“Talk to me.”  

“Niall Alexander…he made an ultimatum.”

“What was that?”

“He’s the one who took the stones. He’s the person who was smuggling archaeological objects from other countries. McPherson is in on it. I can’t prove anything but I know it’s all true.”

“Go on.”

“Somehow, Niall found out that I was onto him. I think I wasn’t covering my tracks very well after digging around in the crates.”

“Does he know that you helped me take that stone?”

“He doesn’t know anything about you. I haven’t told anyone about you, Gryphon!”

“I’m not saying you would, Heather, but if he knows you took the stone—”

“He does. Like I said, I don’t know how. To get to the point…he says that if I don’t give it back to him…or if I go to the police or report him in any way…he’s going to kill a lot of people. And he will.” She paused for a long moment. “Did you know it was Niall who took those stones all along? Were you keeping that bit of information from me?”

“No.  I didn’t know it was Niall. Not until now.”

“Yeah. Right. And you didn’t see him in the stairwell?”

“No.

“But, he sent that dog to attack you. You had to have seen him there!” she argued.

“Dog? You think a dog could have bested me? Really?”

“That’s what it was, wasn’t it? A big dog with rabies or something?”

He sighed heavily and slowly shook his head. “It’s probably a good idea if I don’t discuss that night anymore. The point is…until now, I didn’t know that Niall was guilty of anything, or I’d never have let you be alone with him! I only knew that McPherson didn’t have any permission to dig in certain places in Ireland. That’s the truth.”

She simply stared at him.

He softly touched her face, then let his hand fall. “I’ll deal with that blond man. You’re done with this situation. I want you to leave New York.”

“No. Niall killed my friend. He killed a woman near the museum for God knows what reason. He’s not going to stop. That’s why I wouldn’t give him the stone back, even if I had it. As long as he thinks I do, he’ll be watching me like a hawk. If I was stupid enough to give it to him, he’d kill me anyhow. He’s going to destroy anyone who gets in his way.” She paused and looked him over. “I just don’t understand how you got hurt in that stairwell, or why you didn’t see Niall there. Still, I’m glad you’re okay. You look fine…now. Really…fine…” her words trailed away as she looked him over.

“Herne’s blood! You’re not going to let that stairwell incident go, are you?

“No!”

“You’ve got the tenacity of a tick!”

She slowly smiled. “It’s not polite to tell someone that they’re like a tick. It’s not a compliment. Something tells me that you’re not used to conversing a lot, are you?”

 For a long moment, she was subjected to one of the most intense stares she’d ever experienced. Still, he wasn’t about to comment on Niall having something to do with the attack in the stairwell. That bothered her immensely.

“Let’s get back to the subject at hand…did that son-of-a-bitch force himself on you?”

“No. I’m being honest about that! He was just mad that I fought him and won. He was trying to make a point. He did. Then…so did I.”

“You fought him?”

“And beat ‘im!”

Gryphon drew back.

“Don’t look so shocked! I wasn’t going to stand there and let the jackass throttle me. Besides, what he did to me was bad, but he’ll do worse to a lot of other people. He’ll make good on his threats. He’s insane and doesn’t care about consequences now. He wants his damned stone back, and you know why, even if you didn’t know he was the killer!”

He briefly pinched the bridge of his nose between his index finger and thumb. “Heather…I can’t talk to you about that night in the stairwell. I can’t say more, though I know you deserve to know more.”

“Why not?” she demanded.

“Because, not everyone would agree with me opening my big mouth!”

“Shayla. Right?”

“There are things in this world that you cannot be told.” He slowly shook his head. “You’re done with this, Heather. I mean it!”

“I’m done when I say I am!”

He stared at her for a long moment. “You’re strong! I’ll give you that.”

“You think so?”

“I most certainly do!”

“Sometimes, I don’t feel so strong. Sometimes, I just feel…alone.”

Gryph suddenly stared at her in a way that made her want to melt. His dark gaze grew soft, and his eyes reflected great kindness.

“I’ve never met anyone like you, Lass.” He moved closer. “You’re far too intelligent and beyond resourceful. You truly love things for the beauty they bring to the world. You cherish friendship. You want to do what’s right.” He tilted his head as he gazed at her. “You’re…not like others in this world. You’re special. Very genuine. How could I…”

“How could you what?” she softly prompted.

“How could I not want you? I am trying not to get involved, but…you make it so hard.” He briefly looked away. Long moments went by before he spoke again. “Lass, you deserve so much more than I can give you. The truth, for one thing. I’m not in a position to say anything else. I wish I could make you understand.”

She stared at him. He was speaking through his heart. The reflection of his soul was in his eyes. “Tell me who you really are?”

“I’ve already involved you too much. But I’ll make you a promise.”

“What?”

“Niall won’t get the stones or hurt you. Never again.”

“Yeah, I was afraid you would say something like that, Gryphon. Just stop whatever you’re thinking about. Before you get killed. Whatever attacked you had something to do with Niall. I know it, though you’re not saying so. I can ask a million times. You’re going to evade every question about that night!”

He simply stared at the floor.

She dragged her hands through her hair. “Gryph, stay here tonight. I promise I’ll shut up, and not question your deep, dark secrets. I want just a few hours of your time.”

“This is the very last place I should be. But, I’ll stay for a short while. To make sure you’re going to be all right.”

“Would it be asking too much if you held me?”

“I’ve…I’ve actually wanted to. For a while now,” he softly admitted.

The feel of his arms, as they slowly and gently wrapped around her, was intoxicating. His body molded to hers so perfectly, and his hands moved so slowly over her body.

“You feel good,” she murmured. “I’ve wanted someone to hold. For such a long time.”

“Rest,” he softly told her.

Some minutes went by, and they said nothing. She just held him as if she never had to let him go.

She felt his strong heart beating because his chest was so close to hers. His very presence made her feel like anything was possible, if they stuck together.

“Why do I feel so safe with you?” she whispered.

“Your instincts tell you that I won’t ever hurt you. But…”

“But what?”

He moved away. “I have to leave now. It’s for the best.”

Without the warmth of his body, she felt alone in the world again. Still, she couldn’t hold him if he didn’t want to be there. “I won’t ask you to do something that’s wrong for you. But, if you’re using my safety as an excuse to leave, don’t! I can look after myself. I’ve been doing that for a very long time. I did it tonight!”  

“Please, try to understand,” he said as he gently touched her hair. “I’m not who you think I am.”

“Who do I think you are?”

“I think you want me to be some hero. I’m not.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.” She blinked back tears. “I want you. It isn’t something I can help.”

“Damn!” he muttered. “Woman, if I stay, I might not want to leave. You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, Heather. I’ve told you…for the love of all that’s holy!” He passed a hand over the back of his neck. “I shouldn’t have come.”

Her response was to wrap her arms around his waist, and kiss him. Hard. She didn’t even notice the cut on her lip. There was no pain in that contact. Only joy.

He moaned, then broke the embrace. “For your own sake, let me go.”

“You can go. Anytime you want to,” she told him as she gazed deeply into his eyes.

“We’ll both be damned, and by sources you can’t begin to imagine,” he murmured against her lips.

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