kalani depradine

I could barely sleep. Mostly because I was worried about Amelia. The pressure change would affect her tiny ears and I felt bad with how long the plane ride was. I was lucky enough not to have anyone seated beside us so it was just me and Amelia. She babbled and stared out the window when she was awake. I'm happy I had thought to bring her small toys because they're exactly what got her through the plane ride.

Holding Amelia in one arm, I struggled to bring my suitcase down from the overhead bin. Both our lives were packed away into a carry on bag and duffel bag.

"Let me," a taller man helped bring down my suitcase and my duffel bag. I smiled at him, tossing the baby bag over my shoulder. I put the duffel bag on top of the suit case, pushing it with me outside the plane. "First time in Barcelona?"

I scoffed, walking through the airport with this man following close behind. "First time in Spain," I corrected him. It was actually my first time in Europe as a whole. At the same time I was walking, I was trying to use my phone to connect to the wifi.

I didn't have much time prior to the flight to find somewhere to stay. The money I would be using was money I've saved since I first got a job and I knew it would last me a while. The luxury of staying with Grayson meant he took care of me in every aspect and all the money I was getting from maternity leave was going straight to my savings. For the mean time, money wouldn't be a problem, but I would eventually need to figure out how to make an income.

The first thing I needed to do when I found a hotel room and figured out a plan was call my family. Connecting to wifi, my phone was loading all these texts and voicemails from not only Grayson but my family.

We had to go through immigration and I thought it would be an easy process. Despite never being to Spain before, I've been to other places and have never had any issues. But the woman checking our passports and documents was looking at it like I might've filled something out incorrectly. Her eyes darted back and forth between the passports and then me then Amelia who was in my arms.

"This way please," she pointed to the left, leading not to an exit, but led me to another room looking like it might me used for interrogations.

"May I ask why? There shouldn't be any complications with our passports or paperwork," I spoke up because eventually Amelia would get angsty and I was exhausted. I need food, water and a bed. For someone who was supposed to be professional, she looked awfully nervous.

"This way, ma'am," she repeated. I held back my anger to go into the room she instructed. It had a table and two chairs, one of which I sat in. I sighed, leaning further into the seat the longer I was forced to sit here. When the door opened again, I had expected to see the woman who sent me here. Instead I got Grayson. I thought maybe I must've been sleep deprived and was beginning to imagine things because I have no idea how Grayson could be here right now. But here he was.

Grayson in his black dress pants and black dress shirt that was unbuttoned at the top. His sleeves were rolled up and I didn't recognize the look on his face. I didn't recognize him at all. This look was not something he's ever given to me and knowing he was giving it to me scared me. I watched him shut the door, slightly wishing he had left it open the slightest bit.

I shared a small smile. I didn't know what to do. Apologize? Explain myself? Stay firm? "How did you find me?"

"There's nowhere in this world I won't find you, Kalani," Grayson's voice was deep and rigid. That was both comforting and reassuring. "You signed a contract, Kalani."

A contract promising I would marry him and I hadn't thought about it when I left him. But there were many things I hadn't thought of when leaving. The only thing I could think of was my mother and Grayson's job.

"Gray, I-"

"We are a month away from our wedding. Why would you do this now? To embarrass me? Humiliate me after I've announced this wedding to the entire fucking world? You left me suddenly with the intentions of making me pick up the pieces all on my own?" He was losing his cool mask and showing his hurt. I really hurt him. I left him just as he feared and it tore me apart knowing he thinks he wasn't good enough. "With the snap of my finger, I could make sure you never see Amelia again. You would be permanently out of her life. But I would never do that to you. I would never take Amelia away from her mother, so what I'm trying to figure out is why you would ever do that to me," he sat on the desk to face me.

Amelia squirmed in my arms, reaching her arms for Grayson who she recognized. I put her arms down to stop him from taking her. Not only is Grayson who he is, but taking Amelia out the country without his permission must be breaking some sort of law. Grayson Astor would destroy me in a custody battle.

Tears filled my eyes and I couldn't help the ones falling down my cheeks. He shut his eyes, turning his head away from me.

"Would you believe me if I said I'm just not interested anymore?" I tested but only gained a laugh from him.

"You're coming back home. I have no idea where this idea even came from, but I don't care. You're not leaving me. So let's go," he stood up to leave the room, stopping in his tracks when he realized I wasn't moving. "Kalani, this is serious."

"Believe me, I know," I wiped my tears. "I can't go back. I can't."

He stared down at me like he was capable of seeing right through me. "What happened? Tell me what happened. I'll fix this," he came closer, moving hair behind my ear. The flip had finally switched in his head and he was no longer giving me the cold exterior.

"No. W-We can't fix this. You need to just go and let me do this." I was fighting the urge to tell him everything. But Blake's words repeated in my head and I didn't know what to do.

"Just talk to me, Lani. What happened? I can fix this. You need to trust me. You trust me?" His thumb wiped the tears on my face. He looked at me with pleading eyes and I could see how much he wanted to fix things and how much he cares.

