Page 39 of Stay With Me (Griffin’s Den #2)
THIRTY-EIGHT
Noah
With a deep breath, I let my head fall back against the house.
I knew most of Luna’s history, but hearing the details of everything she had to go through until she left broke my heart.
I might not be religious, but starving someone because they didn’t do what you wanted or because they questioned your beliefs is not normal religious behavior.
The thought of Luna and Jess being in danger of any kind causes my chest to tighten.
They’re my family, and no one messes with my family.
Badge or no badge, I’ll do what I need to keep them safe.
Family… Shit, I don’t know when my mom is in her next port. I need to check on that.
I need to check first thing in the morning and catch her up on everything.
After my dad died, both of us were just lost. I pulled into myself, and my mom did the best she could while dealing with her grief.
After a couple of months, my mom and I started therapy.
And things were great. I lived here in my hometown with my wife and my mom.
We were happy and moving forward. Or I thought so.
Because I was shocked when Jenna asked for a divorce.
My mom stood by me every step of the way.
The day I met Luna was the day my mom and I went to lunch, and she told me that she and my aunt were going to take an extended cruise and do some traveling that she and my father had always talked about.
I check my watch and remember I need to call Sam to check in on Jess.
I find his name, hit send, and wait for him to answer.
“Sup, dude?”
“Just getting fresh air. How’s Jess?”
“Good. She’s passed out on the couch, but I’ll move her to her room after we get off the phone. I’ll bring her back in the morning.” He sighs. “So, it go that well?”
“I sit out here all the time. Why would you think that right off the bat?” I run my hand through my hair.
“Well, from the little I know, it makes me angry. So I can only imagine what the whole story is doing to you.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath to try and regulate my emotions. “It was fucking brutal. I knew it was going to be bad. People don’t run away from good things… Well, normally they don’t, but I didn’t realize how bad it would be.”
“People are fucked, my dude. Even when I see some of the good in humanity, something always makes me remember that people suck.”
“You’re telling me.” I give him the abridged version of what happened this afternoon.
“Holy shit. And they think this group is coming this way to get the girls?”
“They couldn’t confirm for sure since they travel off the grid. But my gut says that yeah, they’re on their way here,” I say out loud for the first time.
“We’ll keep them safe. You have the whole town on your side as well as your friends.”
“Thanks, man. I know. It’s just not sitting well. I feel like we’re missing something.”
“Maybe. If we are, we’ll figure it out. I’m going to get this girl to bed, though. You do some box breathing and go cuddle your girl.”
I smile. Because he’s right. I need to organize my thoughts and focus on my girl.
“Thanks, man. If you drop Jess off at the bed-and-breakfast since Luna and I both work tomorrow, I would be grateful.”
“No problem. Have a good night, my friend.”
“I will. I’ll talk to you later.”
After ending the call, I set my phone next to me. I allow my eyes to scan my yard before closing them again to do a round of box breathing. With each exhale, the tension leaves my body. When I feel a little better, I open my eyes and head into the house.
Once I make sure everything is locked up and put away, I walk into the bedroom. Luna is curled up on top of the covers, too exhausted to climb in fully. I tuck her in before stripping out of my clothes and crawling in next to her. I tug her close as exhaustion pulls me under.