Chapter 7 - The Scars Beneath His Suit: Unlocking Graham Reed’s Dark Past
We returned to the penthouse at midnight in dead silence. Frank and the security
team swept the entire perimeter while Graham stood in the middle of the living
room, tearing off his bowtie and pacing like a caged beast.
“We’re moving you to a secure safehouse in Aspen,” Graham said harshly, running
both hands through his hair. “Marcus has lost his mind. He’s getting reckless.”
“I’m not running away to Aspen, Graham!” I yelled, kicking off my high heels on
the hardwood floor.
“He tried to poison you, Avery!” Graham roared, turning to face me, his chest
heaving. “Do you not understand the danger you’re in? If anything happens to you
because of me—”
“Because of you?” I stepped forward, refusing to back down. “This isn’t just
your fight anymore! We’re in this together!”
“You shouldn’t be!” he shouted, his mask of icy control completely shattering.
“Everyone who gets close to me gets destroyed! My mother died because of this
family’s greed! My father drank himself into an early grave! I am toxic, Avery!
I ruin everything I touch!”
I froze, stunned by the raw agony pouring from him.
Graham stood in the center of the vast, empty room, his shoulders trembling
slightly under his tailored shirt. For three years, I had believed he was
invincible, made of pure stone and relentless calculation. But underneath the
empire, he was just a boy who had spent his entire life dodging knives from the
people who were supposed to love him.
I walked across the room, closing the distance between us, and reached out.
Slowly, gently, I placed both hands against his chest. I could feel his heart
pounding wildly beneath the linen.
“You didn’t ruin me, Graham,” I whispered softly, looking up into his tortured
eyes. “You saved me in Vegas. And you’ve protected me every single day since.”
Graham looked down at me, his breath hitching. His large, calloused hands came
up, trembling slightly as they cupped my face.
May you like
“Avery…” his voice broke. “You have no idea how hard I’ve tried not to fall for
you.”
