Page 48 of Shattered Souls
Logan rolls his eyes at him. “Yeah, I’m aware.” He grins savagely, every bit the husky he plays on the ice. The split lip and bruise forming around his eye only add a dangerous edge to his demeanor. “Doesn’t mean I can’t have some fun while I’m at it.”
The guys bicker back and forth for a bit longer before Royce and Logan leave the kitchen, and the conversation moves on to other things.
“Riley,” Grayson calls when I move to follow after them. Stopping, I turn to face him. He’s standing in the same spot he has been all morning, hands shoved in the pockets of his slacks and stern, angry gaze on mine.
“Grayson,” I respond in the same tone when he doesn’t speak.
His face is pulled tight as he stares at me, and I can see the thoughts churning behind his eyes.
“I don’t like this.”
“You’ve already said that.” Standing to my full height, I cross my arms over my chest and lift my chin.
His gaze drops over me, noticing my defensive stance as his nostrils flare. All of a sudden, he’s striding toward me, eating up the space between us with his long legs until I’m forced toeither back away or hold my ground. Refusing to be cowered by the likes of Grayson, I plant my feet and glare into his face as he towers over me.
Locked in a silent stand-off, the anger and frustration roll off of him in waves. “I hate the idea of you and him being in the same room,” he finally spits out between gritted teeth.
Acting as unaffected as I can when I’m this close to a seething Grayson, I keep my voice bland as I retort, “I don’t exactly love it either.”
“The possibility that he could touch you…” He continues as though he doesn’t hear me.
“Touch what’s yours, you mean?” My retort has more attitude than the situation warrants, but fuck it. I’m strung out and exhausted, and perhaps I need to vent some of this nervous energy that’s constantly buzzing through me. Who better to unleash this bubbling mess of emotions onto than Grayson? After everything he’s put me through… the bullshit hestillcontinues to pull…
The vein in his jaw pulses as he whips out a hand, wrapping his long fingers around my throat and dragging me against his hard body as he lowers his face to mine until our breaths tangle in the minuscule amount of space between our lips.
“Youaremine,” he snarls, practically vibrating with anger. “Whether you want to acknowledge it or not. You. Are. Mine, Riley.” His fingers flex around my throat, reflecting the inner turmoil threatening to tear him apart as his eyes bore into mine, slicing through muscle until he’s staring right into my soul. “I won’t let him destroy someone else I care about. Won’t let himkillanother woman I love.”
My lips part in a silent O, my brain struggling to make sense of what he just said as I stare into his eyes, searching for what, I’m not even sure. Confirmation that he speaks the truth? Something that will dispute his feelings?
The problem is Grayson is so accustomed to being on guard that I can’t get a read on anything beyond the resounding resentment that has been flooding his system since Aurora went missing and his dad was released.
Pressing my hand flat against his abdomen, I apply pressure until he loosens his hold around my throat and takes a half step back. Instead of letting my hand fall away, I keep it in place, not pushing him away but simply maintaining the contact, unwilling to sever it.
“I’m sorry for what he did to your mom,” I say, my voice soft with sympathy, “but I have no intention of letting Bertram destroy me. I already survived him once, and this time, I have a hell of a lot more to live for. To fight for. He didn’t break me when I was fifteen, and he’s sure as hell not going to now.” My eyes scan his, and I bite the inside of my cheek as I debate my next words. “I’ve already fought my way back from the darkness once. I have no intention ofevergoing back there. While I understand your concern, I’m not your mom, Grayson, and you can’t expect me to sit at home while my daughter is out there somewhere and the likes of Bertram are threatening the life I’ve worked my ass off to build. I’m a survivor. It’s all I know how to do.” I search his gaze. “I won’t allow your fear to chain me.”
14
LOGAN
Don’t leave her alone.
Sit between her and him.
Always keep her in your sight.
Don’t let him touch her.
Grayson and Royce’s obnoxiously long list of rules for dummies circles around in my head as I pull through the gates and drive my SUV up the tree-lined drive of Bertram’s estate.
With one hand on Riley’s knee, I draw soothing circles on her skin. Not that it seems to be doing anything. Her knee has been bouncing the entire journey. As pumped as I am to give Bertram a virtualfuck youwhen he realizes whatever plans he has have been foiled, I’m equally as concerned about Riley’s mental state. I know she said she wanted to do this—that she needs to confront her mom, and I agree we need answers from her at this point—I worry about what the cost will be for my Shortcake. Every day without her daughter, she loses a piece of her soul. Now, she has to confront the Devil and his mistress? There’s no getting out of this unscathed, and I wish to fuck she didn’t have to be here at all.
Bringing the SUV to a stop in the circular drive at the front door, Riley stares out the window, her gaze roaming over the expansive, plantation-style house before I draw her gaze my way with a gentle caress of my fingers along her jaw. Her face is pale even beneath the makeup she applied before we left, and her eyes are wide with the fear she’s fighting to keep contained.
Everything in me demands I turn the car around and get her the fuck out of here. It was one thing her meeting them at a restaurant, but being behind a closed door with him again… it might be a different house, but the trauma is the same. No doubt, she’ll have nightmares after this fiasco. Yet, she’s still here. Ready to confront her greatest torment.
“You’re not the same kid you once were,” I tell her, sensing she needs to hear it. I could give her the out. Tell her we’re leaving. It’s what Grayson would do. However, I know nothing will stop my girl from entering that house. All I can do is ensure she goes in there confident and strong. “You’ve faced so much since then.” I carefully stroke my fingers down her cheek, ensuring her focus remains on me. “This time, you’re not alone. We’re all in this together. You’re stronger than you know, and you have the power to do this. Just remember why we’re here.”
“Aurora,” she murmurs, her voice shaky before she takes a steadying breath.
