The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(32)

I hold my stomach to stop the ache. “Stop!”

“I said it was fucked up. It’s all the Disney shit you’ve had me watching.”

“Well, we won’t be watching Rapunzel for a little while.” I chuckle.

“Fuck no,” he grumbles, and I imagine him running his hand through his hair. “Nina was talking at dinner about coming out on New Year’s to see you and watch the ball drop.”

“In your dream?”

“No, for real.”

“Really?” I sit up a little as excitement sparks.

“I don’t know if Charles and Megs can get away yet, but everyone was game.”

“I’d love that. I’ve been thinking about when I’d come home and what I can afford travel-wise.”

“I own my own plane, Morgan.”

“Wow. Congratulations. Are you going to tell me your dick size too?”

His light chuckle rasps down the phone as he says, “Eight solid inches and thick enough to fuck you for any other man.”

“Elliot!” I proclaim. “You’re a filthy bastard sometimes.”

“Did it get you out of your head?”

“It did; how lucky am I?” I say sarcastically.

“Seriously though, you want to come home, then we’ll have you on the next flight out. It’s important to me that you use us for that.”

He says it so matter of fact, I sink down in the chair. I don’t get authoritative Elliot very often, and it always sets me squirming. And it’s not the tone or demand. It’s the reasoning.

He cares.

“I know you want to keep your pride but not with this. We want to see you as much as you want to come home.”

“Okay. I promise to tell you if I want to come home.”

“Right then,” he says, final. “Are you going back to sleep?” he asks, his voice growing smoother.

“Maybe.” I yawn and pull the blanket from the end of the bed off and over to me. “Tell me what you’re doing today.”

“I plan to go out and see Mum and Dad. Mum’s cooking Sunday lunch.”

Elliot’s parents own Rosestone Estate. It sits next to Lowerwick and is equally as breathtaking. It’s peaceful and picturesque and a place I know Elliot holds dear to him. I imagine him in the orangery drinking tea with his mother from their finest china.

“What’s the weather like?” I ask, wanting to see everything he can. To feel home through his fingertips.

He huffs out a laugh and says, “Rain. It’s raining, Luce.”

“I’m shocked,” I say, full of sarcasm. “Are you going to pop in to see the kids?” A pang of jealousy etches across my chest. Not seeing Ellis and Waverly will be the most challenging part of this whole new chapter of my life.

I make a mental note to call them later.

“Of course, I am. Ellis wants to get out on the lake.”

Between the two estates lies a massive lake that spans miles. The Montgomerys and Lowells are the only people who have access, and it’s become a spot for the families to create a lifetime of memories together.

“I wish I could see him out there. He was so fearless last time. Make sure he wears his vest.”

“Luce.”

“I know. I just can’t stand the thought of him out there and falling in.”

“You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to him.”

“I know.” I yawn and close my eyes. “Ell?”

“Yes, Luce.”

“Thank you for calling me.”

“Get some sleep.” He pauses for a minute, and I think he’s hung up, but then he rasps out. “One day, you’ll look back and wish you were in New York again, up at four a.m., watching on while the world slept because you were buzzing with the anticipation of chasing your dreams. Don’t wish this away, princess. You dreamed of it once.”

A soft smile pulls at my mouth as I drift off to someplace else.





10





Lucy





I wake the next morning with a sore neck and stiff legs. The wind whips through my hotel room and has me pulling my blanket tight as I lean up and pull the window closed.

I slept for hours.

Picking up my phone, I realise it’s died and go and plug it in. Not wanting to stop for a second to let any thoughts in, I take a shower and get ready for my day.

I’m walking through the main reception a little over an hour later when the receptionist halts me. My stomach knots as she waves me over. “Hi, is everything okay?” I ask.

“Yes, we have a note for you.” She reaches under the desk and then holds it up. “Here you go!”

I take it from her and say thank you.

Stepping outside of the hotel, I stand off to the side so that I’m not in the way and open it.

Have lunch with me today. Max. 212-555-0199





Maxwell?

I hold the piece of card to my chest as excitement buzzes inside of me. He told me he would show me around. This could be perfect. I have no idea where I’m going or what I’m even supposed to do in the city. What better way to see New York than with a New Yorker?

I dial the number, and he answers on the fourth ring.