Page 131 of The Protective Gryphen

Gryphen owed him an apology.

“I’m sorry I ruined the whole kilt experience for you. I know you were looking forward to it.”

Ian was confused.

“Who said it was ruined?” he asked. “We still got our kilts,” he said.

Then, he pulled something from his pocket.

“Reggie felt bad,” he said, pointing at the man’s shop where they got their kilts. He had me swap out your brooch and he replaced it with this. He said you’d understand.”

He was confused.

When Gryphen put it in his hands, he opened the box, and inside, there was something very special.

“Holy shit.”

Ian didn’t understand.

“What is it?”

“It’s a Victoria Cross. This was his?” he asked.

Ian wasn’t shocked that the man had given him something from one soldier to another.

“He said he served, and that sometimes, the younger people don’t get it, but he did. He couldn’t give it to his son, so he wanted you to have it.”

This was precious.

Gryphen held it.

“So you can wear it on your kilt from one soldier who saw things that were horrible, to another soldier.”

He rested his forehead against Ian’s.

“You fought hard for me.”

“What wouldn’t I do for you? I’ll always be worried about you and your heart, Gryphen. That matters more to me than a kilt.”

Well, he reassured him.

“I’m good.”

“Are you?” he asked. “Because you can tell me if you’re not. We can go back to the castle and stay in.”

He stared into his eyes.

“No, I’m really good. You help. Thank you for defending me in there.”

“I was going to get mean. I wanted to bitch slap the taste from his mouth. Luckily, I’ve had to deal with Elizabeth for years, and I’ve gotten good at being incredibly calm in situations like that.”

Gryphen laughed.

“Uh, you’ve loved every second of it. I’ve heard you two going at each other.”

He snorted.

“I know. Trust me. The crazy is contagious. Never believe anyone who says it’s not. She’s rubbed off on me. Who am I kidding?”

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