Page 31 of Pucking Possessive (Kings of Castlebrook #2)

LILAC

C allum pulls up to the curb outside my lecture hall, engine idling low, the rumble vibrating as I approach his truck. I can tell something's off the second I see him. His jaw is tight. Hands clenched around the steering wheel. Eyes locked forward like he’s forcing himself not to explode.

I climb into the passenger seat and close the door. The tall guy with dark hair who was guarding me today in class because Callum couldn’t gives a wave to Callum and then walks off. "What happened?"

"Winter found a note at the ballet studio," he says, voice clipped as he reaches over to help me with my seatbelt. He’s decided it’s his job, so I let him buckle it for me because I think it’s really sweet.

What he’s said to me has me really concerned because if it’s from the person who was after me and the skating girls, that means it’s bled over into our friend group. Only people associated with my team have been targets so far. "What kind of note?"

He swallows. Hard. "Tristan said it was written on the mirror in what looked like pink lipstick."

I blink, waiting for more information, and I can tell he doesn’t want to tell me anymore.

He wants to shield me from this, but I need to know.

“What did it say Callum? Is Winter alright? Is Tristan? I bet he’s flipping out.

” My stomach feels like it’s plummeted to depths I’ve never known. I’m so sick of all of this.

"Tell your boyfriend to stop snooping around, or you’ll be next to find your way down my stairs."

I go still.

Every ounce of warmth drains from my body. My breath catches like it’s trapped in my lungs. I grip the edge of the seat with one hand, the other grabbing Callum’s forearm.

"What the hell," I whisper. “Why would they pick her? Tristan’s not looking into things more than you or Hayden or Ramsey or …” I trail off, sucking in a sharp breath. “What should we do?”

"We’re meeting with everyone. Madi, Winter, the guys. We need to figure out our next move and just rip the band-aid off. We can’t keep living this way. Ramsey traced a call back to the mansion. Whoever it is is staying there, or at least in that area. This ends tonight."

I reach for him, fingers curling around the inside of his arm. My grip is probably too tight, but I don’t let go. Callum looks grim, like he already knows what has to be done. Like he’s been waiting for an excuse to go full warpath.

And honestly? I think I’ve been waiting too.

My mind’s still spinning as we drive. The note, the mirror, the way Winter must’ve felt seeing it.

I think about texting her, asking her if she’s okay, but I’m sure she has her hands full with Tristan right now.

I can’t get all of this out of my head. It’s like something from a horror movie. Only it’s real. Too real.

"Now probably isn’t the best time, but I wanted you to know we have one less thing to worry about,” I tell Callum.

“I got an email from my parents today. They’re cutting ties with me all together, so I’m officially off the hook with them.

" I whisper, staring out the window now.

It should be a sad thing, but I feel free finally for the first time in my entire life.

Callum’s jaw ticks when I look over at him, and then he says, "They never deserved you."

I should be scared out of my mind right now, but honestly, no matter what, it’s hard to be because I have Callum next to me and I know he’ll do everything in his power to keep me safe.

We pull into the lot of a coffee shop, and as Callum parks, he pauses and throws his arm across the seat behind me. He leans in and kisses me so gently before saying. "I’ve got you, okay. Everything is going to be fine."

I nod, because I believe him. “I know, cowboy. We’re going to get this all behind us and then…” I trail off because he kisses me sweetly before pulling away to stroke the side of my face.

“And then I’m going to hunt you in the graveyard like my good fucking girl,” he practically growls before dipping his head to kiss me one more time.

Inside, the coffee shop is warm and cozy, which feels completely wrong for the mood slamming through my body right now.

I spot Madi and Winter in line at the counter.

Winter’s posture is stiff, her face pale but composed.

Tristan and Hayden are standing nearby, heads low, talking quietly, but Tristan looks like he might snap in half from the tension coiled in his shoulders.

He’s the tallest out of the three guys, but he’s hunched over, his palm on the table.

