Brady Remington Landed Me in Jail(71)

"I doubt that." Brady laughed and pulled me off the car, back into his arms. "From what he was spewing, your mother has his balls in a nut-hold. There's a reason why he's scared of your grandmother too. Nah. You could've killed him and he wouldn't come back to haunt you."

"Really?"

"If he tries to hurt you, I'm going after him."

"God forbid." I grinned and looked up.

Brady met my gaze and kissed me lightly. "Much as I hate to admit this, I've had time to study Frank Stephens and I'm a lot like him in some ways. I know how he thinks. I won't let him hurt you. Ever."

"Ever forever?"

"Ever forever," Brady promised and kissed me again. He pulled away to rest his forehead against mine. "I want to take you home and then I want to do something for you."

"What?" My hands tugged on his shirt and pulled him down for another kiss. He met my lips, softly and then harder. It wasn't long before we were short of breath. He ripped away again.

"I mean it. Let's get in the car now before I decide I don't care if we're in the back of a car or on top a car." His voice was hoarse, thick with desire, as he pulled me after him. He got in the passenger seat and I drove out of there.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

It wasn't long before we had pulled up to my house. The lights were lit, then the door flew open and my grandparents stumbled out. I heard Viola shriek in laughter. Neil laughed in his baritone after.

"Rayna!" She swung her arms in the air and giggled. "Wait there, we'll come to you."

She fell at one point even with her arm draped over Neil's shoulder as they weeved their way towards us.

"Oh god," Brady groaned.

Viola fell again and her feet lifted in the air. I bit back a laugh.

Neil stood and looked down. He'd dropped her, but then bent with his arms outstretched to scoop her up. She grunted, rolled over and scrambled to her feet. Then she threw back her head, let a laugh bellow out, and ran around him. Her fists pumped in the air and her knees followed suit, higher and higher. Neil followed suit, but his coveralls tripped him. Down he went.

My mouth fell open. When had my grandparents become drunken teenagers?

Viola fell beside me first and patted my knee. "Are you okay, honey? What'd that bastard say to you?"

I looked at Brady with an eyebrow raised. He shrugged as he bit his lip, and then he couldn't hold back. He bent over and his shoulders shook in laughter.

"Why are you guys drunk?"

"Oh," she snorted and waved a hand in the air. It took her back to the ground.

Neil cleared his throat and tried to stand tall. Brady snorted and grabbed his arm to help him upright. "We heard the news, honey."

"We did," Viola said from the ground.

"You punched Frank Stephens."

"Yohoo!"

"And your mother stopped by."

Everything stopped. It ground to a halt and I sucked in my breath. "What? What did you say?"

"Yeppers," Viola punched the air. "She came by and told us everything. You two can be together."

"Who?" Brady questioned.

"You two, you two lovebirds. Rayna, your father isn't Frank Stephens."

Neil grunted, "We're going to church tomorrow to praise the Lord."

She kept on, "And your dad died. He left you a bunch of money." Then she shot to her feet and a sobering look filled her face. "You don't have to do anything with it, Rayna. We sent your mom away. She can come another night, but I wanted to tell you first."

"My mom's still here?"

They both nodded at the same time.

Brady narrowed his eyes. "She was here, at the house here?"

Viola sniffed. "We sent her away."

"But your real father died, Rayna. We're really sorry."

"And he left her an inheritance?" Brady looked at her.

I looked down at my hands. They were clenched together in front of me. I knew all of this, but I hadn't cared when Frank Stephens ranted about my inheritance. I didn't care then and I don’t now. It was enough to know I wasn't related to Brady.

"You okay?"

I looked up and met Brady's eyes. "I'm good. I'm really good."

He walked over and pressed a kiss to my forehead. Then he whispered, "I'll be right back. Don't go to bed. Stay out here."

I nodded and smiled when his hand squeezed mine before he left.

"Where's he going?"

Viola turned all the way around. "I don't know."

I sighed, "He'll be back. He wants to do something for me."

Neil leaned against the car and shook his head. "We're sorry we're a bit inebriated right now, Rayna. It's not been an easy night for us."

Viola swung her arms around, her body followed suit. "Yeah, he's right. I was shaking so much from your momma that I needed a drink to calm down. I had a few too many, then I got my hubby to start with me. It reminded us of our honeymoon days. You remember those days, honey?"

"I sure do." He sounded gruff as he wiped at an eye.

"Look at that, he's still so in love with me that he sheds a tear. Just like you and Brady."