"Ugh." Grace had slipped out behind the guys while they were distracted. She kept her head down and wiped away her tears as they finally eased back, but she knew her eyes would be red and anyone could tell she'd been crying. "Oof!" Grace ran into someone. "Sorry." She side-stepped, but so did they. "Ah-ha... Sorry again." She stepped to the side once more, and they followed. "Are you doing this on purpose?"

  "Yes, because I can tell something is wrong."

  Vincent...

  "I need to go, so please don't move. Eep!" Grace yelped when he grabbed her arms and pulled her out into the hall with him. "What are you doing, Vincent?"

  "The woman of the hour is trying to run away with her head down like this, and she's refusing to look up at me. I can only assume you've been crying." Vincent backed her up to a wall and placed his hands against it on both sides of her as he leaned in close. "Look at me, Grace."

  "Ugh... No."

  "Do I need to make you?" he whispered into her ear.

  "Let it go, Vincent."

  "No."

  "Why not?" she growled.

  "Because I'm worried about you."

  "Why?"

  "Because I care. Why else? Do I really need a reason to worry about someone? Are we not close enough to worry about each other?"

  "I guess..."

  "And I may have told you to go after Zain, but if things aren't working out already, I'd welcome you with open arms."

  Grace sighed and looked up at him. She scrunched back a little when she finally realized how close he really was. "This had nothing to do with Zain, actually."

  "No? Then what are the tears about?" Vincent gently ran his thumb under her eye. "You're supposed to be the proud heiress today, being prepped to be the next leader of the Bertolottiss, are you not?"

  "Yes, but apparently I'm going to lose my best friend soon. I never thought he'd want to completely cut me out of his life."

  "So he decided not to stay? A shame..." Vincent trailed off in thought.

  "You knew about the ultimatum? How much do you know?"

  "More than you can imagine." He lightly tapped her nose. "My family specializes in information."

  "This is where you ran off to..." Zain grumbled as he saw Vincent looming over Grace. "Always with other men. How am I going to survive this?" Zain took a deep breath and approached them.

  "I'll warn you now, Kuros, treat her well, or I'll come with different intentions." Vincent backed away from her. "I have someone to talk to now. I'll see you another time." He winked at her and walked away.

  "Why'd you leave?" Zain asked as he approached her.

  "I couldn't stand you all arguing. Besides, I want to be alone right now."

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  He lightly touched her hand. "I don't want to leave you alone. I don't think alone time is a good thing under the circumstances. Time to think and ruminate on your feelings has a tendency to make one feel even worse. I was also hoping we could start this relationship on a high note."

  "If you're asking me to go back in, I'd rather not."

  "I'm not one for big crowds. I'd rather we have some time for just us—"

  "I'm not in the mood for romance."

  "How about for some pampering, Mafia Queen?"

  Grace shook her head, a small smile playing on her face. "You don't have to call me that. I'm nothing like a queen, anyway."

  "I don't know about that. A badass who kicks butt, runs into danger to save people, and who's rocking that dress right now; you sure seem like a queen to me." He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. "Would you like to cuddle up on the couch in your room, my queen?"

  "Stop calling me that!" Grace laughed.

  "But it's your position now, isn't it?"

  "I'm not taking over yet."

  "Soon enough. Boss man will stick around for a long time, but he probably won't wait as long as you think he would before giving you his position."

  "You'll stay as the underboss, right?"

  "Underboss, and hopefully, husband." He tugged her close and wrapped his arms around her. "Damn, you're beautiful."

  "My makeup is probably running down my face, and all smudged right now."

  "And yet you're still gorgeous and make me want to whisk you away. On that thought, maybe I should. Boss man can handle the party, and we could use some time together."

  Grace clunked her forehead against Zain's. "As much as I'm enticed by you, I'm too tired and want to rest."

  "Funny, you're the one with your head in the gutter instead of me." Zain smirked. "I was suggesting we just cuddle on the couch, remember?"

  Grace froze. Dammit, he did say that, didn't he? "Oh, shush you... Let's go." Grace took his hand and led him away up to her room. "I don't even feel like changing for bed or anything." She plopped down on the couch.

  "I could help you with that."

  "Ha ha... Don't you dare try something like that, mister... yet."

  "Yet? Interesting." He sat down beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her over to lean against him. "I'm definitely looking forward to my future together with you."

  Grace kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for not punching him."

  Zain smirked. "I can hold back most of the time. Besides, he's injured."

  "So are you."

  "True, but he's a lot worse off. I'll be better in no time at all." He trailed his fingers down to the tip of her chin and lifted it up. "Are you sure you only want to cuddle?" he whispered. "That look in your eyes is ready to devour me."

  She lightly pushed on his chest and chuckled. "Quit teasing me; we're not going too far tonight. I'm tired."

  "How about we start with a kiss and see how it goes?" Zain leaned in close.

  Their lips lightly brushed, and then she leaned into it, and he knew he had her. His arm around her waist, he pulled her close as they kissed and leaned back on the couch. In an instant, he flipped them over so he was on top.

  "Oh!" Grace didn't have long to be surprised, distracted by his hands trailing along her body. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a deeper kiss. His hand found the edge of her dress, and he slowly slid his hand along her bare skin. "Mmm..."

  Knock, knock.

  "Ignore it," Zain mumbled and continued.

  Knock, knock.

  "Gracey, you're in there, right?" Ray asked as he knocked again.

  Zain got off her immediately and cursed under his breath. "Worse timing ever." He helped her stand and fixed her clothes. He looked her over. "Good to go." He smacked her butt, and she gasped. "Oops... I didn't think that through." He backed away from her with his hands up.

  "Whatever; I don't have time to deal with you." Grace opened her door. "Grandpa, what's up?"

  "I should be asking you that." Ray glanced past her at Zain. "You left without saying anything to me. Are you feeling alright?"

  "Yes, just a bit overwhelmed and tired."

  "It was a big night for you, and I was hoping you'd stick around the party for a little while, but I don't want you too worn out. Zain," Ray called out to him. "You don't need to be a bodyguard right now, and I could use some assistance at the party."

  "Uh... I was kinda..." Zain trailed off under Ray's glare. "I'm coming." He groaned and headed for the door. "Goodnight, Grace."

  "Goodnight, Gracey." Ray hugged her.

  As soon as Ray turned, Zain pulled her flush against him and kissed her.

  "Ow!" Zain yelped as Ray grabbed his ear. "What's the deal, Boss? Nothing wrong with a kiss goodnight, right? Ah, Boss!" Zain looked back at Grace as he was dragged away.

  "Ho..." Grace let out a deep breath and touched her lips.

  I definitely made the right choice.