Page 46 of The Tower (Billionaire Brothers Grimm #1)

Thirty-Three

Celestial

T he limousine glides to a stop in front of The Celestial, an ultra-modern luxury hotel that seems to shimmer like a giant diamond in the ambient city light. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t bother listing prices on its website because if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.

“This is where we’re staying?”

“Just for the night,” Grimm says, as if we’re pulling up to a roadside motel rather than one of the most exclusive addresses in Manhattan.

“Welcome back, Mr. Grimm,” the doorman says. “Have a good evening.”

The lobby is an extravagant fever dream of marble and gold, with soaring ceilings and an enormous crystal chandelier, at least five times the size of the one Father had installed in our dining room.

I grew up with wealth and luxury, but other than the times I was dressed up and paraded around like a prized pony, I had very little actual interaction with the trappings of wealth.

This place is so opulent I feel as though I should whisper.

At the reception desk, the manager comes out to greet us. “Mr. Grimm, everything is prepared as requested.”

Liam nods. “Thank you, Richard. Any messages?”

“None, sir. Enjoy your stay, Mr. Grimm. Ms. Reed,” he adds with a nod to me.

“As requested?” I ask as Grimm guides me toward a private elevator, his hand firm and commanding at my lower back. Once inside, he inserts a key card, and we begin ascending, presumably to the penthouse.

“Just a few things I asked Richard to put in place. Like exclusive use of this elevator, and registration under fake names.” He gives a little shrug. “Probably overkill, but with the hearing tomorrow and Desmond’s appearance at the party tonight” … He meets my eyes. “I just want to keep you safe.”

Such simple words, and yet they steal my breath, making me feel warm and special and safe. It’s a stark contrast to his earlier edict – You don’t get it until you beg . Harsh words, designed to entice and tease and arouse.

And it had worked. Even thinking of that edict now makes me wet. The memory of how he’d looked when he’d laid down that rule. The heat that had been in his eyes. The need that had rippled through me, searing me from the inside. Filling my head. Teasing my tongue.

“ Everything , Princess, remember? Because you’re mine.” He brushes the pad of his thumb over my lower lip in a way that sends currents of electricity straight between my thighs. Then he meets my eyes. “I always take care of what’s mine.”

“Oh.” It’s the only word I seem to be able to form. The air in this tiny box feels like the moment before a thunderstorm breaks, wild and electric and just a little bit dangerous. Once again, that edict whispers through my mind, as if urging me to drop to my knees right here, right now.

You don’t get it until you beg me.

I’ve spent every minute fighting it—this maddening need that grows stronger with each lingering touch, each heated glance, each moment when he comes close enough that I can feel his breath on my skin but never close enough to satisfy.

It’s pride that’s kept me from surrendering that last bit of control.

But something shifted for me tonight. I wasn’t a weak little girl being protected from the crowds and the press.

I was Liam’s date, his equal. More than that, he gave me the room to be me, something I’ve never experienced except in stolen moments with Ruby, hidden away in one of our rooms.

But never in public. Never where it mattered.

For years, my father told the world that I was weak. Tonight, Grimm showed me that I can be strong.

“Sasha?”

I look up, surprised as much by his use of my given name as by his soft tone.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m great,” I say, wiping away a runaway tear. “It’s just—thank you.”

He tilts his head, clearly not understanding, but he offers me a gentle smile as the elevator opens directly into a lavish suite that takes my breath away.

All cream and gold and crystal, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

A marble fireplace anchors one wall of the living area, while an enormous bouquet of white roses dominates a central table.

It’s elegance and style combined, and yet somehow still promises comfort.

“Welcome to the Celestial Sky Suite,” Grimm says, watching my reaction closely. “Too much?”

He actually looks worried, and I find it endearing. “It’s beautiful,” I assure him, stepping further into the space, then moving through the room, exploring everything. A bottle of champagne waits in an ice bucket, alongside a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries.

I look back to Grimm. “But why here? Why tonight?”

“I told you. We need someplace secure after that encounter with Bane.”

“Surely there were about a million other options.”

“And,” he adds striding toward me, “tomorrow may be trying. I thought you deserved a bit of pampering in advance.”

“Oh.” My insides go a little gooey. “The hard ass Liam Grimm has a softer side.”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “Don’t tell.”

“Never. But I am curious as to how the press has gotten it so wrong for so many years.”

