Page 47 of Saving Grace

Matt winced. “I was angry when I said that.”

“And whenever you’re angry I’m supposed to just take it?” I retorted. “No thanks.”

The silence was protracted, but I could hear the cogs turning in his head and see the tic of his jaw. He was struggling very hard not to let his no-filter mouth get him into trouble again.

“You think I’d have gone after you in Atlanta if you didn’t mean that much to me?” he finally spoke.

“What are you trying to say?”

“You matter to me. Never doubt that,” he enunciated the words. “But I have a bad track record of pushing people away, especially when they’re getting too close. You should never give me a pass on my bad behavior. Call me out on it.”

“Oh, believe me I will.”

Matt grinned. “That’s my girl.”

“I’m not your girl.” I was feeling pretty sassy.

“If you’re looking for hearts and flowers though, you’re not getting it from me,” he said. “Unfortunately, that’s a moot point for you because I’m it for you, babe.”

I was pretty sure my mouth was hanging open. Matt took his eyes briefly off the road to glance at me. I could have imagined the smug look on his face, but I probably didn’t. Bulldozing Matt was back in full force and my head was spinning.

“I can’t reason with you when you’re like this,” I mumbled, massaging my temples because my head started to ache from his overwhelming declaration. I wouldn’t deny I felt a thrill at being claimed by this man who dripped sex and carnal heat. However, there was a life growing inside me and I couldn’t be hasty in any decisions that would affect our future.

“There are too many unknowns in my life right now,” I offered lamely. Including the identity of my baby’s father, and that was hard to argue with Matt because he’d already made up his mind it was his, but I dared not challenge him on that right then. With the mood he was in, I might end up chained in a basement somewhere. My nipples hardened at the thought. Oh my, was I into bondage?

“Don’t you dare tell me you need space again,” he said roughly.

“Judging from the mood you’re in, that’s not even an option, is it?” I looked out the window.

“Damn straight.”

“If you’re going to be anywhere around this baby, you have to watch your language.”

Silence from his side. I risked a peek in his direction and his jaw was ticking again. Had I figured out a way to shut him up?

It didn’t take us long to reach Misty Grove and the garage. I hopped out of the pickup on my own even as Matt rushed over to help me down. I ignored the frown on his face and walked ahead of him to the external stairs that bypassed his garage and led straight to his loft.

“Do you have surveillance out here?” I asked.

“Yes, Cassie is reviewing it right now,” Matt replied as he followed me up the steps. His loft was brightly lit when we arrived. Cassie and her twin, Lucas, were sitting around a laptop.

Cassie and Lucas, together with Matt and his own twin, Kate, were the last surviving Enhanced Soldier subjects. Lucas, though not as tall as Matt, was built more like a body builder. Lucas had long, chestnut-colored hair streaked with gold that was pulled back in a man bun.

They were both examining grainy footage on the computer screen.

“Do we have any facial recognition on The Reaper?” Matt asked.

The twins turned toward us. Though their coloring was the same, that was where the similarities ended. Cassie had one of the loveliest faces I had ever seen. Her features were almost pixie-like—innocent while hiding a penchant for mischief. Lucas’ face was defined by strong angles and a stubborn jaw. Much like Matt’s.

“Nope,” Lucas answered. “He did come through the outside stairs, but it appeared he was aware where the cameras angles were. Grace, are you okay?”

I felt myself blanch as my musings on the twins led to another thought.

Oh, my God.

“Matt,” I choked as his arms circled around me protectively.

“What is it?” Panicked eyes searched mine. “Is it the baby?”

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