Page 6 of Barely Breathing
“Are you planning to ask Midnight for help?”
She nodded.
He held her gaze for a long moment, and she knew he was deciding if he should call her dad or not.Finally, he shrugged at her.“If you need anything, you come to me right away.Understood?”
She smiled.“I will.I’ve missed hearing your voice on the phone.It’s been way too long.How are you?”
“I’m good, kid.”But his eyes were shadowed, and she didn’t believe him.She might have to stick around longer than she’d planned.Why hadn’t her father told her Tyler was here?Zach Davison wouldn’t let anyone walk away without keeping tabs, and he’d obviously known since Tyler was here checking on her.
“So, feel like being my date for the night?”
“Wow.Are the women here smart enough to see through your playboy smile?”
“Shh.They think I’m a nice, respectable guy.”
She snickered.“Good lord!You have them snowed.”
Tyler laughed.“Come on.I promise to do my best to keep you from tripping and going headfirst into the floor.”He trailed his gaze down to her feet and then back up.“Stilettos?What were you thinking?”
“I like the fucking shoes?”
“And you might want to tone down the language a bit.Pretend to be a lady.”
“Fuck you.”
Tyler laughed.“I’ve missed you, kid.”
Honor shook her head.She’d missed him, too.She had a million questions.But she had other shit to deal with first.
Tyler held out his arm for her, and with a deep breath, she took it, wrapping her arm under his and placing her fingers lightly above his elbow.She’d play nice, be social, and have him formally introduce her to a few people.Then she’d take Stace aside and let her know what the hell was going on.Once they were alone, she’d beg for help.If Stace was on her side, perhaps, Honor could get Midnight to help, too.
“Ready?”Tyler whispered close to her ear.
She nodded.She was as ready as she’d ever be.
* * * * *
Griff did his best to seem interested in what the woman beside him said, but if she asked him anything, he was screwed.He felt edgy tonight and not in the mood to be at this event.It could have something to do with showing up solo again, when it seemed everyone else was pairing off.Or, more likely, it was his mother being here with Roman.
She stood across the room from Griff, talking to his sister, Katie, and Katie’s husband, Ben.Roman was beside Griff’s mom, his hand at the small of her back.
Griff’s his jaw clenched, and he had to look away.He wasn’t sure why he was unable to accept his mom’s relationship.Roman was a good guy, a decent guy, and anyone could tell the man worshipped Catherine Daniels.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Roman bend to kiss her.Almost immediately, Griff’s jaw clenched again.Whenever he saw them together, he thought of his dad and how he should be the one with her.Just before his dad died, Griff had promised to watch over Catherine.His mom thought Griff was mad at her, and maybe, he had been at first.Mostly, because he’d never thought of her with another man.He’d never really thought of her as anything other than his mother, and he was trying to work through his emotions.It wasn’t that he wanted her to be unhappy.It was the feeling he’d betrayed the trust his dad had put in him.Stupid, he knew, but it was still how he felt.
He nodded at the woman who was still talking to him and let his gaze scan the room.All his friends and family were here in one place.Everyone was smiling and laughing.It was good to see.His gaze snagged on Shep’s pal, Tyler Andrews, as he walked in with a freaking super model on his arm.She was gorgeous.Tall.Over six feet since she was almost level with Tyler.Griff knew the man was a good six-foot-three-inches.
Then there was her mane of hair.It was like liquid sand or, with all the shades of blonde and light brown, maybe more like a tawny lion’s mane.The waves fell down her back and spilled over her tanned shoulder.He took note of her sleek muscles.She was toned and definitely a woman who worked out.She hadn’t gotten that definition without effort.
He nodded again as the woman talking to him ceased her chatter.
“You will!”Her squeal brought his focus back to her.“Thanks so much.I’ll let them know you’ll come in and help.”
She scampered off, and Chetan snickered behind him.
“Tell me I didn’t agree to something I’ll regret.”
“Depends on what you find regrettable,” Chetan answered in typical Chetan fashion.
