Page 109 of Undisputed Player
“I'll think about it,” I said finally.
His smile was slow and knowing, like he could see straight through me. “You'll be there.”
He pulled into a parking garage beneath what had to be one of the most exclusive buildings in the city. The Bentley purred to a stop in a private area marked “Graves.” There was a fancy black car already parked, and the most… insane looking green car I’d ever seen.
“We're here,” he announced, turning to the backseat. “Avery, remember what we talked about? Best behavior.”
“I know, I know,” she said, already unbuckling her seatbelt. “No picking up Toffee, no running in the penthouse, no asking Connor why he’s always grumpy.”
Jax's lips twitched. “That's my girl.”
The private elevator ride to the top floor was quick and silent, except for the excited whispers between Leo and Avery. Jax kept his hand on the small of my back, a steady, warm presence.
The private elevator led to a hall and another set of doors, which Jax opened into a stunning foyer that made me forget to breathe. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city in golden afternoon light, and the space itself was modern but warm, with soft colors and strategic bookshelves lining the walls.
“Connor?” Jax called, guiding me further inside. “We're here.”
A deep, rumbling voice responded from somewhere deeper in the penthouse. “Living room.”
We followed the sound, Avery practically bouncing ahead while Leo gripped my hand.
We rounded the corner, and there they were. Connor and Sierra, curled up on a massive sectional sofa, her smaller frame tucked in his much larger lap as she read from a book he was holding for her.
Connor “Killer” Graves was even more imposing in person than he seemed online. He was huge, slightly taller than Jax, with broad shoulders and a solid wall of muscle encased in a simple black t-shirt. Hisdark hair was short, his eyes equally dark and intense beneath heavy brows. He also had tattoos wrapped around his forearms. Everything about him radiated quiet, controlled danger.
But it was the way he looked at Sierra that caught me off guard. When she glanced up at our arrival, his hand instinctively tightened around her waist, his expression softening from granite to something tender.
Sierra took my breath away. She was beautiful and soft-looking, with long, dark hair and wide, expressive eyes. She wore a lavender cardigan and jeans with no makeup that I could detect, but she was so naturally pretty that she fit perfectly in this luxurious setting. Her smile, when it came, was genuine and warm.
“You’re Estelle,” she smiled, setting her book aside but not moving from Connor's lap. “I'm so glad to finally meet you.”
I smiled back, feeling strangely self-conscious. “It's nice to meet you, too. Jax has told me a lot about you both.”
Connor's eyes assessed me with unnerving thoroughness before he nodded once, apparently satisfied with whatever he saw. “Welcome.”
Before the silence could grow awkward, a whirlwind of color and energy burst into the room.
“Where's my favorite girl?” a booming voice called. “And my other favorite girl? And my new favorite girl? And my favorite cat?”
Adrian the “Catalyst” made even Jax and Connor’s tattoos look understated. He was just as tall and muscled as they were, but that's where the similarities ended. Every visible inch below his face was covered in vibrant tattoos.
He wore ripped jeans and a bright, cropped tank, his hair deliberately tousled. Despite his intimidating size, his chiseled face was open and playful, green eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Adrian!” Avery squealed, launching herself at him. He caught her with practiced ease, swinging her up onto his shoulders.
“There's my girl! And who's this little dude?” He crouched down to Leo's level, still balancing Avery on his shoulders. “You must be the famous Leo. I've heard so much about you, little man.”
Leo pressed closer to my side, a little overwhelmed, but managed a small smile. “Hi.”
“Adrian,” Jax warned. “Dial it back. You're scaring him.”
Adrian straightened, looking comically offended. “Me? Scary? Never!” But he did lower Avery to the ground and took a small step back, giving Leo space and a bright smile.
Sierra managed to slip from Connor's lap, though his hand lingered on her until the last possible moment, and she approached with a gentle smile. “Leo, I’m Sierra. Would you like to meet Toffee? He's hiding under the coffee table.”
Leo looked up at me for permission, and I nodded, my heart warming that he wanted to join her. Sierra seemed sweet. “Go ahead.”
As she led Leo and Avery to this mysterious cat, Connor stood and moved to the bar along one wall. “Drink?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling through the space.
