Page 80 of The Afterthought

"See, I told you to wait until after she had a bite or two before you try talking to her," Greyson says while trying to hold back a laugh. I shoot him a glare sharp enough that if it were a dagger, it would pierce his skin. He thinks he's so funny today.

I shift my attention back to Chloe. "Where are you off to first?"

She practically bounces out of her seat. "The first stop is somewhere in upstate California. Then, we're going to make our way down to Sequoia National Park. I'm so excited to see the trees. I hear they're massive!"

"Remember what I said. I want a call every day and updates with every spot you two end up in."

She smiles at me, nodding.

We spend some time chatting at the table before the two of them decide they need to be on their way. When Chloe steps over to hug me and tell me goodbye, I can't stop the tears from falling. She pulls back and looks at me.

"I'll see you in a month," she confirms, and I pull her in for one last hug.

"Please, be safe," I say before they walk out the door.

I turn to look at Grey and find him staring at me, studying me. I feel like I have to defend how I'm feeling. "A few months ago, I didn't even know she existed, but somehow, we have grown so close in such a short time. I'm really going to miss her."

He walks over to me, places his hands on my waist, and pulls me into him. "Don't worry. I'll keep you busy."

I roll my eyes again. "You're feeling all kinds of ridiculous today, aren't you?"

"I'm just happy. You chose to stay. You chose me. It's the best feeling in the entire world. I would have made you stay. You're mine, but it's better knowing that you want to be here with me."

"Come on. We have to go meet your brother," I tell him, and within a few minutes, we are out the door and on our way to Adam's Garage.

When we arrive, I stare out of the car window for just a moment thinking about what could have happened if I hadn't shown up yesterday when I did. If I was just a few minutes later, everything would be completely different right now. I reach into my pocket and fiddle with the crystal that Grey gave me while closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Let's get this over with," I tell him, pushing the door open to head inside.

A group of crew members are working on a car in one of the bays but pause when they catch sight of us. Each one of them nods at me and then to Greyson as a sign of respect before we slip past them and into the office.

Knox is sitting there on the phone, holding up his pointer finger, indicating he needs a moment. He points toward the seats in front of him so Grey and I can sit down. I watch as Grey pulls out his phone to power it down and places it on the desk in front of him, so I follow suit.

"I'm honored to tell you the news. This could open up a ton of new opportunities for our area since the Cobras are decimated. The few of them that are left will be struggling to organize themselves. I predict we have nothing to worry about at all for quite some time."

He's quiet for a moment. I'm guessing whoever is on the other end of the call is speaking.

"I promised you the best of the best. I never break a promise." He pauses again. "Yes, I hope to speak with you again soon."

He hangs up and then pauses to look between me and Grey. His face is swollen on one side, and he has a wild-looking black eye that is starting to form. A mixture of deep red and purples covers his face, but it doesn't seem to affect any of his abilities. "Ava, I wanted to extend another personal thank you for what you did yesterday."

"Greyson was in trouble." I shrug. “I will do whatever I have to in order to make sure he is safe, just as he would do for me.”

"I want you to know that if there is anything that you need from either myself or the Crimson Rose, you should ask for it. I will do everything I can to guarantee you and your sister are always looked out for going forward. I know you have Greyson to ensure your safety, but a few extra people having your back also never hurts."

"I appreciate that, Knox. There is something that I would like to ask of you."

"You've thought this through already?" He raises a brow at me in question.

"I figured it was a possibility that you would want to grant me some sort of favor. I did save your life, after all."

He laughs. "No wonder he’s so obsessed with you. You're not only fully capable of defending yourself but also smart." He turns his gaze to Grey. "Better not let this one go."

"She's not going anywhere," Greyson states plainly.

Knox turns his gaze back to me, motioning for me to move forward with whatever I need to say.

"I want to discuss Greyson's current standing with the Crimson Rose." He shoots a glance back at Greyson, and I see Grey nod out of the corner of my eye.

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