Page 20 of The Secrets We Keep

Asher gives me a hug and a kiss and then goes to his room and closes the door.

“Can I stay here tonight?” Grayson asks, making my heart jump. He must see the surprise on my face because he continues, “I just need to know that you’re both safe.” I bite my lip and nod before standing and pulling him toward the bedroom. “I can stay on the couch,” he offers.

“It’s not comfortable. Besides, we’ve shared a bed on lots of occasions. I trust you,” I tell him. It’s the truth.I do trust Grayson.It didn’t take long for him to weasel his way back into my life, into my heart.

I leave Grayson in the bedroom as I go into the bathroom to try and steel my nerves. I shower andbrush my teeth. I don’t really have anything nice to wear for bed, so I settle for an oversized t-shirt from Grayson’s closet.

When I step back into the bedroom, Grayson is already in bed, his shirtless, tanned torso on display. My eyes track over the familiar and new ink covering his arms and chest and the hard muscles of his abdomen. His chest rises and falls softly as he sleeps. He fell asleep again. I sigh as I walk to my side of the bed and climb inside. Grayson reaches for me as soon as I’m laying down, like he’s drawn to me.

“We need to talk, Gray,” I chastise.

“Tomorrow,” he murmurs softly before kissing my temple.

My eyes close at the sweet touch and then I’m blinking back the tears that form. I sink further into his embrace. Tomorrow.I’ll tell him tomorrow.

15

GRAYSON

I wake up engulfed in warmth. I breathe deeply and devour the familiar scent of berries and vanilla that surrounds me.Sophie.

I couldn’t leave Sophie and Asher last night. Not after feeling like a family, not after what happened to her. I didn’t plan on sleeping in her bed, but I’m not going to complain about waking up with her draped over my chest.

I slowly slide out from under her, careful not to wake her up. I know she wants to talk, but I’m nervous about what she could want to talk about. I’m just not ready. So, I’m taking the coward’s way out and leaving the room before she wakes up. We can talk later when I’ve had coffee. After I’ve dealt with Eric.

I climb off the bed and slip into the bathroom, relieving myself and then quickly brushing my teeth. I grab a t-shirt and jeans out of my closet and dress quickly, slipping on my cut, socks and a pair of boots. I creep out of the bedroom and sneak a peek at Ashernext door.

He’s sprawled out on the mattress and breathing deeply. His face is so peaceful that it actually makes my chest ache. I gently close his door and walk out of my suite. He’s such a cool kid and he deserves the world.

It’s still early, but I texted Rowan and Axel last night to set up church for this morning. We have to deal with the guys from Tennessee. Especially Eric. I know that I’ll have to bring in the Nashville Charter’s President, James, on the issue. Even if I don’t like the asshole. He will get the chance to punish his members the way he sees fit. Eric, on the other hand, will get two rounds of justice. As is the Sovereign Sons’ way.

Rowan and Axel are waiting for me outside of church with grim expressions on their faces. I arch a brow in question.

“He’s running his mouth,” Axel grumbles. “Just warning you.”

“Let him,” I scoff. “He’s just going to make it worse.”

I walk into the room with Rowan and Axel flanking me and everyone falls silent as we take our seats. Everyone but Eric. Someone had the good sense to shove something in the asshole’s mouth, though. So, really, it’s just a lot angry mumbling.

I ignore him and slam down the gavel, bringing our meeting to a start.

“We’re here this morning to shell out justice,” Ibegin, taking a moment to make eye contact with each of my brothers. “Eric Tapper, Chris James, and Jack Adams came into our territory and hurt someone under my protection. Chris and Jack, even though I think you deserve the same damn punishment as Eric, that’s not how this club works. I will let James decide your punishment, but you will be leaving my territory as soon as this meeting is over,” I growl, staring them down. They both look away but nod. I turn my attention to Eric. “Before I give you a chance to defend your actions, even though they are completely reprehensible, you should know that after church, you are no longer welcome in my territory. You will be fully banned from Silver Springs.” Someone whistles through their teeth and murmurs break out in the room.

The highest discipline that a charter can dish out to a non-member is banishment. All other punishments fall on their own charter to decide. Usually, I’m fine with that, but this doesn’t feel like enough for what he did.

“The fact that you would hurt a woman is abhorrent to me,” I continue, my voice strained. “You knew Sophie. She never did a damn thing to you, but you decided to dump fresh coffee on her because you were upset with her?” I growl. “But burning her wasn’t enough. You shoved her to the ground and left the diner without paying. What could you possibly have to say for yourself?”

I nod at Axel to remove the gag.

Eric immediately spits on the table, his furious gaze finding mine. “She comes back to this town after betraying our leader and we’re just supposed to accept it? John is rolling in his grave because of you. He would be fucking proud of what I did. She’s probably just trying to weasel her way into his accounts. The whore deserved what I gave her. I should have done more,” he sneers at me.

I’m out of my chair in an instant, but Axel beats me to it. He slams Eric’s head into the table. “We don’t hurt women,” he growls. “And John isn’t the leader of this club anymore. He sent your ass away because you couldn’t stop causing problems. If he’s rolling over in his grave, it’s because you’re still a fucking idiot.”

“I’m a fucking idiot?” Eric chuckles as blood leaks out of his mouth. “Your so-called leader can’t even recognize his own flesh and blood! He doesn’t even realize that Sophie had his kid and left town! He’s the fucking idiot!” He laughs maniacally.

My stomach drops. I take in my men’s faces and it doesn’t make me feel any better. They all look guilty, but guilty of what? Sophie wasn’t pregnant when she left. Asher couldn’t be my kid.Could he?

“See! He just figured it out!”

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