Page 119 of Crossover

“Can we…” I swallowed, shocked I’d have the gall to ask for yet another trip so soon. “Can we go to the Caribbean this weekend?”

Because, holy crap, sign me up.

I bet Grayson would know a spot that had turquoise water with no people around.

His lips curled up into a smile. “I’ll call my travel agent on the way to the penthouse.”

His penthouse. He had to do a final walk-through before the new owners took occupancy tomorrow.

“Maybe we can meet at your penthouse after I finish at the hospital.” I wiggled my eyebrows. “Downtown Chicago? City lights. My body pressed up against the window?”

He groaned, pressing his lips to mine. “You’d better hurry at that hospital.”

65

GRAYSON

As I stepped into my penthouse for the last time, the silence engulfed me.

It was ironic how a place that had served as my home for years was so alive with Ivy’s presence when she’d only been here a short time. Her essence lingered everywhere.

In the bedroom, I could almost see her silhouette on the now-missing bed, a reminder of the day she was my hostage, a pivotal moment that changed everything. The hallway near the elevator seemed to vibrate with the energy of her passionate escape attempt, the space in front of it humming with our violent entanglement. Even the bathroom held the tender memory of caring for her wounds, a moment that had softened my hardened heart.

It was astonishing how Ivy had saturated every inch of this space in such a short time, washing away years of isolation with her vibrant colors. A smile tugged at my lips, grateful for the unexpected turn my life had taken.

As I walked through the empty rooms, devoid of furniture and personal belongings, a strange mix of nostalgia and anticipation swirled through me. When I first bought this penthouse, I had resigned myself to a life of solitude, viewing itas a space to seclude myself from the rest of the world—a fortress rather than a home. I never imagined I would willingly leave it behind.

But Ivy had shown me a different path. The hollow walls that once echoed with thoughts of vengeance now seemed to whisper promises of a brighter future. I could almost envision sunlit rooms filled with laughter and the pitter-patter of little feet—dreams I never dared to entertain before.

These newfound hopes could no longer be shadowed by Daniel. The loss of the man I once knew had been more emotional than I’d expected, but with him gone, his empty warning had vanished into the wind. So did Vosch himself, affording me the space to finally exhale. I’d taken precautions every step of the way, of course, but as days had turned into weeks without a whisper of Vosch, rumors inside the CIA swirled that he had taken his operation overseas.

Sayonara, motherfucker.

Now, there was only one last asshole I’d hunt down—Ivy’s abductor from years ago. In particular, the man who’d laid hands on her and had gotten away with it. Barry had been delayed by an emergency job from a high-ranking client, but tomorrow, he’d return, and we’d track him down.

I couldn’t wait to make that scumbag pay.

But for right now, I’d savor officially closing this chapter in my old life and embracing the future before me.

Standing at the living room window, I gazed out at the cityscape one last time. Before, the towering skyscrapers shadowing the streets in darkness looked like a chamber of steel, capable of hiding monsters. The tiny pedestrians down below looked like potential victims to mass murderers, and the sky always seemed encased in gray clouds. But now, it was as if the sky itself opened up and shone its light on the high-rises, the windows gleaming with possibility. There were so manyrestaurants, museums, and experiences Ivy and I could have here.

Somewhere out there, Ivy was making her way to me to tell me how her meeting went. If her employer didn’t rehire her, it was their loss, and I had no doubt she would find a new job in no time.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the elevator door dinging.

I smiled, looking at my watch.

She made good time.

But when the elevator doors opened, my stomach dropped, and my heart lurched in my chest.

It wasn’t Ivy that stepped into my penthouse; it was a monster.

66

GRAYSON

“Vosch,” I said, my tone low, trying to hide my shock. I eyed him waltzing into my living room, two men packing guns flanking him.

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