58. Griffin
GRIFFIN
It’s been days since Kyle slithered back onto campus like the spineless snake he is. Days since our girl started flinching at shadows again. Since the light dimmed behind her eyes.
I’m going insane.
I pace the length of the living room, hands balled into fists, breathing sharp and uneven.
I can still recall the absolute terror that rocked me at seeing her wet, limp, lifeless body in Jax’s arms, the memory a never-ending loop in my mind.
Her bruises might have faded, but the damage is done.
He tried to take her from me—from us. And the fact that he walks free while Dylan curls in on herself like prey, it curdles my blood.
If it weren’t for her, I’d have ended him already. Snapped his neck without a second thought and slept like a baby after. I still could. I could walk out that door right now, find him, and make him choke on everything he’s done.
But I gave her my word. A fucking promise I hate myself for making.
And I regret it—God, I do—but I’d make it again if it meant she looked at me the way she did in that moment, face open and expression vulnerable, eyes shining with emotion.
That’s the sick part. I’d give her anything, everything, even when it costs me pieces of myself.
Because if Dylan wants me at her side, if she needs me in this house instead of out there hunting him down, then here I’ll fucking stay.
Even if it kills me.
The front door opens, and Finn steps inside, brushing snow off his shoulders.
I’m on him immediately. “She get there okay?”
He nods. “Yup, delivered her right into Coach’s arms myself with a promise from her to message one of us when she’s ready to leave.”
His words do little to settle the storm inside me. One that has been constantly raging for days now and shows no signs of blowing out anytime soon.
I see a similar war being fought in Finn’s eyes, too.
And in Jax’s and Ethan’s. We’re all on edge.
All in need of an outlet. Friday’s game was the most brutal one of the season—all of us using the excuse of the game to let out our frustrations, but it was the wrong person’s blood coating my knuckles.
“So, what are our plans for the night?” Jax asks, twitchier than I’ve ever seen him. “I don’t think I can sit in.”
“Same,” Finn agrees.
Ethan doesn’t vocalize it, but I see the wildness in his eyes. He’s struggling just as much as the rest of us.
We’re all worked up. In need of a release—and sadly, not the dirty kind.
“I’ve got something in mind.” I don’t know if it’s the tone I use, or the fact that they know me well enough to know if I’m suggesting an idea, it’s probably not a casual drink at the bar or a night at the cinema.
Jax perks up immediately. “What kind of something ?”
I smile, slow and sharp. “The kind that ends in blood.”
He doesn’t hesitate. “Fuck, yes! ”
Finn grins, cracking his knuckles. “That fight the other night barely hit the spot.”
Ethan, always the golden boy leader, crosses his arms, looking at me skeptically. “We’re not going after Kyle.”
He’s a broken fucking record. It’s like he thinks if he says it enough times, I’ll put to bed my revenge plans for that fuckwit.
I swore to my little Steelhawk that I wouldn’t do anything to get myself arrested, and I won’t.
Ethan nattering on in my ear every fucking day isn’t going to change a damn thing.
Instead of saying any of that, though, I roll my eyes at him. “Who said anything about that fucking asshole?”
His eyes narrow, lips thinned, but thankfully, he doesn’t contradict me.
Arching a brow at him, I challenge, “So, are you in or not?”
“Where are we going?”
I don’t answer, just keep staring at him until he huffs a breath.
“Fine. But I’m only coming to babysit your dumb asses.”
Yeah, whatever you say, Captain.
We all pile into my car, cold air fogging up the windows as I crank the heat. No one asks questions—not yet. They know me well enough to wait. I drive out of Blackstone, into the sprawl of backroads leading toward NSU.
When the campus signs appear, Ethan finally breaks. “Why the hell are we at Northern Summit?”
Jax lets out a breathy laugh, the pieces falling into place. “Lucas Tremble,” he mutters darkly. “Son of a bitch.” He claps both hands on my shoulders, shaking them despite the fact that I’m driving. “You sneaky bastard. You’ve had this planned since the game, haven’t you?”
Damn fucking right I have.
Ever since we saw his smug-ass face in the stands the night Dylan got hit .
Right before Kyle tried to drown her in the fucking therapy pool.
The timing wasn’t just suspicious. It was calculated .
And we’ve been too distracted—too busy helping Dylan recover and keeping her safe—to chase the truth.
Until now.
