Page 22 of The Symphony of Us

“You have to go with the guys,” I say, trying not to start a fight.

“I wouldn’t be any good to them,” he confesses, his voice cracking slightly under the weight of the admission.“Follow instructions and keep Aerin safe, okay?”

“Sure,” I mutter, ending the call and sliding the phone back into my pocket, waiting for the agents to give me instructions.

Only when our security detail gives the all-clear do we rise from the floor.Promptly, we’re quickly ushered to the hangar.There, a silver SUV awaits us.Aerin doesn’t utter a word during the entire drive, her body remains huddled against mine.As if our combined warmth could ward off the shivering fears created by the situation.

Soon, we leave the city behind, entering the dense, wild woods of upstate New York.We come to a stop in a clearing where a hidden training facility stands, its modern structure standing out against the surrounding trees.Nearby, there’s an airstrip with a private jet waiting, a shiny contrast to the natural forest landscape.

The car grinds to a halt, and almost before it stops, the door is flung open.Sanford is already reaching for Aerin, pulling her into the protective circle of his arms.

“You’re okay, baby,” he murmurs, holding her tightly to his chest.His eyes then meet mine, lifting a hand as he reaches out to me.“And you, are you alright?”

I give a nonchalant shrug but don’t let his hand go.

“We’re going home,” Sanford says, eyes flicking to the jet.“The plane is ready.”

My gaze scans the familiar faces of his team surrounding us, prompting a frown to crease my forehead.“I thought they had to start hunting those guys.”

He nods.“There’s a slight change of plans.”

ChapterTwelve

Aerin

Sanford’s lipsgently brush against the tip of my nose, leaving behind a warm and lingering sensation that sends shivers down my spine.“You don’t look okay,” he observes, his voice filled with concern.I try to muster a smile, but the unease within me proves difficult to conceal.It clings to me like a heavy weight, threatening to drag me down.

“Being attacked definitely wasn’t part of today’s plan,” I mutter, my voice barely audible, reaching out to hold Greyson’s hand.The touch of his fingers against mine offers a small measure of comfort.During the attack, his calm demeanor helped me not lose my shit.

Greyson moves closer, encircling me in his arms, his embrace almost as tight as Sanford’s.In that moment, I feel a sense of completeness, sandwiched between the two most important people in my world.As I told Sanford, I may not be in love with them, but I love them deeply because they are mine.

“I hate to break this moment, but we have to go,” a male voice interrupts, slicing through the bubble we’ve created.

Reluctantly, I untangle myself from the safety of Greyson and Sanford’s presence.It takes a moment for the scene to register in my mind—the sight of Sanford’s arm resting lightly on Greyson’s back.A flicker of hope sparks—they can fix their relationship.

Without another word, we board the plane.The three of us sit closer together.

“We’ll be home soon.If you need to call anyone, here’s the phone you can use inside the plane.”Sanford hands it to Greyson.

I hold their hands during takeoff.I need their comfort while we ascend.It's not a fear of flying that bothers me, but the stomach-churning jolt of the takeoff.However, the uncertain prospect of my future stirs some apprehension within me.Tomorrow, I have to contact my employers requesting an unexpected sabbatical.Given the short notice and the lack of explanation, they might terminate me immediately.At least, I have my private patients.Once I’m settled in, I’ll email them offering video consultations for the time being.

As soon as the voice over the speakers grants permission to move freely around the cabin, Sanford and his friends leave for the back of the plane.

My attention shifts to Greyson, and I can’t help but ask, “Where are they going?”

A shrug ripples his broad shoulders.“They have to plan, call their boss or ...”His voice trails off, the words hanging like unspoken possibilities.“I’m not sure, but this gives me time to do my own thing.”

Suspicion takes hold of me, causing my gaze to narrow.“What does that mean?”

“I refuse to go to Luna Harbor,” he mumbles, sounding upset about the arbitrary decision.

“Walk me through this, please,” I request, genuine confusion in my tone.I have no idea where Luna Harbor is or why Greyson seems so distressed by the idea of going there.

“It’s part of the islands that are two hours west from Seattle.There’s nothing to do in town,” Greyson explains, his lips pressed together in a contemplative gesture.“It’s a desolate place, where time seems to stand still.There’s ...nothing there.Absolutely nothing.”

Before I can voice my opinion, or I can remind him that we all should have a say in our destination, Greyson’s fingers grip the phone tightly with one hand while the other is sliding through with determination.

He nods and shakes his head once.“I want to think so,” he mumbles to the person on the other end of the line, drawing a deep breath.

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