Chapter 54
Alex's POV
I felt them before I heard them.
Two men, voices carrying down the hallway. Business types, drunk and careless.
Grace was still in my arms, her lips soft against mine, and fuck if I wanted to stop. But I'd spent years reading rooms, sensing danger before it arrived.
"Someone's coming," I murmured against her mouth.
Her eyes widened. I moved fast, pulling her around the corner into a recessed alcove. My body pressed against hers, her back to the wall, my hand cradling her head so it wouldn't hit the surface.
The voices grew louder, then faded.
Grace's breath was warm against my neck. I could feel her heart racing, matching mine beat for beat.
"They're gone," I said quietly.
She looked up at me, those green eyes dark in the dim light. "Are we... safe now?"
Safe.
Fuck, I wanted to laugh. Nothing about this felt safe. Not the way she was looking at me. Not the way my body responded to hers. Not the way I'd dropped everything and flown back just to see her.
"Yeah," I managed. "We're safe."
Her fingers curled into my jacket. I was leaning in again when her phone buzzed.
Panic flashed across Grace's face as she glanced at the screen. "It's Eleanor."
I stepped back, giving her space. She answered the call, her voice steadier than before.
"Hi, Eleanor."
I couldn't hear the specifics from the other end, but I caught my grandmother's concerned tone. Grace's cheeks flushed pink.
"No, I'm fine. Just came out for some fresh air." She paused, looking at me with doubt in her eyes. "Actually, Alex is here... he just rushed back."
I could hear my grandmother's delighted laugh even through the phone.
The call ended quickly. Grace lowered her phone, biting her lower lip as she looked at me. "She wants us to come back and say hello."
Of course she does.
My grandmother never was good at hiding her intentions.
I offered my arm. "Then let's not keep her waiting."
A strange satisfaction bloomed in my chest as Grace slipped her hand through my elbow. We walked back toward the private dining room together.
---
I knew what scene would greet us when I pushed open the door.
"Alex!" Daisy practically leaped from her seat. "You never show up mid-way through family dinners!"
She wasn't wrong. In the past decade, I'd probably only appeared at these occasions two or three times, and always for unavoidable business reasons.
But tonight was different.
"I had a compelling reason," I said, my fingers tightening slightly on Grace's hand.
Grandfather Ethan raised his glass, approval flashing in his eyes. "About time you started prioritizing what matters."
I sat down beside Grace, feeling her slight tension. "I just flew in from the East Coast. Got back to Starport this evening."
"And came straight here?" Grandmother Eleanor's smile threatened to split her face. "How wonderful."
Daisy leaned forward with a grin. "Let's toast! To Alex, finally showing up when it counts!"
She reached for the wine bottle. I prepared to politely accept a glass. But Grace was faster—her hand covered mine, pressing it against the table.
The touch froze me in place.
"He shouldn't drink," she said, gentle but firm. "Long-haul flight, jet lag still catching up. Alcohol won't help."
The table fell suddenly quiet.
I looked at her profile, at the flush on her cheeks, at the concern in her eyes. No one did this for me. No one noticed these details, much less spoke up so frankly in front of my family.
I turned my hand over, lacing our fingers together.
Her eyes widened, trying to pull back, but I held tighter.
"She's right," I told my family, though my gaze never left Grace. "I'd rather keep a clear head anyway."
Daisy's smile turned knowing. Even Grandfather Ethan's usually stern voice softened slightly.
"Good to see someone looking after you, Alex."
Grace tried to pull her hand back again. I knew this was too exposed for her, too intimate. But I didn't want to let go.
Not now.
---
The goodbyes took longer than expected.
As we left the private room, my hand naturally found the small of her back.
She stumbled slightly in the hallway.
Too much wine. High heels. Long day.
Without thinking, I swept her up into my arms.
"Alex!" she gasped, hands clutching my shoulders. "I can walk!"
"But I don't want you to," I said calmly.
It was the truth. I didn't want her walking, didn't want to watch her struggle exhaustedly to maintain grace, didn't want her pushing through at a time like this.
"People are staring," she said softly, burying her face against my neck.
"Let them."
I carried her through the lobby, feeling her initial stiffness gradually soften. Her breath warmed my neck, her arms encircling it.
She weighed almost nothing, but the feeling of holding her like this—protecting her, supporting her—sent a primal satisfaction surging through my chest.
This is what I want.
---
She fell asleep in the car.
One minute she was asking after my recent illness, the next her head rested heavily against my shoulder, her breathing soft and even.
"Drive slowly," I murmured to Lucas. "Take the long way."
He glanced at me in the rearview mirror, a smile playing at his lips, but said nothing.
I looked down at Grace. Her lashes cast shadows on her cheeks, her lips slightly parted, her whole being so relaxed.
When we reached her building, she stirred, eyes opening hazily.
"Sorry," she mumbled. "I didn't mean to..."
"Don't apologize."
I carried her out of the car, past the doorman's knowing smile. In the elevator, she woke more but didn't ask to be put down, just kept her arms around my neck, head on my shoulder.
At her door, she fumbled for her keys. Only then did I reluctantly set her down. But I followed her inside.
She needed someone to make sure she got home safely. At least that's what I told myself.