Always Us (The Jade Series #8) Read Free Page A

hate doing. He has no interest in being a politician and never has. But my grandfather always wanted his son to be in politics because of the power and prestige that comes with those positions. So when my dad didn’t go down that route, my grandfather wanted me to, which is why he was thrilled when I was chosen to be president, then furious when I destroyed my image, thus ending my future political career. So maybe my grandfather will force my dad to run for office, like maybe run for governor, or for Congress. The organization would make sure he’d win.  
    I don’t want to see my dad’s life ruined like that, but my grandfather has us backed into a corner. He’s made this ultimatum. Divorce Jade or he’ll kill her.  
    I haven’t slept much since he gave me that ultimatum. A couple hours a night, max. The rest of the time I’m wide awake, watching Jade sleep, worrying about her safety, and trying to come up with ways to get out of this. Trying to figure out how to make my grandfather accept Jade, even though I know he never will. I even considered working for the company. Maybe if I agreed to take over Kensington Chemical someday, my grandfather would leave Jade alone. If he did, I would do it. I would dread going to work every day, but I’d do it if it meant he’d leave her alone.  
    Problem is, he won’t agree it. He hates Jade and he hates that I’m with her, and he’s determined to break us apart. Which means I have to rely on my dad. He’s the only one who can fix this. I just hope that he can.
    “Hey.” Jade comes into the bedroom. I’m unpacking the suitcase and hanging clothes in the closet. She comes over and gives me a hug. “You want to take a nap? You look tired.”
    “I’m okay. We should go hang out with Frank and Ryan.”
    “Ryan went to pick up Chloe. They’re getting stuff for tomorrow. And Frank is resting in his room. Do you think Frank’s okay? It worries me that he’s so tired.”
    “I’m sure he’s fine. He said he didn’t sleep well last night.”
    “But why isn’t he sleeping well? That could mean something, Garret.”
    “Don’t read so much into it.” I kiss her forehead. “He just didn’t sleep well. That’s all.”
    I don’t know what Jade will do if Frank ever gets really sick. Last year when he was in intensive care, Jade was a mess. She couldn’t handle seeing him like that. I tried to be there for her, supporting her, helping her get through it, and I think she was glad I was there. It was hard to tell back then. She hid so much of herself that I was always left guessing what she needed from me. She’s better now, but I still have to guess sometimes.
    “Come on.” She leads me to the bed. “Just take a short nap. I know you haven’t been sleeping much the past few nights.”
    Shit. How did she know that?
    “I’ll take a nap, but only if you sleep next to me.”
    She smiles. “I will.”
    We lie on our sides, her back against my chest, and I hold her there, not wanting to ever let go. As hard as I try to shove that conversation with my grandfather out of my head, I keep hearing his words and rage erupts inside me, making my muscles tense up, my jaw clench.
    “That’s a little too tight, Garret,” Jade says. “What is with you and these super tight hugs? You keep doing it. You’ve been doing it since Monday.”
    I relax my arms. “I don’t know. I guess I don’t know my own strength.” I use my cocky tone to steer her off course from any suspicions she has that something’s wrong.
    “You are really strong.” She turns her head back and kisses me, then rubs her neck. “My neck still hurts.”
    “You want me to massage it again?” I laugh as I say it. “If I do, you better keep quiet this time or Frank will think we’re doing something in here.”
    She laughs. “I promise I’ll be quiet this time.”
    “Don’t do it on my account. Feel free to practice your porn lines again. I don’t mind. You’re the one who gets all