Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) Kaylie Hunter (books to read this summer TXT) 📖

Grady sighed, looking down at the floor. “I didn’t mean to hurt Nick. I’ll talk to him. Explain it better.”

“No,” Pops said, stepping beside me. “You won’t.”

“Pops is right,” I said, placing a hand on Pops’ arm to keep him at bay. “You won’t go near my son, Grady. Or Sara or Abigail. You lost my trust. They’ve been moved out of Headquarters, and you’re no longer welcome in my home.”

Grady stepped away, continuing the physical dance between us. “You have a funny way of kicking me out. You drugged me and flew me across the country against my will. What was the point? To collect my things? To tell me what a horrible person I am?”

I held up my index finger, indicating for Grady to wait. “Pops, head to the house. Hattie’s awake, and I know she’s anxious to see you.”

“You sure, baby girl?” Pops asked, not looking at me as he glared at Grady. “She’ll understand if you need me to stay.”

“I’m sure.”

Pops kissed the top of my head before jogging out of the gym.

I turned back to Grady. “You may continue your rant now.”

“What the hell was that about?” Grady asked, waving a hand toward the doors.

“You ended our relationship, remember? My family business is no longer your concern.”

“If that’s the case, then why the hell am I here? What the hell were you thinking having me drugged and shipped back to Michigan?”

“I seem to recall you drugged me against my will not too long ago.”

“That was different. I did that to protect you from yourself.”

“Which is exactly what I did today. Even if you can’t put that together yet.” I pulled a set of keys from my pocket and tossed them to him. “Your belongings were already moved into one of the apartments. A room was arranged for Sebrina as well. Sort the sleeping arrangements as you please. I don’t give a shit. What I do care about, is the men and women in this building and those across the street.”

Grady looked at the keys in his hand, then looked back at me. There was a hint of something in his eyes. Pain? Regret? I wasn’t sure. “Why am I here?”

“To keep your promise. You used to be a man of your word. Are you still that man? Or has Sebrina stripped you of your honor, too?”

“Leave Sebrina out of this,” he snapped, stepping into my space again. “This is between you and me.”

“No, Grady. You’re wrong. You and your team made choices that impact everyone.” I walked toward the men of Aces, standing in front of them. “We have a cartel coming after us because of those choices. Four of us were kidnapped yesterday. Tweedle had a Glock pointed at her head.” I turned toward the side, looking back at Ryan and Tweedle. “Are you going to stand here in front of Ryan and tell him he’s on his own to protect his wife?” I walked over to Donovan and motioned with my thumb at him. “What if they get to Donovan’s daughter? Is that his problem to deal with too?”

Grady looked to Ryan then to Donovan. I could see the indecision.

“I had you drugged and dragged home for one reason—to ask if you were man enough to stay and help us protect everyone until I can eliminate the threat.” I walked back to Grady. “It’s your decision, though. I can’t make you do the right thing.”

I walked away, dry eyed and calm. What I didn’t expect was that everyone would follow me. Not just Tech, Bridget, Trigger—those known as being Team Kelsey—but all the men of Aces as well. I’m not sure if they even knew why they were following me or what it meant. What it would mean to Grady.

“Will he stay?” Wayne asked when we reached the parking lot.

“I think so.”

“Sebrina?” Donovan asked.

“She’ll stay if he stays.”

“What’s the plan?” Ryan asked, snaking an arm around Tweedle. “I need my wife kept safe.”

“I have people digging into the cartel,” I said as I watched the front doors open and Grady walk out holding Sebrina’s hand. I didn’t say anything else, waiting instead until they crossed the lot.

“We’ll stay,” Grady said, stopping to stand beside Bones. “Only until the threat with Santiago is over, but we’ll stay until then.”

“Good. We could use your help. I have one rule, though, and it’s nonnegotiable. You and Sebrina are not to cross that highway,” I said, pointing to the busy road. “Aces will continue to secure this side of the highway. Tyler will continue to lead the security for the store and houses.”

Tyler walked over and stood beside me, directly across from Grady.

“Tyler?” I said.

“Yeah,” he said without looking away from Grady.

“If Sebrina or Grady cross over onto my property—for any reason—your orders are to shoot them.”

“Understood,” he said between clenched teeth.

Sebrina laughed lightly, turning her eyes to me. “What did I do to earn such disregard?”

“Why is Santiago obsessed with you?” I asked, stepping in front of her to study her reaction. “Why does he want you so badly?”

“I’m a DEA agent building a case against him. We’re natural enemies.”

“That’s funny. His men had a different story.”

I watched a flicker of something cross her face, but it vanished too quickly for me to identify the emotion.

She leaned into Grady, rubbing her breast against his arm. “I have no idea what crazy stories Santiago has told his men. I only hope that we can put him in the ground before he gets to me again.”

Grady raised a hand and caressed her cheek. It was an action he’d done a million times with me. Sebrina spotted my unease and watched me as she turned her face into his hand to kiss his palm.

“Kelsey?”