Page 92 of Griffin
I’m trying to keep my anger at bay. Trying to be supportive, helpful. Letting her lead, telling me what she needs. But fuck it. While she spoke to the sheriff, Tommy and I went upstairs, and I called my security team again. The same guys I had standing guard in the hospital. They’ll be here by morning and will protect her and this bakery so fucking tight, no one will get to her.
“Well, I think that’s all I need. But like I said, if you don’t want to press charges, there’s not a lot I can do. I’ll make a report to have on file. But there’s nothing stopping them from turning back up tomorrow,” Tony, the local sheriff, says, and I clench my jaw. I’ll fucking stop them. That’s what will.
“Let me walk you out.” I pass Tommy over to his mom and walk the sheriff out the front of the bakery as Savannah blows out a breath and Melissa potters around. I’m grateful for her. Not sure what would’ve happened had she not been here.
“There’ll be three new people in town by morning,” I tell him. Not asking for permission.
“Private security?” He raises his eyebrow at me but doesn’t seem surprised. I nod.
“Thought as much. Tanner and his friends always take things into their own hands; not sure why I thought this would be any different.” He puts on his hat and walks out the door, clearly trying to manage his town with a group of billionaires who don’t give a fuck about his rules.
I turn and see both the women standing, talking in hushed tones, and Tommy snuggles into Savannah, clearly tired. It’s been a big afternoon.
“Melissa. Would you mind taking Tommy up to the apartment for a while?”
Melissa nods, and Savannah looks at me.
“Why?”
I get it. She’s protective, too. But she needs to breathe. She needs to have a small moment.
“Oh, I can take him for a little while. Give you guys a chance to talk. He’s all fed, so he’ll be happy for a bit.” Melissa smiles, and Savannah mimics her, passing him over and watching her hold her son.
“Just bring him back down as soon as he starts fussing,” Savannah tells her.
“No worries. I’ll be back down if he starts to cry.” She slowly walks up the stairs, and silence falls across the bakery as the small apartment door closes behind her.
“Talk to me.” Moving closer, my hands cup her face, forcing her to look at me. Needing to touch her. Needing her in my arms.
“I feel… hopeless…” She swallows as a small tear trails down. I wipe it away with my thumb, caressing her cheeks.
“Why?” My chest tightens at seeing her so upset.
“Because if Melissa wasn’t here, I wouldn’t have been able to protect him.” Her words are mere whispers as another tear falls. It’s a feeling I know too well. She had a huge scare today. I’m sure her shock and adrenaline are still running through her body.
“I’ve organized some security. Three men will be here tomorrow.”
She shakes her head immediately.
“No. I can’t. It’s a family-friendly bakery. I can't have suited security standing around here like it’s a nightclub or something. It would ruin the entire feeling I'm trying hard to evoke.” Still thinking of the business. Of building something. Trying to prove to everyone around her that she can do it. Of course she can. She’s amazing. But she needs to know she can rely on me now. That there are people who can help her.
“I’ll place them down the street. Have one sit out the back. One up in the apartment. They can be discreet.”
She swallows, still looking uneasy, and I cup her jaw as she slowly nods in agreement.
“I was so scared they were going to take him, you know?” Her eyes are glassy as she looks up at me pleadingly.
“Yeah, sweetness, I do know.”
Understanding washes across her face. My brother and mother were both taken from me, and I never saw them again. I know firsthand the pain she’s feeling.
“How can they think it’s okay to walk in here and kidnap my baby?” Her brow wrinkles, and I rub her cheek with my thumb again, trying to soothe her.
“I suspect that they’re not really thinking at all.” It’s the truth. No person in their right mind would try anything like that. They are entitled, probably borderline mentally unstable, but I don’t say it.
She takes a deep breath and blows it out, her shoulders relaxing with the movement. I drop my hands, lowering them to her waist. She’s beautiful today, as always.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her arms looping around my neck.
