Falling With Grace

“Isthatthe reason why?”

We reached the top of the steps and paused in the foyer. I tilted my head to the side, glancing up the spiral staircase. “What other motive would I have?”

Was she sleeping or crying?

What was she feeling at this very moment?

“I see the way you look at her.”

I snapped my gaze back down to his. “And how is that?”

He swiped one finger over the cross tattoo beside his eye. “You’re fascinated with her.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “I envy her innocence. Nothing beyond that.”

“And how innocent is a whore from Andrés?”

A deep growl emanated from my chest as I advanced toward my best friend, jabbing my finger at him. “Refer to her like that one more time…”

“I take it back.” His smile deepened, causing the wrinkles in his inked face to crinkle. “You’re not fascinated; you’re stricken. She’s got you wrapped around her finger, and all she’s done is smile and keep her secrets locked up tight.”

I moved away, consuming his absurdity with a masked smirk. “Well, imagine my surprise, assuming you had me all figured out.”

“Do you deny it?”

I ambled over to the liquor tableau and poured a shot of tequila into the glass tumbler. “I do.”

“Guess I’m left in the dark about who you’re deceiving, me or the mirror.”

I grumbled, my shoulders bouncing.

Grace sought the gentle touch I provided, something she hadn’t been given during her captivity. She discovered solace in my embrace, confiding in me when she should have kept me an arm’s distance away.

“Let’s not confuse strategy for adoration.” I raised the glass to my lips and sipped the smooth, clear liquor.

“Ah, I see. Your master plan entails stooping low enough to resort to begging?”

“No one here is begging for anything.”

Yet.

I swallowedthe tequila, baring my teeth as the scars on her back etched their egregious horror into my consciousness. I poured another drink, rubbed my hand over my jawline, and wagged my finger at him. “There’s someone I need you to find.”

“Nice change of subject,cabrón.”

My lips curled into a subtle smirk as I settled into the closest chair, my ankle resting on my knee. “Don’t bring him here.”

“Alright. I can take him to the warehouse.” Javier lounged across from me, his lengthy arms sprawled along the armrests. “Now, who are we talking about?”

“Carter Patraeus.”

Javier drew his gun, placed it on the table, and proceeded to disassemble it. “Let me guess…” He tipped his head. “He has something to do with Grace?”

I gave a sidelong nod. “In a way.” I sighed, her pained eyes holding my mind hostage. “I want him…” My hand squeezed the tumbler, willing it to shatter.

Javier raised both brows as he glanced up from his pistol, then dug into his pocket as I stood.

A distantswishsnapped my focus towards the patio, then back to Javier, who held his phone pressed to his ear. “Did you hear that?”