Page 10 of Rebellion

Gray Ops

Gray ignored me forthe whole week while I prepared for Texas. He locked himself in the garage during the day, but made sure there was a car out for me to drive. I didn’t go much of anywhere. It’s not like I needed more new luggage, clothes, or toiletries to take with me.

Ignoring him back didn’t come close to expressing how mad and disappointed I was. I didn’t want to fight, but at least it would be something.

If I was honest with myself, I missed him. No way I wasn’t ready to admit that.

How in the hell was I going to fix this? The small spoiled child inside me wanted to stomp my feet and demand I get a cake and get to eat it too.

I wished I could say I didn’t need him, that I could do fine without him. The thought of it was fetal position inducing.

Was the idea of helping me become my own woman so cringe-worthy that he would let go of our entire relationship?

That couldn’t be. I had to try again before I left. I would soothe his fears, remind him I was the same girl he’d always known and convince him going to Texas would be good for both of us.

First, I had to get him to look at me.

If nothing else, guys were visual creatures, so I had to make myself visually impossible to ignore. Naked would probably do the trick, but the mounds of lingerie I had been binge buying would be more fun.

I pulled out a black silky thing with frothy pink embellishments and big heart sewn into the butt. That, plus my ridiculous heels and mussed sex hair gave me the look I needed to get any man’s attention.

Now to find Gray...and knock his socks, belt, and pants off.

I strutted out of my room and straight into Cade’s chest.

I toppled, he grabbed and saved me from tumbling to the carpet. “Don’t you look beautiful. What’s the occasion?”

“I’m on a mission.”

He rubbed his hands together, cutely conspiratorially. “A secret one?”

“Black ops, or rather Gray ops.”

“Ah. Danger and intrigue. I wish you success.” His words hit me as a little sad, like the lover of a soldier on a suicide mission.

That didn’t bode well.

“Uh, thanks.” I think.

He rubbed a hand through my hair and gripped it in his fist. He bent to my neck and in a low voice said, “When you return, I want a minute alone with you.”

I was going to need either a celebration or some consoling after my upcoming battle. I touched his cheek, needing that connection to draw strength from. “Of course. Now, wish me luck.”

He brushed his lips across mine. Not a kiss, more of a goodbye. “Luck.”

He let go and slipped back into his room. There was something going on with him, but I didn’t have time to figure it out now. Later. I could only deal with one catastrophe at a time.

Ilario waited for me at the foot of the stairs with a hurt puppy-dog face. Must be the clacking of my shoes on the hardwood bringing the boys out.

“Mistress, allow me to ravage your luscious body now.” He ran the back of his hand down my arm and looked longingly at my outfit.

My sweet Ilario. “Maybe in a bit. I’ve got something I need to do first.”

“Gray?”

I’d do him if he let me. “I hope so.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. The discord between Gray and I had affected everyone. “Yes, please. I pray for your success.”

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