Written in Ink (Montgomery Ink #4)(24)

It hadn’t mattered, though. She’d left to protect them as well as herself. It wasn’t safe for her to be with them. She looked around at the Montgomerys and knew she’d have to leave soon. It wasn’t safe for them either.

It was never safe.

The doors to the waiting room opened and a nurse wheeled Griffin inside. Autumn stood, her empty cup falling to the floor. Jake squeezed her hand once then left her to wrap his arm around Maya’s shoulders—whether he was merely holding her or holding her back, she didn’t know. Nor did she care right then.

She only cared about Griffin.

Dangerous.

They’d put him in a pair of scrubs—much like the ones she now wore since her clothes had been covered with debris and blood. He leaned against the back of the wheelchair, his body cut and bruised like hers, but his eyes looked alert. His gaze searched the room as his family came up to him, but he didn’t rest on a single person—until he reached her. As soon as their eyes met, his shoulders relaxed and his jaw loosened.

Autumn blinked, unable to voice her worries, her relief that he was okay. She pulled her gaze from him, unsure of what to do under the scrutiny. Her gaze landed on his right hand and she staggered back into Storm’s solid chest. The cast on Griffin’s hand made her want to retch, her body close to shaking. Her skin went clammy and her mouth dried.

His hand.

His work. His life. Oh, God.

Griffin.

She met his gaze again and she saw the pain in them this time, the pain that had nothing to do with agony, but with knowing.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

The room went silent.

She nodded, still unable to speak fully other than the few whispers she’d managed before.

His throat worked as he swallowed again before turning to look at his parents. “I’m okay.”

“Oh God, Griffin,” Marie cupped her son’s cheeks gently. “What happened?”

Griffin leaned into his mother’s hold as he spoke about the driver coming at them. Autumn wanted to leave. She felt like a voyeur, someone who shouldn’t be there in the presence of such a tight-knit family. If she hadn’t needed a ride, if she hadn’t reacted as she had to Griffin’s kiss, he wouldn’t be here—hurt and broken. His livelihood wouldn’t be in jeopardy because she was a selfish liar who didn’t deserve the looks of comfort and concern she was getting. She turned to leave, but Storm put his hands on her shoulders. She let out a slight moan, and Griffin turned to her again, his eyes narrowing where Storm touched her.

“Shit,” Storm whispered. He moved his hands away slowly. “Sorry, honey. I forgot the seatbelt got you.”

“You should be sitting down,” Griffin said, his voice low.

“I’m fine, Griffin,” she said, her voice a bit louder than before.

“You’re coming home with us,” Austin said after a few moments of silence.

“No, you have the kids at home, he can come home with me,” Wes said.

Soon, every single Montgomery offered—or rather announced—that Griffin would be staying with them. The show of love and compassion nearly brought her to her knees.

Griffin shook his head then winced. Autumn had taken an involuntary step toward him before she stopped herself.

“I just want to go home,” he said finally.

“You need someone to wake you up every so often,” Meghan said softly. “You can’t be alone tonight.”

Autumn’s mouth opened before she even realized she was ready to offer. “I’ll take care of him.”

The Montgomerys turned as one toward her. Talk about intimidating.

Griffin’s mouth quirked, and she saw the relief in his eyes. He didn’t want everyone around him, seeing him like this. She didn’t know what it meant that he seemed to be okay with her there, but she’d take it. It was the least she could do.

“I’m at his house most of the time anyway,” she continued. “I don’t have the same responsibilities like you when it comes to kids, health issues, or work.”

Storm put his hand on the small of her back, and she saw Griffin’s eyes narrow once more. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll drive you, though, since I know you don’t have cars here.”

She could have hit herself. Damn it. Her car wasn’t working—which scared the hell out of her since she needed it for escape, and Griffin’s car was a loss.

“We’ll get someone to check out your car, Autumn. That way you have a mode of transportation,” Wes added.

“And I’ll drop by in the morning to help or get you home if you need to pick things up,” Storm added. “That is if you plan to stay the night. Do you?”

She blushed for some reason, though she’d been the one to offer to stay the night anyway. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”

Griffin growled.

Growled.

Maybe his pain meds were making him act more possessive than usual. Or maybe she was the one who needed a nap.

“I’m fine,” she said.

“You’ll need rest, as well,” Miranda said softly.

“Then I’ll set an alarm. It will be okay.”

Griffin glared. “Not the couch.”

She blushed again before she remembered the size of his home. “I can stay in the guest room. Okay?”