Page 34 of Submit

Realizing I am still in a wet bra and underwear, I reach for the robe on the back of the door and pull it on.

“Okay, let’s go to Griff’s room.”

Hayden lifts his body off the wall as soon as he sees us, and Rowan is right there with him.“Is she okay?”Hayden asks me.Then he looks at her.“Are you okay?”

“Don’t crowd her.She will be,” I tell them.“I’m taking her to sleep in Griff’s bed.”

The pain on Rowan’s face breaks my heart, knowing he isn’t able to help his sister.She probably won’t let a man near her in the near future.

We reach Griffin’s room, and I help Claire onto the bed.Once I have her settled, I pull the robe off, change my underwear and discard my bra.I pull on a pair of black leggings from the drawer and grab a tee shirt from the closet.

In bed, I pull Claire into my chest and spoon her.

When she falls asleep, I slowly remove myself from the bed.With the bedroom door slightly cracked, I search for Griffin, finding him downing a beer and talking to Hayden and Cutter.

His lips curve into a smile when he sees me.He stands from the stool and asks, “How is she?”

“She is in shock or something.She’s asleep in your bed.I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.How are you?”

“Worried.But I’m glad everyone came back in one piece.”

“Well, now we put those bastards in the past and move on.”

“Are they all dead?”

“Yeah.Most of them, anyway.”

I reach for a beer and take a long swig, and we continue to talk.“Thank you for being here to help with her.”

“Yeah, no problem.Want to go outside for some fresh air?”

I smile.“Yes.”

The cool night breeze feels good on my skin.“How bad was she when you saw her?”

Griffin swallows a lump, then clears his throat.“It’s an image I never want to see again.”

I flinch.

“Those bastards had her suspended up high like she was a ragdoll for them to play with.I can’t describe it.It was horrifying.I don’t even want to think about it.”

Tears spill over my cheeks.“I feel so bad for her.She didn’t deserve this.”

Griffin pulls me into him, and I inhale his manly scent of vanilla and mint.“She’s gonna get through this.Especially with you by her side.”

I look up at him.“I just hope this is something she can come back from.”

“She will.She’s Rowan’s sister.She’s a fighter, and stubborn.”

I press my face into Griffin’s chest and hook my arms around his waist, and he holds me for as long as I need him to.I only pull away to take another sip of my beer.

“There is one thing I can’t stop thinking about,” he says with a grin.

“And what’s that?”

“You.Naked.Ready and willing for me.”

---