"Blake told me to leave. He tried to pay me," I began and could see his body tense.

"Why would you listen to him?" His free hand rubbed my arm.

"He told me if I stayed he would make sure you don't become CEO and you'd lose your COO position. He said he would make sure all your hardwork went to ruins," I tried my best to explain despite how scared I was. I don't fear anyone in life, but Blake Astor has given me a clear reason to fear him.

"I don't care about the position. He could take everything away from me and I wouldn't care because I still have you and Amelia. You should've told me," his hand slid down my arm, holding onto my hand he kissed. My chest felt hot and my heart was threatening to pop out of my chest. Someone who has known no lifestyle but money and luxury would be willing to give it all up just for me and Amelia.

"I couldn't. He said if I told you, he would frame my mother for theft and he would make sure she never finds a job again." Saying it aloud felt surreal. It felt like I was reliving it all over again. Seeing Blake was a sick nightmare. I would be glad if I never heard or saw him again.

"Sweetheart..." he trailed off.

"I didn't know what to do. I was scared, Grayson," I resisted the urges to break down into tears because it would do no one any good. But the tears were already coming down my face and I wanted to cling onto him and emphasize how scared I am. Not only of Blake, but to start a new life in a country I've never been to. Especially with a baby.

"Do you trust me?" That seemed like an odd question considering this had nothing to do with trust and everything to do with his psychotic father. There was no doubting I trust Grayson.

"I do, but-"

"Then you should trust I would never let anything happen to you or your family. I would never let my father hurt you," he kissed along my jaw. I wanted to believe his words. I trust he would protect Amelia and I, but I was worried he would disregard himself in the process. "Come home with me and I promise I will protect you."

My head was going through the motions, trying to figure out what this all meant. I couldn't see a scenario where I could return to New York City without his father following through on his threats.

"Lani, baby, you need to trust me," he emphasized. "It's me and you, remember? Me and you." I held onto his arm, gripping onto it like it was a lifeline.

I nodded with a deep breath. I was choosing to trust him.

-

Grayson's jet couldn't go back the same day. Instead, he'd gotten us a hotel penthouse suite. I wanted to explore the city and take advantage of us being here, but this was a terrible time. There would be time in the future for us to come back.

"I'm going to be there in the afternoon tomorrow. I need you to gather all those documents and set them on my desk. I'm meeting with the Police Commissioner as soon as I arrive and I need everything ready," Grayson left the door to the balcony open and I could hear his entire conversation on the phone. He must've assumed I was asleep, which I was until he got out of the bed.

He finished his conversation before coming back into the dark room. I sat up, crawling to the edge of the bed for him to stand in front of me.

His hand slid to the back of my head, tilting my head up while he leaned down. His lips met mine and it felt like pure fire. Our lips molded together so perfectly and he forced his tongue into my mouth with this powerful grunt. His mouth took control of mine like he owned it.

My hands reached the drawstrings for his sweatpants, slowly pulling them apart for them to fall. Sinking my hands into his briefs, I held onto his length with my fingers struggling to wrap around. I stroked him slow, feeling him bite my lower lip.

"You want my cock, baby?" Grayson whispered and I could feel my heart throbbing right in my lower lips. He pulled away, standing to his full height while I glided my tongue along his shaft. When it was all wet, I showed attention to the tip then slid him into my mouth. "Just like that, sweetheart," his hands held my head, taking control of the pace. I sucked, continuing to use my hands to stroke him.

Bringing him into my throat, my eyes watered at his release landing deep in my throat. I swallowed and pulled away when I felt he was done. I looked up at his smile and he leaned down again to kiss me. Getting ahold of my tank top, he tore it in two and ripped it from my body. He picked up my body like it weighed nothing, and turned me around for me to be on my hands and knees. He pulled my shorts off, letting his rough hands map my naked body.

"God, you're so fucking wet," his tip rubbed against my entrance. My body was eager and dying to know what it felt like to have him inside of me.

I reached back, holding his length in my hands as I pushed myself back. My movements were slow, being overwhelmed by the size of him. I could feel myself stretching to make room for him and I knew how badly he wanted to force himself inside. But he was careful. His hands spread my cheeks further apart when he finally bottomed out and was completely inside me.

"Oh my god, Gray," I moaned at his deep strokes. My eyes fell shut, enjoying the stretch and the way his hands wandered around my body. His arm went under my body, holding onto my breasts fitting perfectly in his palm.

My moans of pleasure filled the air as I listened to him tell me how good I felt. His speed picked up, his body harshly slapping onto mine while I attempted to meet him half way. It didn't take me long to reach my orgasm when his fingers began to rub my clit. It was euphoric and a high I didn't want to rid myself of. But when he came and he filled me up, I couldn't help but smile.

He slowly pulled out, letting my body lay on the bed. I could already feel the soreness in my legs. Turning to lay on my back, I looked up at him. I spread my legs, making room for him to get closer to me.

"Kalani," he spoke my name like it was a weapon. He kissed my lips, putting his possessive hold on them. He kissed me like my mouth belonged to him. "Don't ever try to leave me again."