“Keep her company. I’m going to get changed to head out in the next few minutes. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“You’re acting like she’s a kid, dude.”
He was already walking away from her and toward me. Griffin leaned over the back of the couch and cupped my jaw. I stretched my neck to meet his kiss. Another wonderful human thing. I nibbled his lip, and he smiled wider as he pulled away.
“I’ll see you in a few hours, kitten.”
With that, he strode away toward the bedroom, and I had no choice but to turn to Tali. Even from this distance, I could see her pulse thudding in her neck. She cleared her throat.
“Uh, hi,” she murmured.
Human pleasantries.
“Hello,” I said and stood, shaking the blanket off.
The bottom of my loose dress slid down to my knees. My mind raced, and the instinct to run after Mate beat against me, but I couldn’t behave rashly. I was already planning to go with him from the first moment he said it, but I couldn’t let this woman tell him.
“Come with me?” I murmured, shoving my feet into slippers and shuffling toward the kitchen where Mate made meals.
There was a little room in the back where I would be able to trap her. It was also far enough from the bedroom that he wouldn’t hear any shouting. The sound of her steps hesitated, but it didn’t take her long to catch up to me with my sloth-like pace.
I slowed as I neared the little room where he stored two large machines that were washing clothes loudly. Turning, I waiteduntil she slid closer. She kept biting her lip and tucking her hair behind her ear.
“I know we got off on the wrong side of things?—”
“I must be with Mate,” I said.
She blinked a few times. “I don’t understand . . .”
She stood in front of me, a small, waifish woman, easy to overpower.
“Go in there,” I ordered, motioning to the small room.
She blinked at me, unmoving. Griffin wouldn’t take long, so she needed to get inside. I gripped her arm and forced her into the room. She gasped, stumbling, her head whipping to me.
“What the hell?” She held up her hands and pursed her lips.
I held my hand out. “Your device.” Her fear reeked the place up.She’s Mate’s kin. “Please.”
She gave me the phone, her hand shaking as it withdrew. I backed out of the loud room and locked it as I placed the device on the table. Not wasting any more time, I bolted through the house, heading for the garage where Griffin had his car.
Even the thought of the four-wheel death-box sent shivers up my spine, but it was a necessity. The door creaked as I hesitantly opened it, then slinked inside, shut the door, and climbed over the seat. It was just in time. His scent intensified with the creak of the door. I flattened my body against the carpet.
Chapter 10
Griffin
I descendedinto the depths of the abandoned garage. One of the many places I preferred meeting with clients.
Sebastian was already waiting near the back end, the headlights of his truck illuminating its general area. I inched closer and parked the jeep. Grabbing the small figurine on the passenger seat, I slid out, leaving my door open. I didn’t plan to waste much time here because I was already itching to return to Sol.
As I strode toward the vehicle they were exiting, I palmed the expensive artifact I’d protected with bubble wrap. A massive payday I planned to use on Sol.
I itched to get back home, to take her in my arms?—
Get your head in the fucking game.
I sucked in my teeth and rolled my shoulders out, settling my expression as impassively as possible. Sebastian was scum, but he was harmless scum. Based on the way he kept fidgeting with his clothes, he was as rushed to get this done and behind us as I was.
