r

said, my voice steadier

shocked and I could see Grant was shocked hi

ly gave out

couldn't question for the past three y

r. The ones who took th

calling her a gold digger, that I didn't even

unter, but their eyes wouldn't re

snapped to

a Pem

w dare I, someone so lowly, even ask about my sister's child? She

rise to challenge her, no

ile curled

sight, cradling your children while

my sister

ild, but the house felt too soulless, too hollow. A p

d. But I forced myself to move, to step outside

" I whispered, e

omentarily dulling the adre

fear of causing chaos, the fear of yelling out

out if I do that, so

dn't leave

aby was. They wouldn't hurt th

n my spine at th

torm back in, ready to deman

ust strategize in a way that might not even work, what if

rant voic

ce between us. His voice was firm, but there was

ed? That wasn't p

my pulse sp

ng. But his eyes weren't cold. Not like the

ks evil

oat ti

ost a growl. I tried to step aroun

. Groundi

u think you

said matter-of-factly.

y would you want to jeopardize

n I intended. Ideas flooded my brain, s

ing his chest, testing the possibi

to destroy them, The thri

, you

is brows. "You're not making any

" I replied, tilting my head. "But I stil

. Shock, disb

Pembroke," I repeated

Gra

mbr

't even know you. Mark hired you

nd deliberate. "I played my role. But now

're out of

a sly smile. "But 'ma'am'

ashing in his eyes. "You've been act

y I've been convincing enough for

than I intended, but I l

rant. He w

erra wrong. To drag whoever did this to

a child?" I a

urrowed. "

nie

rkened. "What are

nger brother? Sist

icion flickering in his e

o your life. Plus, I'

this family," he sa

has t

own matters," he said, eyes

his hand and stepping backward until

nd his waist and pulling him closer. His

still sharp an

ness igniting something electric under my skin, something I shouldn't fe

a low moan, his expression hardened f

burning, Grant," I murmured, my lips brush

have no idea what you're trying to p

adn't noticed until now, standi

y hand into his pocket and pulled out

as I handed it back, letting my fingers l

m go. "I'll see y

ned the car door for me. I slid inside, waving as the vehicl

ed as soon as w

ter. Uns