Page 23 of Claim Me Forever

I knew we were both out, but finally getting to see her in person makes it all that much more real. “We did it.” Winter presses her forehead to mine.

“You did it.” It was thanks to her that we managed to escape. Winter had the courage to leave that night for the both of us.

“We. Without you, I don’t think I could have pushed myself to do it.” I hug her again. “Now you gotta meet my Garrett.” Winter sniffles, stepping back. I have met him, but not in person. He and Ace are built the same, but Garrett has a much more stoic expression. It’s intimidating.

Winter runs her hand up Garrett’s chest. She is clearly not intimidated by him in the least. “This is my sister.” Winter beams.

“Nice to see you in person, Libby.”

“Nice to meet you too.” I give him the best smile I can muster up right now. I’m not sure how I feel, but I am grateful. “Thank you for everything.”

“And thank you,” Winter says loudly. I turn to see Ace standing right behind me.

“No thanks needed.”

“You got my sister back for me. That means everything to me.” Winter takes my hand. “I brought you some clothes.”

“I have some that should be delivered today,” Ace cuts in.

“I’m sure you’ll need more, but these I have now.” Garrett hands her a bag. “There somewhere you can change? I’m sure you want out of your shirt dress.” Not really, but I can't say that. Can I?

“Do I get jeans too?” I’d been so excited to see her I hadn't noticed what she was wearing until now.

“I got you jeans,” Ace cuts in again.

“Thank you, Ace,” I say, but now he too has a stoic expression.

“We need to talk,” Garrett tells Ace. “The girls can use your place to get changed, right?”

"Yes," Ace acknowledges, but it doesn't seem as though he truly agrees.

“Come on.” Winter tugs on my hand. “It’s up here, right?” She keeps on pulling me toward the stairs. I have no choice but to follow her. "I thought he was the more upbeat twin," Winter asks when we make it back up to our place. Crap, Ace's place. It's not mine. I need to keep reminding myself of that before I become too attached. Even though I believe it’s a bit too late for the latter part.

"I don't know. He's been acting kind of different today," I admit. Maybe Winter can help me figure out what the heck is going on with Ace. Not that she has any more experience with men than I do, but she is dating and living with his twin brother. She has to have some sort of insight.

"Something happened?" Winter puts the bag down on the kitchen island and starts pulling out clothes.

"I don't know." I shrug. "He's just grumpy, I guess." Winter tilts her head to the side.

“Garrett says Ace is pretty laid back. Always giving him a hard time and has to be doing something.”

“He can be laid back.” I only know Ace with the two of us. This is the first time we’ve been around others. What if I don’t really know him at all? I push that thought away. I won’t accept that. I have been with him day and night for the past seven days.

“Is there anything else you want to tell me? You seem off.”

“It’s just a lot.” That is the truth.

"Yes, it is, but in a good way." She wraps me in another tight hug. “I still can’t believe this. That we made it out of there and are free to live our lives the way we want.”

“I know.” Tears burn in my eyes. Every night, I have been worried that when I went to bed, I would wake up back on the compound, not next to Ace. Sadly, part of that is going to come true, I think. I can't stay with Ace forever. Can I? He hasn't asked me to.

“But it’s not over.” Winter lets out a long breath at my reminder.

“There are others back there.” I nod.

"Garrett assured me that everything will work out, and he hasn't been wrong yet. He always lives up to his word."

“They are really badasses, aren't they?”

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