Page 34 of Secrets at Dawn
“Enchanted Quill. There’s a park next to it.” Griffin would bet money the fucker who hurt his Toby had been lying in wait there.
“Yeah. That’s the one.” Riley met Griffin’s gaze. “Why didn’t he call you?”
“Because he’s super fucking protective and a damn idiot.” Griffin was also both of those things. He sighed. “Did Cass tell you about the letter from last night? And Frank on the roof?”
“Frank? Weirdo wolf Frank?”
“Yeah. I found a letter last night.”
Riley waved his hand. “I know this part.”
“Well, it was addressed to Toby, but the contents were for me. It talked about Toby’s magical abilities. Toby and I argued about it. I was mad at him. Told him I needed space. That’s why he didn’t call me.”
“Frank?” Riley wouldn’t let that one thing go.
“Someone hired him to deliver it. And to make sure I found it. But I felt him watching me, so I called Dad. Dad’s the one who actually discovered it.”
“How does Toby fit into all that? And you, for that matter?”
“Toby did something to those fuckers in the park who attacked Julia. Toby just never said what that was. But those fuckers—”
“Dickwads.” Toby squeezed his hand. Griffin barely heard him because his voice was just a whisper.
Griffin leaned down and placed a kiss on Toby’s forehead. Tears gathered on his eyelashes again. “I’m so sorry, baby. I don’t need space. I never wanted to be away from you.”
“Not… your fault.” Toby leaned into him. “Head Dickwad is used car heir. Wolf Dickwad… just wolf dickwad. Giant Dickwad. Park guy.”
Riley chuckled. “Thanks for that.”
Toby smiled, but then he winced, touching the cut on his lip.
Griffin took his hand and gently lowered it away from his face. “You’re pretty banged up, baby.”
Toby sighed and nodded. For the first time, he opened his eyes and met Griffin’s gaze.
Griffin smiled.
“You’re crying.” Toby reached up and wiped away Griffin’s tears. “I don’t like it when Mr. Wizard is sad.”
That made Griffin smile even more. “It happens when my mate gets injured. Do you have a good solution so it doesn’t happen again?”
“Don’t get injured.”
“I was thinking more like you calling me when you need me. But I like your answer better.”
Toby shut his eyes and nodded. He clutched Griffin’s hand to his chest. “I don’t want to be on a break anymore.”
“I don’t either.”
“What a terrible idea.”
“The worst idea you’ve ever had.”
“By far.”
Riley smiled as he met Griffin’s gaze, and then he nodded, as if giving his blessing.
“When I get out of here, I’ll take care of the problem.” Toby kept his eyes shut when he said it, but the words held weight.
