Page 78 of Judgment Day

“That’s what I thought.” She smirked, then cleared her throat. “I’d like a moment alone with my brother. There’s a man outside who’s had a really bad day, and believe it or not, he needs you right now.” She let go of my hand, a silent cue for me to go.

Grey.

Once again, my heart was being ripped in two. “I can’t leave. What if Linc wakes up?”

“Then I’ll call you.” She gave me a look that said she wasn’t being coy. “Go.”

During Lincoln’s surgery, one of the nurses brought me into an exam room and inspected my wounds. Thankfully, Sadie hadn’t had time to completely open the petal apparatus inside me when Grey and Lincoln showed up. There were a few small tears on my cervix that would heal on their own over time. My nipples were a mess, but they would heal, too.

The nurse gave me a pair of paper panties and a backless gown. That was what I walked out into the hallway wearing, what I entered the waiting room wearing, what Grey saw when he looked up at me, pulled his phone away from his ear, ended his call. He stuffed his phone into his pocket as he stood. His piercing blue eyes sent my pulse skyrocketing. I felt like a pauper approaching a king. His six-foot-something frame felt like an omnipotent presence in this tiny room. Somewhere along the way, he’d gotten a plain, white t-shirt. Scratch that. Nothing about Grey Van Doren was everplain. Only a man with his classic perfection could make a Fruit of the Loom t-shirt look like it was made for nobility.

His dark eyes cut into me, slicing me to the bone with a single, haunted look.

He’s broken.

My heart beat like a hammer in my chest as I reached up to cup his face. The hair along his jawline tickled my palms. “I’ve been selfish.” My hands trembled as I fought to keep myself from crying.

There was a brief reflection of pain in his eyes.

I swallowed. “You lost someone you loved.”

His jaw clenched. “I lost her long before today.”

“You could have lost your son.” My heart pinched as the first tear fell. “Because of me.”

He placed his hands over mine. “I was never losing anyone.”

I knew Ciaran was with Mrs. McTavish now. I knew he was fine. Still, I hated the thought that some part of Grey blamed me, that he resented me for being forced to choose.

“You didn’t do this, Lyric. Tell me you understand that,” he said in that steel, smooth voice that comforted and calmed me.

I swallowed back the rest of my tears. “Then why do you look so far away?”

His jaw tensed beneath my touch. “I showed you the monster within the man, and now you’re afraid of me.”

I breathed in the scent of him, let his warmth wash over me as I stepped closer. “That wasn’t the first time I watched you take a life.” I remembered the man who’d almost raped me and the way Grey squeezed the life right out of his throat. “It’s not even the first time you’ve done it forme.” I held his gaze. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“You’re trembling right now.” His thumbs stroked the front of my hands.

“Not because I’m afraid of you.” My heart thundered as my words choked. “Because I’m afraid I don’t deserve you.”

“Youdon’t deserveme?” His gaze went feral. He moved his hands from mine to push my hair off my shoulders, away from my neck. His head dipped, and he pressed soft kisses down the column of my throat. “I’m the unworthy one, little dove.” He let out a shuddered breath. “I’m so fucking sorry.” He lifted his head. “You shouldn’t be here right now. You should be out there—” He gestured toward the window. “Happily married, graduating college and living your life. Instead, you’re in here tearing you heart in half over two men who—”

I cut him off. “Stop. I’m not letting you do this.” My voice shook. “Malcolm took me. You didn’t. And if he hadn’t Kipton would have. I would’ve been one of those girls. I could’ve ended up like Sadie.” I blinked back tears. “Instead, I get to spend my life with two incredible men—completely different but both utterly remarkable.” I cradled his jaw. “You don’t get to apologize for making me happy, Grey. You don’t get to apologize for saving me.”

I shivered when his hands slipped into the open back of my gown, grabbing my ass to pull me against him. He was hard, so hard it took my breath away. His lips pressed to mine, prying them apart with his tongue. I moaned into his mouth, and he growled. He deepened the kiss, pushing me harder into his body. I winced when the pain bit my nipples, and he immediately pulled back.

“Fuck.” He gripped the back of his neck. “Jesus, what was I thinking?”

“It’s okay.” I placed a hand on his chest. “I’m okay.” I gave a quiet smile. “Just sore.”

Dark shadows danced across his sharp features. “I always thought I was strong enough to handle anything. But you bring me to my knees.” He reached down and touched my face, cautiously, like I was a priceless, precious thing. “I am so fucking weak when it comes to you.” His voice vibrated through my blood.

I once believed there was only room in my heart for one, that it was impossible to love two people and love them equally. I supposed people with children did it every day. I never understood it.

Until now.

Until I realized that my heart wasn’tmineat all. It wasn’t meant to be filled. It was meant to be shared—two halves. One whole. Each of them had a part.

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