
Hunter took a step backwards. “Well, someone has to look out for this family, since you’re so fucking blind to anything when it comes to her. You’re letting her walk out of here with all the matches she needs to burn us to the ground. What the hell is wrong with you, man? You’ve never been this fucking reckless!”
“Have Ieverlet you or Gem get hurt? Have I ever done anything to put you in harm’s way? You know damn well I would fucking die before I let that happen.” Grayson paused. “I trust her, Hunt. So trustme.”
Hunter dropped his head, cursing softly at the floor. Hate vibrated out of him when his eyes met mine, but he reluctantly moved to the side so we could get through the door. He was letting me go, but he sure as hell wasn’t happy about it.
I stopped in front of him. “I know you don’t like me very much and, frankly, I don’t care for you either. I don’t know what I’m telling the police yet, but I won’t say anything that would hurt your family. You have my word.”
He looked up, searching my eyes for any lies. He nodded stiffly, the muscles in his jaw flexing as he stared at me. There was a promise in his eyes that sent a jolt through my spine. If I talk, I was as good as dead.
