The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(54)

My stomach growls, and then I think of something.

I step into the diner and walk to the counter. “Can I get two pancakes, please?” I dig into my purse and pull out some cash.

They cook them fresh and add the toppings I ask for.

With a huge smile on my face, I leave the shop, dipping into my bag to find my phone again.

Princess: Why when I see pancakes do I think of you?

Princess: I just got these

Princess: I got two

Princess: One for me and one for you

I snap a picture of the pancakes and send it to him. The picture is blurry, and I get syrup all over my screen.

“Ball bags.”

Princess: You’re probably sleeping. I had a good night.

Princess: I miss you, Ell.

My phone starts to ring moments later, and Elliot’s voice echoes down the line as I connect the call.

“Hello, Luce? Can you hear me?”

“Elliot! I can hear you, can you hear me? You’re awake still? Why are you up?”

“I just got in. We ended up having a few drinks tonight.”

“Hmmm. I’m a little tipsy myself.”

“Are you at home?” he asks, the urgency in his tone making me smile.

“No, I’m walking back now.”

“Who with?”

“Luce,” I say with a smirk on my face. “She’s a fucking queen, you know.”

“Lucy,” he snaps. “Pull a taxi. Why are you walking? It’s not London.”

“London is just as dangerous as any city.”

“You know London. There’s a difference.”

“Don’t be a dad.”

“If I were your dad, I’d have you over my knee, spanking your ass.”

“Ooh, daddy kink, huh? You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” I smirk, taking another bite of my pancake. “These are delicious. I wish you could taste them.”

“How far are you from home, baby?”

I pause with the fork in my mouth, my body growing hot. Baby. “Like five minutes maybe.” I pull the phone from my ear and check the map, realising I’ve missed the street I should’ve taken. “Crap.”

“What?”

“Nothing, just making a detour.”

“Are there no taxis?”

“Tons. If there was just one, I’d get in, but with so many, whipping around like madmen.” I watch as the street buzzes. “I’m happier walking. It’s super busy out. I feel safe.”

“That doesn’t even make sense, Luce.”

“I’m fine, I promise. And I’m on the phone with you. You can walk me home.”

Baby.

“What happened to the guy you were out with? Maxwell?”

“He straight up disappeared. I was out with him and his friends—”

“His friends?”

“Yeah. Polly and Alec—Polly’s lovely. And then when Polly left, and I went back to find the guys, they were gone. I didn’t want to stick around not knowing the bar.”

I hear Elliot huff in aggravation. “Luce.”

“What?”

“I can’t stand not being able to walk you home.”

“I can see my hotel. I’ll call you once I’m in my room.”

“No, don’t hang up. Stay on the phone until you’re inside.”

“Such a worrywart. Which is odd, considering you’ve not called in three whole days… You found a new bitch to put you to sleep or something?” I chuckle at myself as I walk towards the entrance of the hotel.

“Morgan, I will get on a plane and come spank that sweet ass.”

“What do I have to do? Tell me.”

His deep raspy chuckle has me smiling, and for the first time all night, I feel a little more like me.

“I danced to some rocking music tonight, you know.”

“Yeah?” he hums, the sound of glass clinking on his line letting me know he’s getting a drink. “Tell me about it.”

I smile, knowing he really does want to know. “Polly’s a superhero. She drank just as much as me and was totally fine.”

“What were you drinking?”

“Wine.”

Elliot whistles. “Lethal for you.”

“Right, and Polly was drinking beer. What a woman.” I admire to myself.

“Nina was steaming tonight,” Elliot tells me. “I think she needed a night off. Time to let her hair down with the girls.”

“Oh, don’t. I’ll get all emotional.”

“Why?”

“I miss her. I miss you all.”

“Come home then.”

I push into the hotel and allow the warmth of the reception to settle around me, relaxing my tensed muscles. “Don’t tempt me, Mr Montgomery.”

Stepping into the elevator, I smile as he does exactly that.

“Tempt you… hmm, that should be easy. Are you in your room yet?”

“Why do you sound so filthy?” I look around the empty lift as if the cameras might catch me doing something I shouldn’t be. “You’re not even asking anything hot, and I’m getting all worked up.”

“Worked up?” he purrs, and I know he’s in a whole ass mood. “Baby, if you’re wet, just say you’re wet.”