Page 80 of Midnight Hunt
Biting back another curse, I made a split-second decision. One that I’d probably regret, but I was desperate, and I tended to do stupid things when I was desperate.
“I need a ride,” I replied to Griff’s brother, trying to walk normally as I rounded his car and pulled open the passenger side door. The second I slid inside and shut the door, Mason groaned loudly and tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
“That better not be what I think it is, Vi.”
“It is. Just go, okay? You owe me after what you pulled earlier, and I promise you won’t have to endure it for long. I have a place not too far from here where I can take care of it.”
“Byyourself?” he asked incredulously.
“Mace, justgo!” I all but shouted, fisting my hands as I felt another wave hit me.
“Hell, Vi, that’s strong,” he groaned again but thankfully stepped on the gas. As he pulled through the gates and left the estate behind, he asked, “How come you’re not calling for your famous quarterback boyfriend to help you?”
“What, are you keeping tabs on me now?”
“No, but I watch sports, and you made the news more than once.”
“It’s . . . We broke up.”
“Ah,” he said, then added, “Guess that explains why you’re having sex with my brother again.”
Despite the pulsating pain eating away at me, I turned my head to glare at him. “If you knew, then why in the hell did yougreetme that way earlier?”
“Ah, Vi, don’t be mad at me. You know I like to get a rise out of my baby bro. I didn’t know he’d almost lost you to those bastard rogues only a day ago.”
“Yeah, well, what you did was still mean and spiteful. You’re an alpha and have your own pack now, so I don’t understand why you keep trying to knock him down.”
A muscle feathered in his jaw. “It’s complicated between us.”
Snorting, I faced forward again. “Well, it’s complicated between me and Griff too. Which is why I’m taking care of my heat alone.”
Mason was silent for a beat, then had the audacity to say, “You don’t have to, you know. I help a few of the unmated females in my pack with their heat and will gladly help you with yours.”
“Mason O’Neal, you didnotjust say that!” I snapped, shooting him another withering glare. At the same time, my core heated, uncaring who was offering to help. All it cared about was gettingattention, and an alpha male was willing to do just that. Frustrated with my skanky libido, I said, “Pull over and let me out.”
“Okay, jeez! I take it back! Forget I said anything.”
With a huff, I grumbled, “I refuse to be a consolation prize in your pointless brotherly feud.”
“I know. You made that perfectly clear seven years ago. But Griff’s the one who attackedme. There’s no love lost on his end either.”
“Are youthatdense, Mace? He used to look up to you before you started picking stupid fights all the time.”
“That’s funny. I’ve only ever seen him look up to hisidol—no offense to your brother.”
“That’s because you’reblind.”
“Well, guess that makes two of us.”
I flicked him another glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that my brother is in love with you and has been for a very long time, but here you are, running away from him.”
“I’m not . . .” Sudden horror gripped me. I looked down at the snake tattoo on my arm, just as a fresh wave of pain streaked through me. Only this time, it was different, like I’d stuck my finger in alightsocket. “Mother of—!”
A string of curses belted from me, and I curled forward, clutching my stomach as nausea roiled in my gut.
“What’s wrong?Vi!” Mason stomped on the brakes, and I hit my head on the dash. “Screw this. I’m taking you back.”
