Grace eventually fell asleep while her mind was running wild with ideas.

Knock, knock.

"Grace, are you still mad at me?" Raymond asked, waiting outside of her room with her cell phone in his hand. "I brought you a peace offering."

She cringed as she opened her eyes. Once she registered what he had said, she sprang out of bed and opened the door. "Grandpa..."

He let out a sigh of relief and gave her a small smile. "I guess Mary was right about you wanting this back badly." He held her phone to his chest. "But giving you this is a risk; I don't know who you might contact."

"I don't have many people close to me, so it's not like I'm going to go begging for help or anything. I have some contacts who can help us out."

"So do I; you know there are mafia members in the police department."

"But I also know one of the best analysts there, and even if others have fooled me, I know there's no way he's one of them. I can help, grandpa, if you'll let me."

His heart swooned every time she called him grandpa. "Ha... I'm so weak to you." He shoved her cell phone into her hand. "I'm sorry about everything so far. I'm glad it looks like you're doing okay. I was planning on leaving you alone for the rest of the day, but the doctors have finished with Zain now. He's probably still asleep, but you can go see him if you want."

"Thank you." Grace pocketed her phone. "And... Do you want to go see him with me?"

He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. "While I'd love to, I just came from there, so I don't think he'd want to see this old man so soon again." Especially not after he yelled at him out of both anger and worry. "And the doctor doesn't want too many people in his room at a time. I'll walk you there, though."

Grace wrapped her arm around his, glad for the extra support, and he escorted her to Zain's treatment room.

Ray could feel the slight tremble as she leaned towards him, and he couldn't help but worry. "I can wait out here for you if you want," he offered.

"Ah, no; I can get back to my room on my own later. I don't know how long I'll be here, anyway. Thank you." Grace gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and he smiled at her.

"Okay, Gracey. Call me if you need anything." He headed off and sighed, glad she didn't seem angry with him anymore.

Grace stared at the door to Zain's room for a moment and took a deep breath before entering. "Excuse me," she said as she entered.

Zain lay on what looked like a hospital bed. Flowers were set up on the nightstand, and the TV in the upper corner was playing the news.

Personal hospital room? Can't help but wonder where all the others are. I'm pretty sure I saw others being wheeled into the estate, too.

Grace sat down in the empty chair beside Zain.

"I'm sorry," Grace muttered and bit her lip, fighting back the tears as she looked at him. He was still pale and covered in bandages with an IV attached to his arm. A heart monitor stood in the corner, but it wasn't set up.

I doubt this place is legal, but I guess that doesn't matter anymore.

"I'm sorry I'm so naive. Maybe I never was a good cop, if I can fall for a trap so easily. Ugh, this sucks." Her eyes trailed along him and landed on his lips. She couldn't help but think about how he kissed her.

Why did you do that? Ugh, it's not like I can even ask you that.

"I don't even know what I came here to say, but please, don't die." Grace gripped his hand on the bed.

His hand twitched and then wrapped around hers.

He took a deep breath in and slowly opened his eyes. "Grace..."

"Zain? You're awake? You need more rest, so you should go back to sleep." She went to move her hand away, and his grip tightened as much as he could manage.

"Don't go yet..." Zain mumbled.

"Okay..." Grace bit her lip, stopping herself from saying anything else.

"Stop blaming yourself," he mumbled. "It seems... Samuel was after us either way. We were bound to duke it out, and who knows what could've happened?"

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"I doubt you would've been captured like that." Might've still gotten shot.

"I'm alive, you're alive; everything's alright."

Not really.

"What is it?"

When she looked up from his hand, she saw his intense eyes trained on her.

"I know something's wrong..."

Too many things are! That kiss! What did it mean? Roger? Who knows what the hell is really going on? Grace shook her head no. "It doesn't matter right now. You need to focus on getting better, not worrying about what's going on outside of this room."

"Ha... You think... me being here means I won't worry about everything? I know... I come across like a big lug sometimes, but... my mind is always running wild."

"Mine too."

"So spill, princess."

Should I tell him about Roger? Grace stood, shaking her head. "No, I don't have my thoughts organized enough to even try to talk about anything yet."

"Are you trying to leave already?"

"My being here won't help you any. You need to rest, and I'm sure others are looking to visit you."

"Ha... You're denser than I thought." Zain cringed as he adjusted himself on the bed.

"What are you doing?" Grace tried to pull her hand away, and he tugged her closer. "Oh!" She was caught off-guard by his strength despite his weakened state, and he pulled her onto the edge of the bed, leaning over him.

He brought her hand up to rest on his chest, his hand still gripping hers.

