Cant Let Go GO PL

by Barbara Freethy

  "We wanted to support you," Mia said.

  "And we wanted to make sure you were really okay," Kate added. "Devin and I decided to fly out a few days early and spend some time with you and Mia before heading up to San Francisco for the family Christmas. I assume you're coming to that, Annie."

  "I am definitely going to be there."

  "With your mystery man?" Kate asked.

  "Griffin will be there, too," she said, happy he was excited to meet her family. "I know you're going to love him."

  "We better love him, after all he put you through," Kate said. "He better be worth it."

  "He is—trust me."

  "Where is he?" Mia asked curiously, looking around the room. "We really want to meet him."

  "They actually want to vet him," Devin put in with a grin.

  "And grill him," Jeremy added.

  "I don't actually know where he is. He said he had a surprise, and I'm waiting for him to come back. In the meantime, is all well with you, Mia? Baby is good?"

  "Baby is great," Mia said, patting her barely noticeable bump. "And I'm not throwing up anymore, so I'm happy about that."

  "I'm really glad." A commotion near the entrance drew her gaze, and she couldn't believe her eyes for a second time.

  "What on earth is this?" Mia muttered.

  "Looks like a team of superheroes," she said, a smile spreading across her face as Griffin entered the room, wearing a muscled superhero outfit that somehow incorporated his sling as well as a cape and boots. He was followed by Vinnie, Justin, and Danielle, almost exactly the way she'd imagined them. "I can't believe they did this."

  The team of superheroes ran through the room with drama and flair, handing out colorfully wrapped presents to all of the kids. And then Griffin stepped up to the microphone.

  "I want to welcome all of you to our party. We are celebrating the great work of Hamilton House and also this wonderful senior center for hosting our event. We have music coming up, more presents, a raffle you won't want to miss, and plenty of food. But before we do anything further, we want to thank the woman who put all this together, the absolutely amazing Annie Callaway."

  Applause followed Griffin's announcement, and she dabbed at her moist eyes.

  "I know you're not shy, Annie," Griffin said, motioning her forward.

  She walked up to the microphone and gave him a loving look, then said to the crowd, "I had a lot of help from the superheroes in this room. But our main goal is for you all to enjoy yourselves. And don't forget to buy a raffle ticket."

  She stepped away from the microphone as the band took over, launching into the first of many holiday songs to be played that night.

  * * *

  Griffin saw the tears in Annie's eyes and hoped they were happy tears. "I couldn't get the costume exactly right, but what do you think, especially since I had to work around my sling?" He flexed his one good bicep, which moved his fake muscles up and down.

  "I think you're incredible and a little crazy. Why did you all do this?" she asked, as Vinnie, Justin, and Danielle crowded around them.

  "You guys want to tell her?" Griffin asked.

  "We want you to use us as your superhero team," Justin put in. "Griffin showed us the sketches, and we're all on board. But I also wouldn't mind if you remember this when you grade my final project next week."

  "I'll be sure to do that," she said with a laugh.

  "We'd love to be the inspiration for a movie," Vinnie continued.

  "And I like the way you made me sexy. My boobs were huge," Danielle added with a big laugh.

  "That's so nice of all of you, but I—I don't think I have that option anymore," she said. "I didn't get that job."

  "Actually…" Griffin began.

  She gave him a wary look. "What?"

  "I went to the production company on Friday."

  "You did what?"

  "I went into the production company and I told them that you were wrong about not having our permission. They said they were happy to hear that because they really wanted to work with you. They also said they'd called you, but you hadn't called them back. Why not?"

  "I thought they were just going to say no," she murmured. "And I was really busy."

  And she hadn't wanted to be rejected, he thought. "They want you, Annie, with or without the idea. They told me that. They thought you were the best artist they'd spoken to in months. All you have to do is pick up the phone on Monday and call them."

  A light came into her eyes. "They really want to hire me?"

  "They really do. They'd be fools not to."

  "Thank you—all of you. I promise I will do right by each and every one of you. You'll see sketches all the way along, and there's no guarantee that anything will ever come of it, but you never know."

  "You're welcome," Vinnie said. "Now let's go have some superhero fun, gang."

  "I'll join you all in a second," he said, as he took Annie's hands in his. "I know I interfered in your business. Are you angry?"

  "No. I'm happy, and I'm in love with you. I can't believe you did that for me."

  "You deserved it. And I wanted to have your back, the way you've had mine."

  "We're a good team."

  As he leaned in for a kiss, he heard a deliberate clearing of someone's throat. He lifted his head to see two very attractive blonde women giving him assessing looks. Behind them were two guys, who both seemed curious as to what was about to happen, as well as a little girl, who had big eyes and a big smile.

  "Griffin, I want you to meet my sisters," Annie said. "Mia and Kate. And these are their significant others, Jeremy and Devin, as well as my beautiful niece, Ashlyn."

  "I didn't know you all were coming," he said. "I'm kind of regretting the superhero costume now."

