Page 285 of Midnights
“We’ll talk about it on the way.”
I nod, pushing back from the table. “Okay. When do you want to leave?”
“We can leave now if you’re ready.” He sets his book aside, waiting for my reply, looking at Elle.
Anticipation sparks in my chest, colliding with nerves I can't quite shake. I take a deep breath anyway. “Alright. The only thing I brought was my dagger. I'll grab it and we can go.”
The door swings open and Tyler saunters in, all easy swagger and that grin plastered on his face.“What’d I miss?”
Then he stops mid-step, looking between Elle and Cam. “What’s going on?”
“We’re about to head back to Scotland.” I smile.
He stiffens, and I can tell he’s ready to argue, but before he can get a word out, Elle cuts in.
“Sorry we can’t come with you, we’re a little tied up.” She flicks her hand through the air, as if the details are too boring to bother with. “I never liked it over there anyway. Someone's gotta stay and babysit, right?”
Tyler’s jaw ticks, but his smile slides back into place, smoothing over whatever he was about to say. “Guess that means it’s just me and Cam, then. And you, of course, since you’re the star of this little field trip.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. Cam clears his throat, cutting through the moment.
“Actually,” he says, keeping his voice firm. “You’re needed here, Tyler.”
Tyler’s amusement is gone. The grin stays, but something in his eyes sharpens. Another unspoken conversation. Another fucking secret.
Elle stands abruptly, barreling into me with a warm hug that nearly knocks me off balance. “I’m gonna miss you, but I’ll see you in a few days, I'm sure.”
Before I can get a word out, she backs away, smiling wide enough to tell me she's already plotting something.
“Oh, and I made this for you.”
She holds out a holster with my dagger tucked inside.
I blink, caught completely off guard. “You… wait, when did you—?”
“I swiped it off your nightstand while you were getting dressed.” Elle winks, completely unapologetic. “It straps around your thigh.”
My fingers skim over the smooth leather, tracing the delicate, hand-etched designs. It’s beautiful. And it’s so… thoughtful.
“Elle…” I swallow hard. “This is incredible.”
Her grin widens as she pulls me into another hug. “You’re welcome,” she whispers. “Just keep yourself safe, alright? Remember what I taught you.”
I close my eyes, letting the warmth of her arms sink in before I can overthink it. “Thank you, Elle,” I whisper back, meaning every word. “Really. I’ll be back soon.”
Cam clears his throat. “We need to go.”
I turn to Tyler, waiting for the smartass remark I know is coming. “See you soon?”
He ignores the question, crushing me with his arms in a hug that's too much and too warm. “Obviously.”
Chapter 48
Wildest Dream
Kane
My fingers curl into the empty space where she should be, and my jaw tightens. I expected to find her tangled in my sheets, hair a mess on my pillow, and her body curled into mine. Hot and wrecked from the way I left her.
