Page 189 of The Forbidden Note

My teeth sink into my bottom lip and I feel like I’m being submerged under water. Like everything is spinning out of my control.

“I’ll do it.”

Mom turns around. Her eyes fly to me. Surprise shimmer in their depths.

“I’ll go on the date,” I say tightly.

“Really?” Mom’s voice climbs with hope.

“But I want something from you in return.”

“You’re not in much of a position to negotiate, Gracie.”

I know I’m not.

But my deal with The Kings is important. They held up their end by getting me the boxes from Redwood Prep’s basement. It’s my turn to honor the agreement.

“I’m willing to go on the date… if you agree to have a real conversation about Jarod.”

Mom goes completely stiff.

“I’m not asking you to divorce him, mom. I’m asking you to listen to me. The same way you want to save me from myself, that’s the way I feel about you.”

“I am a married woman. It’s completely different,” she argues.

“You’re not happy and you won’t admit it. How is that any different than what you’re trying to get me to see?” I step closer to her and she moves back, clenching her teeth. “We both lost our way, but we can find it again. At least hear me out, mom.”

Nostrils flaring, she takes a few seconds to think it over.

Finally, she nods. “Deal.”

CHAPTERFORTY-SIX

ZANE

The door opens and I look up expectantly, but it’s not Grey walking into my hospital room.

Dutch scowls when he notices my disappointment. “Nice to see you too, man.”

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“You really think one text can keep us away?”

I scowl in his direction.

Dammit.

I know I shouldn’t be around my brothers right now. Grey’s fearful look when her mother walked into the room is imprinted in my brain. Not being able to protect her, to reassure her, is grating on my nerves.

I can’t stand the thought that I’m stuck in this hospital bed with a dud wrist, while she tackles a hard conversation alone.

Marian saw us together. There’s a possibility she put the puzzle pieces in place and figured out what’s going on between me and Grey. Since it concerns both of us, I don’t like that Grey is handling it by herself.

I’ve decided she’s mine.

Whether she likes it or not.

That means protecting her, not hiding behind her.