The Romeo Arrangement

“What’s yours? If this isn’t about Hammond, then what? What else could it be?” she muses.

I say nothing.

Call me a bastard, but I wouldn’t have cared one bit if our disagreement killed him.

That’s what I was trying to do, wasn’t it?

That prick had it coming.

If it wasn’t for Tobin, I might’ve brought a fucking gun. Some days I regret not blowing his brains out then and there in the back of that place, even if it would’ve meant rotting behind bars.

Only, that would mean I couldn’t be here for Grace.

You’d better believe I’ll celebrate the day Clay Grendal gets neutralized, or applaud the man, or woman, that does him in. Faulk finally came through with good intel on his group. Lots of it, judging by the attachments.

I can’t wait to get this over with so we can pull a few guys together and talk options.

Then again…Bebe could help me play my hand so Grendal shows up where I want him.

“What’s it going to take for you to leave?” I ask. “Money? Because if that’s what you’re after, I’ll cut you a check right now. Severance, we’ll call it.”

She looks at me numbly but then turns and walks past the other side of the desk, to the wall where the new collage of military pictures Grace finished hangs.

“These are rather unique. It’s not quite art-art like the kind back home, but it has a certain rustic charm, doesn’t it? I saw the one with Judy’s pictures in the foyer. Where’d you get them?”

“Grace made them.” I don’t know why I bother telling her.

She lifts a brow when she glances at me. “Her? Really?”

“It can’t be that fucking hard to believe, can it? She’s got a good eye for décor.”

I let pride in Grace overwhelm the acid derision for this woman steaming in my blood.

Stepping over to my desk, she reaches out, clicking a drumming beat against the polished wood top with her wicked long nails. “I’m no longer your agent; you’ve said so yourself. So I’m not sure your little severance package would be appropriate.”

I’ve told her that several times.

Don’t want to have to tell her again, but if that’s what it takes to help Grace, fine.

Bebe can be my agent again.

“I never signed on with anyone else,” I say, every last one of those words like a rock on my tongue. “If you’re that hard up, then maybe, just maybe, I’ll keep the door open on one more film. Don’t get too excited. I’m not promising anything.”

Her eyes light up like dual suns.

That’s when I realize just how much Grace means to me.

Can’t imagine there’s another woman on earth worth this torture.

An hour later, after Bebe’s gone—satisfied for now and so willing to help, gag me—I walk to the cabin, talk to Nelson, and then Grace.

He’s still in bed but sitting up without looking like he’s about to fall over again. He doesn’t look as ash-grey as he did a few days ago.

Progress.

“Feeling better?” I ask.

“Getting there.” Nodding, he adds, “I owe you a lot, Ridge. An awful lot. I know I’m a real pain in the butt, but hell. You made the right call, making me cool my heels.”

I smile at Grace and the nurse. “If you don’t mind, I’d like a chance to talk to Nelson alone, please.”

Grace looks at me, nervous and concerned.

“It won’t take long,” I assure her. “And I promise I won’t wear him out.”

“Sure,” Jackie says, throwing back a kind smile. “We’ll be in the other room.”

I’m sincere about not wanting to cause Nelson setbacks, but I need him to know I’m trying to help. Sitting down on the chair beside the bed, I fold my hands in my lap and look at him.

“Remember boot camp, Nelson? Probably different in your day, I’m sure, but if it’s anything like the grind I went through…you had a drill sergeant, who put you through the ropes every day, so when the time came, you didn’t have to think. The response, the instant, was drilled into you.”

“Sir, yes, sir!” he says with a twinkle in his eyes. “How could anybody ever forget that circus?”

I smile, grateful he’s able to pull a little humor out of this. “That’s what we need now. Drills, practice, so we’ll be good and ready when the enemy shows up.”

The laughter leaves his eyes. “No, we’ll leave before they come. You’re crazy if you’re planning to turn your place into a battlefield against those sorry thugs.”

“The two of you don’t stand a chance alone. You have nowhere to go,” I tell him, raking a hand through my hair. “Enough running. It’s time to stand and fight.”

He’s shaking his head fiercely, even though he knows I’m right.

“I know this isn’t how you wanted it, Nelson. Not for you or Grace, and I’m willing to help you change it. Give you both a fresh start, but it’ll take all of us working together.”