Page 51 of Cautious Love

“And he told you to tell me to stop sending my people past his house because it’s ruining his business?”

“Yeah,” I rasp.

He’s silent for a moment, rubbing his mustache before his brown eyes meet mine.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I huff, surprised. Clearly I’m fine, yet he’s asking, anyway. “I’m fine. But I know Grey, and this wasn’t a bluff.”

“I didn’t think it was,” he says.

“So what are we going to do? I hope you haven’t been sending people to drive by his place on my account. You can call them off I don’t want anyone to have anymore trouble with him. He’s not worth it.”

Ledger snorts. “No, he’s not because you’re worth so much more.”

The air leaves my lungs and my eyes feel dry, staring at him. He couldn’t … he doesn’t mean it likethatdoes he?

“So, if he knows we’re married, then he knows you’re living with me?” he asks.

I shrug and resume pacing. I need to do something with my legs. “It’s probably a safe assumption.”

“Is that why your car isn’t out front?” he asks.

“Mr. Observant.”

The corner of his mouth tips up. “Hardly.”

“I don’t want anyone else to get hurt,” I whisper.

“I have never been and never will be concerned about Grey. But…” he trails off and I can tell he’s trying to figure out how to say something.

“You don’t need to coddle me, say it,” I snap and wince at the same time. “Sorry, I’m nervous.”

“That’s alright, and for the record, I’m not trying to coddle you. You’re not the type. But I am trying to be considerate. I need to ask you some questions, and I’ll be honest, I was never going to because I don’t want you to have to relive anything. But it would be helpful.”

“I’m not entirely sure what that means, but okay. What do you need to know?” My feet are throbbing, and I force myself to sit because I have a feeling I’ll need to for whatever he’s about to ask.

“What do you know about Grey and his business?” Ledger asks me, still relaxed against the counter.

My stomach drops and twists. I have to tell him something, but I won’t tell himeverything.What I know could kill both of us. “I don’t know much. But he uh … wait, this isn’t going to get out or something, right?”

Ledger shakes his head.

“Promise?”

“Yes, Shy, I promise,” he says, and the way he says my nickname calms me and simultaneously makes my knees squeeze together. I love the way he says it, so gravelly and demanding.

He’s in full control, and I am definitely not, purely because the more time I spend around Ledger, the more I want to beall overLedger.

“He’s a Kensington, and sells drugs, as I’m sure you’re aware. I know he sells pot and cocaine for sure, but he might sell more than that I don't know. He would keep it in the house, but usually once a week it’s gone. He never sold it out of our house at least that I saw.”

“Does he have some kind of schedule that isn’t related to work at the shop?” he asks.

I think for a minute. I’m always working so I didn’t pay that much attention to his schedule, and I know what his family does. But the only scheduled part of his life I can think of is his poker nights.

“What just came to you?” Ledger asks.

Butterflies erupt in my stomach, and I blink, shocked.