Kalista
Griff strolls back into the apartment, and I’m relieved to see him making his way over to me with a sympathetic look on his face.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, love,” he croons, flashing me a grin as he unties my hands and my ankles. “But I think our time together is coming to a close.”
I twist my wrists and crack my knuckles as they’re released from the rope, enjoying the fact that I’m no longer bound and helpless.
It’s one thing to play this sort of games in the bedroom, but outside of that? I’m not so much a fan of being tied up.
“Oh, really? And why is that?” I ask, rolling my ankles as he removes the ropes.
As anxious as I am to get back to safety, there are definitely worse ways I could be spending my time right now. At least Griff is easy on the eyes. Especially with his strong hands and a jaw line of steel.
He offers me his hand, and I take it, pulling myself up and marveling at how soft his hands are.
How can someone in his line of work have hands that are so smooth?
Before I have a chance to ask him what marvelous line of skincare he uses, he darts off to the other room, and I’m left standing here like an idiot glancing around the apartment. When I start to wander, he comes right back into the room—with shopping bags.
“Because,” he smirks at me and tosses me a pair of jeans from one of them, followed by a chic navy blouse. “As much as I’ve enjoyed your company, I’m taking you back to your hotel. Get dressed, we’re leaving in a few minutes.”
Well, probably for the better, I suppose. At least I got a cute outfit out of the situation, right?
“Sure,” I say, shrugging my shoulders. “I’m getting tired of sitting around here anyway.”
I get dressed, and he leads me out of the apartment, and I sigh once I get the moment to bask in the sun. The contrast between the hot sun and the sea-sprayed breeze is divine. Had I not just spent time tied up against my will, I would’ve probably wished to stay longer.
We’re walking at a steadily brisk pace toward his car when he takes my hand. His grip is firm. When I look up at him quizzically, he’s anything but flirtatious.
His expression is cautious, and his brow is furrowed in concentration, his gaze directed a few yards ahead of us.
I follow his eyes and see a couple of men leaning against the stone wall, blocking our path on the walkway. They certainly look out of place given how they’re dressed in matching black outfits and are staring right back at us.
“I don’t think they’re locals,” I say as my grip on his hand tightens.
“No,” he growls under his breath. “They’re not. Bollocks.”
I feel him pull me into a small alleyway. We duck into an alcove between two buildings. I let out a small gasp when he yanks my arm, but he quickly shushes me with a glare and a finger to my lips as he stills.
His chest is pressed against mine, and my back is against the cold stone wall of the building. My face is so close to his that I can almost taste his lips. My hands are shaking, and my eyes are wide as they dart around, looking for any signs of company.
I feel him give my hand a gentle squeeze as he looks down at me.
“Just follow my lead, yes? I think we can throw them off,” his voice, a low and soothing baritone, is more than a bit comforting right now.
“I’m not sure how we’re going to—”
I’m cut off as his lips take mine softly but eagerly into a kiss. His hand travels up and cups my face, and I lean into his touch. His thumb is making lazy circles on my cheek, and I start to pull away in alarm, but I stop when I realize that he’s creating a diversion.
I would’ve settled for a fake accent or hell—even just running away—but I guess playing the handsy couple isn’t such a bad disguise.
I can hear the two men running to the alleyway not far off and then stopping suddenly when they see the two of us kissing. I bring my hands up to his collar and pull him in closer to me, sighing against his lips as I do.
I can hear the two men bickering just down the lane. After a moment, they finally give up and depart, but the kiss between Griff and I lingers.
Until he breaks from our kiss that is.
Our lips part, and I feel his hot breath against my own. My heart is racing a thousand beats a second, but Griff’s is calm as can be.
“Thanks for playing along. Much more fun than running, I say, judging by the heels on those boots you’re wearing,” he says with a smirk that’s more charming than I’ll ever admit to him. “They would’ve caught up to us pretty quickly.”
Who does this guy think he’s dealing with? Some pathetic bimbo who doesn’t know how to do anything but look pretty in a designer dress?
I can do that, of course, but I’m also able to take care of myself.
Maybe not at this particular moment but most of the time.
I scoff and purse my lips together, giving a playful shove against his chest, which—if I’m being honest right now—is just oh-so-firm.
“Maybe you’re not aware of exactly who I am,” I snap. “But I’m not some girl who needs saving. I can hold my own.”
“Says the girl who got kidnapped and tied up,” he says with a chuckle and leans around the corner to check for signs of a threat.
I roll my eyes and follow him as he leads me through the alleyways. We get back out into the main street—after taking the long way—and the car’s already running by the time it’s in sight.
We make a break for it, but I groan when I feel a heavy thud against my back and an angry grip against the collar of my shirt.
“What the—?” I whip around to face my attacker.
My eyes are filled with the snarling face of one of the men from earlier.
He tries to shove a rag in my face—likely chloroform—and I throw a fist up at his jaw.
There’s a satisfying crack of bone against bone that sends him stumbling backward as he curses. My hand throbs with pain. I’ve never actually punched someone before.
I turn around to dish out the same punishment to the person behind me and gasp as my fist is deflected by a forearm. I duck, about to kick my assailant, but I stop myself in time as I come face to face with Griff, his eyes wide.
“Come on,” he urges as he pulls me towards the waiting car. “Get in!”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
My door isn’t even closed before the car lurches forward at Griff’s command.
If I thought my heart was racing just from kissing Griff, then it’s about to explode out of my chest now from all the adrenaline.
I turn to look out the back window. The two men try to run us down, but they give up their pursuit after only a handful of steps.
“Well, thank you,” I say with a sigh, looking over at Griff who’s watching to make sure we aren’t being followed. “Although, I was taking care of business.”
He simply shakes his head and narrows his gaze at me.
“Alright, listen. I can take you back to your hotel, but I’m pretty sure your security detail is going to be just as useless in helping you as they were before. And honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn one or two of them might be in on all this. I can keep you safe for now,” he says with a shrug. “But only if you come with me.”
My own security team setting me up? How is that possible?
I’ve known them for years.
I refuse to believe someone like Todd or Corey could be in on this.
And who does this guy think he is? Why should I trust him?
Sure, he’s the only person who’s kept me from being taken more than once today, but that doesn’t mean he gets some free pass.
My mind is a foggy storm of chaos. My body is exhausted and sore.
What do I have to lose at this point?
If nothing else, it’ll make for a great story for the girls when I get back.
I shrug and laugh, in disbelief at my own situation.
“Alright. Fuck it. Let’s go.”
He smiles at me with an approving nod. My eyes look out at the stretch of open road before us. I have no idea where we’re going, but I can’t care less.
This has been one hell of a birthday.