Page 42 of Queen of Spades

“You can suck face in the car,” I growl. “We need to move now. I don’t care if your neighbors are elderly. This was loud. The cops could be on the way right now.”

“Shit, he’s right,” Grady says as they pull back. “I’ve got a couple bags I need to grab from the safe room, and I’m ready to split.”

Annika’s honey-brown eyes meet mine over his shoulder as he strides off with her still in his arms. “I’m sorry I shot you. I’ve felt guilty about that for a long time.”

Holy fuck, I’ve missed her.

I nod, licking my lips as she disappears into the small room. “We’ll talk more about that later.”

If she thinks a single apology is going to keep her from going over my knee, she’s sorely mistaken.

Chapter Fourteen

Annika

Grady and I end up in the back of Kane’s SUV. He drives the high-end vehicle like it’s stolen, which I’d think would be a great way to get us pulled over, but I keep my mouth shut.

Grady stretches a hand over, grabbing mine. I stare at the contact and blink as he squeezes my fingers. “We’re okay. I’m not about to let anyone separate us.”

My eyes fly to his, and I keep my voice low. “You could have told me who you were two years ago.”

“Nah, you weren’t ready to hear it back then,” he says. “You would have run from me too. I couldn’t risk losing you.”

I sigh, glancing out the window next to my head.

He’s probably right.

I don’t pull my hand away, but it doesn’t make me any less angry.

I’m not even sure that’s what I’m feeling.

Are anger and betrayal two different emotions?

How can I still love him so much when I feel majorly betrayed?

Ugh, maybe my brother is right.

Emotions are weakness.

“Listen to me, you’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about,” Grady says very close to my ear. “You needed to prove to yourself that you could do it alone, and you have. You made a life for yourself. The only thing I did was keep you safe while you built that life. I don’t want to control you. I want to be your partner in crime.”

I bite my lip as my eyes ache like I might burst into tears.

Without him, I’m not sure I wouldn’t have caved by now.

I probably would have run back to Ranger with my tail between my legs, but I’ve always felt safe with Grady. Even if he wasn’t around, I knew he was only a phone call away.

He hasn’t played games, either.

If I call, he answers.

I tilt my head to look into his blue eyes, and he brings his other hand up to run his fingers over my cheek. “I’m still… I don’t even know what words to use, because I’m not sure what I’m feeling.”

“You can be mad. Just don’t shut me out. You and me, we’re a team. Do you think I get just anyone’s name tattooed on both sides of my throat?” He chuckles, giving me a quick peck of a kiss. “I love the hell out of you.”

“I love you too.”

Kane sighs heavily and clicks away on his phone, drawing my attention to the front. He grabs an earpiece from somewhere, shoving it into his ear. “Do your thing and get me there without hitting any traffic cams.”

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