Griffin Colson
FOLLOWING A LEAD ON a contract, I finally found him after days of dead ends.
My target has the habit of using burner phones and seedy motels to stay off the radar.
I set up shop in the building across the street from his current location with high powered binoculars and a rifle that shoots tranquilizers.
“Come on you rat bastard,” I grumble, leaning against the window frame as I scan the parking lot again. “Quit hidin’ like a pussy and come out.”
My phone buzzes at my hip, Jax’s name flashes on the screen. I answer without lowering the binoculars. “This better be good.”
Jax’s chuckle radiates from the speaker. “Oh, it’s good. Your little storm cloud just flipped her ‘Open’ sign like you didn’t threaten bodily harm.”
“Fuck.” My grip tightens on the phone.
“Relax, Romeo. I already called Helen to go ‘check in.’ Pretty sure Seriph would rather eat glass than deal with them fussing over her for an hour.”
My fingers flex while I resist the urge to throttle someone. “Keep watchin’ her. And tell Helen if she really wants to help bring fuckin’ soup.”
The binoculars hit the windowsill with a clack, my focus is completely derailed now. “Fuckin’ hell, Seriph.” I mutter before thumbing open her contact with more force than necessary. The phone rings once, twice, three times before I hang up and switch to text.
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Me: Open that damn door for Helen in 10 min or I’m sending Darla
And drink the goddamn tea
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I jam the phone back into the holster on my hip and resettle behind the binoculars. My phone buzzes, I skim her message before replying.
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Wildflower: Don’t need a babysitter Gryffindor already drinking the tea
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Me: Wrong fictional universe wildflower try again
Me: I mean it if I call and Helen says you’re not on a couch covered in blankets I’m coming home to put you there myself
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Wildflower: So which fictional universe should I reference?
Wildflower: Also I did this all the time before you came along I can handle it
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Me: The one where the stubborn witch stays the fuck in bed
Me: Yeah you handled it alone before you don’t gotta now that’s the whole point of having me
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My phone rests on the windowsill so I don’t have to keep taking it in and out of the holster. I go back to staking out the hotel room across the street. It’s ten minutes later before it buzzes again.
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Wildflower: I appreciate the concern but just because you fucked me into calling you my boyfriend doesn’t mean I have to do everything you say now
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I type in my reply, my fingers hammering a bit too hard on my screen. My irritation is reaching a breaking point. Why can’t she see that I’m looking out for her?
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Me: Oh we’re playing that game again? Fine
Me: But FYI the next time I do fuck you into something? You won’t be calling me your boyfriend you’ll be screaming it loud enough your neighbors will hear you through the walls
Me: Now stop sassing me when I’m trying to track a skip who literally eats people Seriph
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Wildflower: EATS PEOPLE?
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I’m amused at her response despite my annoyance. She somehow manages to make me smile like an idiot even when she’s being difficult. I type back with one hand while watching out the window.
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Me: Yeah he's a psycho and the sooner I find his ass the sooner I get outta this shitty motel and come home to deal with a different pain in the ass who keeps making me worry
Me: Helen there yet?
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Wildflower: No I texted her and told her I was fine and that it was just men overreacting about stuff they don’t understand she did send a delivery of some soup and told me to take it easy though
Wildflower: Griffin? Don’t get eaten
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I can’t help but laugh. I’m feeling a dozen different kinds of frustration and anger. Not at her, not really. At myself. I’m the one that made promises to protect her and then left her alone to deal with, of all things, her damn period.
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Me: You’re really gonna make me come back there and put you in a damn bubble?
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Wildflower: You could try. I’d just pop it
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Skip be damned. My focus is officially shot now. I can’t concentrate on a stakeout and wait hours when I’m worried about whether or not she’s doubled over her store counter because she’s too stubborn to go lay the hell down.
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Me: That’s it I’m wrapping this shit up early
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I pick up my phone, putting it back on my hip.
I toss the binoculars into the duffel bag on the bed and pack up the rest of my gear.
