Falling with Grace - Page 171

Each move I made, each stride I took, was like a dance, and Andrés was always two steps ahead.

How?

How did he know about the Generals?

My fist slammed against the vehicle’s door, my knuckles popping with the repeated contact.

“Hey, it’ll be fine. We’ll figure it out.”

The air hung thick with an uneasy silence, stretching the hours of the drive. We halted at the formidable gate, my guards flanking it. The vehicle edged up to the entrance, and as it opened, we passed through.

Which one of them has contact with Andrés?

Which one of them betrayed me?

The SUV stopped, and I stepped out, my gear tight against my chest as I stalked through the front doors, the morning light still hours away.

Grace rushed down the foyer toward me, her hair billowing behind her, her feet padding on the marbled floor.

Mierda.

Her wide eyes swept over my body, her hands gripping my flak vest as she glanced up at me, her unspoken question a sickness in my belly.

She glanced behind me, and I gave a subtle shake. “I’m sorry.”

Her face quivered, and the tiny muscles in her cheeks trembled as she backed away from me. Her head shook from side to side, her eyes glossing over. “No.”

“I tried.”

“No.” She stared at the ground, her hand rubbing her chest. “That’s not true.”

“There wasn’t anything we could do.”

Tears fell down her face in rivers as though a monsoon passed by, soaking her shirt.

My men filed into the house, bypassing her frozen frame, and disappeared deep into my home.

“I’m sorr—”

She lunged, her open palm connecting with my cheek. “Don’t say that.”

She backed away, her hand flying over her mouth. “Don’t say that.”

My jaw compressed, my teeth grinding as I stood stark still.

A tortured scream tore through the air as Grace’s wobbling knees surrendered, bringing her crashing to the floor.

I collapsed beside her, tearing off my flak vest and casting it aside, my cheek aflame and raw.

Grace’s forehead pressed into the floor, her fists pounding the marble like a wrathful drumbeat. Her sobs transformed into primal, guttural wails until all that remained were torrents of tears and the weighty rhythm of her breath.

Gathering her in my arms, I cradled her fragile frame as silent cries shook her shoulders.

“You promised me.” Her fragile accusation hung in the air, settling over my shoulders in a shroud of inadequacy.

“I know.” I sighed, the warmth of her soft body melting into me. “He blew up the compound when we arrived.” I smoothed her hair over her head. “He wasn’t there.”

“It’s my fault.” She sat inmy arms, her eyes darting to the cheek she’d slapped.