Page 90 of Stars and Scars

Gray takes me in his arms and holds me tight. I can feel the heavy thump of his heart against my cheek.

“Charlotte, I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re courageous, and kind, and sweet, and you always find the good in every situation. I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but…”

He pulls away slightly, to look me in the eyes.

“I love you.”

His words flow through me like warm sunshine through glass. My heart leaps for joy, but I’m oddly calm. This moment, though a surprise, feels right. Just right.

“Gray, I love you, too. And I don’t want this to end, either.”

Happiness flashes over his handsome face right before he kisses me like I’ve never been kissed before. There’s an elation that fills both of us to the point of bursting. I feel like this is the storybook ending that so many people want but never get to have.

I sigh as we pull apart, and cup his cheek with my palm.

“Gray, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?” his smile fades, and I can see him bracing for disappointment.

“It’s nothing bad…well, not too bad. I was livestreaming most of the evening with this. I only turned it off once we made it out of the basement.”

I pull a bit of fabric away from my bodice to show him a cleverly-concealed micro camera synced to my phone.

“That’s how the Platinum Security crew knew where to find us, and the layout of Wyatt’s villa.”

“You were feeding them intel,” he says with a laugh.

“So you’re not mad at me?”

“Hell no. I’m glad you were able to assist.”

I sigh in relief and hold him close.

“And I’m glad that you decided not to try and do everything on your own this time. Calling for backup probably saved our butts.”

“Hey,” he says, fixing me with his gaze. “I never would have let them hurt you.”

“So says the guy who was tortured in the basement.”

“I could have freed myself at almost any time. I let them think they had the upper hand.”

“They still shocked the crap out of you.”

Gray shrugs.

“I’m tougher than a two-dollar steak, Sunshine.”

I laugh despite the pathos of his injuries. He laughs as well. Gray moves his face in for another kiss, but stops just as I raise my chin to accept it.

“Wait a minute…you said you turned the camera off, but doesn’t that little light mean you’re still filming?”

I check, and he is right.

“Huh. I must have accidentally turned it back on without realizing. You know what this means, right?”

Gray arches his brows.

“What does it mean?

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