Page 16 of Say It's Forever

“Some things?” Her brows lift.

“Told you, there might be a blizzard going, but I can start getting a few balls rolling.”

“Thank you.” I see tears fill her eyes.

“Don’t cry.” I cup her cheek. “That shit will destroy me.”

“My tears?” She gives a watery laugh.

“Yeah, babe. You’ve got a hold on me.”

“I don’t think anything can hold you.” She pokes my chest.

"I didn't think so, but you proved that wrong." I plant another kiss on her plump lips before pulling myself away. I wouldn’t mind watching her cook, but I made her a promise, and no fucking way I’m going to break it. I’m trying to prove I’m not like the men she’s used to. I want to earn her trust and her heart.

When I make it to my office, I call my brother. He called me twice this morning, but I didn’t pick up. Not when I had Snow in bed with me. The rest of the world has to wait.

“The hell is going on with you?” Ace says when he answers.

“Morning to you too.”

“Seriously?” I almost want to laugh. This conversation is backwards. He's normally the one with the pleasantries, and I’m trying to get to the point. I hate being on the phone. I hate a lot of things when it comes to dealing with the outside world. But I’m finding that none of that shit matters when it comes to protecting Snow. I’ll talk to whomever and do whatever needs to be done.

"I assume you got my email."

“Yeah, I got it. Why the hell do you care about this cult? Are you back to taking jobs?”

“No. This is personal.”

“Personal?” Ace sounds confused. I don’t blame him. I give him a small rundown of what happened the other night and how I came home to find a girl on my doorstep. “And she’s still there?”

“Yes.”

“In your house?” I can hear the surprise in his voice.

“Where else would she be?” I half-growl into the phone.

“I don’t know. You hate people.”

“I don’t hate them.” Hate is a strong word. They just annoy the shit out of me.

“Right,” Ace mutters dryly. “You’re off.”

“I know.” I don’t bother trying to argue. He’s right. I am off. “I need your help."

“You never have to ask for my help, Garrett. You know I’ll be there. Whatever you need, brother.” I do know this without a doubt. Ace can be overbearing at times, and I can be a dick, but we always have each other's backs.

“I know, but my emotions are getting involved now.” I toss that out there too, because when that shit happens, you can make mistakes, and I know that. I want my brother to be aware of this as well, so he can remain vigilant.

“You like this girl,” he says in awe.

“She’s mine.” Might as well get that shit out there too, so it’s clear.

“Well, fuck me.” I can hear the smile in his voice before he snaps back to the task at hand, knowing it’s important to me now. “We can’t go to the sheriff.”

“No shit.” I have no clue if anyone local is involved, but I’m not going to find out the hard way. “I have to get the sister out.”

“All right, I got you. I'm going to go do some recon while the storm is still going on.”

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