The kitchen of the Sentinels Compound was not the place Griffin wanted to be right now—not with Adrian pacing like a caged tiger and you standing at the counter, arms folded, watching the impending disaster unfold.

Adrian exhaled sharply, his patience hanging by a thread. “Alright, let’s go over this again, Barnes. What was rule number one?”

Griffin ran a hand through his hair, avoiding your gaze as he muttered, “Don’t sleep with your daughter.”

Adrian’s expression darkened. “And rule number two?”

Griffin sighed, shifting his weight. “Don’t break rule number one.”

Adrian slammed his hands down on the kitchen island, making both of you jump. “And what did you do?”

Griffin finally looked up, meeting Adrian’s fiery glare with a wince. “Broke rule number one.”

You groaned, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Dad—”

Adrian shot you a look. “Nope. You don’t get to ‘Dad’ me right now, missy. You knew the rules!”

You huffed. “I’m an adult, and so is he—”

“Oh, really?” Tony snapped. “Because last time I checked, adults follow rules. And now, because someone here has the self-control of a raccoon in a trash can—” He jabbed a finger at Griffin. “—I have to make rule number three.”

Griffin dared to glance up. “And that would be?”

Adrian folded his arms, his expression nothing short of murderous. “Don’t make me a grandfather before I’m ready.”

Silence.

You swallowed hard. Griffin shifted uncomfortably.

Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, hell no—”

Griffin held up his hands. “Okay, before you kill me, let’s just talk—”

Adrian was already rounding the counter. “You have exactly three seconds to start running.”

Griffin didn’t need to be told twice. He bolted.