Page 106 of Give Me Redemption

Was any of it real?

God…last night? Was that real for her?

I rub my face and shake my head as tears threaten my vision.

How does one recover from this?

How will I ever get over this? I catch Harrison in my peripheral as she steps forward. She’s realized it, too. Michelle Dalton is not who she said she is.

She’s an undercover FBI agent and she’s just busted my brother, and I helped her.

I grip Harrison’s arm to keep her in place. She looks back at me, trying to jerk out of my hold.

“Don’t,” I say. “This won’t end well for you.”

“She did this, Jace. She did this to us.” She yanks her arm again, getting free from me. “You fucking bitch!” she yells.

Anger and sadness collide in my soul, twisting with rage and helplessness.

I won’t recover from this.

This was the final blow for me.

I’ve lost everything I care about. My boys, my brother is possibly going off to prison, and I’ve lost the one person I thought I could trust more than anyone.

Some of the guests look back at Harrison as they slip out, trying to be unnoticed by the feds. But can’t they see? They’re not here for them.

They’re here for Bryce.

My brother turns around. He looks at Harrison. And there, I see a small hint of pride. His lip lifts a tad. He smirks at her outburst, and I’m so damn jealous of their relationship.

I look away from Bryce to Dalton. Guilt flashes in her greens, but she lifts her chin, like this is what she had to do, and now it’s done.

I guess it’s a game for her, too.

She turns to the man beside her. “Leave them be,” she says. With one last glance at me, she exits the room, and Bryce is urged forward. But I look after Dalton, watching her until she disappears through the door. Everyone tried to stop me from letting her in here.

I didn’t listen to them. I was so sure I’d foundmyHarrison. My brother was finally happy, I was finally happy, and now it’s over.

I guess that’s how the Grant brothers’ life is always meant to be.

Here’s a little bit of heaven, but don’t get too close.

You won’t keep it.

Harrison grasps on to the stair railing and starts to jog up after them, but I grab her by the waist and haul her down.

“Stop,” she says, gripping my forearms and trying to push them off her.

“No,” I say. I put my chin on her shoulder, trying to get her to listen to me. “You have to stop this.”

“Jace.” She wiggles more.

“Harrison, Bryce won’t be able to deal with his shit if you’re sitting in jail, too.”

She softens and I put her down.

I look down at her. “She didn’t do this,” I say. “I did, and my brother will never forgive me.”

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