Chapter 21: King of Deception: Chapter 21

“Does someone want to tell me what’s going on?” Mason grits out, and I can hear his fury.

He never talks to me like that. Not usually, anyhow.

I lift my head, meeting his gaze, which instantly loses a bunch of the anger, being replaced with fear. “Don’t be mad, Mason.” I can barely get the words out, but he hears them.

He steps over Preston, and crouches in front of me and Gris. “I’m not mad at you, Bellabear.”

Each of my brothers has their own nickname for me. That was Mason’s. But unlike Luke, who still uses his, Mason hasn’t called me that in years. Not since before our mom and dad died.

“Preston did this to her?” Luke asks, standing over Preston with his arms crossed.

“Yeah,” Gris answers. “He fucking did this.” I feel the current of tension that runs through him despite the comfort of his hold.

And I feel how I always feel when I’m in his arms, only it’s even stronger. I want to lose myself in Gris. Hide in him. I tried to play Kincaid games for a hot minute, and now I’m a broken and battered bag of bones in his lap. I’m so stupid.

And I am going to give myself tonight, to lie in his arms, draw in his comfort. I’m going to give him my virginity too.

Because when he came striding through my apartment door, I realized that I loved him. I’m in love with him.

But I also know he doesn’t love me back.

He’s wants me. I know he does. And he does a much better job of faking it than Preston ever could. But I heard what he said to Preston, about having a plan to win Kincaid support back.

I’d be a fool not to understand that he meant me. I’m the plan. And he’s doing an amazing job of making it all feel natural.

I don’t get out of his lap. I just… can’t.

“Is someone going to tell me why Gris is here?” Mason asks, sounding pissed again.

“No,” I answer, my eyes closing. “No one is telling you.”

“Don’t talk,” Gris slides his hands up and down my back. “Keep the ice on the parts that are swelling.” Then he looks at my brothers. “I think a doctor should be brought in to examine her.”

“I’ll make the call.” Luke pulls his phone from his pocket, and with a few quick buttons, he’s speaking softly into the mouthpiece.

“And him?” Mason points down at Preston.

Gris gives a small shake of his head. “He’ll be fine. He doesn’t need a doctor.”

No one argues.

Mason draws in a deep breath. “Is anyone going to provide any clarity on anything?”

“I saw Preston with another woman,” I whisper. “He knew that I knew, and he came here to force my hand.”

“This was his plan for getting you to marry him?” Luke scoffs.

“I’m guessing he also had no idea that Gris was in play,” Mason tries again, looking at Luke.

“I’m sure he didn’t,” Gris answers. I lift my face to protest, but he gently runs a hand up into my hair, keeping my head on his chest. “And technically, I’m not in play. Just helping out a friend.”

I give a small snort.

“Which friend is that?” Mason asks.

“Me. I’m the friend,” Luke answers as he hangs up.

I groan. Not because of the pain but because the one thing I thought I got right is about to explode. I know it.

My brothers are about to break each other into a million pieces.

Mason is standing in a second. “Why would you put our enemies in charge of our sister?”

“First,” Luke grunts back, “That piece of shit is the enemy, and you gave him an unlimited-access pass. And then Bella was ignoring my calls and texts. I needed a way in, so she didn’t marry that fucking guy.”

Mason shakes his head. “This was the plot she was referring to at dinner. The thing you did to her, that was like what I did to Kate.”

Luke scrubs at his face. “It wasn’t my best idea. But let’s be honest, we all know I’m the worst at this game. Which is why you should buy me out, no matter what Bella says.”

Mason snorts. “Fuck off.” I tense, knowing my brothers are about to explode, until Mason lets out a long breath. “You did a better job of protecting Bella than I did.”

I lift my head. Really? I didn’t see this coming.

But then Mason points a finger at Gris. “But you are getting the fuck out of my sister’s apartment, and you are never to see her again.”

“No.” The single word is from Gris.

He doesn’t move, he’s like granite underneath me.

“Look, fucker,” Mason stares at Gris with hard eyes. “If you ever want a hope of doing business with me again, you’ll walk out the door and never come back.”

Gris is so still, I hold my breath, as I tip back to look up at him. He’s staring back at Mason with unwavering strength.

Neither would hurt me.

But being caught between them…

I shiver and Gris automatically wraps me up tighter. “Gris,” I say softly. “It’s all right. Think of your family.”

I’m giving him permission. And an out.

“Is that what you want me to do? Leave you?”

My body revolts before I can stop it, gripping at his shirt tighter. He still hasn’t moved a muscle.

Maybe I should forget what I know. Pretend he might feel the same and sink into him. He’d take care of me. And the sex…

But what if he turns into Preston? Angry at being chained to a woman he didn’t love?

I can’t think tonight. I’m battered and bruised and exhausted by all that’s happened. “Can we please talk about this tomorrow, Mason?”

“He needs to leave.”

“He stays,” I answer softly back.

Mason lets out a long, frustrated breath, but doesn’t argue. Instead, he crouches down again. “I can’t stand here and do nothing. Let me look at her.”

Gris loosens his hold, enough so that Mason can turn my head this way and that, inspecting all the bruises. “How long until the doctor gets here?”

“A minute. Two,” Luke answers. “Gris, maybe we bring Bella into her room so she can lie down? We’ll bring the doctor in when he gets here.”

I shake my head. “No.”

“It’s a good idea,” Gris follows up, giving me the lightest squeeze. “You should relax, stretch out your muscles.”

That sounds amazing but I’m afraid to let Gris out of my sight. “You’ll come with me?”

“I think I might need to speak with your brothers.”

Fear skitters through me. I need him in bed with me tonight. “Don’t leave,” I beg, tipping my head back. “Promise.”

“I’m not leaving.”

“Promise.”

“I promise.” He runs his thumb over my bottom lip before he drops a light kiss on my mouth.

I stare into his eyes for another five seconds, searching for the truth.

Finally, I nod. He lifts me into his arms, carrying me into the bedroom.

“Gris. Whatever they say, please say you’ll stay with me tonight.” I need his arms around me.

“I’m not going anywhere, princess.” He kisses me again and then he gently lays me down on my bed. “I’ll stay for as long as you want me to.”

I barely bite back the one word that threatens to pop out of my mouth. Forever.

That’s how long I want him to stay.