Page 85 of Ash Storm

Ash

“Iowe you,” Griffin said, coming into the conference room.

Ash raised his head from the game of solo chess he was playing and stood up quickly. “Griffin.”

It took a moment longer for the man’s words to penetrate.

“You don’t owe me anything,” he said.

“You carried me on your shoulders for ten or twelve miles. I would be dead if it wasn’t for you. So I’d say I owe you.” The former CIA analyst’s lips thinned. “Though you shouldn’t have put the mission at risk for me.”

Ash felt his temper flare for an instant, but, just as quickly as the anger had come, it fizzled out.

As smart as he was, Griffin had been a CIA analyst.

He’s never been part of a team before.

Not like this.

“You should learn to expect this from your team, Griffin,” he said, mildly surprise that his now seemed to be the voice of reason.

“How’s Reka?” Griffin asked.

Ash was glad for the subject change, though there were so many ways to respond to that.

Amazing.

Smart.

Courageous.

“Physically, she’s fine. She refuses to go back without her friend, though. She’s out with Alexia, but she’ll be back soon. ”

Griffin nodded.

“Welcome back, Griffin,” Rogue said, walking in with his laptop. “How are you feeling, mate?”

“Good. Good,” Griffin said.

Ash arched an eyebrow. “We’re not your doctors or your brother, you know? You can tell us the truth.”

Because even if Griffin looked … well, he looked much as he always did, stiff and unapproachable, Ash knew just how much blood the man had lost and how close he’d come to dying. Hell, he’d ended up with a lot of it running down his own back.

“Yeah. You look like shit,” Rogue said helpfully.

“Fuck you both,” Griffin said, almost amiably.

The door opened again and Reka rushed in. She launched herself into Griffin’s arms, hugging him tightly.

The green-eyed man shot Ash and Rogue a worried look. Ash almost laughed at how uncomfortable the man looked.

Eventually, however, Griffin relaxed, patting Reka’s back awkwardly.

“I met Slate near the entrance. He told me I’d find you here,” she said, speaking fast. “How are you feeling?”

“Good. Good,” Griffin said. “Are you okay?”

She nodded quickly, taking a step back. “Thanks to all of you,” she said. When her eyes fell on Ash, he felt a surge of protectiveness so strong, he had to sit down.