Page 72 of High Reward

“Your priority is Trinity,” Samuel continues. “And the best thing you can do for her right now is stay here, where she can see you, where she knows you’re safe.”

Hunter doesn’t respond, but I can see the internal struggle playing across his features. Rage versus reason. Revenge versus responsibility.

Trinity squeezes his arm. “Listen to him, Hunter. Please.”

The simple plea breaks through his anger. His shoulders drop slightly, and he nods once, sharply.

“Fine. But I want updates. Every hour.”

“You’ll have them,” I promise. “And when we’re done, you’ll be the first to know what we’ve learned.”

I glance at my watch. “We should move, before the others wake up.” It’s a chicken move to want to be gone before Lili and Grace wake up. But after Lili’s scolding last night, I have no desire to face her wrath if I hide something else from Grace in her presence.

Luke and Matteo head toward the back exit to bring the car around. Owen collects his gear, loading it into a black duffel.

I take a moment for my own preparations. My gun is secured at my back, knife in my boot.

I’m about to leave with the others when a feminine voice speaks behind me.

“Going somewhere, Master?”

I turn to see Grace staring at me with worried eyes. Lili is a few feet behind her, watching us.

I cup Grace’s jaw in my hand. “Good morning, Mariposa. Yes, I’m going somewhere, but I didn’t want to wake you.”

“You’re going to see him,” she says. Not a question.

“Yes.”

She studies my face, then nods once. “Be careful.”

“Always am.”

Her arms wrap around my waist, her head tucking beneath my chin. I hold her tight, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo. It grounds me, centering the chaos of my thoughts.

“I love you,” she whispers against my chest.

“I love you too, butterfly.” The words come easier now, less foreign on my tongue.

When I pull back, my eyes find Lili’s. She hasn’t moved from her spot, her posture carefully neutral. But her eyes are sharp, assessing. Still angry with me about last night, about the secrets I’m keeping from Grace.

I reach a hand toward her. “I’ll be back soon.”

She takes it after a beat of hesitation, her fingers cool against mine. “Do what you have to do.”

The double meaning isn’t lost on me. She’s giving permission for the interrogation while simultaneously demanding I fix things with Grace. Clever girl.

“I intend to,” I say, matching her tone.

She stands then, moving closer but maintaining a careful distance. “Just remember what we talked about.”

I meet her gaze directly. “Impossible to forget anything you say to me, Spitfire.”

Grace looks between us, sensing the tension but not understanding its source. I watch her brow furrow slightly, questions forming.

“Is everything okay?” she asks.

“Fine,” Lili and I say in unison, which only deepens Grace’s suspicious expression.