shakes her head and shoves Zoe playfully. “Yes, we will have to compare notes.”
“Definitely. You know what they say about a Guardian’s stamina…” Zoe lets her words trail off but not before shifting her gaze to me and giving a knowing wink.
I have a feeling these two will be comparing a lot of things over the next hour. I draw Moira a few steps away and pull her into a massive bear hug. Don’t know why, but I hate leaving her alone. It feels weird, as if I’m leaving a little piece of me behind.
“You’re going to pack, right?” I kiss the top of her head and take note of the way Zoe watches us. She has to know Moira’s been staying with me. No way would Axel keep that information from his girl.
“I am.”
“Okay, because I don’t like leaving you here, and I want your word you are, in fact, coming home with me tonight.”
“Griff!” She slaps playfully at my chest. “Of course, I am.”
“Okay, because you know how this place can be.”
“I do, and I know why you’re worried. The Facility used to be my safe space, but I have that with you now, and no way am I missing out on bedtime cuddling.”
“Is that what we’re calling it?”
“I like it.”
“What about afternoon delights or morning glories?”
“Oh, my God, I can’t believe you just said that. For the record, I like those too. I promise I’ll be packed and waiting for you. I see the shrink at three, so maybe five?”
“Sounds good.”
“What are you going to do all day?”
“I have a doctor’s appointment of my own. Doc Summers wants to see if I’ve been babying my leg. She still wants a vascular surgeon to check me out, and I thought I’d stop in to see the team. I want to see if they know anything new.”
“Oh, I forgot all about Bossman’s phone. Do you think it’s helping?”
“I hope so, and if anyone can pick apart its secrets, it’ll be Mitzy and her technical team.”
Moira wraps her arms around my neck and lifts on tiptoe to give me a kiss. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Same goes for you, little minx.” My glance shifts to Zoe. “What would you think about having Zoe and Axel over to the house for dinner tonight?”
My comment is tactical in nature. I want to ensure Moira comes home with me. My worry is that once she’s back in the comforting hold of the Facility, she’ll rethink her decision to stay outside in the real world. Since I can’t protect her the way I want if she’s a resident in the Facility, I need her to come home.
“Oh, that would be fun. I’ll ask Zoe, although I’m sure she’ll want to come. She’s going to want to make sure you’re treating me right.”
“If treating you right is drowning you in orgasms, I’m going to pass with flying colors.”
“Griff!”
“Just stating facts.” I give Moira one last squeeze, then release her. “I’ll be back at five to pick the two of you up.”
“What about Axel?”
“Oh, he’ll be with me.” Of that, I’m certain.
“Cool. Be good, Griff.”
“Behave, little minx.”
She bites her lower lip and bats her lashes at me. “I can only try.”
With a shake of my head, I leave her in Zoe’s company and head back to my car, where I sit for the next ten minutes. I really hate leaving her behind. It feels all kinds of wrong.
But I do have an appointment with the doc, and I’m eager to see my team. More than that, and it kills me to say it, but I’m acutely interested in checking in with Mitzy and her team.
I don’t know what, if any, intelligence they’ve extracted from that phone, but I hope to God they’ve found something.
Twenty-Three
Moira
“He’s cute.” Zoe makes a show of watching Griff walk away. “That man’s got a swagger to match that mighty fine ass, and he knows how to fill out those jeans. I bet it’s rock hard, too…” Her voice drops to a whisper. “I’m talking about his penis.” She jabs me with her elbow. “I bet it’s hard enough to pound nails when he’s around you.”
“Zoe!” I shove my best friend and ignore the heat scorching my cheeks. I noticed the prominent bulge in Griff’s jeans, but didn’t think Zoe would see it.
“Oh, come on, Griff’s built like Axel. Solid muscle, everywhere. And what’s with the blush?”
“What blush?” Solid muscle is an understatement. Thick, corded muscle stretches all across Griff’s physique. Every