Page 109 of An Epic Voyage
Griffin stowed histray table as the airline began its descent.He felt exhaustion all the way to his bones.The past ten days had been nonstop with very little sleep.The breaking news of a billionaire and a warlord blowing up in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean had been a massive news story, the likes of which hadn’t been seen for a long time.Benedict Van Houten had become somewhat of a cult hero because of his immense wealth and extravagant lifestyle.Jabari Abdullahi was notorious for being a despot and for his crimes against humanity.The circumstances surrounding their deaths remained the top topic on news cycles, and it didn’t look like it would die down anytime soon.
Initially, the government intended to withhold information about the nuclear weapon, but it had leaked to the media, forcing them to reveal the entire story—well, most of it, anyway.Griffin had been portrayed as the hero, saving the world from those monsters, and it made him sick to his stomach.Indigo was the catalyst, the one who deserved praise for everything.She didn’t get to bask in the glory—not that they did their job for kudos.But when it was well done, she should be able to reap the rewards.
Griffin hadn’t seen Indigo since he’d left her hospital room at Guantanamo Bay.He’d planned on returning but hadn’t expected to be shuffled onto a plane and flown back to the States without so much as a warning.They hadn’t even given him a chance to say goodbye.
He’d called her that night and apologized profusely.She graciously accepted because she knew how the government worked.Since both his and Indigo’s phones rested at the bottom of the Atlantic, he’d had to pull strings to get Evangeline’s number so he could speak with Indigo.Instead of letting him talk to Indigo right away, Evangeline had lectured him on not breaking Indigo’s heart.
He didn’t plan on it.
They had both replaced their phones and chatted several times since, but they never again discussed what he’d intended to talk about that afternoon by her hospital bed.Them.Their future.Did they have one?He sure hoped so.Getting through each day had been torture, knowing he would not see her.
He knew she was improving.The swelling on her face had gone down.She still wasn’t allowed to work or do any lifting since she was recuperating from a bullet wound.
The grilling about what had transpired had been extensive and exhaustive.He had dealt with U.S.bureaucrats, as well as the president and several top leaders from Abdullahi’s country.
Dr.Cheung had been a font of information concerning Abdullahi’s empire.Franklin Shephard had been one regarding Van Houten.He was still in the hospital in Cuba, but he was slowly recovering, and he’d spilled everything he knew in exchange for immunity from prosecution.He was aware of all the dirty details of Van Houten’s operation, but he’d had a change of heart about selling the nuke to Abdullahi.That’s when Van Houten had his bodyguards beat him to within an inch of his life and leave him to blow up with the boat.
TheFasten Seatbeltssign clicked off, and Griffin stood.The flight from one side of the country to the other was a long one.He planned on heading to his hotel room and showering before showing up at Indigo’s place.
#
Indigo checked theclock.Still a few hours before Griffin called.She looked forward to it—it was the best part of her day.
She still wasn’t allowed to work, though she went to the salon each day to chat with Chelsea and Piper.Her injury had been explained to everyone outside the team as the result of a mountain bike crash.It was still painful sometimes, but her side was improving.The bruising on her face was mostly gone.
She missed working out.Having been active her whole life, sitting around was driving her up the wall.Jackson had finally relented and allowed her to walk on the treadmill.It wasn’t enough, but it was something.
“Oh my.Dibs,” Chelsea murmured.
“No way.I’ll box you for him,” Piper challenged.
Indigo turned her head.“What are you guys talking ...”The words died in her throat.Standing at the front desk in a navy suit with a light-blue tie, looking more gorgeous than she remembered, was Griffin Decker.
He looked up, and their eyes locked.
Indigo didn’t realize she’d risen from her chair and moved until she was almost standing in front of him.Sanity returned in time for horror to envelop her.Griffin looked as if he’d stepped off the cover ofGQ, while her hair was fastened into a lopsided ponytail held up with a pencil, her hole-riddled T-shirt had seen better days, and she wore not a stitch of makeup.God, did she even shower this morning?It took everything in her not to sniff her armpit.
“Oh, gosh, don’t look at me.”
“Are you kidding?I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful.”
Indigo grabbed his hand and dragged him through the salon.She’d have made it into the back room and to the elevator if Piper and Chelsea hadn’t blocked their path.
“Now, Indy, you’re being rude,” Chelsea chastised.“Introduce us to your friend.”
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, but neither woman flinched.She’d told her best friends all about Griffin during their evenings on the roof, drinking wine.They knew she’d fallen hard and fast for the FBI agent.
“Chelsea, Piper, this is Special Agent Griffin Decker.Griffin, these are my best friends, Chelsea Delarosa and Piper Peraino.There, introductions are over.Now move it or lose it.”
Griffin chuckled behind her.Chelsea and Piper, however, didn’t budge.
Her expression must’ve changed because both women moved aside simultaneously.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she towed Griffin to the elevator.She barely waited for the doors to close before she jumped into his arms.How had she lived without his kisses?He tasted so good and smelled divine.
He broke apart, his breathing labored.“Your bullet wound—”
“Is fine,” she finished and pulled his mouth back to hers.
