Page 76 of Skid
She walked up to me as I set the frame back on the dresser. “That was the day I finally beat him in the gym.”
“That explains his scowl,” I remarked, and she chuckled.
She led me through the large house and into a gym across from the now-closed office door. I could hear James, Devlin, and Rhys speaking behind the door as Grace walked into the gym. I followed and saw large mats, hanging bags, and various training weapons on the wall. She was picking up a towel from the floor and returning a few of the weapons to the wall when I walked up behind her and pulled her back into my front.
Leaning against my chest, she rested her head as I wrapped my arms around her stomach. “So, this is where your ability to knock someone out comes from? I think I may need to see you in action, you know, just to see what you’re capable of.”
“She’ll kick your ass and smile while she does it,” Rhys remarked as he walked in with Devlin and James.
“You’re just mad I beat you,” Grace joked and stepped away from me.
“Once. You beat me once,” Rhys replied, and Grace wiggled her eyebrows.
“Once is all it takes.”
He walked up to her, and I stood my ground as she turned her attention to him. Brushing a piece of hair behind her ear, he asked softly, “Are you going to be okay, Grace?” His dead eyes cut to me and then back to her. She nodded, and he leaned over, kissing her cheek, and then stepping back.
“Dalton, take care of her,” he instructed.
“With my life,” I replied and scooped her into my arms.
We walked to the front door, and I looked back over my shoulder as we got to the SUV waiting for us. Regan was standing next to Rhys with her head leaned onto his arm as we climbed into the vehicle. James was up front with Devlin, and I had Grace on my lap in the backseat. The drive was quiet, and I needed to know what James meant earlier.
As we pulled into the airport and turned toward the hangers, I inquired. “What did you mean by your statement earlier, James?”
Grace looked at me with confusion as Devlin stopped the car and turned off the ignition. They pivoted in their seats, looking at us in the back as James explained. “When we sold the software, we had your name put on the ownership documents. You own thirty percent of the company.”
He opened the door, got out of the vehicle, and climbed the stairs to the private plane Devlin charted without another word. Grace sat next to me with her eyes wide and her mouth open at James’s declaration.
“After everything you’ve done for us over the last ten years, you couldn’t think we wouldn’t include you in the business. He meant what he said. We wouldn’t be what we are without you,” Devlin remarked and left Grace and me alone in the vehicle as he got onto the plane.
“What are they talking about?” she asked, unsure, and I kissed her until we were both fighting for breath.
“It means whatever you want in this world, you’ve got,” I explained, and she brought her hand to my bearded cheek.
“All I want is you.”
Bringing our foreheads together, I whispered, “You’ve got me forever, Grace.” Looking deeply into her eyes, I said, “I love you.”
Her blue eyes glistened with unshed tears as she replied, “I love you.”
She smiled at me, and I got out of the SUV and offered her my hand. She hopped down, and I escorted her to the waiting plane. Climbing the stairs, she walked through the doorway and gasped when she saw the luxurious plane.
Devlin and James were huddled together in the four seats that faced each other, both with laptops open as they worked. Grace glanced at them and walked down the aisle to the couch on the side wall of the plane. Sitting down, she wiggled into the soft leather seat and sighed contently. I plopped down next to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, feeling her snuggle into my chest.
The entire flight home, Grace was secure in my arms, and as we touched down in Memphis, I knew today was the first day of the rest of our lives. I vowed that I would make up for every painful moment she experienced and give her a life filled with joy and happiness.
Devlin gave me a look as the plane taxied into the hanger, and I saw the monster inside him pushing to the surface. When vengeance needs a reckoning, the Callahans were more than ready to oblige. One thing they forgot, though.
Grace was mine, and the Death Hounds will have their pound of flesh. One way or another.
