22. LUNA
Luna
S ince we left the apartment, Griffin has been stealing glances at me, even as Rome wraps a hand around mine on the other side and brings it to his lips, kissing my knuckles. Rome has been constantly touching me, little brushes of the shoulder or a hand on my back over the last thirty minutes that we’ve been walking through the shops in Red Brook’s market. Griffin mentioned stopping at the mall but I just need something to tide me over until my next payday.
Rome was all too excited to tag along even if it was just for Nova’s comfort—not that I mind having both of these men walking me through Red Brook. Granted, I’m sure it looks strange, these tall, heavily tattooed and pierced men walking beside me. Fantasies that have no business creeping up do anyway, my cheeks heating and I bow my head, Griffin jostling my shoulder.
My backpack has been left in the car with a little persuading. I truly do feel safe with these men.
“Okay, what is it, Griffin?”
“What is what?” He straightens up, quickly looking around to make it seem like he hasn’t been staring.
“The glances. The smiles. The fucking giggles. ” I will die before I let Griffin know that I love when he giggles, when he’s just so excited by the events around him that his chuckles soften and his entire body vibrates.
My gray-eyed writer giggles again, his smile belying the aura that Yana created for him. Yet, now that I know what all the tattoos mean, I can’t see how anyone thought he was a bad boy. “Just really happy. You’re here and I’ve seen you smile so many times over the last few days. Luna, I’m living a fucking dream and I’m loving every last minute of it.”
Rome squeezes my hand, guiding my attention to him. “And the fact that you hugged Nova. Hugged him.” He wiggles his brows and I rip my hand from him. I throw him a small smile so he knows I’m not mad but they’ve been joking around about that since we left. Rome caught the tail end of it but I don’t think either of them truly understand. Griffin might but they don’t know what it’s like to be on the run for six years, never knowing what will be the last straw.
If I knew the suited goons were trying to kill me, that would be one thing. But I don’t actually know what they’ll do when they catch up to me. That’s scarier in my mind. Will they hurt me? Force me to work for them? Are they just there to terrify me into paying them?
“Hey, Luna, come back to us. You’re with us. Right here,” Griffin coos. He’s standing in front of me now, holding my face in his hands, whispering words that draw me out of my head. Rome moves to stand behind me, their presence keeping out the dark thoughts that always seem to invade my mind. He’s still holding my hand, my arm pulled around my back, pushing my chest against Griffin. “There you go, precious. Still up for shopping or do you want to go home?”
“I need more clothes anyway,” I say sheepishly. They both seem embarrassed at that confession as if it’s their fault that I haven’t had the money to indulge in a large wardrobe. Not that I would like one. “Stop it. I get it but there’s nothing you can do about it. Griffin, don’t look at me like that. The faster I get the dress, the sooner you can take it for a test drive.”
“ Sold ,” he growls as he dips his head to kiss me. It isn’t a sweet kiss appropriate for the sidewalk. He pushes me against Rome, using him as leverage to deepen the embrace, thrusting his tongue between my lips. With my hand behind my back, I’m at their mercy, Rome’s head dipping to the curve of my neck. Their cocks thicken against my belly and ass, a sudden need growing between my legs. Just as his lips graze the skin, a voice I recognize calls out.
“Love birds!” I untangle myself from them, trying to catch my breath as I find the voice. I don’t remember her name but she’s one of the few women that would wave to me on my way to school. “Ah, Griffin and Luna, it’s so wonderful that you came back to Spring Haven. I always knew you would but now that you’re getting married? Or did I miss the wedding?”
I blink several times and twist to look at Griffin who looks just as confused as I do. Rome groans as he shifts behind Griffin, no doubt to fix how turned on he is by our recent entanglement.
“What?”
The woman steps closer, placing a hand on Griffin’s arm. “I’m very proud of you for bringing her back here.”
“I didn’t bring her back here. Ms. Harrison, I-” His cheeks turn a bright shade of pink as his face contorts further in confusion.
“Vera, please.”
“ Vera , who told you that we were getting married?” He asks.
I have the same question, especially since I haven’t even been seen anywhere with Griffin as of yet. Sure, I have stepped inside his office but I’ve spent far more time with Rome in the past couple of days. The woman at the café mentioned something similar and I’m worried that rumors are floating through Spring Haven much faster than I’ll be able to stop them. There were murmurs during our graduation year six years ago. We definitely touted the idea enough but now? I shouldn’t be surprised that so many people know I’m back but this…
Vera grins as she moves over to my side and I have to keep from flinching when she throws an arm around my shoulders. “Everyone knows, Griffin. You two have never been good at keeping secrets. That’s why you’re back, though. To be with your sweetheart, aren’t you?” I huff a nervous laugh, still confused.
