Page 27 of Tossed into the Mob
“Well, this has been… interesting, but I gotta go.”
Treyton flinched, and his pleading gaze had me reaching out and brushing his hand one last time. The same soothing stroke that wrapped tendrils around my heart.
“I don’t know why your touch is so comforting but it got me through these ugly days.” Flint and his brothers responded to what I said with odd looks.
“That was my job.”
I hugged him and his chin quivered, but he was different. He’d never smelled of anything, neither good nor bad, but now there was a delicate aroma wafting from him. Huh? How did that happen?
Hunter said he’d take me to the airport, and Flint insisted on sending someone on the plane with me.
“Oh no you don’t. That didn’t work out so well before.” I hoisted my small pack over my shoulder.
“How about someone who has your back?”
There was only one person in the room who I trusted 100%. “Treyton.”
“I’ll do it.” He almost tripped over his own feet but righted himself. I’d have to ask him if quick reflexes were a shifter quality.
“You can visit your parents, Treyton.” Arnie draped an arm over his grandson’s shoulder.
“I have time off because I told the hospital I had mono.” The room erupted in laughter.
“You lied.” Ranger was as delighted as if his kid had won an award.
“No big deal.” Treyton shrugged.
Ranger grabbed Treyton and gave him a noogie. “This guy was outside the door when Matt was giving birth, yelling instructions.” He cupped Treyton’s cheek. “You need to find that person in here.” He tapped his chest. “You were full of enthusiasm back then.”
“I’m tired is all.”
Hunter piped up. “I’ll tell you how Treyton gave instructions on the phone to me and Odell during labor.”
“Sounds like you’ve been a busy guy.” I took Treyton’s hand, and he smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. The warmth from his skin was still there. It was safety and friendship, but what was that damned scent? He hadn’t left the room so couldn’t have splashed on any cologne.
“I have my moments.” He grinned, the first genuine one since before we arrived at the storage unit.
Ranger smirked and asked how I met Treyton. Not wanting to embarrass the guy, I said I waited for him outside the hospital. Treyton blushed, and Ranger sniggered. Damn, maybe they’d seen footage from the parking garage.
“One last question. Were you hoping I was a shifter and you were planning to recruit me?”
“Nope,” Flint replied. “I knew you were human.”
The mafia had its own way of finding out things, I guessed.
“And if I hadn’t killed Riggs?”
“I would have.”
The end, thank goodness.
Hunter drove his car, and we had the usual bodyguards in front and the ones behind us. And as promised, he regaled us with stories of his daughter’s birth.
“They were in a panic room.” Treyton’s thigh brushed against mine.
I didn’t ask why because nothing was as it seemed with this family. I wanted my life to go back to normal, though with Dad recovering and me not wanting to return to our rented house, I wasn’t sure what that looked like.
Hunter handed us first-class boarding passes that included the logo of a well-known airline.
