Page 239 of The Protective Gryphen

It would be him.

He’d make sure Ian survived. He was the stronger of the two of them. Gryphen couldn’t live without him, but Ian was a survivor. He’d make it.

He hoped.

The whole time the man moved, Gryphen kept talking to him.

“I love you, Ian,” he said. “Focus on me, and only me. I have you. No matter what. I have you.”

That was exactly what the man was going to do. He had to put his faith in Gryphen.

“You know how to do this, right?” he asked.

“I do, Baby. I got you.”

Well, here went everything.

Ian moved to his knees, and then, he laid perfectly flat on his stomach, the whole time watching Gryphen.

“It’s cracking,” he whispered. “Gryphen, I’m going in.”

And this was exactly why he never ice skated.

He didn’t want to die.

Chapter Eleven

Ravensmire Lake

Same Time

Friday

Late Morning

This was a situation that Gryphen didn’t want to be in, and he knew that every second from here on out was going to count. He had to save Ian, and get him back to shore where he’d be safe.

The alternative wasn’t acceptable. There was no way he was losing him.

Not on his watch.

No.

Freaking.

Way.

“Gryph,” he whispered. “Don’t let me go in,” he said, staring at his man.

It was time.

Getting up, Gryphen grabbed the broom that he’d used to clear the lake. Then, he stared into Ian’s terrified eyes to reassure him.

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

He nodded.

Moving toward the ice, Gryphen went to his belly, and slid closer to Ian. Now, he was about six feet from Ian.

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