From the back seat, Finn lets out a low whistle. When I glance at him in the rearview mirror, he’s grinning, vicious and sharp. “Oh, I am so fucking in. After all the crap he’s pulled on Dyl, that piece of shit has it coming.”
He sure as hell does.
I side-eye Ethan as I navigate my way through the campus.
He’s quiet, but I see the same need for answers in his eyes that has burned in my gut since that night.
Even if he was against what we’re going to do—and I don’t think he is—he isn’t going to stop it.
He needs to know as badly as I do: Did Lucas have something to do with our girl getting hit that night?
Was it his fault that Kyle had the opportunity to try and take her out?
The leather steering wheel creaks beneath my white-knuckle grip, and I force myself to relax.
We’re about to fucking find out.
I park in a secluded lot near the athletic dorms. At this time of night, most people are probably in the dining hall, studying, or catching up with friends.
Only a few windows are lit up from within, and those who are wandering around do so with their hoods pulled up and long strides, getting them out of the cold weather as quickly as possible.
No one is going to be paying any attention to us.
“What’s the plan?” Ethan asks, not taking his eyes off our surroundings. “You don’t even know where Lucas is.”
“I know exactly where he is,” I mutter. “South side rec building, basement room.” I can feel all their eyes on me. “There’s a regular poker night there. Lucas never misses it. ”
Finn scoffs. “Of course the dipshit has a gambling habit.”
Not listening to any more of their rambling, I shove open the car door and climb out into the bitterly cold night.
We move like shadows through the dark, quiet campus paths.
By the time we reach the building, poker night is over, and dark silhouettes spill from the door, disappearing into the night.
I spot his large, hockey-made frame the second he steps outside, and once he’s moved away from the others, we corner him.
“What the?—”
We shove him into the hidden shadows at the side of the building.
“Evening, princess,” Finn drawls, getting all up in his face and flashing a maniacal, white-toothed smile.
Lucas stiffens, looking from face to face. His smirk is delayed, forced. “If you guys wanted to see how real hockey players live it up, you just had to ask.”
Ethan sneers in his face. Knew the fucking golden boy wouldn’t be able to resist. “Have you even been looking at the ranks, Tremble? We’re kicking your ass.”
“Harder than we have in previous years,” Jax adds, smirking.
Fisting the front of Lucas’s jacket, Finn shoves him harder into the wall. “Yeah, all thanks to our brand-new star player .” He puts on a fake pout. “Too bad you couldn’t see past her gender to her potential.”
All pretense of friendliness drops as Lucas sneers at each of us. “Why are you here?” he demands, wrestling to get free of Finn’s grip.
I jerk my head toward the building, a silent not here .
Peeking around to the front, it’s now empty, everyone having quickly cleared out.
Between the four of us, it’s not difficult to haul Lucas, even with his struggling, back into the dark, quiet building.
It’s vacant, no sign of the hush-hush poker game that just wrapped up.
“What the fuck do you want?!”
His gaze meets mine, and I catch a flash of his fear. Good. He should be afraid.
“Just a friendly chat.” Despite his words, Jax’s tone is laced with menace.
Lucas sneers. “What, get bored playing bodyguard to that slut? Had to come all the way to NSU to get fresh pussy?”
The air turns deadly.
I step forward, closing the distance. “Cut the bullshit. Why were you at the game that night?”
His grin stretches wider. “We had the night off. Thought we’d catch some college hockey. Lucky us, right? Hell of a hit.”
I clench my jaw so hard I feel it crack. “You expect me to believe that?”
He shrugs, all arrogance and ease. “Timing worked out. What can I say? We picked a good night to come watch you guys.”
Ethan’s voice cuts through the static in my ears. Hard. Cold. Menacing. “Were you behind it?”
Lucas lifts a brow, the picture of mock innocence, but amusement flickers in his eyes. “Behind what?”
“The hit. Did you tell him to go after her?” Ethan’s voice drops lower with every word. Each one a warning. “Did you put a target on her back?”
Lucas chuckles, low and oily. “You really think I’d waste my time orchestrating a hit on a girl ?” His gaze flicks to each of us. “You give me too much credit.”
Jax’s voice is quieter, but somehow hits harder. “You sat there smiling while they carried her off the ice.”
Lucas doesn’t answer.
Doesn’t blink.
Doesn’t deny it.
He just leans back and smiles like this is a game he has already won.
Finn mutters something sharp behind me, but I’m done.
I didn’t come here for a confession. I came for confirmation.
And I just got it.
I lunge.