Page 228 of Wild Embers
“Why me?”
Grant studies the fire for a long moment before answering. “Because none of this works without you.”
“I wasn’t even here.” My voice cracks with frustration. “I moved away. I had a happy life.”
He nods like my words don’t have a valid point. “I know.”
I lean toward him, the handcuffs burrowing into my wrists. “Then why drag me back?”
“You’re the missing piece.”
I frown. “What?”
Grant finally looks me in the eyes. “They would've kept their mouths shut forever.”
“Who?”
He smiles. “The three idiots who are coming to save you.”
My heartbeat slows as a chill works its way down my spine.
He's right.
Walker. Levi. Santiago.
Grant folds his hands together. “They'd have carried every single one of their secrets to the grave.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
He looks directly at me. “You're the only person whose opinion they care about.”
The realization lands like a stone in my stomach.
He never wanted me.
He wants...Them.
“What did you do?” I spit out.
“I think telling you what Ididn’tdo would take less time.” He laughs at his own joke like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard.
I angle my head. “The Evergreen Gazette?”
“Walker was taking too long to figure it out. Dragging his feet as always.” Grant rolls his eyes and mumbles, “Lazy ass.” He takes a deep breath. “I handed him the answer on a silver platter, and he still couldn’t figure it out.”
My lips part as I blink.
He really has planned it all out.
Something catches my eye. A length of black iron rests across the glowing logs. Not a poker exactly. One end disappears into the flames, and the other…
Ends in a symbol.
Even from where I'm sitting, I recognize the shape of the molten metal. FS for Falling Sky—the ranch brand.
Ice floods my veins. “What are you doing with that?”
Grant’s gaze follows mine. “Oh.” His smile widens. “You noticed.”
