Page 118 of I Am Salvation

“Where is she?”

“God, Diana… I couldn’t bring her here. I had to call the police and social services.” His eyes are troubled, and his body trembles.

That must’ve been so hard for him. After what he went through in the system.

“She’ll be okay,” I tell him.

“I hope so. I’ll do whatever I have to do to get her out of there. I need to find Griffin. And if—” He gulps. “If we can’t find her, I’ll do everything I can to get Bridget. Take custody myself.”

I widen my eyes. “Are you ready to be a father?”

“I never thought I’d have children, Diana. But this little girl is my link to Griffin. She’s my flesh and blood. God, she looks just like her, too. Blond hair, blue eyes, the same facial features. Her cheeks are chubby, but she’s thirteen. I wanted to bring her here, get you, and just run.”

“I’m sure.” I run my hand up and down his arm. “But you did the right thing, Dragon. What you’re suggesting would’ve been against the law.”

“I know. I can’t help her from a prison cell.”

“Exactly.”

“I haven’t heard from Alayna yet. They should be in Albuquerque by now. I hope they can find Griffin. Before…”

“They will.”

“When I was talking to Bridget, explaining to her why I had to call the police, I told her I would find Griffin. I promised her, Diana.” He places a hand over his heart. “And in that moment, I had a feeling so strong and powerful that Griffin is alive. But what if she’s not?”

“Then we’ll deal with everything then. I’ll do whatever I can to help you get Bridget.”

He grabs my hand. “I don’t deserve you, Diana.”

I smile. “That’s a matter of opinion. I happen to think you do deserve me. I happen to think I deserve you, too. Whether either of us is wrong or right doesn’t really matter.” I squeeze his hand. “You already have me, Dragon. I love you. And I know I’ll love Bridget and Griffin too.”

He grabs me then, crushes his mouth to mine.

We kiss—a deep emotional kiss—for several minutes.

Until he breaks it, his eyes on fire. “How’s your foot?”

“It’s better. Still smarts a little to walk on it.”

“I took you in angry passion earlier. Right now I’d like to make love to you the way you deserve.” He looks away. “I’m just not sure I can.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve never made love to a woman that way,” he says. “It’s always been fast and furious and angry. It’s always been nothing more than a release for me. With you, it’s so much more. I want to give you what you deserve.”

“I don’t recall complaining about your sexual prowess, Dragon. I like what you do to me. I like fast and furious and angry. And now that I know that you love me, I’ll love it even more.”

“Fuck…” he groans.

A moment later, we’re back on the bed, ripping at each other’s clothes.

Until the dogs start barking.

“I guess one of us should take them out,” Dragon says. “Who knows when Eddie was last fed?”

“Eddie?”

“That’s what Bridget called him.”

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