A Matter Of Justice (Grey Justice #4)(38)

The ding of the public elevator told him the doctor had arrived. Turning away, he walked out of the room. It was time for Irelyn to stop running. When she woke, he would damn well get the answers he was looking for. And he would make sure she understood that running away would not solve their problems. Whatever her issues, they would face them together, just as they always had.

His heart lifted a bit at the thought of their forthcoming discussion. Argument was more like it, but that was fine with him. He enjoyed their verbal sparring and figured they were about even in their wins and losses.

This time would be different. No matter what, this was one battle he intended to win.





Chapter Fifteen





The moment she woke, the familiarity of scents and sounds offered immediate comfort. She could breathe easy once again—she was home. The pain still existed, but it was distant and nothing like the agony she’d experienced on the way here.

The trip hadn’t exactly gone as planned. She had intended to drive to the train station in London, travel to Paris, and fly out of Charles de Gaulle Airport. That plan had been delayed for more than a day. She’d had no choice but to stop at a clinic in London. She’d chosen a free clinic, knowing they would treat her with a minimum of questions.

After the gash on her side and the cut on her leg were stitched up and bandaged and an ice bag was applied to her throbbing jaw, she’d felt almost normal. She hadn’t been able to sleep. The feeling of having Dark and his minions on her tail had kept her awake and wary. Even when she was safely on the plane, headed to Dallas, she couldn’t allow herself to rest. The closer to home she was, the more she’d dropped her guard and the worse she’d felt.

The instant she’d walked into the lobby of Grey’s apartment building, everything had crashed down on her at once. It was only by sheer stubbornness that she had been able to walk to the elevator. She barely remembered what happened after that. She recalled a blurry darkness, and then out of that darkness, Grey appeared. The last thing she remembered were his eyes, blazing like blue fire.

She glanced around the bedroom, wondering where he was. How would he take the news of what she was keeping from him? He wouldn’t like it, that was certain. She had to tell him. He had to know the truth, and then he would help her. That was one thing she should never have doubted. Grey would understand her need to right this wrong. She had worried he would see it another way. She was ashamed she’d even had that thought. She should have told him from the beginning.

“You’re awake already.”

Grey stood at the door. She couldn’t read his mood. He was never easy to read, but that enigmatic expression appeared to be set in stone. She had hoped for a warmer welcome.

“Dr. Sanderson said you would be out for a long time. You’re contrary, as usual.”

He said the last part with a slight smile, and her muscles eased a bit.

“Dr. Bob was here?”

“Yes. You were unconscious.”

“Guess I was sleepy.”

“Sleepy?” The amusement disappeared, and she saw the burning anger beneath the fa?ade. He came farther into the room, stood over the bed. “You scared the shit out of me, Irelyn. What the hell happened?”

She was torn between indignation at his autocratic tone and the knowledge that she owed him an explanation.

“I’m sorry I startled you. I—”

“Startled? Don’t even—” He abruptly cut off his words.

Fascinated, she watched as he visibly controlled his anger. She had always admired that. When she was angry, she had to become someone else to regain control. Grey was never anyone other than himself, but his restraint was amazing. She had never known anyone more disciplined.

“How do you do that?” she asked.

“Do what?”

She shook her head. Exhaustion pulled at her, and her mind was still rattled. She had too much to tell him to get distracted.

“Never mind. I need to—”

“What you need to do is get some rest. You’ve only been asleep a few hours.”

“Don’t treat me like a child, Justice. This is too serious.”



Despite his anger and worry, Grey couldn’t prevent a smile. When Irelyn called him Justice in that crisp, slightly lyrical way of hers, she meant business. He had missed that.

“All right. But first, tell me who beat you up.”

“Beat me up? Are you serious? I left two men unconscious.”

“And those men would be?”

“Sebastian Dark’s henchmen. Their names were Lionel and Benjamin.”

“I think you’d better start from the beginning. But first, we take care of you.” He lifted her gently in his arms, careful of her injuries.

“Where are you taking me?”

“To the bathroom.”

Indignation flashed in her eyes. “Oh, for heaven’s sake. Put me down. I can go to the bathroom on my own. I’m perfectly fine.”

She obviously had no idea how she looked. She was modestly covered in a long-sleeved silk nightgown, so most of her injuries weren’t apparent. The vicious bruise on her jaw was enough evidence that she was far from fine.

Ignoring her protests, he started toward the bathroom. When she struggled, he tightened his arms around her. “You can walk out of the bathroom under your own steam. For right now, be quiet.”