35. GRIFFIN
Griffin
Y et another investor finds me, shakes my hand, and starts spouting the politics of the industry. This isn’t why I started writing. I wanted the world to enjoy the characters in my head and if Yana is still working with Shepard’s Press after this book, I’m pulling out. One glance over at Nova in the corner, brooding like the sexiest lawyer I’ve seen tells me that he’s about at the end of his rope as well.
For now, I have to spend another hour or two greeting these people to keep Yana happy. The moment Luna returns to my side, I’ll make up some terrible excuse so that we can leave. I’m pretty sure everyone will think she’s pregnant but I don’t care. I need out.
I look around, wondering where she’s gone. Rome followed her but with everything going on, I don’t like not being able to see her. No one seems to notice my rising panic, not even Yana who approaches with that sultry gait. Everyone eyes her up and down, licking their lips as she walks up to me. She’s more like a bulldog, with a very focused mindset. Not that I blame her.
“Griffin! There’s a few more people to meet that would be a great addition to Shephard’s press. Right over by that back table.” She gently prods for me to say goodbye and follow her. I’m glad for the distraction but not happy that it’s pulling me further away from Nova and where the other two disappeared. My breathing picks up and I know that if I don’t get these thoughts under control, I’m going to fall apart. Not exactly what Yana wants to throw out in the press, right?
“Who are these people?”
“Some larger network that could definitely use a story like yours.”
Yana has done this before but she does her fucking research. She knows all about my book, talks me up, and then gives me names and histories so that I’m not talking out of my ass. We get to where two of the men are standing and a shiver runs down my spine. The air seems colder here, Yana tapping my shoulder before skittering off to deal with some other part of the party.
We stare at each other for several seconds before I manage a stupid smile. “Um, hi?”
“Griffin Solace?” One of them asks and I nod.
The other one tilts his head. “Husband of Luna St. Claire?”
This time my nod is much slower. No one should really know about her. They aren’t here for her. I take a step back and the second suit just laughs.
“I wouldn’t do that. Your wife owes a lot of fucking money and unless you want that to overshadow your pretty little book release, I’d advise you not to get any funny ideas.”
I clasp my hands together and let a shuddering breath fall from my lips. “What do you want from me?”
“The money, of course. They parade you around like this airless tattooed bad boy turned writer but that’s not who you are at all. I’m sure you’re a smart boy. I also know that you have a few dollars squirreled away.” They’re waiting for my response and I know they think they’ve terrified me into a corner. However, unlike some of the men that Nova and Rome have dealt with that I’ve seen in passing, these just don’t fit the same vibe. They’re definitely a little terrifying and if I was Luna, I’d take off too. They’re just not Rome and Nova’s level of terrifying.
These suits seem like they’ve stepped into a role rather than having been born into it. “Right. Leave your card and your wire and I’ll send you the money.” Am I shaking in my boots about to piss my pants because this is the closest I’ve gotten to Rome and Nova’s side of the tracks? Yes. But if I make a big deal about it, Luna will be in danger. I don’t have the kind of money they’re looking for but I’m sure I could scrounge up something pretty close. I throw out my hand, trying to make this like a fucking business transaction.
The first suit looks down at my hand, chuckles, and then shakes his head. “Fat chance. I want to see you pull out that money myself and hand it over.”
“No one has a fucking million dollars at their beck and call. You’re stupid if you don’t know that.”
The second suit chuckles. “Griffin, if you thought we were asking for the entire sum in one lump, then you’re the idiot. We’re asking you to take the burden off your lady. You sign the new contract, put down a deposit on the loan, and we’re good.”
I’m not sure why they think I’d do that. Especially when I still haven’t seen their credentials. “Business card and then yes, I’ll come sign a new fucking contract.” They seem to be okay with that deal so one pulls out the card, the other pointing to a small room off the main one. I follow, studying the card as we move. It looks just like the fake one that Nova received with one digit off. The worst part is that it looks familiar.
Curious, I pull out my phone and dial it before shoving the phone into my pocket just as the two suits open the door.
I give one last look around the ballroom, the color draining from my face as I see just one person pick up their phone. “Hello? Griffin? Done already? That was fast.” The voice echoes in my pocket. It’s faint but I definitely hear it. It sounds so… disingenuous. I don’t have time to dwell on it as I’m shoved into the room and the door is closed behind me. No fucking way.