)

"You stole his car?"

"I borrowed it," Alison explained, not the slightest tinged of guilt in her voice. "Take the second exit."

Grayson's hands gripped the steering wheel as he manoeuvred through narrow alleys and tight corners with precision, drifting smoothly around sharp turns.

"Left," she directed him. Grayson skillfully handled the turn, making the car drift smoothly around the corner. Alison gasped, holding onto her seat belt tightly.

Grayson accelerated, approaching a yellow light. With a quick assessment, he made a daring decision, steering the car expertly through the intersection just as the light turned red.

"You planned to give the car back," Grayson stated firmly. It wasn't a question; he told Alison they were heading straight to Mason.

"Well, you know what they say about borrowing," Alison looked out the window, avoiding his gaze. "It's often better to ask for forgiveness than permission."

"Is that your motto in life?"

"It's served me well so far," Alison quipped, enjoying the banter between them.

Grayson drove faster, and Alison's hair swirled in the wind, getting in her face. She couldn't resist the temptation, so she unbuckled her seat belt and stood up, leaning against the front of the convertible.

Her smile was infectious as she savoured the freedom of the moment. But suddenly, a gust of wind caught her off guard, and she stumbled, almost falling over the edge.

In an instant, Grayson's arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her. She looked down at him with a stubborn grin, not wanting to admit how close she had come to danger.

"Alison-"

"I can handle myself," Alison insisted, though her voice wavered slightly. "I've dealt with Mason before, and I can do it again."

Grayson eye brows furrowed slightly, and you could almost see a frown. He looked into her eyes, searching for any sign that she might be playing him. But he saw nothing but genuine concern and affection in her gaze. He realized that despite everything, Alison was trying to protect him. "You are infuriatingly stubborn,"Grayson's hand on her waist tightened slightly, pulling her back to her seat.

Alison rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile that tugged at her lips. "You're just as stubborn as I am, if not more," she teased.

The car screeched to a stop just a few feet from Mason's gate. Alison turned to Grayson, handing him a wireless earpiece with a gentle smile. "Take this," she said softly but firmly. "So we can stay in touch."

To Grayson, the gesture meant she wanted to make sure he was safe, but he knew someone else needed protection.

Grayson looked at the earpiece she offered, his silver eyes conveying his reluctance. But Alison didn't back down; she reached for his hand and gently placed the earpiece in his palm. He closed his hand around it, still unsure about this decision, but accepted her gesture. With a deep breath, he put the earpiece in his ear, never taking his eyes off her.

Alison stepped out of the car and approached Grayson, standing just inches away from him. "Can you hear me?" she asked.

Grayson nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on Alison as he tested the earpiece. "Loud and clear," he replied.

Alison's smile grew wider as she leaned in closer. Her gaze softened, and she gently brushed a strand of hair away from Grayson's face. "Good," she whispered, her voice soft.

Grayson couldn't control the shiver that ran through him as Alison's hand gently brushed against his face. He tried to hide his feelings, but she saw right through him.

"I don't know who Emily Laughlin is, unless you want me to know," Alison said softly. Grayson closed his eyes, unsure of how to respond. He remained silent, but his silence spoke volumes.

"But I do know you still love her," Alison continued. Her words tugged at his heart, stirring a surge of emotions within him.

"Often, we create an image of someone in our minds – who they are and how perfect we'd be together. But sometimes, that image remains just that – an idea. I've been afraid that I loved the idea of Emily more than I could ever love a real person," Grayson confessed, trying to sort out his feelings for Alison and Avery.

"The idea of you," he paused and wasn't quite sure what to say. Alison knew what was coming next, and a part of her had been preparing for this moment, even though it hurt to hear it out loud.

"The idea of me," she repeated softly, her voice calm. "I'm just another idea to you."

Alison was more than just her reckless, dangerous, and sneaky exterior; she was also smart, brave, and kind. She was able to see right through Grayson because deep down they were the same. They both understood that sometimes the hardest thing isn't letting go, but knowing when to hold on.

"How about a wager?" Alison whispered, almost too quietly to hear. "If you can figure out why I'm doing all of this," she swallowed hard. "please don't hate me."

Grayson clenched his jaw as he watched Alison walk away, her figure becoming smaller and smaller until she disappeared behind the imposing gates of Mason's mansion. He knew she was trying to protect him, to get him away from Mason, but there was a part of him that couldn't accept leaving her alone to face whatever awaited her inside.

Grayson had grown attached to Alison in ways he hadn't expected, and the thought of being apart from her was bittersweet.

"Stubborn woman," Grayson muttered to himself.

With a sigh, Grayson turned away from the mansion and drove off, determined to take on the challenge Alison had presented to him. He was a Hawthorne, winning was in his blood, and besides, who had ever heard of a Hawthorne backing out of a challenge?