Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(26)

Sighing, I set my phone down and looked over at her. She smiled and handed me a steaming mug of hot chocolate . . . my favorite when I was stressed. Cindy knew me well.

“I don’t know what his problem is. That guy I went out with tonight is his agent, and I had no clue. It was Kyle’s way of getting close to me.”

Furrowing her brows, Cindy bit her lip and shook her head. “I’m astounded at the kind of things going through your brother’s head. He’s truly unstable.”

I snorted and took a sip of my hot chocolate. “You think? As much as I want to stay here after Nana passes, I think it might be a good idea to disappear. It’s the only way to know my family can’t find me.”

“What about Tyler? Have you told him about the issues with your brother?”

Setting my cup down, I leaned on my elbows and ran hands through my hair. “They already know each other. Tyler’s an MMA fighter.”

“Oh dear,” she remarked, eyes wide. “I take it they aren’t friends?”

“Not exactly. What’s worse . . . Tyler doesn’t even know I’m Kyle’s sister. He’ll hate me when he finds out.”

“He won’t hate you,” she murmured softly. “If he’s as good of a guy as your grandmother believes he is, then he’ll know you aren’t like your brother. It’s best to be honest and up front with him.”

As much as I didn’t want to do that just yet, I knew I needed to. Nodding, I turned my attention toward a set of headlights coming into view. It was Tyler.

“I’ll tell him tonight,” I agreed. “It’s better to do it now before things get too serious.”

Cindy patted my hand and got to her feet. “All right, child, I’m going to go in and finish separating out your grandmother’s medicines for the week. I’ll check on her before I leave.”

“Thanks, Cindy. I appreciate you doing that.”

Sadly, she smiled and started for the door, but then stopped and reached for something in her pocket . . . it was an envelope. “Oh, before I forget, your grandmother wanted me to give this to you.”

“Thanks,” I said, taking it from her. It had my name scribbled on the front in my grandmother’s writing. It must’ve been what she was working on earlier at her desk.

Cindy smiled and nodded toward the black truck entering our driveway. “Good luck tonight, Kacey. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

I had severe doubts about that.

Disappearing inside, Cindy left me alone with Tyler who bolted out of his truck, his temperament wild and black. He had on a baseball cap that hung low on his head, making his eyes look even darker. I got to my feet and met him halfway, my stomach in knots. He’s going to hate me after tonight.

“Are you okay?” he asked, putting his hands on both sides of my face, searching.

Swallowing hard, I nodded my head and licked my dry lips. “Yes, I’m fine. He didn’t give me any problems when I told him to leave.”

Tyler grunted his uncertainty and took my hands in his, leading me up to the front door. “That’s surprising. He usually doesn’t give up so easily. I’ve seen him with women at the club all the time.”

“And you said he’s an agent?”

He nodded. “Yeah, to Kyle Andrews. Be glad you don’t know that motherf*cker.”

And there it was . . . the opening that was going to change the course of the evening.

“Actually,” I began, letting go of his hands. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

I knew that once I confessed to him, he’d turn his back on me and leave just as fast as he came. Taking a deep breath, I looked up into Tyler’s unsure gray gaze.

Cindy interrupted by opening the front door and I jumped. Her lips were trembling.

“Cindy, what’s wrong?” I asked, rushing over to her. Tears were streaming down her face when she clutched me so tight in her arms, I could barely breathe.

“She’s gone, child,” she whispered, her voice pained. “I went to check on her because I just had this feeling. When I noticed her chest wasn’t moving, I rushed to take her pulse . . .” She trailed off, shaking her head.

Taking off inside the house, I ran straight to Nana’s room, bursting through the door to her bedside. Even though my grandmother was destined for death, it still didn’t make it any easier. She was the only person who truly knew who I was, the only one who was always there to take care of me. Just gone.

I had no one now.

She had a small smile on her face, like she would open her eyes any moment and say ‘I fooled you.’ Yes, that was morbid, but my grandmother loved to tease. Her hands were perfectly clasped together on her stomach, but I kneeled down and undid them, cupping one inside of mine. They weren’t cold, but they weren’t warm either.

Holding her hand to my face, I closed my eyes and hung my head, listening to the sound of my tears thumping as they hit her bed. “I love you, Nana. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

“And she loved you,” Cindy said behind me.

Lifting my head, I placed my grandmother’s hand back on her stomach and stood, secretly hoping she’d open her eyes and talk to me. “What do we do now?” I asked hoarsely.

Cindy put her hands on my shoulders and turned me around, her warm hazel eyes full of tears. “You, my dear, are going to go outside with your friend and let me handle the details. He’s really worried about you.”