  Kate was a very fit looking woman with short blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes and Mia was a softer version of Kate with longer blonde hair and blue eyes. While they weren't identical, they were clearly sisters, and shared some of Annie's features as well.

  "We wanted to surprise Annie," Kate said. "And I wanted to meet the man who got my sister into all kinds of trouble and made her cry," she added pointedly.

  "You're going to be the tough one, aren't you?" he said lightly.

  "I am," she agreed. "I'd kick your ass if my sister wasn't so crazy about you."

  "I believe you would."

  "Keep that in mind for the future," Kate warned.

  "It's nice to meet you, Griffin," Mia put in. "And while I don't do a lot of ass kicking, I can get my husband to help, so don't assume I'm a complete pushover."

  "I wouldn't dare," he said with a laugh.

  "I hope you know what you're getting into," Devin said with a dry smile, offering him a handshake.

  "Although their bark is worse than their bite," Jeremy interjected, as he shook hands with him as well.

  "I'm really glad you came," he said, seeing the happiness in Annie's eyes. "I know Annie misses you a lot."

  "I do miss all of you," Annie admitted, slipping her arm about his waist. "And it means a lot to me that you are here."

  "We're family. That's what family does," Mia said.

  "I hope you like big family gatherings, Griffin," Kate said. "Because Christmas is going to be a blowout. And then there will be our brothers' double wedding. Did Annie tell you that Dylan and Tori and Ian and Grace are tying the knot together in February?"

  "She mentioned something about that," he said.

  "Good luck remembering everyone's name," Devin said. "I still get the cousins mixed up."

  "Griffin will have plenty of time to remember everyone's name," Annie said.

  "A lifetime," he agreed, looking into her beautiful green eyes.

  "I think things are going to get mushy," Kate said. "Let's get some food."

  "Are things going to get mushy?" he asked Annie, as her family headed to the buffet.

  "Very," she said, a promise in her eyes. "I love you, Griffin."

  "I love you, too. I wa
nt to be part of your family, and I want you to be a part of mine. I was thinking sometime this winter we might head down to Florida."

  "I would love to meet your dad and your grandfather."

  "Good."

  "And I'm thrilled that I'm getting my own personal superhero for the rest of my life. So how about giving me a superhero kiss?"

  "Here? In front of the children and the elderly?" he teased.

  "Here, there and everywhere."

  "I'm going to make you happy," he vowed.

  She gazed into his eyes. "You already have."

  # # #

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed Annie and Griffin's story. I had a great time plotting out their love story and Griffin's mysterious past. If you want more Callaways, be sure to look for Hunter's story in SECRETS THAT WE KEEP, coming out in 2018.

  In the meantime, I've released several other new books this year. If you're a romantic suspense fan, PERILOUS TRUST, Off the Grid: FBI Series (#1) is now available with RECKLESS WHISPER and DESPERATE PLAY coming out in 2018. I've included an excerpt from PERILOUS TRUST following this letter. This series is a spin-off from my Lightning Strikes Trilogy that includes BEAUTIFUL STORM, LIGHTNING LINGERS and SUMMER RAIN, which are all available.

  If you like a sweeter romance, be sure to check out my Bachelors & Bridesmaids series. A complete list of books follows the excerpt from PERILOUS TRUST.

  I love to hang out with my readers. If you're on Facebook, you can like my page or join my private group where we talk books and I often announce spur-of-the-moment giveaways.

  Don't want to miss a new release? Be sure to sign up for my news alerts, which never come out more than once a month. I only send them out when there is a new release or a great sale!

  Until next time, happy reading!

  Barbara

  * * *

  Continue reading for an excerpt from

  PERILOUS TRUST.

  * * *

  Excerpt – PERILOUS TRUST

  (OFF THE GRID:FBI Series #1)

  © Copyright 2017 Barbara Freethy

  All Rights Reserved

  In PERILOUS TRUST, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy brings you the first book in a new romantic suspense series! OFF THE GRID: FBI Series offers breath-stealing books filled with action-packed plot, heart-stopping romance, and page-turning suspense.

  It was one dark night that brought Damon Wolfe and Sophie Parker together. They were two tortured souls, looking for escape, and they weren't supposed to see each other ever again…

  Four years later, Sophie's FBI father, who is also Damon's mentor, is killed in a suspicious car crash after leaving Sophie a cryptic message to trust no one. When Damon shows up looking for her, she isn't sure if he's friend or enemy, but she knows he could easily rip apart what is left of her heart.

  The last thing Damon wants is to get involved with Sophie again. It was hard enough to walk away the first time. But she's in trouble, her father's reputation is under attack, and the lives of his fellow agents are at stake if there's a traitor in their midst.

  When someone starts shooting at them, they have no choice but to go on the run and off the grid. Everyone in their world becomes a suspect. They want to uncover the truth, but will it turn out to be the last thing they expect? Proving her father's innocence might just cost them their hearts…and their lives…

  Prologue

  "Sophie, I'm sorry." It wasn't the best start to the worst message he would ever have to leave, but it had to be done. He'd spent the last six hours creating a trail that would hopefully lead away from his daughter. He'd left New York City hours ago and was now driving along lonely, rural, winding roads in northern New Jersey, the beautiful scenery barely registering in his brain as he escaped from his life.

