Page 61 of Mocha Kisses

The second suit chuckles. “Griffin, if you thought we were asking for the entire sum in one lump, then you’re the idiot. We’re asking you to take the burden off your lady. You sign the new contract, put down a deposit on the loan, and we’re good.”

I’m not sure why they think I’d do that. Especially when I still haven’t seen their credentials. “Business card and then yes, I’ll come sign a new fucking contract.” They seem to be okay with that deal so one pulls out the card, the other pointing to a small room off the main one. I follow, studying the card as we move. It looks just like the fake one that Nova received with one digit off. The worst part is that it looks familiar.

Curious, I pull out my phone and dial it before shoving the phone into my pocket just as the two suits open the door.

I give one last look around the ballroom, the color draining from my face as I see just one person pick up their phone.“Hello? Griffin? Done already? That was fast.”The voice echoes in my pocket. It’s faint but I definitely hear it. It sounds so… disingenuous. I don’t have time to dwell on it as I’m shoved into the room and the door is closed behind me.No fucking way.

Rome

Ican’tgetLunato say more than a few words. She went dead silent after pleading for me to find Griffin and now, I’m leading her back into the ballroom after sending Nova a red alert text. I wanted to jump through the fucking window and catch John but my brother can take care of that shit. We’ve put eyes on him. He’s in Spring Haven and that whole side of the business can figure it out. My priority is Luna and Griffin.

My phone rings and I whip it out, keeping my arm firmly around Luna’s shoulders. Her fingers are tangled in my suit coat, her eyes peeled for Griffin, the same as me. “What?”

“Can’t find him. He was here a fucking moment ago.”

“Seriously?”

“Just get Luna to the car. We’ll be out shortly.”

“But you don’t even know where he is.”

“No, but I’m about to.”

NOVA

They thought playing with Luna was bad. Now Griffin? They aren’t going to rip my fucking heart from my chest because of a bad loan. Finding out that John came to terrorize his daughter and then threaten Griffin? I’m beyond mad. The fact that I haven’t destroyed anything yet is a testament to my control. A control that is slowly waning.

He disappeared from the main room a few moments ago but that’s not unusual. However, Griffin not telling me where he’s off to is unusual. I take another look around, hating when I catch Luna’s ashen face as she’s tucked into Rome’s chest. He gives me a nod as they make their way to the entrance.

Where the fuck is Fin?

My jaw clenches and I frown when I look down at my phone clenched in my hand, a single number text from Griffin.

3.

“What the- smart bastard.” I rush to one of the rooms offset from the main, opening the third door along the wall. Griffin’s ability to pick out details is uncanny but I am insanely happy about it now. What that room reveals to me isn’t anything I prepared for. Two lanky men in suits stand across a table from Griffin, my lover with his phone inches from his face. There’s a lone piece of paper on the table and an open ink pad. I don’t have to guess what it’s for. I just don’t know why they’ve roped him into it. “Anyone want to tell me what the fuck is going on?”

The suits startle and back up, their hands raised. If they had been hired by Paula’s Agency, they wouldn’t have budged. They must be from the third party that’s been messing with Luna. “Look, we’re just-”

“You’re justnothing.What you’re doing is illegal and even more so, I’m his lawyer. If you think I won’t call the fucking police to take care of your shit, you’re wrong. In fact, there’s some here.” At events like this, they’re usually working security. I know a few of them based on the cases I’ve taken on and a quick text will alert them that these men need to be investigated or questioned.Thoroughly.Griffin looks up at me with a wiry smile, the same ashen face as Luna’s meeting my gaze.

Fucking hell.

“He just needs to sign and wire over-”

I step farther into the room, enjoying the way they jump a few feet into the air when the door slams shut. No need to let everyone in this venue know what’s going on. I slap a hand on the contract, grimacing when it has similar wording as the first but definitely constructed by an amateur. “Griffin won’t be signinganythingand if I find out that you are still coming after Luna, there will be more problems. Right after the police deal with you.” I’m aware of the way my voice deepens and the way I channel the monster I used to be while working that side of that law. They swallow carefully, backing up a few more steps as I pull Griffin to his feet and into my chest.

He sags immediately, his face pressed against me as he holds onto me. Griffin already doesn’t like dealing with people or the outside. Add this in and we’ve definitely taken a few steps back when it comes to social situations.

“You’re alright, babe. Rome and Luna already went to get the car.”

“We’re leaving? Thank god.”

I chuckle at that as I wait a few more moments for one of the security to file in and just shake his head. He’s used to me calling him at a moment’s notice but it’s usually for information, not to appear. “You’re really fucking lucky that you caught me working this shindig. Do I at least get a signed copy after all the paperwork this is going to generate?”

“Of course.” I give the officer a quick rundown, not that he doesn’t already know. He’s been one of my contacts over the last week as I tried to find information. “I need to get Griffin home.”

“Sure thing. Seems like I’ll be babysitting until some of the officers get here. It’s gonna break up this reveal party. You good with that?”

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