Page 40 of Greed
“I’ll go with you then.”
“Griff, you’ve been shot already today because of me. I can’t put you in danger again.”
He almost laughed. He’d faced far worse than a soft man playing deadly dress ups. This morning’s injury won’t happen again. He’d been distracted because he denied his biology. Not anymore. Tomorrow, he would return to training with his new ability. He would involve Parker this time. The man had a mind for battle.
“How about we start with your family home,” he suggested. “Check on your mother, just you and I. No one else”—his gaze snapped to where Doppenger watched nearby at her desk—“I don’t trust him.”
He couldn’t reveal what he knew about Donald’s extracurricular activities without exposing himself.
“I don’t want him there either.”
As if knowing they spoke about him, Doppenger stormed over. He palmed Griffin between his pec and shoulder—right where he got shot. “That’s enough of you whispering in her ear.”
The hit sent a stab of crippling pain through Griffin’s body.
“Donnie,” Lilo cried. “He was shot! Be careful.”
“I thought it was only a graze,” Doppenger sneered.
“You dickhead!” Lilo shouted, but she hadn’t caught the clue that confirmed Griffin’s suspicions. Doppenger hit Griffin in the exact spot he was shot, and the only way he knew that was if he did the shooting himself.
Griffin’s smile was slow as it spread. The man didn’t know he’d just signed his own death warrant. But he would deal with him later. For now, he had Lilo to worry about.
“Touch me again, and you’ll lose an arm.” Griffin turned his back on the man to face Lilo. “We’ll go to your parents’ house tonight, then you can decide whether to involve the police.”
“No,” Doppenger bit out. “You’ve known her for seconds. I’ve known her for years. If there’s anyone going with her, it’s me.”
“You only want to go with her because you think it’s a story,” Griffin fired back, unable to help himself.
Donald’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh really? Well, you’re only going with her because you want to get in her pants. Or have you already been there?”
“Donnie!” Lilo exclaimed, mortified.
“Step back, Lazarus.” Doppenger pushed Griffin again, aiming for the same spot, the same injury.
This time, Griffin blocked. Idiot. Did he not see he was no match for him? It was clear Griffin’s physique was more robust than his. Anyone with eyes could see that.
When Doppenger’s next strike bounced off Griffin’s forearm, the man growled and struck with his left. Griffin blocked effortlessly again. He could stop this with a finger to the man’s eye, but anything Griffin did would compromise his identity. His body was a deadly weapon, and if his background got out, the court judge would be unforgiving.
“Stop before you hurt yourself,” Griffin said, but Doppenger doubled his efforts.
“What’s so important about you, huh?” he hissed under his breath on a second lunge. “Why does everyone want you?”
He punched.
Griffin dodged.
The shock of what he said froze Griffin. Why everyone?
Doppenger’s fist connected with Griffin’s shoulder, tearing the wound open. Blood seeped through his shirt and blazer, and then Doppenger’s body collided with Griffin, taking them to the floor.
“Get off him!” Lilo yelled. “You asshole!”
“I’ve called security,” Bev shouted.
“Never mind.” Doppenger rolled off Griffin and stood inspecting his hand, now covered in Griffin’s blood. “I got what I came for. I’m done.”
Got what he came for?
