Page 155 of The Protective Gryphen

“I get it, Son. It’s terrible.”

Gryphen was like a sponge.

He needed more.

“And the last wife?” he asked, leaning forward in interest. “What happened to her?”

Ian shared.

“She outlived him. He died in fifteen forty-seven but then she died the next year.”

He sat there.

“That’s wild. It’s like a movie. It makes me want to learn more.”

“The British monarchy has been spicy,” Ian admitted, “and it still is today.”

Alfie looked at his watch.

“Did you get to look into the death records?” he asked, needing to go finish up a few things before he could head home for the day.

“No, that’s the last book for that time period. Do you need to lock up?” he asked. “It is still early.”

“I have to close the doors at five. I have some things to do. You can stay until then.”

That worked for him.

Alfie wanted to help them out.

“I suggest you hit the local pub for some gossip. Everyone has something to say about the castle. Well, mostly, the ghosts.”

They would do that.

Probably not today, since there was still more books to go through.

When Alfie walked out, Gryphen sat beside him.

“Need help?”

“Sure,” he said.

As they began flipping, Gryphen made a statement.

“You should probably donate the sperm. You’re smarter than I am.”

Ian glanced over.

“No. It’s going to be your sperm. If we take the surrogate route, you’re going to be the biological father.”

He was confused.

“But you said…”

“I was wrong. You’re smart, Gryph, and I’m going to prove it to you. The problem is nurture versus nature. Women are resilient. They can birth babies and be fine. You’re definitely going to be the one who jerks off into a cup for our kids’ lives.”

He didn’t know what he was talking about.

“What’s nurture versus nature? I don’t have a clue what that is.”

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