Page 93 of Wicked Union

I closed the door behind me and sat on the floor beside her, leaning my back against the tub. The silence hung between us, thick like smoke. She didn’t stop me when I put my hand on her knee, right over the top of her hand. We just stared at each other, communicating without words.

Grace was so quiet and shy when we first met. Just the sound of her voice would excite me because she used it so infrequently. But as we got to know each other, she trusted me. She opened herself up and let me know what she needed.

“I killed a man.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “My uncle.” With tears in her eyes, she glanced at me. “I did it without even blinking. Not a second thought about taking another human life. What does that say about me? Am I like my biological father?”

“No, Grace.” I laced my fingers between hers. “You’re not like him. He’s a monster.”

“Why don’t I feel different?” She shook her blonde head, biting her bottom lip. “I thought killing someone would change me. It must be in the Romanov blood to be a cold-blooded killer.”

“You’re not a killer, Grace. Sometimes, we don’t have a choice. Andrey pushed you to make that decision. You did the right thing. He would have turned you over to Viktor.” I curled my arm around her, stroking my fingers through her blonde hair. “This is my fault, Grace. I contacted Viktor with Drake’s help.”

“What?” Grace gasped, eyes wide. “You talked to my father?”

I nodded. “Through a hacker named Maverick.”

“Well, what did he say?”

“He wants to see you in exchange for information about Fitzy and why he made you his heir.”

“Set it up,” she said without a second thought. “I want out of this marriage. And I want to get away from my grandfather. I’m sick of him controlling my life and everyone in it.”

“I don’t think we can trust him. For all we know, he sent your uncle here. And now…” I nearly choked on the words, holding back tears. “My mom is dead. And I almost lost you, too.”

She laid her head on my chest. “How are you doing, Cole? Your mom… I’m so sorry. Willow was amazing. She was like a mother to me.”

A single tear slid down my cheek, which I wiped away before she could see it. Years of emulating my father had taught me how to stay strong. How to not show emotion or fear.

“I’m glad I still have you.”

She was the silver lining. The only thing keeping me going.

Strands of blonde hair dropped before her eyes, forcing her to tuck them behind her ear. “Cole, I don’t want to lose you.”

I slid my fingers beneath her chin, and she turned her head to look at me. “From the moment you walked into my house, I knew I couldn’t have you.” My heart slammed into my chest with each breath I took. “I knew you were important to The Founders and that you would live the rest of your life in danger and need my help. I thought I could do my job. Be the perfect son. The perfect Knight. That’s because I never expected to feel something for you.”

I didn’t realize a tear had slipped past my bottom lid until Grace reached up and swiped her finger across my cheek. Every word was the truth.

I loved her more than life itself. And yet, we had no future.

I grabbed the back of her head and pushed my tongue past her lips, stealing the air from her lungs. She climbed on top of me, breathing hard as she rocked her hips to meet mine. I was so fucking hard with her grinding on my cock and those soft moans I captured with each kiss.

“My little brat,” I whispered between kisses. “You drive me crazy.”

She reached between us to unzip my shorts and whip out my dick. “No more rules. No more debating if we should do this.” Sliding her shorts and panties to the side, she pushed the tip of my cock into her wetness. “Fuck me. Make me come. And promise you’ll never stop fighting for me.”

“I promise,” I grunted as she rode my dick like a good girl, marking my shoulders with her fingers.

She could mark me all she wanted. I was hers just as much as she was mine.

ChapterForty-Six

GRACE

Iwoke in the dark to a pair of strong, muscular arms wrapped around me, lifting me from the mattress. Rolling onto my side, my face smashed into a hard chest. He was solid muscle beneath his suit.

Scrubbing a hand at my eyes, I peeked up at him. “Cole?”

“No, it’s me.”

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