Page 66 of Rebellion

He closed his eyes and took a long breath. He didn’t say anything. Nothing. My insides wanted to wither and shrink, but I refused to allow it. I believed in him, in our bond.

When he opened his eyes, the Gray I knew and loved was there and let me see into his heart. “God, Angel. I was so angry, but mostly with myself for not doing a better job to protect you. I was devastated you didn’t need me. I’m so sorry. I never should have left. I never should have come back.”

I cupped his cheek and slid my lips across his wanting to connect so he’d know how sincere my next words were. “I’m so happy in my heart that you did come back to me.”

“I don’t understand why. Why haven’t you railed at me, kicked me out, forced me to beg for your forgiveness and then denied it? I’ve been waiting, expecting it every day.”

Oh no. No no no no no. While I thought I was giving him the space to trust me, he’d been waiting for me to destroy him. How could I explain?

“Because doing all that feels like I’d be drinking poison and expecting you to die. I won’t do that.”

He took me in his arms and held me tight to his chest.

I bared myself to get through to him. “I’ve battled the pain a thousand times, and I win each struggle because I don’t want to be miserable. Loving you makes me happy. We have to trust each other to move past the hurt and forgive each other, forgive ourselves. Please believe that if nothing else.”

He held me so tight I was sure he’d never let me go. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, I promise.”

“You don’t have to. Just be with me. If during all my dark and stormy moments you still loved me, why wouldn’t I also love you during yours?”

His breath came out shaky. “You’ve always been too good for me.”

“And you’re too good for me, so we fit together just right.”

Gray kissed me, softly, gently. I knew he wasn’t convinced that I’d forgiven him, but in that moment, I had. Yes, he’d hurt me, but I’d hurt him too. We would move beyond it and get our shot at real happiness.

The kiss became more intense, Gray grasping my hair in his fist and taking over my mouth. I whimpered and he took more of me, not letting up, never letting go.

I was so deep into the moment I almost didn’t register the knocking on the door. But it didn’t let up, and it became frantic.

“Go the fuck away, we’re busy in here.”

Instead of going away, the door opened and Tate popped into the room.

Gray pulled away from me and stood so he blocked any view Tate may have had of me.

“I’m really sorry, but I just got word from Lilly. Foster is on his way here and she said he’s out for blood.” Tate’s voice was about twelve octaves higher than normal.

I’d seen him on edge and knew this deal with Foster investing in The Red Ranch was taking its toll on him. The man could use an orgasm, but I was busy at the moment.

“What does that have to do with us?” Gray’s growl was back in full force.

“She says he knows you’re here, Grayson, and he’s got plans for you.” He glanced at me. “Both of you.”

I looked between Gray and Tate. This seemed like a way bigger deal than an asshole coming to town. “What the hell does that mean?”

Tate shook his head. “She wouldn’t say more than that. Said she was already going to get a serious punishment for warning us of his arrival. She’s pretty freaked out.”

Gray grabbed his clothes and pulled on his pants. “How long do we have?”

“An hour maybe. Maybe less,” Tate said.

These two knew Foster Bennett way better than I did, but I couldn’t help but think they were making a Texas-sized problem out of nothing.

I grabbed Gray out of the tornado of destruction he’d become. “Gray, Foster’s only here to spread his drama around. He’s not the center of attention anymore and so he’s throwing a big-baby fit.”

“It’s more than that, my love. Foster and I have old scores to settle. The man has been miserable for years and loves to spread that misery around. It makes him feel in control. Worst fucking decision I ever made to bring him to a BDSM club.”

That was news to me. Gray had introduced Foster to the kink lifestyle? I guess I’d always kind of thought it was the other way around.

“Well, what can he really do?”

“He’s a sadistic bastard. He knows there isn’t anything he can do to hurt me directly. The only way he can get to me is to go through you. I won’t allow that – I can’t allow him to hurt you.”

Gray had been my bodyguard first, my partner in crime second, and the love of my life all along. I ain’t afraid of no ghosts. “He won’t be able to hurt me if we’re together.”

Gray grabbed my arms and looked me dead in the eye. “That’s the only way he can.”

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