Page 178 of The Protective Gryphen

“You definitely look amazing in the kilt,” Graham said. “Ian is going to be impressed.”

He hoped so.

“We’re going to get married here,” he said, glancing over. “I hope when we do, you’ll still be here. I’d love if you could share our day with us.”

He smiled.

“I’ll be here.”

Gryphen knew how the man was feeling.

“I need a promise.”

Graham wasn’t sure what he was going to ask, but he didn’t mind making him a promise.

“Sure.”

“No matter what happens between now and the day Ian and I get married, you don’t give up, and you don’t quit.”

He stared into his eyes.

“I’m getting tired,” Graham finally said. “It’s been a long battle.”

Gryphen moved toward him.

“Promise me that you’ll be here on my wedding day. Promise me that you’ll wear your kilt and you’ll wear your cross.”

He didn’t speak.

Not at first.

Then, he finally did.

“Why are you asking me to do this?”

Gryphen explained.

“I know what you’re thinking. I’ve been on that doorstep trying to build the courage to walk through it and be done. I lived that like you’re living now. Do you think I don’t see the pain and the emptiness in your eyes? They mirrored mine. You have to keep fighting.”

Graham said nothing.

“He’s out there.”

He was honest.

“I found him, and I lost him. I’m meant to walk this road alone. I’ll never have what you have, Gryphen. I won’t get a second chance. I had love. Now, I don’t.”

He stood toe-to-toe with him, and then, he took off the Victoria Cross and took Graham’s hand.

“I’ll need you to be here on my wedding day to put this on me. Don’t let me down, Graham. Please.”

He closed his eyes.

“Okay, Gryphen. I’ll be here.”

Well, he bought him some time. Hopefully, things would change, and Graham would find that spark again. He was worried the man would do something that couldn’t be undone.

Like many soldiers.

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