Page 28 of Barely Breathing
“That I’m in deep shit.”
“So, you were talking about me.”It was a statement, not a question, but he nodded anyway.
“Chetan was giving me some information.I told him I wouldn’t lie to you.He asked if you’d figured it out yet, and I said no.”
Honor stood there, running everything through her mind.
“Son of a bitch!”she exploded.“He called my father.Jack fucking called him when I asked him not to.”
“He did.”
“I have to call him myself.Explain.Make sure he’s okay.Where’s my phone?”Her movements were jerky.Was he okay?Had Vince and whoever was with him hurt her dad?She needed to hear his voice.Know he was okay.
“Honor.”Griff’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her close.
“Let go.”She fought to free herself.She didn’t want his touch right now.
“Honor, it’s okay.Zach’s okay.”
His words reached inside her and freed her lungs to breathe.
“How do you know?”
“He called Jack just over an hour ago.They have Vince and two guys who were with him.They’re cousins it seems.Zach has it all under control.”
“Good.Good.”She was fighting.Why did she feel tears gathering?Her dad was safe.Vince was taken care of.She could move on.
“Relax, Honor.”Griff’s hands soothed up and down her spine.“Your dad’s okay.He’s okay.”
She shuddered and finally, gave rein to the tears.There it was, out in the open.She’d been terrified something might happen to her father.That he might not prove as immortal as she liked to believe.
“He’s all I have,” she said as tears poured down her cheeks and coated his chest.“He’s all I have.”
“Shh.”Griff scooped her up against his chest and carried her to the couch.“Everything’s okay.It’s all okay now.”
She wasn’t sure how long they stayed there.He cradled her on his lap while he stroked and soothed her with hands and words.It was as if years of pent-up emotions spilled out, as if she felt safe enough to let them go.He did that to her, for her.She wondered how much of herself she’d leave behind when she left.
“I should call him,” she said when her tears were spent.She could only imagine how she must look with red, swollen eyes and a puffy, tear-stained face.
“He’s a little busy, right now.He said he’d call you as soon as the dust settles, and he has some answers.That’s what Chetan said.”
“Sounds normal.”
She could be patient.Her dad was always telling her she needed to work on that.He’d call as soon as he could.She just had to keep herself busy.She could spend the time with Griff.If he wanted her to.She was assuming a lot.
“I’m hoping you’ll stay here.”He cleared his throat, tightened his arms around her.“With me.Until he does.”
She looked up at him, and relief washed through her at realizing he was thinking the same thing.“I’d like to.”
He leaned down and softly kissed her lips, her cheeks, the tip of her nose.When she let her eyes drift closed, she felt the whisper of his lips over each eyelid.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime, Honor.”
They sat there a while longer, and Honor felt safe and secure wrapped in his arms.It scared her, the way she seemed to feel so much so fast for him.She tried to convince herself it was merely the great sex, but that wouldn’t have him holding her and offering comfort.
He stood, and she automatically wrapped her arms around his neck.No one had ever carried her.Not as a grown, six-foot-tall woman.He made her feel dainty, feminine.
