Her Salvation, His Damnation

#11.

Grace gave a small, uncertain shrug, but the movement was cut short as Tate suddenly bridged the gap between them. He dragged his chair across the floorboards, the wood groaning under the weight, until he was close enough for her to feel the heat radiating from his skin.

"Let me tell you something about myself, Grace," he said, his voice dropping into a tone that was low. It was a sound that didn't just reach her ears;, it vibrated through her bones, making her shiver despite the warmth of the kitchen. "I never give up a position. I am Tate Black. I rule for as long as I draw breath, and I don't surrender what is mine to a cheat."

He stared at her for a heartbeat longer, his gaze an iron weight, before he abruptly stood up. The intensity vanished, replaced by that familiar, distant coldness. "Go back to bed. Now."

He didn't wait for her to respond. He turned on his heel and walked away, his stride long and purposeful. Grace remained frozen in her chair, her mouth hanging open as she watched his retreating figure disappear into the dark hallway. The air seemed to rush back into the room once he was gone. She scrambled to her feet, clutching her water bottle as if it were a lifeline, and hurried back to the safety of her room.

—

Outside, the night air was crisp, Tate walked toward the gravel lot, his jaw set in a hard line. He hadn't gone far before a figure stepped out from the gloom of the garage.

Jacob had been waiting. He fell into step beside Tate, his expression guarded but urgent. "What’s the decision, Boss? The men are restless. They’re eager to know what your decision is."

Tate stopped walking and shoved his hands into his pockets, looking out over the dark expanse of his estate. "You should have known me from the beginning, Jacob," he said, his voice carrying over the wind. "I am not the type of man to succumb. I don't bow to a planned sabotage."

A slow, satisfied smirk spread across Jacob’s face. He nodded, the tension in his shoulders finally easing. "I figured as much."

Tate turned to him, his eyes like flint. "Tell the crew. I’m demanding a rematch. If Jace tries to hide behind his hollow victory or refuses to line up, I’ll have no choice but to get rid of him. In my world, no one comes into my place to threaten my empire and lives to brag about it."

Jacob’s smirk deepened. This was the leader the Viper Kings followed, the man who would burn the world down before he let a rival take a single inch of his territory. "I'll alert the others. When do we move?"

"Tomorrow night," Tate replied. "Rematch or nothing. Make sure he knows the stakes haven't changed."

"Yes, boss," Jacob muttered. He gave a sharp, respectful nod and headed toward the barracks to spread the word.

Tate stood alone for a moment, looking up at the vast, uncaring sky. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a familiar number, the screen glowing against his bruised face.

"Hey, Sasha?" he said when the line connected. "Are you available right now?" He listened for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. I’ll be right there."

He hung up and headed toward the garage, the heavy thrum of his Lamborghini soon shattering the silence of the dawn.

—

Upstairs, Grace stood by the window, her forehead pressed against the cool glass. She watched the taillights of the Lamborghini fade into the distance, a streak of red against the grey light of early morning. She let out a heavy sigh, the unfamiliarity of her new life feeling more like a shroud than a shield.

"I wonder what world Mr. Tate really lives in," she whispered to the room. She took a large, cooling gulp of her water, the plastic crinkling in the silence. "I just hope I’m not in bigger danger by marrying him than I was by saving him."

She turned away from the window and climbed back into bed, the silk of her nightgown feeling strange and cold. Rose stirred again, blinking awake as Grace settled under the covers.

"You okay?" Rose mumbled, her voice thick with exhaustion.

"I'm alright," Grace said, though her heart was still racing. "Go back to sleep, Rose."