Page 75 of Vengeful Secret

“Boring,” she groans. “Can we go to the pool today, Gray?”

He glances at her in the rearview mirror. “Of course, we can. After dinner, okay?”

“Okay,” she chirps, and I blink.

That’s the easiest she’s agreed to wait ever in her life.

When we arrive home, she runs up to her room, and Lara stands in the hallway, watching her with a smile.

As Ciara runs past her, she stops, walking backwards to get a good look at Lara.

“Who are you?” she asks, and I choke out a laugh.

“Ciara, be polite,” I warn her.

“Sorry,” Ciara mumbles. “What’s your name?”

“Better.”

Lara smiles, crouching down to her level. “My name is Lara. I’m Gray’s sister.”

She looks between Gray and Lara. Then, seeming satisfied, she takes Lara’s hand. “Let’s go play dolls.”

“Honey, Lara doesn’t want to?—”

Lara cuts me off. “Sure, I do! I used to love playing with dolls.”

“You don’t anymore?” Ciara asks, dragging her away.

“I guess I just grew out of it.”

“I'm never growing out of Effie,” Ciara says firmly as she leads her into the room. I laugh.

“While they’re busy, come to my room,” Gray says. “I want to give you something.”

I raise an eyebrow, curious, but follow him into his room.

He takes one of the gun cases and places it on the bed.

“This one is yours.”

“Really?” I ask excitedly, looking at the dismantled gun in its case. It’s the same one I was using earlier, the one I’d gotten comfortable with.

“Of course. I want you to keep it on you at all times.”

“Except around Ciara, of course.”

He nods. “Just, if you ever go out, even if my men are with you, I want you to carry it.”

“I understand.” Smiling, I lean up and kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you, Gray.”

He looks at me for a moment, licking his lips, lust evident in his gaze.

“You wanna take a shower?”

“Only to save water, of course.”

“Saving the planet, one shower at a time,” he jokes, grinning at me.

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