Page 208 of The Forbidden Note

That’s the price of falling in love with someone.

But the damn problem is that Grey comes first for me too.

“Grey is bleeding for this. She’s hurting too.” I meet my brothers’ eyes. Each of them. Even Sol. “I know Hall is a problem. I know it’s dangerous. And I don’t give a damn. I’m not walking away until she’s had her fill of revenge.”

Dutch pulls his lips into his mouth. He looks like he wants to choke me.

Finn’s entire face shuts down. He’s never been great at choosing sides, which is probably why he prefers to stay out of things.

Sol has on the darkest expression I’ve ever seen on a human being. If I didn’t know him so well, I’d probably be scared.

“Are you saying you’re not going after Hall?” Sol asks, teeth gritted.

“I will. Eventually.”

He lets out a snort of laughter.

A long silent moment passes where no one moves or says anything.

Finally, I crush the quiet with my words. “I understand. You protect Cadey and Vi. I’ll protect Grey. I’ll keep you out of it until I really need you.”

Sol grimaces, jerking away as if he can’t stand to look at me anymore. “He’s gone insane over a woman.”

Maybe I have.

Maybe I’m making another reckless, impulsive, stupid decision.

But Grace Jamieson is going to be mine even if it dooms me to death.

Which, now that I’m essentially backing her up alone, it just might.

CHAPTERFIFTY-TWO

GREY

“Is everything okay with you?” I ask Cadence as Vi skips up the stairs. She’s going to research the best foundation for my ‘mocha-brown with a hint of red’ skin.

Since the boys are in the kitchen having their intense pow-wow, it’s just me and her.

“Marriage is a big deal, even for folks much older than you. And to deal with that and school and your mother passing away…”

Cadence’s lips start twitching and tears enter her eyes.

The moment I see her about to cry, I jolt out of my seat and cross the lavish room. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. I’m fine. Really. I am.”

I wrap my arms around her and give her a little squeeze. “It’s okay.”

“I know it is.” She lets out an embarrassed laugh. “I have no idea why I’m being like this.”

I give her shoulders a rub. “You’re carrying a lot.”

“Not as much as you.” She sniffs and looks up at me with the sweet, innocent gaze that brought Dutch Cross to his knees. “You lost your best friend and had to go undercover at Redwood, dealing with Harris and Hall and all that crap. That must suck.”

“Okay, so we’re both having a sucky time right now.”

She lets out a shaky laugh.