He looks hollow under his eyes, and I see Winter’s gaze flickering over to him.

I realize that her worry probably has less to do with the note she got and more to do with Tristan.

I give Callum a quick kiss and cross the room and slide into place beside the girls. Madi offers a soft smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Winter glances over, her jaw tight.

When it’s our time to order, none of us say anything.

I think we’re all in our heads. Madi steps up, ordering us three butter pecan ice coffees with almond milk.

She gets one for Hayden too, and then two black hot coffees for Callum and Tristan.

Judging by the vibe of today, I doubt any of us will actually drink them.

We’re just trying to keep things like any other day so we don’t jump out of our skin.

I glance at Tristan when I hear him raise his voice at Callum and Hayden. He looks completely unhinged. Like he’s two seconds from ripping this place apart. I lean toward Winter and whisper, "I’ve never seen him like this."

Winter doesn't hesitate. "We need to figure out who is behind this. I’m worried about him."

Madi leans closer. "Maybe you should go sit with him? Lilac and I will grab the drinks. He looks like he’s about to snap."

Winter bites her lower lip and gives a small nod, almost like she doesn’t mean to acknowledge what I’ve said is true. "We’ve been through so much, and sometimes I wonder if anything we do will take away the pain he feels.”

I pat her back, hoping if it doesn’t bring her comfort, that it at least lets her know that I care about her, and even Tristan. “He’s kinda scary, but he’s sweet with you." I say, trying to lighten the mood a little.

Winter glances toward Tristan, and then back at us.

Her eyes are serious when she says, "I never knew my father, and my mom died giving birth to me.” She takes a breath before adding, "My grandmother did too, and her mom before that." There’s something heavy in Winter’s voice when she tells us, “I’ve always felt like I wasn’t meant to be alone. .. until Tristan.”

Her voice is soft, but there’s steel behind it. She’s so strong, and I admire her for that. Madi’s eyes widen a little, which tells me that she doesn’t already know all of this about Winter. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.”

“That is not going to happen,” Madi says as we’re picking up the drinks the barista just set out for us.

I can see Winter is trying to push down her emotions, so I take the opportunity to change the subject, “I’m so sorry you got that note. I’m just sorry that my mess is coming back to bite the two of you, it’s just…”

Madi cuts me off, “Do not feel bad at all. It happens to the best of us,” she says with a harsh breath, and I know she must be referring to whatever happened to her recently. Callum told me that someone was targeting her, but there’s always been so much going on, that I didn’t ask what happened.

Callum lifts a hand and waves us over from a corner table. We slide into the booth with the guys, Callum threads our fingers together beneath the table, and I realize in this moment that I really have needed this connection with him for the longest time.

Tristan speaks, leaning back in his seat. “We go to the stupid ass mansion tonight and we burn it to the ground. We get rid of anyone that might be there and if the person who is doing this isn’t there, it’ll send a message that we’re not fucking around anymore.”

Hayden says, “It’s too dangerous to bring the girls, but I don’t think only two of us should go to the mansion. We don’t know who is there or how many people. We also don’t know who’s watching us or if they’ll anticipate our arrival.”

“It’s a sad day when Hayden is the voice of reason,” Callum chimes in, but only receives glares from the other two boys.

Tristan snaps, already shaking his head. “We’re not leaving the girls behind. They’re the safest they can be with us, and we all need to go tonight. It’s the only way to end this. It’s better they’re with us than taken by someone while we’re not with them.”

“We’re not fragile,” Winter says firmly, because she will always be Team Tristan no matter what. “I want to go, and I think Madi and Lilac will feel safer being with you guys as well.”

Hayden curses under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Fine,” he mutters. “But we stick together. No one splits up, that’s a disaster waiting to happen.

” Madi leans against Hayden’s shoulder. He doesn’t move for a second and then rests his cheek against her hair as a silent act of letting her know he’s going to do what’s best for her.

Ready or not, we’re going to save our own lives.