Page 18 of The Elusive Billionaire

“Because even though Ace saved me once, I know how these people operate, and it’s only a matter of time before I’ll have to return to Vegas because they’ll never accept that my debt is paid. So two years ago, I signed up with Ray of Hope. I needed an insurance policy, not that you would understand that. But I’m not cut out to be a mother, Grey. Becoming a surrogate was a means to an end, a way to save myself. It was never about you.”

Wind like I’ve never heard nearly drowns out my words. The floor shakes as though we’re in the midst of an earthquake, but I keep speaking. “I was with Ray of Hope long before you even moved to town. I didn’t join to mess with you.”

More glass. More screeching winds. More violence rages on around us.

“Yes, I should have told you when I realized you were ChasingColors42. I should have done a lot of things differently, but you opened up to me there. You acted human and didn’t shut me out. I was trying to be your friend, Greyson.”

“My friend?” he bellows over the destruction outside.

“Yes, your friend.” I’m shouting too, but I just want to be heard over the storm. My voice is already raw from the effort. “You can acknowledge it or not, but you were struggling with your new family dynamics, and you needed someone in yourcorner. I knew you wouldn’t let it be me in person, so I was there for you the only way I knew how. It’s what Ace would’ve wanted. It’s what?—”

He sways on his feet, and then I realize it’s the house moving as if we’re on a ship out at sea.

Cracking wood splits the violent sounds of destructive wind, and it’s as though my mind goes on hiatus. A high-pitched sob works its way up into my throat and escapes before I can wrestle it back.

Grey’s eyes widen before he drops back into the chair next to me. Pulling me into his side, he cocoons my body with his.

“It’s okay, you’re safe.” I don’t know if he whispers or if it’s just so loud that I can barely hear him, but being wrapped in his arms calms something deep inside of me.

“We don’t have to be friends, Grey, but we should be civil, have some sort of politeness, or we’ll lose Madi and Braxton. It’s not fair to make them choose between us. And I—I can’t lose Madi. I can’t.”

“Hush.”

Any other day, I would roundhouse a kick right to his neck for that. But when he says it with a soothing hand brushing back my hair, and his cinnamon-and-citrus scent enveloping me in his strength when I have none of my own left, I let it go.

If I allowed it, I think I’d probably let a hell of a lot go for him.

I sway, but not of my own volition. Grey rocks me as you would a small child, his warm body pressed to mine, determined to keep me safe.

If only keeping me safe were always this easy.

“You’ll be a good dad, Grey. Sage is amazing, and any child will be lucky to have you.”

He grunts in response, but his muscles stay relaxed.

“How long do you think this storm will drag on?”

A huff of air swirls the hair at the top of my head when he sighs. “Even when the storm passes, I don’t think we’ll be getting out, or anyone will be getting in, for at least a few days.”

The muscles in my neck and shoulders flex. “A few days?”

“The logging road in back is already unpassable. If the sounds ripping apart the earth in the front are any indication, both our evacuation routes will be destroyed. And we have no idea how the rest of the town will fare.”

“I hope Madi keeps Pops locked up somewhere.”

His chuckle vibrates into me. “I’m sure Brax has him tied to the storm shelter. When he renovated the inn, he made sure to update their stairwell shelter too.”

My shoulders tense, and he isn’t able to rock me as effectively.

“They’ll be safe, Sav. I promise. Their shelter is five times the size of ours to accommodate all the guests at the inn. So, I know that they, and Sage with a few of his teammates, are and will be safe.”

“Oh, God. Clover.” Jumping to my feet, I spin in place. How the hell could I have forgotten Clover? Where’s my phone? “She’s terrified of her own shadow. I promised I’d be back before the storm hit. I have to?—”

“You have to what?” When the hell did Grey stand up? “You’re not going anywhere. Clover will be fine.” He doesn’t sound as reassuring as he did when talking about Braxton and Madi though. “She’s an adult. She’ll be fine.”

“No. You don’t understand. She—she has reasons to be afraid. This might— What the hell was I thinking? Clover needs me.”

“And you’ll go to her as soon as it’s safe.”