Page 159 of A Love Like Venom
Grace not amused looks ahead while tapping her foot. Connor, the poor boy, is oblivious to what’s going on between the two of them.
Not a second later the steel door opens. Oak enters first. When he does Grace allows herself to smile. A soft smile that reaches her eyes. Shaking her head she mutters something to herself and the smile disappears. Taking Connor’s hand they both enter the compound.
When Grace enters her eyes take in everything and by the expression on her face she is just as awed as I was.
There is nothing this nice in Hollows Point.
Her baby blue eyes land on mine and she comes running my way.
Reed lets me go and I meet her halfway.
We both wrap our arms around each other engulfing us in the tightest warmest hug we have given one another yet.
“You don’t know how happy I am to see you safe, Alice,” she says with relief as her head is buried in my neck.
I squeeze her tighter. “I’m safe. So are you and Connor.”
Her arms are wrapped around me so tight that I think she might be breaking a rib but I don’t care. I’ve missed her. And I am beyond relieved that Connor and her are now safe and sound.
The Vipers MC won’t allow anything to happen to either one of them.
Pulling away from me she gives me a glare and then hits me on the arm. “I was worried sick! Next time a warning before you leave,” she says angrily. Before I can apologize I’m back in her arms again. “I’m just glad you’re safe. And happy. You look happy, Alice.”
“I’m sorry, Grace. I meant to text you but I ran into my sister,” I tell her.
“That fucking bitch,” she mutters. She releases me and this time crosses her arms over her ample chest. “I really could kill her.”
“You’ll have to get in line,” Reed comments from behind me.
Her mouth forms to a grim line as she glares at him. “Wasn’t talking to you, asshole.” I can hear low laughter in the background.
“Grace,” I say her name in warning.
“Don’t, Alice. I was an asshole but that’s not the man I am now,” Reed tells her.
He comes to stand by my side and I immediately relax when his arm snakes around my waist.
Grace sighs in defeat as she watches me with him. Then she points her finger at him like a weapon. “The minute you become an asshole again I will have no problem taking my six inch heels and shoving them right up your ass.”
“Ooh, I like her.” Grace already has Haven’s seal of approval. That didn’t take long.
“Me too,” Rosa chimes in.
Tilting my head I look at Reed who has a smirk on his face. “Well, it’s a good thing that’s never going to happen now is it? Your heels can stay nice and clean.”
She shrugs. “I don’t mind them getting dirty.”
“Okay, okay,” I interject wanting to put a stop to this. Grace and Reed are going to have to learn to get along because they will always be in my life. Steering the conversation in a different direction I ask her, “How long can you both stay.”
“Only a week. A social worker comes to the house to check on Connor. One day of the week I get mom cleaned up real nice to fool the man. With a good appearance and a wellness check on Connor he leaves until the next time. I can’t stay any longer. I wish I could but I’m not going to risk getting separated from Connor. I’m trying to gain custody but I still have to build a better case.”
“But you are way better fit to raise Connor than your mother. You have been since he’s been born.”
Sighing with frustration she replies, “I know but my lawyer says I need a better supply of income and stability. I have to have a place of my own and a more professional job.”
God, my heart breaks for her. I knew she wanted custody of Conner but I didn’t know about all the obstacles in the way. “I’m sorry, Grace.”
She offers me a smile even though it’s forced. “There’s not much I can do now. My hands are fucking tied. And by quitting at Hell’s Gates I’m now out of a job.”
