Page 23

Ash laughs.

Even Grim smiles.

"Hotels are too exposed," Grim says. "At the cabin, we've got brothers nearby. Someone comes onto the property who shouldn't be here, we'll know."

I glance at Vex.

"And you're comfortable having a stranger in your house?"

"Wouldn't have offered if I wasn't."

That settles that, I suppose.

Grim asks whether I need anything from my apartment.

"Clothes," I admit. "My laptop. A few other things."

"We'll take care of it once we've checked the place."

He says it so simply.

No annoyance. No suggestion that I'm inconveniencing anyone.

When the meeting ends, Ash opens the door for me while Grim tells Vex to keep him updated.

Back in the common room, I notice a few things I missed earlier.

The laughter coming from a table near the bar.

The easy way the men speak to one another.

Someone calls Ash over, and he tells them to give him a minute because he's helping with something.

Me.

He's helping with me.

These men look dangerous. I doubt any of them would hesitate to fight if they needed to.

But nobody here has tried to frighten me.

My father used his size to make us feel small. He enjoyed knowing my mother and I were afraid of him.

Vex could have used his strength to intimidate me when I ran from him.

Instead, he chased the men who took me, saved my life, and has spent the time since making sure I'm all right.

I look at his hand resting beside mine.

Then slip my fingers into it.

He looks down.

His expression softens.

Just a little.

And I realize I'm not frightened of him anymore.