Page 90 of Tempting God

“It is the path I choose.”

Brooks says, “Then I’ll let the members know a special meeting will be held three months from now. If that’s all, I must get back to my wife.”

The others drop from the call until it’s just Grant and Charles.

“That was rash, boy. You’ve made a mistake today. One you won’t soon forget.”

Grant doesn’t respond and ends the call.

He gives me a small smile. “Well, that went better than expected.”

“Did you know he was going to veto the vote?”

“I had a suspicion. It helps us, though.”

“How so?”

“It gives us time to reach out to more people. People who will back our plan.”

I say, “You mean men who will back the plan.”

“I mean people. The men may be in the Brotherhood, but their spouses and loved ones hold influence, too.”

“Look at you. Thinking of everything.”

He’s serious as he says, “I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure you and our child are protected.”

My eyes water. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I love him.

Instead, I say, “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, baby. We still have an uphill battle to change things.”

“But we’re going to do it.”

“Oh?”

I nod. “Because we can do anything together, Grant Carter.”

He leans over, kissing me lightly. “That we can, Greer Carter. Now, let’s get out there. I’m sure Somya has other interviews lined up for us.”

We make our way to the living room and get back to work. The entire time, the realization that I love Grant dances around my head. Maybe I’ve loved him all along. He glances at me, smiling. But does he love me? That’s the real question and I’m scared to find out the answer. Because, at the end of the day, the Defiant God Brotherhood will always come first.

20

Greer

Time seems to pass at warp speed once Grant announces he’s running as an Independent. We travel the country, going somewhere new every five days. We campaign. We meet the people. And at the end of the night, we fall into bed together. I’ve never been this happy before, and yet I still don’t know how to tell Grant that I love him.

Two months after our wedding, we meet with a doctor in Dallas, who, again, confirms that I’m pregnant.

“You’re about twelve weeks along now, give or take. How have you been feeling?”

Which means we conceived either on the plane or in Vegas.

“Good. My breasts have been a bit tender, and I’ve had some morning sickness, but nothing too bad.”

“All normal symptoms, but if the morning sickness becomes too much, we can give you something for it.”

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