Page 72 of Tempting God

“Did she…was she…”

He nods. “She liked to take out her anger on me. Did you know that the night we met that I could see bruises on your arm?”

I shake my head.

“I asked your father about it later that night. He said you were always getting hurt, but he wouldn’t meet my gaze as he said the words. I regret not punching him right then and there.” He says, “Back to my mother. The abuse got worse and worse until my father couldn’t ignore it. His solution was to send me off to boarding school. I resented him so much at first, but soon learned that I was better off. The next time I saw her was at her funeral. She overdosed. Dad followed suit a few years later when an affair he was having became public knowledge.”

“I’m so sorry, Grant.”

His shoulder lifts. “Don’t be. I’ve made peace with it.”

“I wish I could say the same about Dad and Grandfather. I still hold a lot of resentment toward them.”

“It’s understandable to feel that way, especially since your mother didn’t warn you like she was supposed to.”

“Do members of the Brotherhood really think Rule 3 is a good rule to have?”

“Most of us join the Brotherhood when we’re fresh out of secondary school. At that time, we’re young and think we’re invincible. The concept of joining something for life doesn’t hold the same impact as it does to a man in his 40s.” He snorts. “If someone asked me to join the Brotherhood right now, I’d say no. But that’s because I have twenty years of knowledge that I didn’t have back then. That’s why Rule 3 is a good rule to have.”

“I guess it makes sense, though one might say it’d be easier to just let people leave if they get tired.”

“Ah, but that puts the Brotherhood and all its secrets at risk. Believe me when I say there are a lot of secrets that could bring down several governments around the world.”

I sigh. “You’re probably right.”

“But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for change. The deaths of Elite Members have shown me one thing.”

“Well, you can’t just leave me hanging…”

He says, “It’s shown me that the path the Brotherhood has been on isn’t working, and it’s up to the new Elite Members to change that.”

“Charles will never go for it.”

“You’re right. He won’t. Luckily for me, I just need a majority vote within the Elite Members.”

“Smart.” I pause. “What changes do you have in mind?”

“Things similar to what I had put in our prenuptial agreement. I don’t think it’s right that our sons are expected to join the Brotherhood just because they were born. I sure as fuck don’t think our daughters should be used as pawns.”

“I agree with both of those. What else?”

He smiles. “The list is long. Are you certain you want to hear it?”

“I do.”

“Good. Because I’m sure you have your own thoughts on the Brotherhood. I want to hear them, too.”

A warmth spreads through me. Is this the kind of relationship we’re going to have? One where he shares his thoughts and I’m free to share mine? It’s almost too good to be true, but as he speaks, I find myself holding onto hope. Hope that we might actually be able to change the things that are broken within the Brotherhood. By the time we get to the airport, I see Grant in a whole new light.

“You ready to go to Mexico, Little Fae?”

I smile. “I sure am. Husband.”

His eyes are dark as he leans over, kissing me.

“That’s something I can get used to hearing.”

Hand-in-hand, we walk into the airport. I’m surprised when we follow the signs for the private planes. When I look questioningly at Grant, he simply winks.

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