“What’s he doing here?”

Grace’s father looks up from his desk, and it’s the first time I’ve laid eyes on the man. I’m doing my best to trap my anger about his threats deep inside me, but it’s going to be hard.

Grace is at my side, and both her brothers are sitting across from her dad’s desk. Cade tips his chin her way, giving her the signal to come all the way in.

Her father stands and braces against the desk. “Have you lost your mind bringing him here?”

Maybe she has, because testing my limits in regards to my anger toward him might not be the best idea. I don’t have a gun, but I don’t need one to do what I’d like to him. My jaw locks tight, and I remain closer to the door as Grace walks up behind her brothers.

She wanted me with her. She wanted her dad to truly understand that he wouldn’t be able to come between us. We may have been all wrong for each other when we first met, but it doesn’t matter anymore. All that matters is that we’re right for each other now.

Cade rises, and so does Corbin. I’m still furious with Cade, but knowing he punched Patrick in the face and had Grace’s best interest at heart all along makes me feel a little better.

“What’s going on?” Her dad narrows his eyes at Grace before shifting his attention to her older brother, attempting to demand answers by staring them down.

“It’s over,” Grace says softly. “You won’t be threatening us anymore.”

“What?” Her dad laughs a little and eases his stance. He moves to the side of his leather chair and casually rests a hand on top.

Cade slides a folder across the desk to his father. “The board members are meeting in ten minutes, and they’ll be voting in favor of you stepping down as CEO.”

Her dad eyes the folder before his gaze darts back up to Cade, his eyes darkening. “They wouldn’t.”

“You think we’re the only ones who can’t stand you?” Corbin walks away from the desk to the window.

“Corbin, Grace, and I—along with nine of the other members—will vote to terminate your position. I’ll be taking over.” Cade tucks his hands in his pockets, his jaw tight, and there’s not an ounce of fear on his face.

And not on Grace’s either…it’s about time. Her father has been pushing her around too long. She deserves to be free of him.

But he’s still her dad, so this must be hard. And because he’s her dad, and because I don’t want to go to jail, I won’t touch him, even if I do want to wrap my hands around his neck.

His face is blank as he says, “You can’t do this to me. You wouldn’t dare.”

“I figured out how to save the company without merging or cutting back on our assets. And the first step means eliminating you.” Cade shoots me a glance over his shoulder. I don’t know if it’s his version of a peace offering, but he nods before looking back at his father.

“Look in the folder,” Grace says while motioning to it. “You’ve been blackmailing all of us so long, it’s time you know what it feels like.”

“All the shady shit you’ve done in the last ten years, well, I’ve been paying attention, keeping track. And you don’t really want to go against me, do you? I’m marrying the governor’s daughter, after all.”

Her father pushes his glasses further up on his nose and snatches the folder. He flips through the papers before tossing the folder back on the desk, grumbling. “How could you do this to me? I’m your father.”

The second the man starts for Grace, I move across the room, prepared to defend her.

He’s face to face with me now. “You going to hit me, boy?”

My hands go tight at my sides. “Call me boy one more time.” I swallow. “Please.” I look down at him, my rage barely concealed…but when Grace’s hand touches my back, my pulse slows a little.

Grace. Lily. Two reasons why I need to keep my shit together.

This never happened to me when I was in the military. I didn’t lose my control. I guess love does something to a man. When someone threatens the people you care about…

Her dad hisses and makes a clicking sound with his tongue. “This isn’t over.”

“Oh, it is.” Cade comes up next to him and rests a hand on his shoulder as if daring him to say more.

“Maybe if your mom didn’t force you away from the woman you loved, you wouldn’t be such an asshole, Dad.”

I’m not sure what Grace is talking about, but she reaches for my hand and threads her fingers with mine. It’s a little hard to believe we’re standing in front of the man who tried to rip us apart. His eyes go to our hands, and he exhales a shaky breath.

“Retire. Go enjoy a sunset. On an island—far away,” Corbin says while turning away from the window.

Silence stretches across the room for a minute before her father’s brows pinch together, disappointment evident in his eyes. After a minute, he turns his back on his kids and leaves.

Grace’s free hand darts to her stomach as her eyes close.

“It’s over. Are you sure you still want out now that Dad will be gone?” Cade asks.

“More than anything,” she says while nodding, her eyes opening.

Cade drags his hand down his jaw and throat before he extends it to me. “We good?”

I eye his hand for a moment and look at Grace. She’s observing us, probably curious how I’m going to respond.

I gently pull my hand free of hers and take his. “Yeah, we’re good.”

* * *

I stand in front of the mirror, my slacks on, but my dress shirt is still open. My gaze shifts to the scars on my chest, my side, and beneath my ribs. Some are prominent, whereas others are lighter, fading from time.

I drop my hands to the counter, bracing against it as I find my eyes in the mirror, thinking about Luke’s phone call yesterday. A few jobs a year—just a few…I’d make more money on three ops with him than in a year working with Bella.

But can I really go back into the line of fire?

“You ready?” Grace comes up behind me, places her hands around my waist, and rests her chin on my shoulder, finding my eyes in the reflection.

“I think so.”

“Everything is going to work out, I promise.” She smiles at me. “Let me help you with the buttons.” Her arms drop, and I face her. Her lip catches between her teeth and her eyes focus on my chest as she works at the buttons. “Where’s the tie?” She raises a brow.

The tie. Jesus, I can’t wait to use that again in bed with her. Maybe tonight. Well, if everything goes well in court, that is. Otherwise, I might get fucking drunk again—feel the slow burn of liquor lighting a fire in my chest.

I don’t think the idea of drinking too much even makes me nervous anymore, not with Grace in my life.

“I know what you’re thinking.” She presses a quick kiss to my lips, her hands on my chest, and I nip her bottom lip as my hand curves up to her firm ass.

“Oh yeah? What?” I arch a brow, my cock hardening against her.

“You want to tie me up this time, don’t you?” She smiles, her face so close to mine that it’s hard not to pull her back in and kiss her, to feel my tongue in her mouth.

“Grace.” I touch her cheek with the back of my free hand. “I want to do much more than that.”