RaelynnGray pauses, his mouth opening and closing like he's struggling to form words."Well?" I snap, the gun still pressed against his chest.His mind seems to be somewhere else entirely—I can see it in his eyes, the way they're unfocused, distant. He's thinking. Calculating. Trying to decide something.God, he wants to tell me. I can see it written all over his face. The way his jaw works, the tension in his shoulders, the conflict in his eyes.But he's hesitating. And that hesitation pisses me off more than anything."I won't ask again," I say, my voice cold."Fuck, Rae—" He runs a hand through his hair, his composure finally cracking. "I want to tell you. I do. I hate keeping secrets from you. I hate having you look at me like I'm a stranger. I hate all of this—""But?" I cut him off."But talking to you is risky. Being near you is risky. If Edward finds out—""I don't care what Edward thinks," I spit out. "I care about the truth. So either tell me right now, or—""I'm going to d
Raelynn I turn and leave before I do something stupid like cry or scream or both.Footsteps follow behind me—quick, determined. A hand wraps around my wrist.The shock that runs through me is immediate and visceral. Electric. A shiver races down my spine, making my breath catch. Six years. Six years and his touch still affects me like this.I hate it. Hate that my body remembers him when my mind is screaming at me to run.I turn slowly, meeting his eyes."Let her go." Jace's voice cuts through the moment. He's standing a few feet away, his expression hard. "Gray, let her go."Gray's eyes don't leave mine, but I see his jaw clench. He doesn't even acknowledge Jace. Doesn't even glance in his direction."Five minutes," Gray says, and his voice is rough. Desperate. "Please, Rae. Just five minutes. That's all I'm asking.""She doesn't want to talk to you," Jace insists, taking a step closer. "It's been six years, man. Leave her alone—""Five minutes," I hear myself say.Both of them free
Grayson"You came back and didn't think you needed to see me?"Isabella slaps the back of my head for the third time.I smirk, rolling my eyes. "Nice to see you too, Isa. Love what you've done with your hair—very 'I'm too important to care.'""Shut up." She slaps me again, harder this time."Ow—Jesus, when did you get so violent? They teach you that in med school?"Isabella scoffs, flipping her hair over her shoulder. It's grown out since I last saw her—past her shoulders now, styled in loose waves. She's wearing scrubs under her jacket, probably came straight from the hospital."How did you even make time for this?" I ask, adjusting my collar. "Thought you'd be drowning in surgeries or whatever it is you doctors do."Her jaw clenches. "Dad called the hospital. Told them to clear my schedule."Of course he did."I'm quitting," she adds, her voice tight. "Finding a new place to work. Somewhere he doesn't have his claws in.""Good luck with that," I mutter. Edward's reach extends pretty
RaelynnA week later.I step out of my office and freeze mid-step."Mum?"Bridget's leaning against the front desk like she owns the place, twirling a strand of her perfectly highlighted hair while she practically purrs at Officer Davies. The poor guy looks like he can't decide if he's terrified or flattered—probably both. My mother has that effect on men, especially the ones who don't know any better.I stride over, weaving between desks, and grab her arm. "What the hell are you doing here?"She yanks her hand back with that sharp, offended look she's perfected over the years. "Well, if you'd actually 'answer' your phone when I call, Raelynn, I wouldn't have to track you down like some common criminal now, would I?""You're really something else, you know that?" I cross my arms, keeping my voice low so the entire precinct doesn't hear this. "Most actual criminals would be smart enough to avoid walking into a police station voluntarily."Officer Davies clears his throat awkwardly and
GraysonI'm still standing at the window when she hesitates.Raelynn pauses beside the car, her hand on the door handle. Then, slowly—so slowly it feels like the world has stopped spinning—she looks up.Our eyes meet through the distance, through glass and air and six years of silence.My breath catches in my throat.Everything in me screams to move. To run down there. To grab her before she can leave again, have her demand answers or an explanation—anything to make her stay.But I don't move.I can't.Because this is my fault. All of it.She breaks eye contact first, sliding into the passenger seat. The car pulls away, and she's gone.Again.I force myself to turn away from the window and walk back to my desk. My phone buzzes—a new message notification lighting up the screen.Edward's name makes my jaw clench so hard it aches.I click on it anyway.Edward: Rossi's. 2 PM. Don't be late.Of course. Because seeing Rae again wasn't enough torture for one day.I grab my jacket and car ke
Raelynn.Six Years Later"—Grayson Blackwell has done it again. Fresh off his return from Tokyo, the young CEO just secured a groundbreaking multi-million dollar deal with overseas investors. Industry experts are calling it the most impressive international expansion Blackwell Enterprises has seen in decades—"I don't stay to hear the rest. The TV mounted in the precinct lobby continues its glowing tribute to the golden boy of the business world as I walk past, heading straight for Captain Morris's office.I knock twice before entering."You wanted to see me, sir?"Captain Morris looks up from his desk, but he's not alone. Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face is Officer Ryan Morris—the captain's son and the biggest pain in my ass.Ryan's glare could burn holes through steel. "Of course *she's* the one you're sending."I bite back an eye roll, barely. My gaze shifts to the TV mounted on the captain's wall. It's playing the same news segment—Grayson Bla