Page 26 of Sinful Little Lies

“I’m trying to be understanding and patient. I’m trying to be a good fucking friend. But you don’t make it easy, you know? You walk away, V. Every single time. You run to me like a stray cat looking for shelter and I give it to you with no questions asked. I’ve been here waiting for you to realize that I’m all you need. I’m your protector, I’m your provider, I’m your safe havenandyour weapon. I don’t want to be your goddamn friend anymore. I could make you happier than any other man or woman on this fucking planet. But you won’t give me the chance. How am I supposed to give you all of me if you refuse to let me in?”

Oh, fuck.

All this time I’ve been so worried about myself, I didn’t even think about how it could be affecting Grimm. The one person who actually cares enough about my well-being and my situationto not only say something to me, but act on it for my own safety. I’d never find someone else like him.

At the very least, he deserves to know the truth.

I let go and tell him everything. From the pregnancy test, to Leo forcing himself on me in the bathroom, charging after me in the living room, and injecting me withsomethingbefore leaving me in his bed.

I swear I see smoke leaving Grimm’s ears and his anger towards Leo only fuels the desire I’ve been trying to fight for so long. If life was that simple, I’d straddle him right now, concussion and all. But if a happily ever after is in the cards for us, it’s going to have to wait. He deserves an apology and I can’t believe I’ve been so selfish.

“I- I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you, Grimm. I tried to leave, I used the fight with Leo as a way out and I was almost out of the door when he pulled me back in and forced me to stay in his hell for a little while longer.” Tears form in my eyes and I don’t have the energy to blink them away. I don’t have the strength to keep myself together anymore.

“I’m fucking scared, Grimm. Every day for the last two years I’ve lived in fear of him, his actions, his words. Our relationship was beautiful when we first got together and I’ve spent so much time trying to get us back to that place, but no matter what I do, I end up with cuts and bruises and burnt fucking hands. If I don’t go back to him willingly, he’ll take me by force and I don’t want to drag you into this mess anymore than I already have. You’re right, you’ve been an amazing friend and confidant, and I can’t apologize enough for taking advantage of you. I don’t blame you for hating me. I’m so fucking sorry.”

Grimm sighs and walks around the bed. I feel the mattress sink in next to me, and then those strong, ink-covered arms wrap around my waist. He pulls me in close, whispering in my ear, “I could never hate you, V. From the moment I laid eyes onyou, you’ve belonged to me. I’m not Prince Charming, Verena. I’m not the angel that’s going to balance out your demons. I’m a monster. But I do think if you gave me a fucking chance, I would do a damn good job of making you feel loved and secure. I live to see that smile and hear your laugh. I want to heal all of your scars and put you back together the way you so desperately need. You did nothing to deserve your pain and I will spend every day for the rest of my life proving that to you. Open your fucking eyes and let me in.”

Nodding, I whisper, “Okay. I’ll let you in.”

He places a soft kiss on the crown of my head and pulls back. “Fucking finally. Now, I need you to listen to me. Stay here with Eli. Invite the girls over, whatever you want. I’m going to take care of Leo.”

My heart nearly drops out of my fucking ass at his last sentence. “Maybe we can just forget about him. I’m sure if he sees us together, he’ll back off. We don’t have to provoke him, Grimm.”

He laughs, “Provoke him? Honey, that’s not what I’m doing. I’m ending this once and for all. There’s no changing my mind. I’m doing what has to be done. You will stay here until I get back, unless you want to help me finish him off.” A mischievous smirk forms on his lips, and my heart skips a beat. I’m not sure if it’s the smile or the threat to Leo that’s turning me on, but I don’t mind it one bit.

Are these the side effects of my concussion?

“Yes, I’ll come with you. What are you going to do to him?” I ask nervously.

“You’ll see. Let’s go!” He interlaces our fingers and we head downstairs to the garage. Grimm picks up a black backpack and slings it over his shoulder.

My eyes bulge. “What’s in there?”

Oh, fuck me. I didn’t think Grimm was actually going to kill Leo. Yes, he’s protective and a borderline looney, but he couldn’t be a killer. Right?

He flashes me another smile, dripping with a lust for murder. “Toys. Let’s go play.”

Grimm’s motorcyclehad just enough space for the two of us. He placed the spare helmet over my head and lowered the visor, giving me a small smile. He secures his helmet and a small beep sounds in mine. His voice surrounds me and I feel a burning in my core at the thought of him being so close to me. “Can you hear me?”

I nod, and he gives me a thumbs up. “Hold on tight, little monster.” I’m wearing the backpack and it is decently heavy. I’m wondering what the fuck he packed in here, but the whole little monster thing cancels the thought out completely. My arousal rises and I’m not sure if it’s because of the adrenaline of ending everything with Leo or starting something new with Grimm. I want to give him a chance and I’m hoping by the time we get out of here, we can start moving in that direction.

“You know you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, right?” he asks as we park and make our way through the cemetery. Arriving at the weeping angel statue, we walk toward the back and Grimm pulls out some rock, shoving it into an empty slot in the statue. One of Blair’s extravagantly detailed encounters with Emmett pops into my mind. I thought the underground tunnel was a bit of an exaggeration, but look at that! She was telling the fucking truth.

“Oh, wow! Blair wasn’t lying!” I exclaim.

With a small chuckle, he asks, “What do you mean?” Did he really not know? Here I am, daydreaming about Grimm whipping out his own clone and he has no idea about Emmett’s. I lean in and sum up the events to him in a whisper. Blair left no stone unturned when telling me and Aspen about her time…down here.

“No fucking way!” Grimm doubles over, laughing. “That kid is something else. He’s truly my hero.” He professes. Grabbing my hand, he guides me down the dimly lit tunnels until we arrive at an immense metal door with all kinds of locks. I look at Grimm with an anxious furrow in my brow. He gives me the brightest smile and I notice him shifting…himselfin his pants. Once he moves his hand, I see his budding erection.

Grimm clears his throat and our eyes meet. “Like what you see?”

We simultaneously break out into a fit of giggles before he undoes each lock and the door creaks open.

16

GRIMM

The door scrapesagainst the cement floor as I push it open. The scratching sound fills the room and Leo’s eyes flutter open. I instruct V to drop the bag, my eyes never leaving the piece of shit in front of me. His eyes seem unfocused as they search around the room until they finally land on me.

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