I leave the key card to the room on the desk and head outside.
I throw everything into my jeep before I double check my vest and my side arm then walk across the street straight to the room the piece of shit is staying in and kick in the door.
It’s another hour of processing and collecting my payout before I make the drive to Moonglow. I’ve already decided I’m handcuffing her ass to the bed. I’m half tempted to take her over my knee the second I walk in the store.
The bell above the door jingles violently when I shoulder my way inside, dusty from the road. She’s behind the counter wearing pajamas and looking miserable. I cross the room in four strides, crowding into her space.
“You.” I tap her nose. “Are on thin fuckin’ ice, Wildflower.”
Before she can retort, I drag her off the stool by her waist and throw her over my shoulder like a sack of flour. Ignoring any and all flailing and protests, I head right for the stairs to her loft.
“And since we both know I don’t scare you.” My palm lands on her ass with a sharp smack that echoes through the building. “Guess we’re doin’ this the fun way.”
Her hands go to my lower back to brace herself. “Griffin, put me down!” She shouts, getting surprised stares from her customers.
My arm tightens across the back of her thighs to keep her from sliding off as she squirms. I fight the mix of irritation and arousal that always seems to ignite when I’m around her.
“Not a chance,” I grit out, kicking her door open before slamming it shut behind me. “I told you to stay your stubborn ass in bed.”
“Periods don’t equal bedrest, you neanderthal!” She glares up at me after I set her down, poking me in the chest. Hard.
I catch her wrist before she can poke me again, my grip is firm but not bruising. I step to her until her back thumps against the door. “No,” I growl. “But my girl bein’ hurt equals me losin’ my mind if I’m not there to fix it.”
My free hand brushes a strand of hair from her face, lingering at her jaw as my thumb traces the curve of her cheekbone, tender with her despite the fire burning in my chest. “So yeah, I manhandled you. And yeah, I’ll do it again if it means keepin’ you safe and warm when you won’t.
” A smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth.
“Now are we done fightin’? Or do I gotta remind you who wins these little battles? ”
“You overreacting, overbearing, overprotective behemoth! Maybe you should kiss my ass because I’m not going to stop working and earning a living every time you decide I’m too weak to handle sitting on a fucking stool!
” She stares me down defiantly and I’ll be damned if that fire in her eyes doesn’t have me half hard already.
I slide a hand around her throat, pushing her until her back thuds against the door.
I tilt her head so she’s looking up at me.
“Weak?” I laugh. “Seriph, I know exactly how strong you are. Which is why it pisses me off when you act like takin’ care of yourself is a goddamn defeat.
” I lean in my teeth dragging across that spot beneath her ear that always makes her shiver before murmuring, “And yeah, I’ll kiss every inch of that stubborn ass if it means keepin’ you from runnin’ yourself into the ground.
” I nip her bottom lip before pulling away to meet her glare with one of my own.
“So what’s it gonna be? You wanna fight me some more?
Or do you wanna admit you need a break?”
Instead of melting like she normally does, she puts both hands flat on my chest and pushes.
“Not this time! You don’t get to turn all sexy and sweet to get me to agree with you.
I have to earn money if I want to keep my store.
I can’t afford to take it easy. And I won’t lose Moonglow just because you want me to go lay down.
I already closed for two weeks, I’m not closing again! ”
I barely budge when she shoves against me a second time.
I rock back on my heels and smirk before crowding right back into her space.
But this time my fingers dig into her throat enough to make sure she feels the weight of what I’m saying.
“You think I don’t know that? You think I’d let one bill go unpaid if it meant you couldn’t keep your store? Your fuckin’ home?”
I pause a moment knowing what I’m about to say next is going to piss her off more. My jaw working before I mutter, “I already paid next month’s mortgage.”
There’s a stunned moment of silence and her mouth drops open. She sucks in air to start yelling at me.
“And before you start yellin’, no it isn’t charity. You pay me back when things settle down. But right now? Your body needs rest more than this shop needs open doors.”
