Page 85 of Not A Whisper

Jason squeezes my hand. “Keep an open mind, ok?”

Oh thisreallycan’t be good. I glance at him, then at Trip who still isn’t paying us any attention. He stares out his window with rigid shoulders and with his hands balled into fists in his lap. When my attention falls back onto Grant, I find him watching me. He leans back as the plane engines roar to life.

“Since I’ve broken off my engagement with Carmilla, we took care of the Nani’s and Carlos’ safety, and we’ve officially moved in with you?—”

“I’m sorry, you guys havewhat?”

They’ve moved in withme?Since when?

Grant rolls his eyes as if the details are trivial. “I had somepeople move my stuff, and Jason’s from his dorm, into your apartment while we were gone. We’ll have to get Trip’s stuff when we get back.”

He moved in? Theyalldid and didn’t tell me? I open my mouth—to say what, I don’t know. Whatever it was, it gets lost as my mind races. I purse my lips together. My guys have moved in with me… this is huge, right? I’ve never lived with one of the guys I’ve seen in the past. My stomach knots with a twisting of different emotions.

“Relax and live a little.”That’s what Jason had said only last week when we’d talked about relationship phases and structure.

Ok, you can do this. Don’t overthink this. You like them, they like you, it’s going to be fine.

“Alright…” I make a face. “If I hadknown, I would’ve moved stuff around for you all. As it is, it’s going to be a tight fit. My place is tiny.”

Jason grins as Grant waves his hand dismissively.

“Everything is happening quickly. We didn’t have time for a back and forth about the relocation.” Grant raises a brow, as if he’s expecting me to challenge that I would’ve fought him on this. He’s right; I would’ve for sure. I would’ve overthought it and waffled for a while. When I don’t say anything, Grant gives a sharp nod. “Given that my father’s losing all control over the people in his life, I’m not sure how he’ll lash out, only that he will. It will be safer for you, and us, to live together.”

I hold my breath for a second, trying not to let worry or panic wash over me. When I’m sure I’ve tucked both away, I let out a sigh.

“We’ll all be fine.” I slouch in my seat. Thinking of what lies ahead is making my headache worse. “But what about Pianna? How will I explain what’s going on to her? Your father threatened to go after her if I didn’t stay away from you. So howdo I tell her to be careful if I can’t tell her why or what to look out for?”

Grant’s answering scowl is impressively scary. The fury and hatred there is enough to send a chill down my spine. I hope Garry’s ready for his son’s wrath because I have a feeling it’s going to be a doozy.

“You can tell her that your father-in-law is a vindictive psychopath who intends on ruining you and your husband and, by extension, her. Assure her that we’ll do everything we can to protect her.”

Though spoken gravely, Grant’s words are clear as day. Still, they don't seem to process properly. Have I heard him wrong? Or maybe he’s joking. I study his face but see no signs of mirth.

“Ok, well, lying to Pianna certainly isn’t?—”

“You wouldn’t be lying,” he interrupts sharply, his brows remaining pinched together. “We’re legally married, Briella. That’s one of things we need to talk about.”

My lips twitch upward. Grant must’ve had some wild drunken dreams to believethis. I laugh as I quickly replay the weekend. I remember almost all of it, with maybe a fuzzy detail here or there. There aren’t any blackout moments though. I didn’t drinkthatmuch. Any time spent in a chapel would have been remembered. I shake my head.

“Just because we ran off to Vegas doesn’t mean we're married. You actually need legal documentation, a witness, and…” My voice trails off as Grant’s expression hardens further. He really believes this. "Grant, we’renotmarried. Jason, Trip, a little help here? You guys would’ve remembered something like that happening, right?”

Jason nods with a dimple-popping grin. “You’re absolutely right, dollie. No one got married in Vegas.”

“It wasbeforethe trip,” Trip chimes in. “I had you sign the marriage paperwork the day I visited you in the library.”

WHAT?

It’s like the rug has been ripped right out from beneath my feet. The dropping sensation in my gut that follows is sickening.

Why would Trip finally break his tense silence withthisnews? I turn, lean forward, and stare at him as the plane lurches. Wearing a look of hard indifference, he meets my gaze.

“It was mixed in with the other paperwork beneath the NDA and employment documentation. There was also paperwork to make us your emergency contacts, employers, and beneficiaries. Oh—” he shakes his head as if to remember something. “—and there was a name change form there as well. But don’t worry, I made it a point to hyphenate your name: Wilson-Gipson. I expedited the process so you should have all the new legal documents with your new name waiting for you in the mail.”

Horror washes over me. Is the plane doing donuts? Everything feels like it’s spinning.

“Look at me, Bri.” Grant orders sharply. I do, solely because I’m too shocked to do anything else. “Everything’s been filed. I’m sure by now the county clerks have spread the word…”

Grant continues to talk.

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