Page 192 of Deadfall

“What do you think you’re going to do?” I asked.

Kyllion stared until he sighed and pushed the door open. I peered around him to see his bags packed.

“Ah, I see,” I said. “You weren’t going to say goodbye?”

He shook his head and pulled out a note from his pocket. He turned it over in his hands.

“I think I just need some time to get over this.” Kyllion handed over the letter. “This is for you and G. I already spoke to Rune.”

I frowned. “Are you sure? I could really use you out there, man.”

“I’m sure.”

I held out my hand and when he took it, I pulled him in for a hug. When we parted, I stepped back and gave him a nod.

“Take care of yourself, Kyl.”

“You too. Give ‘em hell.”

I’d miss Kyllion, but I knew it was probably for the best to give him and G some space. I didn’t blame G for the decision he made, but it didn’t make it any less shitty. I walked back to the bedroom where I knew Emersyn and G would be, but I paused at the door and pulled open the letter.

I’m taking a step back for a while. I don’t know when, or if, I’ll be back.

I feel like the odd man out. And that’s dangerous in the field.

Griffin, you trusted Seven and Rune, but not your second-in-command? Through all the shit with your sister…I was there. Even when shit got crazy, I never left your side or ever gave you reason not to trust me. But, apparently, all of that doesn’t mean shit in the face of this new crew you’re running with. Maybe one day I’ll forgive you, but right now I’m fucking pissed, and I can’t even look at you without wanting to beat the shit out of you. I’m just being honest. Maybe it’ll fade and in time I’ll come find you.

Seven, I don’t blame you for any of it. It wasn’t your decision to make. I’m sorry I’m leaving you and Rune behind. I feel shitty for it, but I can’t operate on a team with this much resentment. It will kill me. It might even kill you—and I couldn’t bear to have that happen.

Be safe, brother.

K

I folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. It felt like the end of an era. Our team had fractured, and I wasn’t sure what the future held. It was certainly the end of our hunts together. Betrayal could take many forms and what we’d just experienced wasn’t something that healed overnight. I should have expected this—

I pushed open the door to the bedroom, intent on having G read the note, but every single thing left my brain as I took in the scene in front of me that was happening on the bed. Our issues could definitely wait. I crept over to the chair and settled in to enjoy the show.

92

EMERSYN

The shower felt amazing after the chill of the pool, but as the water rushed over my skin and I played back the incredible kiss with Seven, my anxiety hit again. This time for a different reason.

What if I had to choose between the two of them?

I got out and wrapped a towel around my body while I dried my hair, all the while getting more anxious. I didn’t think I could do that to them. I’d just turned off the dryer, when the door opened and Griffin entered in a swirl of steam and shadows. He came up and wrapped his arms around my towel-clad body from behind. His lips traced a line up my neck and I shivered. I leaned back, and my body molded to his like it belonged there.

“What are you thinking about so hard?” He rumbled.

“I kissed Seven,” I blurted out.

Griffin’s chuckle vibrated through my back, and he kissed my neck right below my ear, which I realized was a very sensitive spot, because I shivered again and heat raced between my legs.

“How was it?” Griffin asked. “I’ve heard he’s quite good with his mouth.”

My mind tripped over his words, as I tried to analyze Griffin’s mood. Was he hiding his annoyance? Was he mad? Was he only not reacting because he wanted to be physical first and then start a fight? My mind screamed warnings at me and I couldn’t focus. I carefully extracted myself and turned.

“Are you mad?” I asked. “I mean we haven’t talked about it—”