“That’s how Graham came into our world. I swear to God, no one went looking for your ex to blindside you.”
Michael wanted to be angry, but he knew that everything that Callen was saying was logical. He remembered Ivan saying he had to hire local soldiers to cover the holes in their security detail in Scotland.
And he knew Graham would never leave the country and was a soldier. He also knew that Elizabeth hadn’t been aware of the castle until after Callen would have had security in play.
Shit.
The pieces fit.
“So, Gryphen and Ian mentioned his name when they were there, and Elizabeth put two and two together. She knew about your past, because you told her.”
He was still angry.
“She sent me here.”
Callen stopped him.
“Well, she wouldn’t have sent you there except you have shit taste in men. Riley blew our home blueprints and used you to get to us. She knew about Graham about the same time you began your love affair with the mad secret spiller. After the leak, and your injury, we had to get you out, and she was just putting you someplace safe.PERIOD.”
He laughed sardonically.
The irony of his words.
“Callen, I’m not safe here. That man…he is theONEperson who can destroy me. He already did it once. He’ll finish the job. Being here is dangerous to my mental health.”
Callen was to the point because he knew a few things about this particular Marine.
They’d never cut ties officially. Graham and Michael had unfinished business, and that meant he wouldn’t get past this until he worked through that.
Graham too.
Elizabeth was only giving them the opportunity to make it right, and fix it, or walk away forever.
“You’re still in love with him, and last month, he tried to kill himself. Trust me when I say that him seeing you is far more dangerous to his well-being than yours.”
His words hung there.
The realization that Graham had nearly died because of what went down seven years ago hit him hard.
Right in the heart.
Now that he had his full attention, Callen didn’t mince words.
“When Gabby was there, helping Tony identify the bones that were in the crypt, he nearly died in an alley. Tony had to save him. He’s never gotten over you. He’s chased by that ghost, Michael. Elizabeth put you both together because the universe already pointed you both at each other. You both need to heal this wound, and either fix it, or get past it.”
He said nothing, but his heart did skip in his chest. There were butterflies in his belly that Graham had never gotten over him.
Was that a possibility?
Had Graham waited for him to come back all of these years?
Now, he was scared—for Graham and his ability to hold on.
“Coincidences are rare, Michael, but this is a legitimate one that none of us knew about. I swear.”
Michael was still feeling panicky. Did the universe stick them back together to fix or finish this?
It was wild that Graham would start working for the Blackhawks as he also worked for the Blackhawks.
