Page 93 of Greed
“Well, I am,” Griffin said.
Tony looked immediately put out. “You’re going to make me wait?”
“I had plans before you arrived. I’m not changing them because you snap your fingers at me.”
“Ugh. Fine.” Tony slid back out of the booth. “Prepare for an epic battle, my brother. I’m going to see who else I can rustle up.”
“That’s a good idea,” Griffin agreed. “I need to apprise Parker about the poor club security.” He darted a glance at Lilo. “If I hadn’t been vigilant, Lilo might not be here.”
A flicker of a frown danced over Tony’s expression, but he stamped it down immediately. Probably didn’t want anything serious to ruin his buzz.
“Right,” Tony said, rubbing his hands. “I’m off to gather the troops.”
He slid his sunglasses and ball cap on, and then all but jumped out of the booth. As he passed them on the way to the exit, he flashed them a grin and clapped them both on the shoulders with way too much verve. “Laters.”
Griffin turned to Lilo. “I’m worried about him.”
“Yeah, I’m not surprised.” She lowered her voice in a conspiratorial way. “Does Parker know about his… ah, special diet?”
“Probably. Tony thinks he can hide it, but he can’t. We know him too well.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lilo followed Griffin along the basement hallway leading to the workout room. Griffin said she didn’t have to come, but she was thrilled to watch—to get an insider’s look at this talented family in action. It appealed to every journalistic instinct she had. It also made her extremely nervous.
Dressed in sweatpants and a simple cotton T-shirt, Griffin looked no less imposing. The relaxing past few days had done much to soften his almost permanent scowl, and put some color into his cheeks, but when he entered the room, he became quietly serious.
“Are you sure it’s okay for me to be here?” she asked, wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt. “I mean, I know you trust me not to go blabbing, but I’ve only just met your family and—”
He pressed his lips to hers. The touch was small and gentle, but it was as loud as a shout. He was there for her, and he was in her corner. It was as simple as that.
He threw his hand towel over his shoulder and then took her hand.
The room was a simple gym. A padded mat in the middle, various electrical machines and weights around the edges. Mirrors on one side, and a few chairs on the other. Two people were on the mat already, training with boxing gloves and pads.
Tony and Evan. Tony had his shirt off and wore jeans of all things. Designer dark denim hung low on his hips, giving Lilo an uninhibited view of his perfect movie star torso. Tanned and already slick with sweat. Evan wore sweats and was also shirtless, but where Tony was flawless, Evan was all dark lines and twisted tattoos, except for the one over his heart that clearly saidGrace. Lilo smiled at that.
“Lilo!” Speak of the devil.
“Grace!” Lilo grinned. “You have a day off?”
Grace lifted her medical kit and pulled a face. “Well, I thought I did, until these meatheads decided to hold an impromptu tournament.”
“Tournament?” Griffin scratched his head. “Since when?”
“Since your sister is going to kick all y’all lazy asses.” Liza walked in, followed by Griffin’s parents, a tall man in a check shirt and a short woman wearing yoga attire.
They all stopped and stared at Lilo. Her skin burned.
Liza’s gaze ping-ponged between Lilo and Griffin. She finally punched him in the arm. “Nice to see you loosened up, bro.”
His scowl deepened. “Why do you have to hit me all the time?”
“Why not?” She flared her eyes, challenging.
When Griffin huffed and went to wrap his knuckles with tape, Liza’s surprised gaze whipped to Lilo. “Wow. He’s… yeah, wow. Not even a comeback. He’s very loose.”
“We didn’t officially meet on Friday night.” Griffin’s mother came up and held out her hand. “I’m Mary, Griffin’s mother.”
