36. ROME
Rome
I can’t get Luna to say more than a few words. She went dead silent after pleading for me to find Griffin and now, I’m leading her back into the ballroom after sending Nova a red alert text. I wanted to jump through the fucking window and catch John but my brother can take care of that shit. We’ve put eyes on him. He’s in Spring Haven and that whole side of the business can figure it out. My priority is Luna and Griffin.
My phone rings and I whip it out, keeping my arm firmly around Luna’s shoulders. Her fingers are tangled in my suit coat, her eyes peeled for Griffin, the same as me. “What?”
“Can’t find him. He was here a fucking moment ago.”
“Seriously?”
“Just get Luna to the car. We’ll be out shortly.”
“But you don’t even know where he is.”
“No, but I’m about to.”
NOVA
They thought playing with Luna was bad. Now Griffin? They aren’t going to rip my fucking heart from my chest because of a bad loan. Finding out that John came to terrorize his daughter and then threaten Griffin? I’m beyond mad. The fact that I haven’t destroyed anything yet is a testament to my control. A control that is slowly waning.
He disappeared from the main room a few moments ago but that’s not unusual. However, Griffin not telling me where he’s off to is unusual. I take another look around, hating when I catch Luna’s ashen face as she’s tucked into Rome’s chest. He gives me a nod as they make their way to the entrance.
Where the fuck is Fin?
My jaw clenches and I frown when I look down at my phone clenched in my hand, a single number text from Griffin.
3.
“What the- smart bastard.” I rush to one of the rooms offset from the main, opening the third door along the wall. Griffin’s ability to pick out details is uncanny but I am insanely happy about it now. What that room reveals to me isn’t anything I prepared for. Two lanky men in suits stand across a table from Griffin, my lover with his phone inches from his face. There’s a lone piece of paper on the table and an open ink pad. I don’t have to guess what it’s for. I just don’t know why they’ve roped him into it. “Anyone want to tell me what the fuck is going on?”
The suits startle and back up, their hands raised. If they had been hired by Paula’s Agency, they wouldn’t have budged. They must be from the third party that’s been messing with Luna. “Look, we’re just-”
“You’re just nothing. What you’re doing is illegal and even more so, I’m his lawyer. If you think I won’t call the fucking police to take care of your shit, you’re wrong. In fact, there’s some here.” At events like this, they’re usually working security. I know a few of them based on the cases I’ve taken on and a quick text will alert them that these men need to be investigated or questioned. Thoroughly. Griffin looks up at me with a wiry smile, the same ashen face as Luna’s meeting my gaze.
Fucking hell.
“He just needs to sign and wire over-”
I step farther into the room, enjoying the way they jump a few feet into the air when the door slams shut. No need to let everyone in this venue know what’s going on. I slap a hand on the contract, grimacing when it has similar wording as the first but definitely constructed by an amateur. “Griffin won’t be signing anything and if I find out that you are still coming after Luna, there will be more problems. Right after the police deal with you.” I’m aware of the way my voice deepens and the way I channel the monster I used to be while working that side of that law. They swallow carefully, backing up a few more steps as I pull Griffin to his feet and into my chest.
He sags immediately, his face pressed against me as he holds onto me. Griffin already doesn’t like dealing with people or the outside. Add this in and we’ve definitely taken a few steps back when it comes to social situations.
“You’re alright, babe. Rome and Luna already went to get the car.”
“We’re leaving? Thank god.”
I chuckle at that as I wait a few more moments for one of the security to file in and just shake his head. He’s used to me calling him at a moment’s notice but it’s usually for information, not to appear. “You’re really fucking lucky that you caught me working this shindig. Do I at least get a signed copy after all the paperwork this is going to generate?”
“Of course.” I give the officer a quick rundown, not that he doesn’t already know. He’s been one of my contacts over the last week as I tried to find information. “I need to get Griffin home.”
“Sure thing. Seems like I’ll be babysitting until some of the officers get here. It’s gonna break up this reveal party. You good with that?”
I shrug. “Didn’t even want to come anyway. Thanks.”
Griffin hasn’t let go in the last several moments but we have to walk and this embrace is going to make it impossible to do so. I tap his shoulder and he grunts before moving to my side, fists curling and uncurling at his thighs. He’s trying to stay strong and I have no idea what they said to him or if they touched him, however, unleashing my fury here won’t save anyone. I also won’t feel better for it like I used to. Griffin marches out of the room and heads straight for the door but the part I hate most is the way he dons that fake smile. These people don’t deserve that and yet he still plays the fucking part to a T.