Page 77 of Fractured Reign (Gravestone Elite 3)

“We’re good,” he says, glancing around. “Security are watching.”

“A trap. This is a trap.”

“He won’t fall for it. He’s too clever.” Bexley’s tone sends a chill through me.

His cell phone starts vibrating, and he grabs it. “Yeah… okay. I want updates.” Bexley hangs up and drops his cell into its holster.

“It’s clear.” He flicks the headlights on, and the engine rumbles beneath us as he steps on the gas.

“So where are we going?” I ask, barely meeting his dark gaze.

“Somewhere safe.”

“Do Q know?”

His jaw pops. “I don’t think we can trust Q.”

I scoff at that, and he slides his eyes to mine.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for not believing me? Or sorry for trusting Q?” I barely keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

“Fuck, Mia. I know I messed up. But they said—"

“It doesn’t matter.” The words gut me. I needed Bexley four weeks ago. I needed him when I felt like I was losing my mind, and he chose Q over me.

“Mia, baby, I—"

“I’m tired,” I whisper. “Wake me up when we’re there.” Slipping my hands into my hoodie, I fold them around my waist and get comfortable, hoping sleep will come easy.

* * *

When I wake, the fall sun is peeking through the clouds and Bexley is pulling off the main road down a dirt track leading to a lake I don’t recognize.

“What is this place?” I ask around a yawn.

“Somewhere off the grid.”

“How did you find it?” My eyes run over the small cabin. It has a wraparound porch with a swing chair overlooking the shimmering lake and surrounded by a blanket of trees. It’s beautiful. The perfect romantic hideaway.

If only things were that simple.

Bexley runs a hand down his jaw, releasing a heavy sigh. “James.”

“You called James?” I balk.

“Yeah. We obviously can’t trust Phillip or Q, and I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Did you tell him about…”

“I gave him the CliffsNotes version.”

“And you trust him?”

“He got out. He made a deal with the devil to keep his family out of Q’s clutches. I think we can trust him a whole lot more than anyone else right now.”

“What about your grandfather?”

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