“And…” he continued. “Miss Ashby is in the backyard.”
I stopped breathing for just a moment. The backyard. I hated the way knowing that she was so close could give me pause.
I locked my jaw and continued up the stairs.
“She’s not alone, sir,” he called after me. “Mr. Grayson is here.”
I halted. Will?
“Please let me know if I shouldn’t have admitted him,” Crane rushed to add. “You only said—”
“It’s fine,” I bit out.
Continuing up the stairs, I barreled into my bedroom, throwing open the door so hard, the knob slammed into the wall. Charging over to the windows, I pulled back the gossamer curtain and peered down into the backyard, the view from the second floor spanning the terrace, pool, pool house, and wooded area beyond. I locked my gaze on them in the pool.
“What the fuck?” I growled low.
He had her in a headlock, her hair in her face, and a huge fucking smile on his. She struggled and fought, trying to reach him behind her, and while I was trying to decide if I was angrier that he was touching my shit or if he was really hurting her or just playing with her, he let her go, pushed her forward, and splashed her, both of them laughing and answering my question.
I gripped the window frame, scowling down at them. They stood waist deep, his chest naked, tattoos blaring, and she in some halter bikini top. Over the next several minutes he worked with her on different holds and how to get out of them. His lips moved, talking her through what to do as he grabbed or yanked her or backed her into the edge of the pool.
I almost snorted. Fucking Rika.
This was her idea. I’d bet any piece of ass she sent Will over here to teach Winter some self-defense moves to fend me off. Nice move, kid, but this was chess, not checkers. Remember?
Winter shot out her hands, planting them on Will’s chest, and I breathed hard and deep, my eyes burning with a glare.
She doesn’t touch him.
And he doesn’t touch her.
Releasing the curtain, I spun around and walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs.
I liked that Will was here. I wanted him here. I wanted him with me.
But he was not her fucking lifeline. Period.
I rounded the bannister and made my way to the back of the house and through the back door. Walking to the edge of the terrace, I stopped and looked down at them as they talked and played.
It made sense now why he took her into the pool. Without her sight, it helped her maintain balance and cushioned any falls during their training. Thank you for that, Will. I wanted her in perfect condition.
Sprinkles of rain hit my shoulders, and Winter fluttered her eyelashes as she turned her face to the sky and held out her hands, palms up. Drops hit the water, clouding the still surface, and the fire pit crackled near the pool house, an inviting glow under the darkening sky.
Will smoothed his wet hair over the top of his head and finally looked up, spotting me. He stood there, still and unwavering, his fucking juniper eyes always twisting a goddamn hole through my head like a screwdriver, and for a moment, it was high school, we were side by side, and Winter wasn’t standing between us.
In that moment, I wanted to grab him and her and Banks and put us all on an island, because they would never not belong to me.
Lightning shot through the sky, thunder cracked, and Will and Winter exchanged words before she hopped out of the pool. He followed, helping her find her towel.
Once she was dried off, she wrapped the towel around her body, but when he tried to take her hand, she waved him off. He said a few more words to her, she nodded, and then turned around.
Putting out her right hand, she made her way back up to the house, toward me, and I locked eyes with Will.
The corner of his mouth tilted in a challenge, and I shook my head as Winter made her way in my direction. Walking right past me, she paused, turning her head my way, and I looked down at her, knowing she knew I was here, mere inches away.
My eyes fell down her face, neck, and shoulders, touching her the only way I’d allow myself just yet.
Stupid girl. He only taught you to fend off one attacker. What if there were more?