Page 45 of Wicked Heiress

If The Knights hadn’t needed my background in aerospace engineering to rescue Alex, I would have stayed behind with Grace and sent Rhys to the island.

Grace waited for me in the living room, wearing a pale pink sundress highlighting her golden tan. She smiled as our eyes met and launched into my arms, hanging onto me like a koala.

“You’re okay,” she breathed against my neck. “I was so worried about you.”

I hugged her back, loving to feel of her body against mine after one of the most challenging nights of my life. She was becoming an addiction for me.

Cupping the back of her head, I breathed in the delicious scent of her perfume and pressed my lips to her cheek. “I’m okay, Grace.”

That’s a lie.

I would never be okay knowing I could only watch her, keep her safe from her enemies, and never know what it felt like to lose myself with her again. The other night was a one-time thing. I couldn’t allow myself to continue breaking the rules. Not without hurting both of us.

“I’m the last person you should worry about.”

Rhys moved behind Grace and pulled her off me, cradling her in his arms like a baby before setting her feet on the floor.

Was he jealous?

“How did it go?” He placed his hand on her shoulder with possession. “Everyone alright?”

Not like he cared.

Rhys was only a Knight because he didn’t have a choice. It was a requirement for all of us to become Knights before we could ascend later in life to The Founders Society.

“Alex is home safe with the Salvatore brothers. Aiden is with Sonny. No one got hurt.”

We arrived in time for the auction, only to discover Lorenzo Basile planned to marry Alex. He had dressed her in a white wedding gown and forced her to walk down the aisle while the Salvatore brothers watched. The Knights weren’t allowed to bring weapons, and as planned, we used Alpha Command to outwit our opponents. The army of mercenaries worked for Salvatore Global and helped us with the element of surprise.

I offered my hand to Grace. “It’s dinnertime. Eat with me.”

She smiled and slipped her fingers between mine. I glanced at Rhys, who donned an irritated scowl.

Grace wasn’t a game to me.

But she was to him.

* * *

Midway through dinner, Rhys received a call from his father and left the dining room in a hurry. His voice was strained as he spoke, and whatever they talked about sounded urgent.

So I soaked up the opportunity to get Grace alone and invited her to watch a movie with me in the theater. We hadn’t done this since Rhys arrived, and I missed spending time with her.

She ate a handful of popcorn, staring at the projection screen with wide eyes.

I loved observing her.

Grace fascinated me.

The other night, I let Rhys talk me into breaking my oath. Years of fighting him for top marks and promotions at the academy turned me into a competitive asshole. Stepping over the line with her would only lead to my family being in the same position as the Vanderbilts.

They had nothing to lose.

I had everything to gain.

Grace screamed when the masked man jumped out from the closet on the screen, practically hopping into my lap. Her arms trembled from the fear rocking through her body. I rubbed my hand down her arm to soothe her. She snapped her head at me and giggled.

“Sorry, I didn’t see that coming.”

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