Chapter 25

Kalista

If Griff didn’t make me feel so safe, there’s no way I’d ever be caught dead anywhere near this place.

Actually, dead is probably the only way I’d ever be in here. This place looks like a decent place to hide a body.

I look around and I can tell by the clientele that this is definitely not a spot frequented by anyone who isn’t from here. Or at least here with a friend. What sort of friend would bring someone to a dive like this—other than to meet up with a group of conspirators and thieves of course—I’ll never know, but there you have it.

Griff takes my hand and leads me through what little crowd there is. I smile when I feel him squeeze my hand gently. When I sneak a glance up at him, he’s grinning back at me with that look that makes my heart thud and my knees weak.

Really, a smile? Apparently, that’s all it takes to get me worked up these days—at least from him.

I chuckle to myself, and a look of confusion grazes over his features. I shake my head and wave my hand, dismissing it, and we continue working our way through.

We get close to the back of the place, and a table to our left catches my eye. There’s a group of men—very attractive men at that—sitting together and sipping drinks, much more sophisticated than the rest of the crowd here.

Hmm, they may be scoping us out. I should tell Griff.

I turn to him, about to make my observation known, when I notice that he’s smiling at one of the men at the table as we’re being waved over.

Of course the table of sexy men is where we’re going.

Could be worse. I’d much rather sit with a group of eye candy than a group of greasy, sketchy types.

He tugs my hand and leads me to the table where one of the men stands and nods at us. Griff slips his arm around my shoulder as we walk over.

“Evening, Gryphon,” the man purrs.

He’s got that same posh accent similar to Griff’s. It sounds a bit rougher though, but it’s appealing all the same.

Interesting.

Griff tilts his head in greeting and moves his hand to the small of my back as he introduces me.

“Jackal. This is Kalista. Kalista, this is The Jackal.”

The Jackal takes my hand and kisses it. He flashes me a smile that would buckle the knees of most of the women back home.

“Ah, yes, the wife! Charmed,” he chuckles.

Jackal smiles at me, and Griff pulls a chair out for me to sit down.

I take my seat, and he pushes my chair in before sitting down next to me as The Jackal takes the seat next to him.

He’s tall like Griff—and handsome. Not nearly as buff or broad, but charming nonetheless. His hair is short, dark, and styled—in a manner close to Griff’s—and has those same mischievous blue eyes too.

The man is definitely easy on the eyes.

“So, you’re the one responsible for our marriage, I take it?” I question, raising my brows and smirking at him.

He laughs and nods, fanning his hands out in a feigned bow. “The one and only, in the flesh.”

I smile at him and lean back in my chair, smirking as I cock an eyebrow in mock offense. “And no wedding gift? Rude.”

The men at the table laugh, and The Jackal grins at Griff.

“You’re right, Griff, she’s a quick one! Beauty and brains, it would seem, the whole package. However did you land such a catch?”

“Well…” I quip, sliding my hand onto Griff’s thigh under the table, “I do think that maybe having someone forge our marriage certificate had something to do with it, but what do I know.”

The table erupts in laughter, and Griff shakes his head at me and sighs. “All right, all right. Let me introduce the rest of my merry band of thieves, yes?”

I nod and smile as I squeeze the taut muscle on his leg, to which he grins back at me, which in turn sends a shiver down my spine.

How does he do that with just a look? I wonder.

Well, in any case, two can play at that game.

“You’ve met the Jackal.” Griff gestures to the man who greeted us, and the man nods his head. “He’s my go-to man for when I need a document procured—”

“Or forged,” I cut him off with a smirk.

“Tomato, tomato,” Jackal pipes in with a beaming smile.

“This here is The Leviathan. He’s an expert on all things tech and can get through any security system in the world. If you need to get into any database or get through any alarms, he’s your guy,” he gestures to the man seated across from me, who then gives me a warm smile and waves.

The Leviathan’s got red hair and reminds of the kind of man you’d love to bring home to your parents. Attractive—but not threateningly so—and has a friendly demeanor.

“And just there is The Manticore. Ex-secret something or other; he doesn’t really say which. Suffice to say that he’s the muscle and the firepower of the lot of us, and if he wants you dead, you’re dead.”

The Manticore meets my gaze and says nothing, just gives me a quick salute and tilts his head. A man of few words, it would seem.

He looks to be the oldest of the group, not that he’s any worse off for it. He gives me a strong silent-type vibe.

Of the group, he’s the most rugged looking with the dark, trimmed beard and hair. And he’s got an intense stare—made all the more so with how dark his eyes are—that would intimidate anyone on my security staff for sure.

“Right, I think I’ve got it.” I lean forward and rest my elbows on the table, shifting my gaze from each of the men I was just introduced to.

“You.” I say, pointing my finger at The Jackal. “You’re the one I want if I want to be someone else—or divorce this guy.”

The group of them laugh, and The Jackal nods, raising his glass as he agrees.

Griff pinches my thigh under the table, and I laugh, my grip on his tightening briefly.

I swivel my view to The Leviathan across from me and flash him a grin. He responds with a shy smile. “And this fine young man across from me is The Leviathan, and he’s who I need if I want to hack into the White House or something, right?”

He beams at me and bobs his head up and down. “That’s me. Ace hacker and an expert of all things tech.”

I turn now to the older gentleman and raise my brows at him. “And this strapping, broody man over here is The Manticore. Ex-spy and goon.”

“Goon? No, no. More like problem solver,” he corrects with the hint of a grin. His voice is deep and there is an intensity that drips from each syllable.

“That works.” I turn to face Griff now and take a drink, peering at him from over the top of my glass. “And you’re supposed to be the master thief? Hmm.”

The others at the table laugh at my dig, and Griff shakes his head at me and leans in. “What’s this ‘supposed to be’ business, hmm?”

I slide my hand further up his thigh and stop just as I catch his breath hitching, and I bite my lip. “I’m just saying.”

“Get a room,” The Manticore scolds.

The rest of the table laughs.

But even with the lighthearted laughter, the tension in the air is palpable.

Griff inches away from me and winks. Again, I feel my heart flutter in my chest and heat pool in my core.

“Let’s get some more drinks, shall we?” he says to the table, and after no one objects, he flags down the waiter to order another round.