They met halfway and Shea threw her arms around Grace. Rio braked, and before he’d come to a complete stop, Grace was out of the SUV and running as fast as she could to meet her sister. But she quickly forgot all about her surroundings when she saw her sister running to meet the vehicle. Rio drove into the Kelly compound, and Grace marveled at its size and also how it resembled a military base with all the security. Under Rio’s gruff, tough-as-nails, badass mercenary exterior was a man with a heart of gold and a soft spot a mile wide. She still got teary-eyed just thinking of how gentle and understanding he’d been with them and how he’d spoiled them so ridiculously. She still grieved for her father, even knowing the sort of man he was, and she was dealing with guilt over her part in the whole sordid affair.

While it had frustrated her, she had needed that time to heal.

She wanted to come as soon as she’d been discharged from the hospital, but Rio had tucked her and Elizabeth away immediately and had insisted that Grace do nothing more taxing than eat and rest for several weeks. IT was a frustration for Grace that the first time she was getting to see her sister in over a year was on her sister’s wedding day. “I have everything I could possibly want right here.” “And I have you,” he said as he leaned forward to brush his lips over hers. “She has us.”įor a moment, his answer didn’t sink in, but when it did, tears pricked her eyelids and she blinked furiously as her vision blurred. Rio smiled, slid their hands over to cup over Elizabeth’s.

“What will happen to her? She has no one.” When she was sure Elizabeth was asleep, she turned to Rio, her gaze worried. Grace smiled and pressed a soft kiss to Elizabeth’s hair. Her eyes were already closing, as if she too had reached her limit and now felt safe enough to rest. Grace snuck a glance at the little girl, who’d gained and lost so much in an instant. Her tiny hand crept over Grace’s belly until she was wrapped firmly around Grace. It’s amazing you still have your sanity intact.”Įlizabeth snuggled harder into Grace’s side and laid her head on Grace’s shoulder. Like I’m burned out, you know? The mental fatigue is more overwhelming tha She thought about it for a moment, mentally running down her body, testing what hurt and what didn’t. He took her fۀHe took ree hand, the one that wasn’t occupied with holding Elizabeth, and he ran his fingers over the back of her hand and then her palm, over and over as if reassuring himself that she was here and alive. He walked around to the other side of her bed, pulled up a chair and sat. Her gaze found Rio’s as she spoke, and his warm gaze stroked gently over her face. “I have too much to live for to die now.” Elizabeth needed no urging and snuggled immediately into Grace’s side. Grace smiled and then held up an arm to hug her.

Echoes at dawn by maya banks