Page 28 of Let Go My Gargoyle
“But at least he’s not selling dragon’s blood anymore,” Sofia said as they neared the top of the stairs.
Antoinette sighed. “You’re right. We’re pretty sure he’s been completely shut down in that regard. The problem now is, we think he’s organizing a coup.”
Sofia’s shoulder trembled under Griffin’s touch. “H-how?” She cleared her throat. “What makes you think that?”
Before she could respond, the nearest door opened and a woman stepped out, wearing a towel wrapped around her midsection, water beading on her shoulders and arms, her thick, auburn hair piled onto her head in a messy bun.
“Oh!” she said, pressing her hand to her chest, her eyes widening.
Griffin did not believe her surprised act for a hot second.
“Maria,” Antoinette said, sounding weary. “I know damn well you heard us talking, which means you should have been able to figure out that we had guests. So maybe you could have waited until after we passed to walk out in nothing but a towel?”
Apparently, Antoinette did not believe the act either.
Clutching the towel to her ample breast, Maria let her gaze wander over the small gathering while her lips twitched. But when she noticed Sofia, the almost-smile disappeared and her eyes narrowed. “Who is this?” she demanded.
“Her name is Sofia,” Antoinette supplied. “She’s staying with us for a little while. You are expected to treat her with all the respect due to a friend of your reeve.”
Maria lifted her chin, turned to the left, and flounced down the hall until she reached the next door and disappeared through it.
“That was all for show,” Antoinette explained as she led them in the opposite direction. “That bathroom has a door directly to her bedroom. She didn’t need to come out into the hall at all.”
“Why did she?” Griffin asked.
Antoinette glanced over her shoulder and rolled her eyes. “You, probably. She has a tendency to throw herself at good-looking men.”
Was it his imagination, or was Sofia inching closer to him?
Antoinette paused partway down the hall and opened one of the doors and invited them all to step inside. The room was as large as the apartment above Mitch’s bar and decorated with brilliant blue and green tones. A French door like those downstairs led out onto what appeared to be a balcony that wrapped around the entire house. The bed could easily accommodate him, Sofia, and Penelope all quite comfortably.
Not that he thought he would be staying here. Okay, maybe he was hoping…
“Do you want Penelope to have her own room?” Antoinette asked. Griffin almost opened his mouth until he realized she’d directed the question to Sofia. Of course she did; she had no idea of his connection to the woman and child.
Sofia shook her head. “I’d rather she stay with me, actually.”
Antoinette’s gaze darted to Griffin and jumped away again. “If you change your mind, Henri has bunkbeds, and I’m sure he would not mind if she took over the bottom bunk.”
“I like sleepovers,” Henri announced.
Griffin did too.
“It’s fine,” Sofia said. “I’m not even sure we’ll be here that long.”
“You’re welcome for however long you feel it’s necessary,” Antoinette assured her. “And you too, Griffin. I know gargoyles can simply turn into their stone form and sleep pretty much anywhere, but the offer stands for you too.”
He nodded once and murmured his appreciation for her generosity.
“Okay,” Antoinette said with a clap of her hands. “Kids, why don’t you come with Ketu and I. We’ll go check out that swing set while Sofia and Griffin get settled.”
Well, hot damn. Were things going Griffin’s way for once? He couldn’t have set up this little scenario better if he’d been actually trying.
Chapter Ten
Sofia’s dragon approved of being left alone with Griffin. The damn beast was becoming increasingly louder in her head, making demands such as,take off all his clothes and lick every inch of his body.
Apparently her dragon was a hussy.
