Page 17 of Grim's Gem

“I mean it, Clover. It's not just about you. It's about this baby, our baby. I would never be able to believe in this life again if something happened to you or our baby,” I say, trying to make her realize how much they both mean to me.

“I promise, Gray. I will do everything I can to make sure me and this baby both stay safe,” she whispers, reaching across the table and grabbing my hand. I smile and go to take a bite of my food, but a call comes over the speaker that has me jumping out of my seat and quickly cleaning up my mess, throwing away the food my woman brought me. Fuck, I hate this sometimes.

“I’m so sorry, baby, I have to go. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t. You have a job to do. One that saves people's lives. I completely understand and will never hold that against you. You are my hero, Gray Adams. Now, go be someone else's,” she says, smiling at me as she rises from the table and plants a quick kiss on my lips before picking up her food.

“I hope you know I meant what I said,” I tell her, reaching for the break room door. She turns to look at me with a confused look on her face.

“Meant what?” she asks.

“That I love you. I love you more than anything, Jade.” I don't wait for her to say anything back. I just smile at her before turning and walking out of the room.

Before Jade, I was lost. I felt like I had the whole club on my shoulders. I couldn't save my brother, I couldn't save my mother, I couldn't save my club brother. I was always waiting for the next loss. Who would it be that I couldn't save next? Who would pay the price for me not being good enough, fast enough, or strong enough? Now I’m determined. No one, and I meanno one, will hurt my family. I’ll kill every fucker on this planet if I have to. Jade gives me the determination, strength, speed, and confidence to carry every burden I have now with ease. She makes it worth it.

I’m not sure if she’s on the same page as I am or not, but that won't stop me from telling her every chance I get. That won't stop me from showing her she is my queen, my salvation. She is my everything, and I can't wait to hear her say those three words back to me.

One day.

Chapter Fourteen

Jade

“Are you heading into the shop today before your appointment?” Gray asks as I pull my pants up over my ass. I pout when I realize how tight they are. I’m starting to show just a bit, and all my clothes fit differently. I try not to cry or get hormonal because Gray will lose his shit thinking I’m dying or something. Cue eye roll.

We’ve gotten into a routine since finding out about our little peanut. It turns out loving Gray Adams has been the most effortless adventure I’ve ever taken, and I don't regret one minute of it… but the overprotectiveness can be a bit much at times.

“Yeah, I’m just going in for a few hours. I have one appointment, then figured I would meet you at the doctor's office if you can make it.” I button my pants with a bit more effort than the last time I wore them, but breathe a sigh when they finally snap into place.

“Are you sure you are feeling alright, baby?” Gray asks, coming into the closet and placing his hand over my belly.

I smile, not wanting to worry him. I haven't seen Robby in a while, but for some reason, I can't get the feeling of beingwatched to go away. I check my surroundings, never take the same route too many times, and carry a nine-millimeter in my purse, but I can't shake it, and it's affecting me mentally. I feel like I’m crazy and don't want to admit that to Gray or the girls.

I don’t want to be a prisoner here like I heard the other women had to go through with their enemies. I might snap someone's head off if they tried to keep me in this compound for months at a time. I was not meant for jail time, even if it would be this place. I’m not stupid, though. Like I said, I take every precaution and have no problem handling a weapon that could save my or my baby's life.

“I’m fine, baby,” I say, turning in his arms and wrapping my arms around his neck. He scrutinizes my face, and I can tell he doesn't truly believe me. The truth is, I am fine. I’m more stressed, tired, and even scared than I have ever been, but I’m also excited, thrilled, and loving this life I’m getting with Gray.

“You know if anything is worrying you or stressing you, you can talk to me about it, yeah? I’ll do whatever I can to fix it,” he assures me, taking a curl hanging over my eye and putting it back in the mass of curls surrounding my face.

“I know, and that's why I…” I start to say I love you, but that's not how I want to tell him. I’ve wanted to say it since the moment he admitted it to me, but honestly, it never seemed special enough. I’ve never told a man I love him, and I want it to be right. This is the last time because there is no way in hell I'm giving Gray up, so I have to make this good. I’d thought about doing it on our gender reveal. Getting the baby a onesie that says “Our love created this Little.” Or something to that effect, but the longer it takes, the more I slip up.

“You what?” he asks, raising a brow.

“I appreciate you so much,” I finish and see the flash of pain in his eyes. Oh no, I can't take hurting him.

“You wanted to say something else, didn't you?” he asks, and I can't lie to him. I can’t hurt him.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Say it,” he demands, grabbing my hips and pulling them flush to his.

“Not yet,” I say, trying like hell to give him the feeling and the words he deserves just like he did for me, but nows not the right time. I’m feeling stressed. We are both about to leave. There will be no time together. Just me spitting it out, then rushing out the door. He deserves better than that.

“Say it, Clover. I know you feel it. I know you can see it in my eyes and my heart. You know how I feel about you. You know you didn't just brighten my world when you showed up. You changed the course of history. You made me a better man. Give me those words, baby. Say it.” I can't hold it back. Maybe there isn't one right moment. Maybe I’ve been holding back for no reason. We are standing in a closet, but Gray just shattered my whole idea of what romance was. There is no candlelight, no roses, but this moment could never be more perfect.

“I love you, Gray. With my entire being, I love you,” I tell him, watching so many emotions play across his face—relief, love, possession, protectiveness. Yeah, I was stupid for waiting so long to tell him. He made it perfect just by being himself.

“Damn fucking right you do. You. Are. Mine. Undress,” he commands, taking a step back.