Page 3 of Wicked Heiress

“Open the fucking door, Grace!” Grandfather pounded his fist on the wood. “I know you’re in there. And I know you can hear me, you little brat.”

With a sigh, I opened the door. Fitzgerald Archibald Adams IV stood in the entryway, donning a ten thousand dollar suit and wearing a watch that cost more than a Ferrari. He was wealthier than a sultan and carried himself like he owned the world.

“Hello, Grandfather,” I said with a mocking smile that matched the annoyance in my tone. “How have you been?”

A rumble that sounded like a growl escaped his throat as he pushed his palm into my chest, throwing me backward so he could enter the house. “Where is your good-for-nothing father hiding?”

I would never use those words to describe my dad. He risked his life to ensure my safety and always put me first.

Before I could answer, the Colonel stepped through the front door, slamming it behind him. He was an hour later than usual and wore a worried expression that tugged at his dark features. He looked like he’d aged months since I saw him that morning over breakfast.

He dropped his keys on the entrance table, and his gaze swept across the room in surprise. “Fitzgerald?”

“You have a new assignment.” Grandfather moved his hands to his hips and squared off with my dad. “One that requires you to leave immediately.”

Dad’s eyes flicked to me. “What about Grace?”

“She’s coming with me.”

After being Grace Hale for the past ten years, I barely remembered Katarina. That girl was dead. At least, she was most of the time. Whenever the flashbacks and nightmares reared their ugly head, my dad sent me to a doctor. Katarina disappeared along with the vivid dreams.

Besides, Grace had a much better life. She wasn’t a prisoner, even though her life still sucked. Because of my last name and what that meant to dangerous, powerful people, I would never have a normal life.

Dad shoved his hands into his pockets, his gaze moving between us. “Where are you taking her?”

Grandfather brushed a speck of lint off his black jacket and sneered. “She’ll stay with the Marshalls until you return. Question and answer time is over, Colonel.” His cold, hard stare turned to me. “Pack your shit and meet me in the limo. You have five minutes, or you’ll walk to Devil’s Creek from here.”

That was at least an eight-hour drive. My pulse pounded in my ears as he walked away, disappearing outside within seconds.

“Dad,” I choked out. “What the hell is going on?”

“I don’t know, Gracie. As usual, your grandfather is up to something. But he wouldn’t be here if you weren’t in danger.”

I nodded in agreement and walked toward my bedroom. “I better pack a bag before he follows through on his threat.”

My dad reached under the bed and set a suitcase on the mattress. “Mark Marshall is my oldest friend. He’ll take good care of you. There’s nothing to fear.”

“Just my grandfather,” I deadpanned.

He moved his hand to my shoulder and pulled me into a one-arm hug. “There are four things I value most in this world, Gracie—duty, honor, country, and family. I try to put you first. You are my number one priority. But you’re an adult now and can handle yourself. I like to think I taught you well.”

“You did. I’ve learned to adapt to any situation because of you.”

After adding clothes and toiletries to my suitcase, I kneeled on the floor in my closet and flipped up a floorboard. I retrieved the key my cousin had given to me. Somehow, I knew I would need the key where I was going. Call it instinct. It was finally time to see what secrets the old man kept from me… and why this key was my ticket to freedom.

Dad took the key from my hand and shoved it inside a gold compartment necklace he’d given me for my twelfth birthday. He understood the key was important to The Founders Society, the secret society run by my grandfather, but he didn’t know what it opened, only that I needed to protect it with my life.

He secured the chain around my neck and kissed my forehead. “I love you, kiddo.”

I hugged him, afraid to let go. “Love you, Dad.” As he released me from his grip, I looked into his sad, brown eyes and bit my lip. “You’ve gone on quick missions before. Nothing that required me to move to another state. Why does it feel permanent this time?”

He glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. “Your five minutes is up, Gracie. Better get going before the old man takes out his anger on you.”

Chapter Two

GRACE

“These people know who I really am,” I told my grandfather as the limousine journeyed up the steep hill. “Does that mean I can go back to being Katarina?”

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