Hell Breaks Loose (Devil's Rock #2)(67)

He stared at her for a long moment, his blue eyes hardening. It was the type of stare that would normally have had her hastily apologizing before. But this wasn’t before anymore. “Of course I don’t own you, Grace. I never thought I did.” He cleared his throat and looked to the door. “Dennis, if you would leave us for a moment please.”

That’s when she noticed her father’s special agent in charge standing at attention a few feet away. Without a glance to her, the former special ops soldier exited the room.

Her father didn’t waste time. Turning back to her, he said, “I understand you’ve been through an ordeal. Because of me. Because of who I am.” He paused to take a breath and she blinked. This was the closest she had ever heard her father come to apologizing. He sounded almost contrite. “I never imagined anything like this could . . .” His voice faded away.

“I don’t blame you, Daddy,” she said gently, and she meant it.

Her father was a lot of things, but it wasn’t his fault she’d been abducted. When evil men did evil things, it was no one’s fault. Otis Sullivan was to blame. No one else.

He sighed and bowed his head. The sound was tired. He looked older standing there. “I’m glad to hear that, Grace.” He dragged a chair up beside the bed and sank down in it. He patted her hand where it rested on the bed. “Truly relieved.”

“Dad,” she began after a moment. “I need to talk to you about Reid Allister.”

He made a sound of disgust. “The man is exactly where he deserves to be.”

“No, you don’t understand—”

“There’s nothing to discuss on the matter of Reid Allister. You’ll only distress yourself further.”

She crossed her arms where she reclined in the bed. “He saved my life.”

Her father’s top lip curled faintly, as though he had just tasted something unpleasant. “And what else did he do to you?”

She sucked in a slow breath. He knew. Of course he knew. He must have had agents out to the cabin by now. She winced. They would have relayed what they found there. Even if they hadn’t found a half-empty box of condoms, her father could probably take one look at her and surmise the truth of it. But she loved Reid Allister and was not going to sit by idly and let him rot away in prison for the rest of his life.

“You can pardon him,” she said calmly, not so much as blinking under her father’s unflinching regard. “You have that power.”

“And why would I do that? So my only daughter can ruin her life and be with a degenerate?” He shook his head slowly. “Not happening.”

She propped up on her elbows in the bed. “Even if he’s innocent?”

“Innocence is a relative thing.”

She shook her head. “If you care about me at all—”

“I do care about you. I know I never say it. Your mother and I haven’t been the most demonstrative with you over the years, but we love you. Believe it or not, I’m looking out for you.”

“I know you think you are. But you’re controlling. I’m twenty-six and can lead my own life. Make my own choices.”

“And would one of those choices include being with Reid Allister?

She refrained from agreeing or disagreeing. “I’m done. I’m leaving DC. I won’t be your puppet anymore.”

His nostrils flared, the only indication that her declaration had affected him. “You’re right, you know. I do have the power to pardon him.” Hope started a slow whisper through her heart. “How badly do you want him to have his freedom?”

“You know I do.”

“Enough to stay in DC?”

She sank back down on the bed as understanding began to penetrate. She gave a slow nod. “Yes.”

“Enough to marry Charles?” he pressed.

She jerked back into a sitting position, outraged and prepared to object, but the look in his eyes told her it was no use.

“You don’t dislike each other,” he reminded her sharply. “Charles was sick with worry while you were gone. He’s a good man. You could be good together, Grace.”

This was what her father did. He was a master negotiator. And he never lost.

“You would manipulate me like this?” she accused softly.

“I’m doing what’s right for you.” His expression was earnest, and she knew he thought that was true.

She gave another nod, feeling like she was sinking, falling, as she settled back down on the bed again. Falling into a grave. Her grave.

“Enough to promise never to see Reid Allister again?” The words hit her, landing like dirt over her grave. That was the final point to be negotiated. Maybe the most important one for her father.

She nodded once, hard. Thankfully, the boulder-sized lump in her throat blocked the sob that rose up in her chest.

“Say it, Grace. I’ll have your word. You will never attempt to see Reid Allister again.”

“You have my word,” she whispered. She would stay in DC under her father’s thumb. She would marry Charles.

Her sentence had just begun, but it didn’t matter because Reid would finally be free.



Reid was buzzed through a second set of doors. With his hands and ankles shackled, he walked with shuffling steps down the halls, a corrections officer on each side of him.