Page 39 of Fire

I frown, looking at the stubborn face of the woman I love. “If you seriously dig your heels in and insist on staying, you’ll be forcing me to give up my club and being close to my daughter and grandbaby.”

“I wouldn’t?—”

“You would, Grace. As much as I love them and my life in Virginia, I love you in a way that I can’t give you up. It’s just not possible. I haveneverbeen in love in my entire life. Not once have I ever felt like this.”

She stares at me, and I just look at her, letting her see the truth on my face. “I hated Virginia,” she mutters.

“You were with the wrong man,” I counter easily.

“I’ve never liked Virginia, not even when I thought I was in love and happy with Andrew.”

“Still the wrong man, sweetheart.”

“I have Asher to think about, Ford.”

“I love that little boy as much as I love you, Grace. He’ll be happy, I can promise you that.”

“I can’t agree to move,” she whispers, and I exhale. I was hoping she’d give us a chance. I look down at her and as much as it hurts my heart, I know that I’m going to choose her and Asher.

“Then I’ll send Grunt and the others home tomorrow. We’ll need to go down there soon so I can transfer some things over and let Grunt take over the club. I’ll sign over my house to T and Lyla. They have their own place, but they’ll make sure?—”

She puts her fingers against my mouth. “Stop,” she says, her voice weak, but completely serious. “I can’t agree to just move, but I’m willing to go home with you and see what it’s like.”

A weight lifts off me and I kiss the hell out of her. I only pull back when I hear her whimper. Her face has to be too sore to kiss her like that. “I’m sorry, baby,” I whisper once I pull back. I touch her cheek and the area around her lips gently. “Did I hurt you?”

“I’m fine. I’m tougher than I look, apparently.”

“You are.” I whisper, letting my forehead rest against hers. “How soon do you think we could travel to Virginia?”

“Can you give me until tomorrow so I can talk with Asher and maybe call Joe? I know he’s worried.”

“I’d give you anything you want, Grace.”

“You promise me you’re not going to end up being thrown in jail?”

“Won’t happen. First, there’s no one to report Benny missing. Second, there’s no body, and finally, if someone did wonder what happened to him, their first thoughts will be that the Korslova family were tying up some loose ends.”

“Okay,” she responds, but I can see the nervousness written all over her face.

“Grace, you can trust me. I’ve never hurt someone who didn’t earn it in the first place.”

“I think maybe this is a conversation we’ll revisit later. I just need time to think about everything.”

“Fair enough. Are you hungry? You were sleeping so deeply that I didn’t have the heart to wake you up.”

“Not really. I haven’t had much to eat in the last couple of days, so I’m used to it, I guess. I’m mostly just worn out, which probably explains why I slept so much. They didn’t feed me but brought water. I’m pretty sure there were drugs in the water to keep me kind of out of it. It was a dicey game of drinking it or allowing myself to get sick from not having food or water at all.”

“Motherfucker. If I could, I’d bring him back just to end his miserable life all over again.”

“How about you try not to kill anyone?” she suggests and cracks a smile.

“Then they better stay away from you. I meant what I said. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again.”

“I’d be okay ifyoutry to never hurt me. If you did, I’m not sure I’d recover. I’ve never had someone who cared enough to save me when he could be killed, let alone look after my son.Well, except Detective Garcia, but it was kind of his job,” she mumbles.

Before I can respond, I look at the door to my room. “Ford?” Asher’s voice rings out.

Grace looks up at me and tries to get off my lap, but I don’t let her. It’s good for him to see me and his mother together. It’s something I’m hoping he’ll see often. “Come in, little man.”

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