Griffin saves me from answering as he slightly tugs on my hand and pulls me into his chest, no doubt only further perpetuating the idea that we’re getting married. “Vera, I’m not sure who told you but-”
“No need to hide it. We all know. We’re very happy about it! And right before your next book comes out? That’ll be a wonderful present for your fans! Rome, were you one of the groomsmen?” The woman clasps her hands together, her entire face overcome by the excitement of this prospect. Six years ago, I wanted nothing more than Griffin to be my entire world.
After meeting Rome and Nova, I’m not sure I can choose. And I hope that Griffin won’t make me.
His arm around my waist tightens a little as he presses a kiss to my forehead to reassure me. “Vera, it’s been very nice to see you. Truly. I’ll make sure I stop into the trinket shop to look around.”
Rome adds his own two cents, placing his hands on Griffin’s shoulders like they’re just the best of friends and not men who are both after my heart. The truth? They already have it. “Vera, I’ll drop off some of those new rolls as well.” He throws her a panty-dropping smile and I wonder why he’s never given me the same one until I realize he’s trying to placate her. Vera looks between the three of us and sees something that cements the rumor before waving to us and continuing on down the street.
I stare after her even as Rome slumps over Griffin’s back, his arms dangling over his shoulders. “Well, that sucks. What? She can’t go around kissing me or Nova in the streets if she’s supposedly married to you,” he whines.
My brows furrow as I twist around to look at them both. They look so fucking adorable like that. Has Rome ever thought of Griffin as more of a friend? Not the time for that. “That’s what you’re worried about? I want to know who the fuck is saying I’m getting married to Griffin!”
Griffin tilts his head to the side, those gray eyes flickering with a chaos of emotions. “Would it be so bad to be married to me, Luna?” My gaze narrows at him and he knows that isn’t what I meant. “I didn’t start the rumor. I barely leave the fucking office. Rome and Nova do 90% of the grocery shopping and whatever that doesn’t cover, Amazon does.”
I’m not sure how I didn’t notice before that Griffin rarely leaves the house. He walked me back to Ms. Elrod’s the other night and he’s out here with me now but those are the only times I’ve seen him outside since I returned to Spring Haven. Another thought occurs to me. “Wait? Aren’t you dating Nova? How has no one mentioned that?”
This time Rome is the one that answers the question, one of his hands coming up to mess with Griffin’s hair. I don’t miss the way Griffin leans into the touch, neither of them noticing how they respond to each other. “We’re pretty private, Luna. Spring Haven has a habit of talking. Only Nova’s grandmother knew the real score. Everyone else thinks we’re just roommates, getting free rent since his grandmother owns a few of the buildings. She still does even if she doesn’t live in Spring Haven anymore.”
Of course, his grandmother owns land in Spring Haven.
“Right. Of course. Let me just grab a few pieces of clothing and then we can go home. I don’t want to be out here anymore.” I’m usually running from suited goons for money that I haven’t paid back. And now I’m running from rumors that don’t make any sense. Griffin and Rome follow me silently as I step into a cute clothing store, my gaze locking on the clearance rack at the back. I know my size and anything maxi will fit well enough for me to swipe it up and get back home as soon as possible.
Just my luck that there’s three dresses with quiet patterns hanging low on the rack.
“Sir, those are for women.”
I twist around, my breath caught in my throat when I see Rome fingering one of the thongs on a nearby rack. Griffin is standing right beside him, their attention on the employee but clearly their thoughts on the lingerie and most definitely on me in them. Rome grins and nods, letting the fabric go. “I apologize. However, my friend here quite enjoys the nightlife so we came in here to find something that would fit.”
The employee’s eyes widen as she scrambles off to a different part of the store, leaving the three of us alone. Griffin is trying hard and failing to hide his laughter as I grab the dresses and then stomp over to them. “That was mean.”
Rome kisses the side of my head. “But worth it. Not gonna try these on?”
“You just want to see me naked.” After that impromptu session with Griffin after lunch and him telling me over and over again that he loved all of me, I’m not as terrified of being naked around Rome. Or Nova.
