Page 34 of Possession

I didn’t want to process it. I didn’t want to look too closely at any level of our relationship. Instead, I’d lived in the mystery of my grandmother’s house. I’d entrenched myself in figuring out why anyone would want to break in. I was used to worrying about my own problems and far too familiar with being alone.

He fisted his hand under his arm before finally dropping them to his sides, then he reached for me.

Our hands locked.

“I found her diary.” My fingers tensed. “Where is it?”

“I’ve got it.”

I blinked. “Oh.”

“You dropped it on the steps,” Jack said quietly.

My gaze drifted to Jack. He was rumpled. His dress shirt open at the neck, bowtie hanging around his neck, suit jacket missing. “How?”

Jack shrugged. “It’s my job to watch out for you, Gracie.”

“No, it isn’t,” Blake muttered.

Jack dipped his fingers into his pockets. “And that’s why I figured out where she’s been, and you haven’t?”

Blake’s fingers flexed around mine.

“How long?” I asked.

Jack shrugged. “Not long after you started working for Blake.”

Blake’s head fell back.

“So, I guess it’s time for us to have a discussion about this, huh?”

Jack pursed his lips. “Might be a good time.”

“No, it isn’t.”

At a sharp knock, we all swiveled our heads to the door.

Dr. Perrault strode into the room. Some people might have thought the doctor resembled a kindly grandfather, but he was no pushover. Even Blake’s steely stare didn’t slow him down. “I need to examine the patient. Whatever discussions you’d like to have will have to be during visiting hours.”

“I’m paying for a private room,” Blake said between gritted teeth.

“And that’s why Ms. Copeland is in a very nice corner room. She needs her rest, and I need to examine her.”

My eyes widened at Blake’s hold. “Circulation, Blake,” I said softly.

He glanced down at our hands and immediately eased up. “Sorry.”

“Why don’t you go get a shower and change of clothes? You look worse than I do.”

“Ever the charmer, Ms. Copeland.”

“Just…humor me?” I tugged him closer, and he stood to loom over me.

His knuckles pressed into the pillow beside my head, and his other hand cupped my face. “This discussion isn’t over.”

“No.”

“Complete transparency.”

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