Page 19 of Fated Surrender

He reached over and grabbed his phone to look at his missed calls. He froze at the name that appeared. He immediately called the number back.

“Griffin here,” a gruff voice answered.

“Sir, it’s Arkadion,” Connor started.

“Arkadion, we need you to come in.”

“Sir. I’m on my honeymoon.”

“Sorry, son, but he has struck again. I need you in a debriefing with the council representative,” Griffin explained.

“I understand, sir. I’ll be there in a few hours.”

“Roger that.” And the call ended. He looked over to Madison.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you need to get dressed. Can you do me a favor and pack up our remaining groceries? I’m going to get dressed and bury our garbage. We need to leave immediately,” he said.

She nodded and headed to the bedroom to get dressed.

After he had buried the garbage he helped her carry their remaining groceries to the car and he locked up the cabin. She got in the front seat next to him.

“Connor, who did you call?” she asked after they were on the road. He appreciated how she waited until they were already driving before asking questions.

“Terrance Griffin,” he said.

“The Sentinel commander? What on earth was that ass calling you for?” she demanded.

“Ass? You know Griffin?” he asked.

“I’ve been working with him trying to track Madelyne down. He hasn’t been very helpful.” She scowled.

“I sometimes do work for him. I review case information to try to create a profile to help track down killers.”

“What are your degrees exactly?” She looked at him suspiciously.

“A bachelor’s in psychology, a master’s in abnormal psychology, and a doctorate in behavioral sciences,” he admitted. Her mouth dropped.

“I love getting guys like you as expert witnesses,” she said and turned to face the window.

“So, Griffin wants to use your expertise, hoping you can catch something the trained professionals missed?” she asked sarcastically.

He winced. “Something like that.”

“I’m going with you.”

“Like hell you are. I’m dropping you off in Arkadia,” he said, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“You don’t know these guys, Connor. They are soldiers and political piranhas. They will walk all over your country ass. I’m going.” She crossed her arms and sat back.

He sighed. “I do know these guys, honey. I’ve worked with them before. There won’t be an issue,” he said, grinning when she stiffened at his term of endearment.

“Honey?” she asked.

“I love your honey,” he leered.

She palmed her face and he laughed.

“I’m still coming with you,” she repeated.

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