Page 24 of I Am Salvation

“Hey, that’s great. And in a couple of months, the band will be back in business.”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to that.”

But am I? That means leaving Denver—and Diana’s penthouse.

I can’t think about that now. I have to go. I have to get to Taos and check out these two people.

If they’re my parents, I have no idea how I’ll react or what I’ll say to them.

I have to stay laser focused on the goal.

Find out everything that happened the night Griffin disappeared and then find her…if she’s still alive.

“No problem. Keep me posted, will you?”

“Yeah, I will.”

“You going to tell Diana?”

“About Griffin? Hell no, Jess. You’re the only one I’ve trusted with that information. Well, you and my most recent therapist.”

“I don’t know Diana very well, but of course Brianna speaks highly of her. They have their sibling rivalry, of course, but I’ve learned a lot about the Steel family since I got involved with Brianna. They’re good people, Dragon. Really good people.”

“I’m beginning to see that,” I say. “Thanks again, buddy. I promise I will make it all good between us.”

“Dragon, it’s all good between us. No worries about that.”

I end the call, and within a few minutes, five grand comes through on my cash app from Jesse.

I was expecting a couple hundred. Jesse’s more than generous with me. I’d like to think I deserve it, but I don’t. I’ll have to earn that.

Of course, now that he’s married into the Steel family, five thousand dollars is a drop in the bucket to him.

Doesn’t make me feel any less weird about taking money from him, though.

But my pride isn’t important right now. Finding Griffin is.

I get online, find a car rental place within walking distance, and reserve a sedan to pick up within an hour. I go to my room and throw some things in my duffel—I only need enough for a couple days—and bring it back to the door.

Should I leave Diana a note?

She’ll no doubt wonder where I am. But she’s so busy with work.

I send her a quick text.

Hey, I have to take off for a few days. I’ll be back by Thursday afternoon. I start my job that night.

I hit Send, shove my phone in my pocket, put on my black leather jacket, grab the duffle, and open the door?—

Only to run into Diana Steel.

She gasps.

God, she’s gorgeous. Today she’s wearing a black skirt and gray silk blouse. A few hairs have come loose from her ponytail, and all I can think about is grabbing her and plundering that succulent mouth.

“Where are you going?” she demands, her tone laced with anger.

“What are you doing home?”

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