The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(63)

Maxwell seemed to open up a little more this time, and for some reason, I felt myself warming to him as I did on the plane the first day I met him.

“Thank you for seeing me home, Maxwell. Will you get a taxi?”

“No, I can walk. Pass me your phone.”

I frown as I try to unlock my door. “Why?”

He takes the key card and does it for me. “So I can set your alarm.”

“I’m not that bad.” I push his side and give him a smile. “I’ve had a great night. It’s so nice to have a friend here, so thank you.”

“Of course. Let me know if you need anything else, yeah.”

“I will.”

I watch as he rounds the corner and takes off down the steps. A smile slips into place as I push on the door and walk inside.





Tuesday morning is a breeze. I drank wine last night, and although I did feel a little spacey when my head hit the pillow, I couldn’t have been as bad as I thought I was. Work’s busy, and I get stuck straight in when I arrive. We’re working on a walk that will be taking place in Italy next month, and ever since Monica pulled us into the meeting and picked the team, it’s been a buzz in and around the office.

Jean would be so proud of me for being a part of this campaign.

At lunch, I slip off down the street and find a coffeehouse. I order a sandwich and check my messages.

The girls and Elliot have all replied to the picture I sent them last night of my packed-up hotel room. I was lying on the bed, my legs laid out on the duvet.

I pull up Elliot’s message first.

Elliot: Be better if your face was in this Princess Elliot: Let me see you

I try to call him.

“Luce.”

“Hey! I’m on lunch. Are you free?”

“I’m in a meeting still.” His voice drifts and sounds further away. “Excuse me a moment.”

“Oh, no, it’s okay. I will call back later.”

“It’s fine. What’s up?”

“Nothing, this is what I mean. I was just calling.”

“You missing me?”

“No,” I drawl. “Why are you still in the office anyway? It’s late there.”

“It’s just past five. I was wrapping things up when you called. Lowell will handle it for me.”

“He’s giving you the evil eye through the windows, isn’t he?”

“Yep,” he tells me. I can just picture him standing watching Mason with a calculated smile on his face.

“Are you using me?” I exclaim.

“I’d never.”

“Hmmm.”

“How did last night go? You got all your stuff moved, I presume? How’s the house?”

My fingers curl around my coffee cup, and I take a sip. “I did,” I mumble, licking the bitter taste from my lips. “But I still have to unpack later, and I haven’t actually seen the house yet. I called Maxwell in the end, and he came to help me move it all over.”

“Maxwell. Tell me about him.”

“What do you want to know?”

“What does he do?”

“He’s in tech. Used to be a Navy SEAL.”

“He likes you?”

“I should hope so.” I laugh. “He just gave up his night to help me.”

“You know what I mean.”

My eyes scan the tables full of people that surround me, feeling like everyone in the small shop can hear our conversation. “He’s a friend, Elliot. I speak to you every night, all night long. I need someone here.”

“I know that.”

“Then why are you asking me that? I feel like it’s because you don’t like the idea of me having a man around me, but….”

“But what?” he repeats when I trail off. “Finish what you were going to say.”

“It’s not like you aren’t surrounded by women at work and day-to-day. You love women, Ell. They’re what you’re good at. It’s never even crossed my mind to look at Maxwell in any other way but as a friend.”

“I know how men work, Luce, and I know what it’s like to stumble across you. If you think he hasn’t thought about fucking you, you’re sorely mistaken.”

“You sound like a dick.”

“I am.”

I run my tongue across my teeth, feeling myself get annoyed at him.

“And if you want, we can call it right here and now.”

“Call what here and now?” I frown.

“Whatever this is.”

My brows shoot high, my face burning up. “What do you mean?”

“You want me to spell it out for you?”

“I don’t know.” I should know, but my mind is blank.

“You’re mine now. And if you want, I’ll be yours, princess. You just need to say the words.”

“Yours?”

“Mine,” he confirms. “Don’t overthink this.”

“What does mine mean?” I ask, utterly lost, slightly hot, and maybe a little horny. The way he makes me feel is untamed. Unmatched. He’s ruining me.

And I’m in a damn coffee shop.

“It means Maximus gets to live.”

“And if I’m not yours—”