“I already owe you fifteen thousand. At this rate I’ll never be able to pay you back. Are you trying to fucking own me?” Her nostrils flare and her eyes narrow. Her hands wrap around my wrist that’s on her throat, settling there but not pulling.
“I don’t want your damn money, Seriph,” I grumble, desperate for her to hear me.
“I want you healthy. I want you safe. I want you to stop treatin’ yourself like some goddamn afterthought!
” My thumb traces the frantic pulse in her throat.
“You think this is about ownin’ you? I already told you, you own me.
Every scarred up piece. So let me do this once.
One time. Let someone take care of you for a change. ”
She deflates, melting into the door. But not all the way. “Why do I feel like if I give in, one time, it won’t only be just once?”
I lean in my breath trailing over her ear.
“Because it won’t be.” I nip at her earlobe playfully before pulling back to meet her gaze again.
“I told you before, Wildflower, you’re stuck with me.
And that means I get to fuss over you when I say you need it.
But I’ll make a deal with you.” My hand slides from her throat to cradle the back of her head instead.
“You let me take care of things today... and tomorrow? You can boss me around all damn day if it makes you feel better.” I pause. “Within reason.”
She finally gives in. Her eyes drift down to the floor. “I need to go close down the store,” she says quietly.
I kiss the top of her head. “Thank you.” I let go and step back so she can open the door. “Now go, I’ll wait right here.”
By the time she gets back, I have her favorite blanket spread out over the couch along with a stash of snacks and a cup of ginger turmeric tea.
Pillows are stacked in a pile near the armrest like a cozy burrow.
I’m standing near the couch with my arms crossed, so I can take in her reaction when she comes through the door.
I clear my throat and nod at the couch. “Heatin’ pad’s under the blanket. Tea’s got honey and lemon ‘cause I know how you like to have both. And if Jax asks, I did not do any of this.” I step closer to her. “Now get your ass horizontal before I put you there myself.”
“This is...” She walks slowly over to the couch. “Griffin, this is amazing. Unnecessary, but very sweet. Thank you.” She kisses me softly, on tiptoe.
My breath hitches when her lips meet mine.
My hands hover near her waist, debating on whether to pull her in or let her have her space.
After a second, I give in, one palm settling against the small of her back while the other comes up to cup the side of her neck.
I pull her back to me when she starts to turn away and deepen the kiss.
I break it off and murmur, “Yeah, well...” My voice is a little rougher than usual. “Don’t get used to it.” I lie, I’ll do this every day for the rest of our lives if it keeps her looking at me like that. “Now go sit down before I decide bein’ nice was a mistake and turn you over my knee anyway.”
“You know if you ever do that we really will fight.”
“I’m countin’ on it,” I grin unapologetically.
We both know I’ve already done it, she just doesn’t want to admit she liked it as much as I did.
My hand shifts lower, fingertips teasing the edge of her waistband before I pull away swatting her ass playfully instead.
“Now be a good little Wildflower, sit your ass down, and let me take care of you.” I give her one more chaste kiss to the side of her neck before nudging her in the right direction.
She does as I say without any more protest. Sidling over to the couch and burrowing into the blankets.
We settle in for the night. I sit next to her and she lays her head in my lap.
Her cramps eventually come back and I make her stay while I go after the ibuprofen.
After she takes it, I rub her lower stomach gently, massaging and adding counter pressure until she falls asleep.
I don’t move after she drifts off, my fingers trace idle circles on her stomach long after her breathing evens out.
I know I should get up, check the cameras, the locks downstairs, call Jax for an update, something.
But right now? The only thing that matters is the weight of her against me and the way her eyelashes flutter when she sighs in her sleep.
My phone goes off in my pocket, probably Jax with some smartass remark about me going soft.
I ignore it. Instead, I lean down and press my lips to her forehead before adjusting the blanket around us both.
The movie plays on. The night stretches silent and safe around her.
And I know this is exactly where I belong.