Page 214 of The Valiant Knight
For now, he wouldn’t.
Because there was that spark of curiosity, and the chance that they’d find D’Artangnan.
Once he found out D’Artangnan was happy, he could call it a life. That was the only thing left. They’d promised each other to be there until the end, and Graham needed to know that the man survived.
He’d make amends and go.
“Just find him for me, and let me know he’s okay. I just need to know that I didn’t damn him to the same fate as me. I need to know he moved on and found love.”
The whole time having this conversation, Gryphen’s heart was pounding in his chest.
This man was seriously at rock bottom.
Glancing over at Ian, he nodded. It looked like his man was making another call.
To get Elizabeth’s help.
“You can do this,” he said. “What are you doing right now.”
He laughed sardonically.
“I’m sitting in an alley after letting some nameless man fuck me so I can feel. I can’t do this. Clearly.”
Gryphen got tough.
“Soldier, you will stop that. You can and will do this. Do it for D’Artangnan. Do it for all of the men you served with who didn’t make it home!”
He said nothing.
Why?
Because he knew he was selfish. Of all the men who died in the wars he fought, every one of them would have given everything to have a chance to keep going.
Unfortunately, the universe picked him.
Gryphen kept him talking, and he wasn’t sure how much time went by, but finally, they both heard a very familiar voice.
“Graham? It’s Tony. Are you here?” the doctor asked, peeking into the alley.
When he’d gotten the call, he’d been putting Ceit’s skull back together, and Ian sounded frantic. So he’d raced right out to help Graham.
Thank.
Freaking.
God.
Gryphen released that breath he’d been holding, and he knew that for now, at least, Graham wouldn’t die.
“Yes,” he said, answering the man.
When Tony came into the alley, he saw Graham sitting there, his body blocked from the street by a dumpster. It was smelly, and not exactly a pleasant place to hang out.
That told him how bad this was.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked, crouching down to be at his level.
At his question, Graham started crying.
