Page 130 of The Protective Gryphen

He laughed.

Graham was glad he came over when he saw Gryphen. It looked like he’d made a new friend, and that was all he wanted.

People he could trust.

Graham had to go there.

“Jaysus! You’re trusting me by him? Did you hit your head in there?” he asked, busting his ass.

Gryphen was serious.

When it came to Ian, he always was. His safety and happiness was paramount.

“Yeah, I am because you served too, so you’re my brother. I have to believe you’d have my back because in war, I would have had yours.”

He held out his hand.

“I’ll do it. Just trust me to handle it.”

That was all he had to hear.

“Thank you, Graham. I appreciate it.”

Oh, he believed it. Now, he had to get back to get Ian’s surprise for Gryphen set up.

These two were keeping him busy.

With that, Graham walked away, amused that both men were so deeply in love, that they were trying to do something sweet for each other.

When Gryphen noticed that Ian was looking for him, he stood up and the man saw him.

He raced toward him.

When he opened his arms, Ian raced into them, and he held onto him.

“Oh, Gryphen, are you okay?” he asked, breathing in his scent.

“Yeah, Baby, I am.”

“I was worried about you. You don’t have to worry about that asshole. I told him off. I wasn’t taking that shit from him toward my man.”

He smiled.

Graham was right.

“Did you now?”

Ian looked up and into his face.

“Oh, well, no one is saying my soldier is anything but honorable. He can kick rocks. You’re the bravest, strongest, and best Marine I’ve ever met.”

This man healed his heart.

“That PTSD hits at weird times.”

Ian took his hand and held it in his. The whole time, he was more worried about him than anything.

“I know,” he admitted. “But it’s okay. It’s allowed to hit, and we’ll deal with it.”

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