Page 36 of Midnight Hunt

Kolton’s eyes widened a fraction, but he just nodded and withdrew the phone from his back pocket. “I can have that arranged. I’ll tell Randy to expect you at the airfield in an hour. You can leave your Jeep overnight in the hangar.”

“Thanks, Kolton,” I replied, remaining stoic despite how shocked I was that he’d agreed. “I’ll go pack an overnight bag. Meet you in the foyer in twenty minutes, Griff.”

He nodded without comment, and I quickly left the kitchen before Kolton could change his mind. Twenty minutes later, Griff and I were in the foyer saying our goodbyes.

“Keep the tracking on for your phones and call immediately if you suspect you’re being followed,” Kolton said. He looked like he wanted to say more, but once again, he glanced at Nora—probably to have a quick telepathic conversation through their soulmate bond—and changed his mind.

Despite how protective he was feeling, I knew my brother was trying his best to let me spread my wings. Yes, I was still his responsibility and hybrids were still going missing, but I had a life outside of the pack now.

Well, more or less, depending on how my upcoming conversation with Reid went.

Before leaving, I made sure to hug every single family member, even Jagger. If these disappearances had taught me anything, it was to remind me that everything could change in an instant. Nothing was more important to me than family, and I couldn’t imagine being separated from them. Which made this trip to see Reid that much more terrifying.

He’s a good male, I kept reminding myself. Whatever my decision about moving in with him was, I knew he wouldn’t tell me to stay away from my family.

Well, maybeGriff, but that was different. Griff and I were . . . We were complicated.

Glancing his way, I saw him share a bro hug with Kolton, then nod at whatever my brother murmured in his ear. Probably something about keeping an eye on me without sabotaging my relationship with Reid any further. This relationship wasn’t like my past ones. I didn’t need to be protected from it.

Although, what happened between me and Griff earlier this week had nothing to do withprotectingme.

Quickly looking away before I could start thinking about it again, I swept one more lingering glance over my family, then turned toward the door with my overnight bag. Griff joined me with his own bag, and we headed for the garage in silence. I had no idea what the sleeping arrangements would be once we got to Boston, but that was the least of my concerns at the moment.

I was essentially bringing my ex to my boyfriend’s place, even though Griff and I had technically never dated. If that wasn’t bad enough, I still hadn’t made a decision about moving in with Reid.

I knew one thing for certain, though. This trip was going to suck.

Sure enough, the drive to the airfield was spent in awkward silence. Our contract pilot, Randy, was already there, busily inspecting the family jet before takeoff. I parked my Jeep inside the open hangar and grabbed my bag, sharing a few pleasantries with Randy before climbing into the plane. As I claimed a seat, Griff chose to remain outside until we were ready for takeoff. I couldn’t tell if he was making sure we weren’t followed or . . .

Trying to keep his distance from me.

When we were finally ready for takeoff, he chose the seat directly across the aisle from mine, sitting down without a word. Desperate to break the silence, I opened my mouth to say something lame, only to close it with an audible click. As the jet took off down the runway and lifted into the air, Griff slouched in his seat and shut his eyes.

A slow, torturous half hour ticked by.

I tried to speak into the deafening silence between us but failed miserably several times. Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer and snapped like a rubber band.

“Are you mad at me?” I blurted, knowing that Griff was still wide awake despite his relaxed position. “I’m sorry you got dragged along on this trip, but Ihatewhen we’re not speaking. It’s agony. We’re supposed to always be there for each other no matter what. We’re friends, Griff.Family. You said that would never change, even if I—”

“Don’t say yes,” Griff quietly interrupted me with his eyes still closed.

I blinked at him in confusion. “Huh?”

Finally, he turned his head and opened his eyes to look at me. “Don’t move in with him.”

My mouth slowly fell open. He might as well have slapped me.Punchedme. All the air left my lungs, and I couldn’t breathe.

Before I could say anything, he faced forward again and closed his eyes.

The rest of the flight was spent in silence but for a very different reason this time. My brain was whirring, frantically trying to figure out why Griff had said that. I could have asked him, but I was too afraid of his answer.

No, not afraid.Terrified.

A town car was waiting for us when we arrived at the airport, and when I saw Reid leaning against its side, I wanted to curl up and die on the spot. I’d texted him earlier, warning him that Griff was coming with me, but I’d somehow thought the two males wouldn’t see each other. Now, I realized how stupid that thought had been.

“Hey!” I brightly called anyway, approaching Reid to give him a hug. He pushed off the car to accept my embrace, but I noticed right away how stiff he was. When I pulled back to give him a quick kiss, I found his gaze locked on something behind me. I flicked a glance over my shoulder and spotted Griff only a few yards off, staring at Reid with equal intensity.

“Reid,” he said, his face devoid of its usual smile.

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