He steps closer, the humor that was just in his eyes shifting to something darker. “They haven’t. I am hard, and I can be cruel.”

One more step. Then another, then one more until he’s only inches away. He reaches out and brushes my cheek. “And I protect what’s mine.”

It takes me a moment to get my breath back. When I do, I lift a brow. “Ownership, Mr. Grimm?”

“I claimed you, didn’t I? Body and soul. Everything, ” he murmurs. “If that’s not ownership, it’s pretty damn close.”

I shiver, but not from fear. “Yes,” I say. “Everything.”

His eyes darken at my agreement, and he steps closer, eliminating what little space remained between us.

His finger traces my jawline, a touch so light it’s barely there, yet it leaves fire in its wake.

I expect him to yank me to him, to cup my neck.

To kiss me with a force that bruises. Instead, he simply holds out his hand, mischief dancing in those eyes as he politely says,“Let me show you the rest of the suite.”

Bastard. But I’m smiling inside as I think it.

I twine my fingers with his, and he leads me to a bedroom dominated by the largest bed I’ve ever seen, strewn with rose petals and already turned down, as if extending a naughty invitation.

“The honeymoon suite?” I ask, turning to him with raised eyebrows. “Something you need to ask me?”

“It was the most secure option,” he says quickly. “And it seemed appropriate.”

“Appropriate?”

“After tonight, the whole world will think we’re …”

“A couple?” I supply.

“Fucking, at least.”

I nod, wondering if that’s really all this is, because I’ve caught too many hints, too many soft looks, not to at least wonder about the possibilities. Especially since despite all my walls, Liam Grimm has snuck into my heart. At least a little bit.

I’m just not sure I’m ready to tell him so.

I turn away so that he can’t read my thoughts on my face, then wander into the bathroom, a marble-and-glass sanctuary larger than the studio in my apartment at Reed Tower.

I catch my reflection in the ornate mirror—cheeks flushed, eyes bright with anticipation, the delicate fabric of my gown clinging to curves in a way that would never show up on a Reed Cosmetics’ billboard with my father running the show.

When I emerge, Liam has shed his tuxedo jacket and is pouring champagne. It’s a simple task, but he looks damn sexy doing it, and my nipples tighten in anticipation of what’s to come.

He hands me a glass, and I take a sip, relishing the exquisite flavor and the tiny bubbles that dance on my tongue.

I start to walk toward the windows, then pause.

“Do you want me to close the blinds?” Grimm asks.

I shake my head. “No. But will you walk with me?”

I may never know for certain if my meds treated or caused or exacerbated my various phobias and nervous conditions.

If it weren’t for the case against my father, I’m not even sure it matters.

What I do know is that I’ve been getting steadily better.

Dr. Chen thinks it’s because the meds are working their way out of my system, and she’s probably right.

She’s the one with the medical degree after all.

Even so, I choose to believe it’s because of Grimm. It’s strange and unexpected, but he makes me stronger.

Now, he takes my hand, and we move to the window together.

“There’s a whole world out there,” I say.

“I’m twenty-six, and I’ve hardly seen any of it.

” I turn from the window to face him. “My father made me a prisoner.” Out loud, the words seem absurd, because that’s not what fathers do. Unless, of course, they’re mine.

“Victor Reed will never control you again.”

I’m struck by the certainty in his voice. “You really believe that?”

“I do.” His eyes hold mine. “Your father is finished.”

The weight of what he’s saying settles over me. The possibility of freedom. Real freedom, not just a different kind of cage.

And it all hinges on tomorrow.

No . It hinges on Grimm. Without him, I’d still be trapped in my room. I owe Liam Grimm everything. More than that, I trust him.

I might even love him.

And how completely unexpected is that?

I swallow, finally certain of a decision I’ve been debating. “Earlier tonight, when you faced down Desmond … that was incredibly brave.”

“That was nothing. The man’s a worm.”

“It wasn’t nothing. Not to me.”

“Sasha—”

“And telling Leo to stay away from Ruby because I asked you to. That was also important to me.”

“He can be a huge ass, and?—”

“Let me finish,” I say quietly. “You didn’t have to do any of it. Our arrangement doesn’t require kindness.”

He looks uncomfortable with my gratitude, which only confirms my decision. “I want to share something with you. Something no one else knows except Ruby.” I glance around the suite. “Where’s our luggage?”