Chapter 18
brADLEY
“You’re late,” I said, which maybe wasn’t the best way to greet my boyfriend, the man who had helped me save the world, the man who had stopped me from giving in to Hive powers that everyone, including the MEA, was very happy to sweep under the rug.
“Yeah, but I come bearing gifts.” Griffin grinned, holding up a large package that looked like a wrapped bottle of wine.
“Fabulous!” Elaine swept up behind me and grabbed the bottle from Griffin. “You do know how to make an entrance.”
Then my beloved sister had the gall to kiss Griffin on both cheeks, making her the first Brooks to kiss him since his return to the States from a trip to…
Well, I hated to admit it, but I’d been so caught up in deciphering and analyzing all the tomes of material Williams had accrued on the Hive that I hadn’t been exactly listening when Griffin told me he had a job and he’d be back soon.
It had taken a full day before I even realized that “soon” meant he hadn’t popped out to the store but had left the entire country.
Elaine ambled back into her apartment unsteadily, only slightly wobbling on her high heels, shouting to Brigette and Julian that there was more alcohol. I took a step forward, pushing out my lower lip in a move that had successfully kept Elaine from many a speeding ticket.
“Awww. Did you miss me?” Griffin asked, grinning, but something in his expression said the question was more than a tease.
“Every day.” I flushed, feeling like the answer was too honest.
“That’s not true. Falcón told me you’ve barely left MEA headquarters since you started doing your work. Translating. All that smart stuff.” Griffin put both hands on my hips, and I lifted my arms to drape them over his shoulders.
“Only because I needed some distraction. My boyfriend disappeared for five weeks.” I felt the skin at the corners of my eyes begin to crinkle and knew that the grin on my face was stupid with joy.
“Oh, is that how it is?” Griffin leaned forward, his breath warm on my lips. “Maybe I should have a word with this idiot who would let you go for so many weeks?”
“Yes. Tell him that he has no right to leave me unattended for so long.” I grinned, then pushed up, pressing our lips together.
He was warm against me, solid, the promise that no matter what had happened, no matter what was coming, he was mine.
“I’ll pass on the message,” Griffin said when we broke apart. “Now, we should go try that wine before they drink all of it. I had to break into two ancient Italian monasteries to get my hands on it.”
I gaped at him. “Griffin Gallows. Tell me that you did not filch a bottle of…”
“Griffin! Your bottle of alcohol is glowing!” Elaine shouted.
“Brooks, the wrapping paper is a fully intact copy of Merlin’s treatise on interplanetary magic magnification.
I know it’s been disproven, but I think it’s the original.
” Brigette was trying to sound calm, but I could hear the excitement in her voice.
“If you want a chance at it, you’d better get in here quick, before I take it back to the library. ”
I gaped at Griffin. “That belongs in a museum!”
“Why do you think I brought it to you?” Griffin grinned, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me into the party. “You’re the smartest researcher I know. Handsomest, too.”
“Oh, as though that will make it all better!” I laughed but let him lead me inside, shutting the door behind us.
Thanks for reading.