Something was stirred up.
“All I’ve wanted was someone to protect me too,” he stated. “I may look like this,” he offered, “but I need a little protection once in a while. He dove in, Gryph. He saved me. He got me out, and he breathed life back into me. I’m not waiting. I could drag this out, but why? I lost seven years with him. Seven amazing years that we could have had a home, and children. Seven years where I could have woken up with him, and went to bed with him. He’s meant to be mine.”
Gryphen got it.
That was how he felt about Ian.
“He thinks he’s damaged and not worthy, but he’s always been mine. I see that now. I met him in battle, and I’m going to fight to get him back.”
“Like I said, that’s a good plan. You have my support on this one.”
Thank God.
He might need backup.
Or an accomplice to kidnap him so he could buy himself time to make this right.
“My clock is ticking,” he admitted. “I can leave my job, but I can’t leave him again. He’s theONEthing that was always there for me. My dumbass didn’t come looking for him. He wanted me all this time, Gryph. I don’t deserve that, and I know when I’m getting the far better deal.”
Yes, yes, he did deserve it.
They all deserved love. They were each learning that one bodyguard at a time.
“Please help me. This is the first time that I’ve felt like this was the right thing to do. All I want is him. I’ll do the deed and call Elizabeth. I’ll call Ivan. Hell! I’ll call the president. I’m not going home. If he won’t come with me, we’re staying here.”
It was clear his mind was made up, and he was good with that.
He loved his friend, and he’d be his wingman on this mission to get the guy.
Michael took care of Ian while he was unconscious in that coma. It was the least he could do.
“You have my blessing. I’m going to miss you, Michael. I’m going to miss seeing that ugly mug of yours every day.”
The man grinned.
“I’m going to hug you, and you’re going to be touching my dick. I’d say I care, but hugging you matters more to me right now.”
He snorted and hugged him.
Luckily for him, he liked dick, and he also loved Ian, so there were no worries about that. He was proud of his friend for cutting through the emotional turmoil and reaching out to get what he wanted.
That was important.
That was the goal in life.
“I can’t believe he was waiting for me, and I almost missed him. I was so goddamn close to losing him. I have to lock this down. Now.”
He patted him on the back.
“Well, you got him, so make it count. Oh, and stay the fuck out of the lake! Why the hell would you go in there? Are you out of your goddamn mind?”
He laughed.
“Oh, sue me. I didn’t think this woo-woo shit was real. Then, I had a box move, and a mug do a little dance. I saw dead people, and I don’t like that—especially when I’m not the one who made them dead.”
Gryphen stared at him.
“I don’t want to know.”