“Can you blame me? All those fucking delicious curves.” He reaches down to adjust himself before pointing to the rack. “What’s your size?”
Oh, he’s serious about that? “I don’t wear lingerie.”
“Yes you do, Luna.” Griffin closes in on my side, his lips inches from my ear. “Purple is also Rome’s favorite color,” he purrs. I clamp my thighs together and clutch the dresses to my chest but both men laugh. Giving in, I eyeball the rack and tear off one of the panty sets that comes in a deep violet and black. The heat in their stares continue as I head for the counter, laying everything on the surface, eager to get home and hide from the world.
The same employee is ringing me up, her gaze darting over to Griffin who just shrugs, playing into the ‘nightlife’ joke. As she mumbles the total, completely embarrassed, both Griffin and Rome shove their card onto the counter before whispering rock, paper, scissors. Rome ‘wins’ and his resulting grin tells me that Griffin will make him pay for it later in some way. I focus on the clothing, saying a thank you with the bag pressed against my chest before dashing outside to the car. It doesn’t matter how fast I move though, their long legs catching up to me way too fast.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I slip it out before hurriedly shoving it back in once I read the message.
Unknown sender
You don’t have money to be shopping with, girlie. Or should I ask the two with you for the remaining balance?
They’re here. Watching me. Watching us. I don’t even know when they showed up but this was exactly what I didn’t want to happen.
Tears prick the edge of my eyes as I realize what harm I’ve brought back to Spring Haven. Not to mention that everyone now thinks I’m married to Griffin. Add in how easy it was watching Rome and Griffin together on the sidewalk and in that store. I want that. The comfort and assurance and love but I can’t have those things, can I? Nova asked me to trust him, to trust them but the suited goons are already here. We’re out of time.
I gulp, reaching down to pull the car handle to the back. The door doesn’t open so I pull again, Rome softly turning me around to face him.
God, how many times do I have to break down before they see this isn’t worth it?
“Sweetheart, what’s going on?”
“Just… home please.” I don’t want to talk out on the street anymore. I need safety, safety that only comes from four walls that include a door that can be locked. I’ll figure out my plan in the morning, whatever that may be.
Rome throws the keys over the roof of the car to Griffin and then opens the door to help me inside. He slides in beside me, wrapping me up in his arms as Griffin heads back to Spring Haven. I stay in that position, my fingers slowly curling into Rome’s shirt the longer that I’m in his hold. Neither of them try to talk me out of my anxious state. Not even when we reach the apartment and they help me out of the car and up the stairs.
I turn around in a panic, quickly reaching for my backpack and clutching it to my chest. When I finally settle enough to realize where I am—in the middle of their living room—I see all three men in different states of concern staring at me. Griffin is standing the closest, his hands in his pockets because he knows reaching for me will only set me off. The other two don’t know that though so I silently plead with my gray-eyed writer for an escape.
He leads me to his room and shuts the door behind him, eyeing me as I climb onto his bed and curl into a ball. “Luna, you said you wanted to go home.”
“This is home,” I whisper. It’s more of a home than anything else I’ve had. “I just need a little quiet, okay? That… I want to love it. All of it. You, Rome, Nova. But—marriage? Rumors and… we were just shopping and I…”
Griffin sits on the edge, patting my thigh. “And I’m pretty sure that something else spooked you. Can I see your phone?”
So, he noticed that. I don’t move as he reaches into my pocket and pulls it out, opening my text messages. His face falls as he reads and rereads, his thumb scrolling across the screen. “You get these all the time?”
“They stopped when I got a new phone. That’s the first one I’ve seen.” I’m guessing the last text I saw wasn’t the first one they sent today. “It’s always right before they show up but I wanted to trust that you guys… I don’t…”
“Don’t diminish your fears, Luna. They’re valid. I’m glad that you feel safe here, with us. If you had asked to go back to Ms. Elrod’s, I would have asked if one of us could go with you. Do you want me to stay in here with you or do you want to be alone?”
“Can I have a few minutes?”
“Of course, precious.” Griffin leans down to kiss my lips, soft and sweet. “We’ll just be right outside. Mind if I steal this?” He wiggles the phone at me and I shake my head. When he leaves, I curl up tighter, my backpack safe against my chest. That’s when the first tear falls and then I can’t stop the waterfall that follows.
God, I hope they can help me because I’m so tired of running.