Page 93 of Grace of Spades
“I love you guys too, but I need to do this. So either shut up and let me or leave the room.” She states. I can’t watch my dad kill the woman I love. I can’t. Call me a coward, but I walk over and kiss her. Hard. I pour everything I feel into it. All the love, the fear, the anger, the passion I feel for her, and then I leave with a glare at my father. A warning.
“Don’t fucking touch her,” I growl as I storm out. I’m soon joined by the others and Keir has tears streaming down his face. Christian’s eyes are red-rimmed and Liam looks a bit empty. We all slide to the ground.
Hopeless.
“What the fuck are we going to do?” Christian asks. Fuck if I know. She just got out of the hospital and now she pulls this shit. I’m so angry with her. What is she thinking?
Keir
My sweet Grace is going to die. She practically asked for it. Hell, as far as I know, she’s dealt the killing blows of other people in her position.
Why would she do this?
I don’t understand. I thought she was happy but now she’s basically asking for death. In front of us. I mean, I know she's been having a rough time after Ray but I thought we were working through that.
No, I don’t believe that she wants to die. She’s not like that, she’s a fighter, a survivor. She probably has a plan but I can’t just sit here and take it either.
“We need to do something,” I mutter.
“Like what?” Snaps Jai
“I dunno… but we can’t just fucking sit here with our thumbs up our asses either.” I snap back.
“Stop arguing! We gotta stick this out together for her!” Liam explodes. He’s been so quiet since we got out here that his voice practically booms out of him.
“That's it isn’t it? We have to band together.” Christian mutters.
“What?” I look at him.
“Think about it. We’re all here, we all love her. We have a common goal. Let’s bring the Yakuza, the Irish, the Bratva, and the Italians together.” Christian says like he’s getting excited at the idea. He’s squirming in his seat on the floor.
“You’re fucking nuts,” I argue. “Our fathers will never go for this.”
“But who's going to be taking over? Us. We can do this.”
“Fuck it, I’m in.” Liam nods.
“We’re going to have to talk this out properly sometime but for right now? Yeah. Let’s do it.” Jai agrees.
“Let's get our girl,” I say standing up. We all rush to the door and I kick it open with a loud crash.
“Andras is going to kill you,” Grace says smiling sitting down with our fathers. No, not sitting.Lounging. We’re out there trying not to die of a broken heart and they’re in here chatting like it’s a fucking tea party?! What the fuck?!
“What is going on?!” I ask looking at everyone.
“We talked it out.” Mr. McConnell shrugs.
“Talked it out?” Chokes Liam. He looks at me and gives me a look that says “what the fuck?” And I can’t help but agree.
“Yes. Grace has her reasons and we know our secrets are safe with her as hers are with us. We are all equally complicit, and therefore safe.” Mr. Bianchi explains.
“Besides, we've been bothering you all for a while to catch her. Ididn’t expect all four of you, but I think that’s for the best as well. What with the merger…” My dad laughs heartily with Bianchi. I swear my brain just rebooted itself.
“Merger?” I ask.
“Oh yes. We’ve talked it over, and you all seem to be working well together. We’re creating… almost a council board to run our businesses. Together.” Mr. Tanaka explains. What the fuck?
“Besides, what Grace did takes balls. And so few people have that quality.” Mr. McConnell chuckles.
