“Are you ready to go?” Royce asked Grant as he pulled him close. Grant hummed as he swallowed a sip of coffee and offered his lips, just like a well-loved man would, and Royce couldn’t resist. He cradled Grant’s jaw as he nibbled and sucked on his lips and Royce groaned in agony.
“This is the most romantic thing ever,” Vanessa sighed as she hugged a frothing pitcher. “And it all started here!” She added and Royce felt Grant flinch and his jaw twitched.
“That felt really romantic,” Royce offered apologetically because he didn’t want Grant thinking this kiss had anything to do with the day they “met”. The bell over the door rang and Royce threw his hands up in disgust as “Sam” and Sally Lee entered. He didn’t even care about the Lees or his mission, at the moment. He needed Grant to know the kiss wasn’t for Vanessa or part of his cover.
“Hey, you!” “Sam” called as he waved at Grant and made a beeline for him, even though he was still in Royce’s arms. “I was hoping I’d run into you,” he said as he pretended Royce wasn’t there. Grant looked startled and unsure as he eased himself away from Royce.
“It’s a pretty safe bet you’ll run into me here most mornings, if you time it right,” Grant replied flatly. Grant’s eyes darted to Sally’s accusatively and Royce’s stomach tightened as she paled and clutched her purse. She was nervous. Grant saw it too and his eyes narrowed as they swung to “Sam”. “Hey, Sally,” Grant said as he cocked his head. “I need your opinion on something for Audrey’s birthday.” He reached for her arm and she followed him but her eyes lingered on “Sam” longer than Royce would have liked. Royce threw “Sam” a hard smile.
“I’m glad we ran into each other!” Royce said brightly as he waved for “Sam” to join him by the windows. “Sam” snorted as he pushed his hands into his pockets and took his time as he strolled after Royce. I hope I’m here to kill you, Royce thought and he made sure “Sam” could see it in his eyes.
“Just pick a place and a time, Bradshaw,” “Sam” said quietly as he put his arm around Royce. Royce laughed as he patted “Sam’s” chest.
“I’d prefer you left the Lees and the rest of Hopkins Creek out of this but I’ll kill you and send your balls back to China in your skull if you touch Grant or Audrey Weatherly,” he growled under his breath. “Sam” laughed as if Royce had just shared a brilliant joke and hugged him.
“I know what you’ve done, Bradshaw. You’re a dangerous man but you should see what I’ve done,” he whispered as he patted Royce’s back. Royce glared at the window and saw nothing but rage. He’d done terrible things for Waites but he was going to enjoy killing “Sam”.
“It’s Yang Li, isn’t it?” Royce asked and “Sam” looked surprised and delighted as he leaned back. Royce laughed as he gave his cheek a few playful pats before he pulled “Sam” into another hug. “Don’t get excited. I know who you are because you’re sloppy, not because anyone’s worried about you,” Royce said in his ear. “Sam” pulled back and his nostrils flared but he grinned at Royce.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he chuckled but Royce held onto him.
“Back off,” Royce ordered. “Sam” narrowed his eyes and pretended to consider then shook his head.
“Nah. This is a lot more fun,” he said and gave Royce’s chest a condescending pat as he stepped around him. Royce’s eyes flared but he remained calm and counted to ten before he went to retrieve Grant and Edgar. They were with Sally and the Davis sisters and Edgar growled at “Sam” when he joined them.
“Easy, boy,” Grant soothed as he put the leash on Edgar and patted his side. Royce’s brows rose as Edgar bared his teeth at “Sam”.
“Goodness, Edgar!” One of the Davises gasped but her eyes narrowed at “Sam” suspiciously. “I’ve never seen you growl at anyone,” she added as she tried to offer him a piece of melon but he wouldn’t take his eyes off “Sam”.
“We should be going,” Grant said. Royce nodded as he put his arm around Grant and helped him lead Edgar away. Royce got the door and Grant let Edgar off the leash as soon as they were outside. “No walk today, pal,” Grant called and Edgar’s head hung as he went to the Land Rover. Royce raised his brows at Grant and he shook his head.
“Edgar’s in a weird mood, let’s take him home,” he said and Royce ducked his head.
“If you think that’s best,” he murmured as he followed Grant to the car. Grant let Edgar into the back and waited until Royce got in and closed the door behind him.
“That was so weird!” Grant said as he grabbed Royce’s shoulders.
“Calm down,” Royce commanded then pulled Grant to him so it looked like they were just making out. “Just act natural until we’re out of sight,” he said and Grant nodded then pressed a kiss to Royce’s lips. It felt like Grant needed it for strength and Royce thought that was a very good sign.
“Ok. I can be calm and act natural,” Grant said then nodded at Royce. He turned and pushed out a quick breath as he started the car. “Act totally cool,” he murmured to himself as he reversed then steered them out of the parking lot.
“You’re doing an excellent job,” Royce crooned as he rubbed Grant’s thigh. Grant nodded as he looked over his shoulder. Royce glanced in the rearview mirror and there was no one behind them. “I think it’s safe now,” he said.
“Holy shit! That was so weird!” Grant cried as his hand locked around Royce’s. “I asked Sally if she was all right because I thought she looked super uncomfortable and the minute you and Sam turned your backs she asked me if I was sure I knew who you were and she looked so worried about me!” He recounted quickly and Royce winced.
“Listen, I don’t want you to scare you any more than you already are but Sally might have good reason to be worried about me,” he admitted carefully and Grant’s eyes were wide as they swung to Royce?
“What are you saying? You’ve been in my house, with my daughter!” He said and Royce shushed him.
“I would never hurt you or Audrey,” he vowed. Grant forced his eyes back to the road.
“I know,” Grant stated and Royce needed to tell him the truth. Royce couldn’t ask for more from Grant until he knew exactly who was living under his roof. Royce opened his mouth and his eyes burned and watered as regret and fear clogged his throat. He finally had Grant’s trust and he was afraid he’d lose it again.
“I’ve done terrible things, Grant,” he whispered. His voice cracked as his vision blurred but he gasped for breath and made himself come clean. “Not because I wanted to but because I had to, because it was necessary for the mission. There’s so much I wish I could take back, in hindsight, but I did what I thought I had to do,” he explained as they pulled into Grant’s driveway. Grant was silent as he parked and turned off the car. He stared out the windshield for several moments then shook his head.
“No. I don’t want to know what you did before we met. I’m not stupid or naive. I understand that you had to do terrible things but I don’t need to know about them. I think I know who you are and why I’m helping you and I don’t want to know if I’m wrong,” he said then looked at Royce. “If I’m wrong, don’t tell me. Just leave when it’s over,” Grant said and Royce laughed in relief as he reached for him.