"Don't run away from me," Zain whispered. "In case you're wondering, that kiss wasn't just to try to erase Samuel's. It's because I like you. I care for you. Honestly, I might even love you."

Grace's heart skipped a beat, and she froze with her eyes wide. "W-what?"

"Ha... How are you so surprised?" Zain huffed.

With his chest under her hand, she could feel his heart rate increasing the same way hers was.

Is he nervous, too? Does that mean he's telling the truth?

"I admit you can be quite infuriating. You're reckless, you don't listen, and you always have some sort of opinion about everything, but... I fell for you, anyway. Ugh," he groaned in pain again.

"You should lie down and rest." Grace tried to pull away again, but he wouldn't let her, and he knew she wouldn't attack an injured man who meant her no harm.

"Nope, not yet. I've been sleeping for hours already, and this is important. I... didn't think much of being a marriage candidate in the first place, but the boss was adamant I'd like you for some reason. I guess he was right."

"Why confess all this now?"

"If not now, then when? After you've chosen Vincent? Even I have to admit... he's a good man and boss, but he's scarier than I am, if you know about his past, anyway."

"Are you saying he'd be a bad choice because of his past?"

"No... He's had to make the hard choices as a boss already. He's better at leading, stronger... and... I believe he'd treat you well."

"Are you sure you like me? I mean, you're talking too well of Vincent."

A small smile played on his lips. "Yes, I'm sure. Can't say I'm the better option... or that I will do well as the next boss... which I never wanted to be... but I am sure of my feelings."

"But really, why now? Couldn't you wait until you weren't bedridden at least?"

"I'm not sure... Maybe because I almost died, and because I wasn't certain I was going to tell you until Samuel kissed you, and I lost it. Stupid punk..." Zain grumbled. "You deserve better... I guess the real question is: how do you feel about me?"

Grace averted her gaze, looking out the window at the night sky. Crap, crap, crap!

"Ha... stubborn woman..." Zain sat up more. "I should be a better man, and not push for an answer, but I'm not. I want to know how you feel. And if you don't answer me in three seconds, I'm going to kiss you. Three, two..."

"I don't know—"

"One."

"Umph!" Grace gasped when Zain yanked her forward again and kissed her. He finally let go of her hand, only to wrap it around the back of her head to deepen the kiss.

"Ha..." He pulled away for a moment and licked his bottom lip. "I guess I got my answer." He smirked and released her.

"What? But I..." she huffed. "I didn't say anything." She quickly got off his bed and stumbled back a few steps.

"You didn't have to say anything. You didn't push me away. And if I know anything about you, I know you would've at least tried to slap me."

"But you're injured."

"My face isn't too bad, and it's remained that way despite what I did." His eyes narrowed as he gazed at her.

She could see the desire in his eyes, clear as day, and her own body heated up. "I-I... I should go..."

"Oh? Already? I was hoping you'd keep me company for longer. Heading to bed? Heading to see Roger?"

"No!" Grace couldn't help her outburst. She clamped a hand over her mouth as she realized her mistake.

Zain frowned. "What was that about?"

"Nothing." Grace swallowed hard and backed away towards the door.

"Something tells me the kiss isn't the reason you don't want to see him. What did he do?"

"Nothing! Geez..." She gripped the door handle. "Oh, and be careful of Herald," Grace said and took off out the door, running down the hall. "Ha..."

"Herald?" Zain thought about him for a moment, surprised she even knew his name. "What's he got to do with anything?"

In a rush, Grace nearly crashed into Mary on her way back to her room. Grace skidded to a stop. "Sorry!"

"Oh dear, why are you running around like that?" Mary asked. "Your face is all flushed. Are you okay?"

No... "Um... Zain... he..."

"Did he do something to you? Do you want me to take care of him?"

Grace shuddered. "No. He just." Grace leaned in close to whisper, "Kissed me again."

"Oh! Finally," Mary sighed. "That boy takes forever to make a move."

"Why aren't you surprised?"

"Oh, come on; you can't tell me you didn't notice." Mary's eyes widened as she watched Grace. "Really? His eyes follow you everywhere."

"But he's basically my bodyguard; isn't it his job to keep an eye on me?"

"At first, sure, but he kept looking after you even when you stopped running away. And he even went on a run with you."

"Again, I thought that was all for his job. I don't imagine my grandpa would be happy if his underboss shirked on his duties."

"What about how he cares for you? He's pretty obvious about that, from what Ray has told me."

"I'm going to go rest." Grace backed away from her.

"For reference, you look at him the same way," Mary said as Grace headed into her room, slamming the door shut.

Maybe they're just trying to push us together. I can see Mary wanting Zain to be the next boss.

Grace flopped onto her bed and hugged one of her pillows as she closed her eyes, hoping to fall asleep.