A man, Dani’s boss, stood behind the microphone.
“Thank you for coming. While we mourn the loss of our colleague Josh Whitlock, we are thankful for the safe return of Dani Barlowe. We set up this press conference before Dani leaves Alaska and heads to DC as an opportunity for reporters to ask her questions about her harrowing journey. However, her flight has changed, and she’ll need to head to the airport in one hour, so we’re going to keep this brief.”
Could this guy be any more dramatic? Probably. But Grizz focused on his wordsleaving Alaskaandone hour.
How could he sum up his feelings for Dani in an hour and get five minutes of her attention?
Kane and Sanchez filled the remaining seats near Grizz, while Saxon stood behind Grizz, leaning against the back wall. All eyes were on Dani.
She rolled with the questions like a true pro.
Were you scared being out in the wild with terrorists chasing you?
Tell us about your confidential source.
What was it like being held captive by the senator?
What happened in the woods the night Josh Whitlock was murdered?
But no mention of Grizz or the weapons. Dani must have agreed to the press conference as long as no one brought up her kiss with Grizz. And the FBI had quashed the biological weapon story to let the bad guys think they were winning.
A few more questions referred to Dani’s past with the senator.
Dani had perfectly tailored responses to all questions. Except one.
A reporter stood when called on. “What’s next for your career, Dani?”
She looked right at Grizz, her blue eyes sparkling with amusement. “That depends. I have a lot of options on the table, and I’ll take some time to review them.”
The reporter with BBC on his hat scratched his forehead at the vague answer. But before the man could follow up, Grizz stood and raised his hand.
She nodded to Grizz that he had the floor. At an internationally televised press conference. Rio reaffirmed him with a nod and a smile.
He cleared his throat. What was he doing? A quick prayer and he opened his mouth, not knowing what was going to come out. “Is there any scenario on the table where you’d stay in Alaska?”
Everyone in the room turned to Grizz in unison, but he locked his eyes on Dani’s.
Her smile lit up the room more than the flashes from the cameras snapping pictures. Was he grinning like a fool?
“I think the answer depends, Mr. Grizz. What reasons would I have for staying here?”
A hush fell over the room, all eyes glued to Grizz. But all he saw was Dani and a future with her.
“Love.”
Gasps followed by silence as all heads swiveled to Dani.
“While love is noble, I find it hard to commit to a man when I don’t even know his first name.” She giggled, and the attention shifted back to him like spectators watching a ball at a tennis match.
Was she really going to make him reveal his biggest secret to the world? No one knew his first name.
No one.
Until now.
He gritted his teeth. “It’s Melvin. Melvin Grizz.”
The room erupted in laughter, chatter, and flashes from cameras capturing every second of the moment.
