Chapter 40

Grace

Iwoke up, but my eyes were still closed. My senses were bombarded with the scent of antiseptic cleanser, the sound of multiple beeps and hisses, and a distinct harsh fluorescent light that burned my closed eyeballs. I knew where I was, at least I thought I did, but I couldn't be sure until I opened my eyes. I blinked a few times, though my eyes didn't open, they couldn't. I tried to relax my body against the bed and breathe deeply to gather my strength.

I wasn't dead, which meant I was in the hospital after my fight with Trent. The real question was, where was Trent, and more importantly, did he have Sophie?

Eventually, I was able to open one eye and then the other, and, sure enough, I found myself in a hospital bed, hooked up to machines and aching all over. My hand was encased in something warm, and my gaze followed down the length of my arm to the large hand with blunt cut nails and a familiar tattooed arm that led to a most welcome sight. A redheaded biker with beautiful blue eyes and a forlorn look on his face. "Maverick."

His eyes opened wide and found my face immediately. "Grace! Oh, thank fuck, Grace!" His hand gripped mine tighter and he bent over, kissing my knuckles and holding my hand against his face. "You're all right. You're okay."

I squeezed his hand and lifted my lips into a smile. "Sophie?" She was the first thing on my mind because I couldn't stop seeing Trent's angry face as his big fists pummeled me over and over. His angry, hateful expression tore through me with as much force as his fists.

"She's fine. She's with Ellie and Diesel and Leo."

"Thank you, Maverick, for keeping her safe." My daughter was safe and that was all that mattered. "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, Grace. I would do any fucking thing for you."

I didn't know what to say, and it turned out that it didn't matter, because I opened my mouth and a coughing attack began, clawing at my sore throat until my eyes slammed shut under the force of the pain. The coughing settled and I opened my eyes to find Maverick's worried expression on my face. "Sorry about all the trouble."

His expression darkened and he got to his feet, absently shoving the chair away until it tipped over. He cupped my face and pressed his forehead to mine. "No trouble at all, babe. I told you I'd protect you and I will. Always. Forever if you'll let me."

Forever. That sounded nice. No, it sounded more than nice. It sounded positively fucking perfect. Closer to perfect than I'd ever dared dream about. His words, as welcome as they were, brought me up short, because being with Maverick just wasn't possible, not with the way things stood. "I want that more than anything, but it's not possible."

His expression darkened, but I wasn't afraid. Maybe it was because I'd already faced down my very own boogeyman and wherever Trent was, I was still here. Or maybe it was just that I knew Maverick's heart and soul and he was a tough guy, a certified badass, but he wasn't a bad man. "If you don't want to be with me, just tell me."

My heart clenched hard at the idea that this man, so big and protective, so strong and sweet and sexy, honestly thought that I didn't want him. "Maverick, don't be stupid," I said, suddenly angry as well. "I want you. I want to be with you. I love you, but we have to be realistic. If we're together, Trent won't ever stop coming after me and Sophie. We'll never be rid of him. Not ever." I shut my eyes, and in that instant, I could see Trent's furious face as his fists rained down on me, as his hands gripped my throat and cut off my ability to breathe.

"Grace, look at me." Maverick's voice was deep and rough, filled with emotion.

I let my gaze search his face before our eyes collided, his stormy eyes with shades of blue and silver swirling in the depths.

"Trent is no longer a problem. I promise you that you will never, ever have to worry about him again. Sophie either." His gaze bore into mine, imploring me to understand what he was—and wasn't—saying. "Understand?"

I wasn't sure that I did, but I found myself nodding as the weight was lifted from my shoulders and the heaviness I'd carried in my heart for too many years started to lessen. "Yes."

"Good." His fingers sank into my hair, and he looked at me like he couldn't believe I was here. "How are you feeling, Gracie?"

I couldn't help but smile at his nickname for me because I thought I'd never hear it again. "Like I got the crap beat out of me?" His expression tightened and I held his face in my hands, wincing at the pain that tore through my side. "Happy to be alive, but sore as hell."

"I thought I'd lost you." He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply as if he wanted to memorize my scent. "I can't lose you, Gracie. I won't."

Tears pooled in my eyes at the thought of this big, strong man feeling emotional over losing me, and I wrapped my arms around him, wincing at the pain that shot through my side. "You don't have to, Maverick. I'm right here with you. For as long as you love me. I love you."

"Ah, fuck, Gracie, I love you too."

Had anyone but Sophie said those words to me in years? I couldn't remember, but the way my heart clenched and squeezed and slammed against my chest told me it didn't matter. Maverick loved me and it was bone-deep, heart and soul, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, just the kind I'd always longed for. "Tell me again, Maverick."

He smiled and pressed a hard, passionate kiss to my lips. "I love you, Grace. I want you and Sophie. I want us all to be a family."

Those tears that sat perched along the edges of my eyes finally fell at his heartfelt declaration. "We're already a family. All I want is to be with you until I take my last breath." Was it too soon to give my heart to another man?

Definitely not. I fell out of love with Trent pretty quickly after our honeymoon, which meant this man, this love I felt, it was a long time coming.

"That's nowhere near enough fuckin' time, babe. But it's a damn good start."

I laughed and my lips found his. When we kissed it was different, it wasn't just a stolen kiss or a lustful kiss, there was a depth to it that I hadn't felt before. His lips were a perfect fit, firm and soft and demanding. His arms wrapped around me like I wasn't just precious, but like I was his.

And it was a damn good feeling.

The best ever.

Leaving Trent and my old life, the only life I'd ever known, was terrifying, but I did what I had to do to save my daughter and me. Coming to Nevada and falling in love with Maverick was the bravest, scariest, most wonderful thing I'd ever done. It was the biggest risk I'd ever knowingly taken, but somehow over the months of turmoil and anxiety, Maverick and his biker buddies had become a family to me. When I needed them most, they came to my rescue, my guardian angels clad in leather, willing to do battle in my name. Their protection had allowed me to find my peace.

To find myself.

Steel City had become my sanctuary, my home. The place where I found my footing and my future, where I found out who I was meant to be. I was able to explore the different parts of me in becoming a friend to Mabel, a real mom to Sophie, a strong woman for Maverick and for me.

And right here in his arms, I was home.