  His left hand tightened on the steering wheel as he cleared his throat and tried to find the right words. "I've made a mistake—more than one. I thought I could stay out of the mud, but it turns out that I'm covered in it. I don't have time to explain, but—" He stopped abruptly as the beep from her voicemail cut him off.

  He punched in her number again, knowing she wouldn't answer. It was two o'clock on a Wednesday, and she'd be teaching a class in archaeology at NYU, probably getting her students ready to go on one of the summer digs starting next month. Ever since she was a little girl, Sophie had been fascinated with history, with the past, with finding answers to century-old questions. Now she taught during the school year and went on digs in the summer—the perfect combination.

  It had been worth it—giving Sophie everything she wanted. Hadn't it?

  He glanced back at the phone. With Sophie's schedule, he doubted she'd get the messages for a few more hours. Maybe by then he'd be somewhere safe and they could actually talk. But if that didn’t happen…he had to tell her what to do. He couldn't wait another second. He couldn't keep pretending everything would be all right. He'd been preparing for weeks…just in case. He now had to execute the plan.

  Her voicemail encouraged him to leave another message.

  "Remember how much your mom loved spring cleaning and how we hated to get rid of the things we loved—like my beer bottle collection? Remember our secret stash? Well, I've left you something there. But in order to get it, you'll need to find the key that's hidden away at your favorite place in the world."

  He was being cryptic, but he couldn't risk the information being heard by the wrong person. Hopefully, only Sophie would be able to figure out what he was talking about. While she might wonder why he was sending her so far away, he needed to get her out of town as quickly as possible. That would buy her time.

  "Get the key and follow my instructions," he continued. "I know you'll have a million questions about this message. You'll try to call me, and I won't answer. You'll wonder why I didn't talk to you before now. You'll think twice about doing what I'm asking you to do, but you can't do that, Sophie. Above all, you have to be safe. You have to live a long life. It may not be the life you planned, but it can still be happy. So, no questions, no second thoughts, no wondering if there is another way. You can't trust anyone. Not the police and definitely not the Bureau—no one. Whoever you think might be my friend or yours—isn't." The phone cut off again.

  "Dammit," he swore, seeing a vehicle appear on the road behind him. It could be just another motorist, but as the car picked up speed, he realized that his sins were gaining on him fast. He hadn't been smart enough. He hadn't done enough to make a clean exit.

  He pressed his foot down on the gas pedal, his small sedan almost trembling with the speed required to get away. He'd once been an incredible driver, able to avoid almost any tail, but so many of his skills had broken down in recent years, he could barely remember the person he used to be. He had many regrets, but if he lost his life on this road, maybe no one would ever really know why. Maybe that was a good thing.

  He called Sophie again. "If I can find a way out of this, I will. In the meantime, do exactly what I told you. I want you to know how proud I am," he said, his voice choking with emotion. "Everything I did—the choices I made—were to make our lives better, especially your life. I feel sick at the heartache you may have to go through. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you. You have always been my everything. If something happens to me, don't try to find out who is responsible. Don't go to my house. Don't go to your apartment. Don't trust anyone, especially not those you think are my friends."

  He should give her a name, but then she might think that was the only person to avoid, and there were more…more than he knew…

  "Just run," he continued. "Get rid of your phone as soon as you finish listening to these messages, so they can't track you. I'm sorry again, Sophie. I hope you can make a new life for yourself, and I pray one day you'll be able to forgive—"

  The phone flew out of his hand as his car was rammed from behind. He pushed the pedal all the way to the floor, but the vehicle behind him had more power. He swerved around another turn, down
a straightaway, to a harder curve. He saw the narrow bridge ahead as his car took another hit.

  He yanked the wheel, trying to regain control, but the car skidded across the concrete. He was headed straight for the guardrail. He had some impossible hope he might clear the water and land on the other side of the pond, but that would take a miracle.

  The last thing he deserved was a miracle.

  One

  Her second-year university students were restless and as eager as she was for the academic year to be over. It was the first of June, and with the unusually hot weather, Sophie Parker could see their gazes straying to the windows as she spoke, the lure of summer interesting them far more than the study questions for the final exam they would take next week. She couldn't blame them.

  Six weeks from now, she'd be out of the classroom, too, taking eight of these students on an archaeological dig in Egypt. They would finally get a chance not just to read about history but to experience it, to feel the heavy, haunting atmosphere at a century-old site, to dig for something real, something from the past, something that could change what they knew of history.

  Discovery was an addicting thrill—one she'd never been able to shake. Unfortunately, she had to limit the thrilling moments to the summer months. The rest of the year, she was a professor at NYU, where she shared her passion with her college students.

  Glancing over at the clock, she realized it was one minute to four. Time to free them for the weekend.

  "That's it," she said. "I'll see you for our final exam next Wednesday. If you have questions, you can email me, or come by my office hours on Monday from ten to noon. Good luck with your studying."