Basil (The Brinnswick Chronicles #3) - Michele Notaro Page 0,21

us. “This thing… you feel it.”

It wasn’t a question, but even if it was, I wasn’t about to answer it.

When I didn’t respond, he huffed and shook his head. “Whatever. Your silence is answer enough. I’ll see you around, Grim.” He walked away and through the front door before I could reply. Not that I wanted to.

What had he been talking about? Did I feel what exactly? This… weird feeling when it came to him? The fact I couldn’t stop thinking about him? Or the fact that whenever he was near, I wanted to be closer to him, and whenever he left, it left me feeling strangely hollow. Was that what he meant? Because I did fuckin’ feel it, but it didn’t mean anything. It couldn’t. He was a fucking witch, and I promised myself a long time ago that I’d never get involved in witch affairs again, that I’d never let one get close to me.

With a sigh, I took a sip of my water, stood, and walked out the door to find my next mark. I pushed thoughts of Basil Ellwood out of my mind, even if doing so made my chest hurt.

Chapter Seven

Basil

Stupid fucking asshole hunter. I was only trying to help. Maybe I didn’t go about it the right way, but I needed to fucking help him and his kid. It was like this feeling inside of me that I just needed to help them. I hadn’t been lying when I said I felt a pull to that man, and I could see it in his eyes that he felt it, too.

I honestly didn’t want to think about what that meant because Hiro Grimsby hated me. Absolutely hated every fiber of my being.

And wasn’t that just the worst feeling in the world.

I was used to being a disappointment; I was used to being yelled at; I was used to getting into trouble; I was used to being disliked. But I wasn’t used to being hated. Maybe a lot of people didn’t like me very much, but for someone to dislike me enough to hate me, for them to hate me enough that I actually disgusted them… well, that was just about the shittiest feeling in the world.

My phone rang as I got into my truck, and when I saw who was calling, I answered with a “Yo” thrown in.

“Hey, Bas. Your brothers and I were talking, and we think we should train tomorrow. Are you up for it?” Nikolai asked through the phone.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Great… did you take care of that Grim guy?”

I sighed. There was the true reason for his call. As if I didn’t already have one father figure up in my business all the damn time. Not that Nik was a father figure, because freaking ew, but he liked to pretend he was. “Yeah, I just met with him. Everything’s fine, don’t worry about it.”

“I can’t help but worry about it, Bas. That’s kinda my job.”

I sighed again. I supposed that was true. Nikolai and his twin brother Talon were the guardians of the Three, also known as the babysitters of Jorah, Thayer, and me. I loved them to death, but they didn’t need to be so nosy all the damn time. “Whatever, Nik. I’m fine, okay? I’m coming home now to get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Alright, Bas.” Because he’s an asshole, he made kissy noises into the phone.

Rolling my eyes, a reluctant smile spread over my face. “You’re an idiot.”

“At least I made you smile—I can hear it in your voice.”

I sighed. “I promise I’m fine.”

“Okay, I believe you. See you tomorrow.”

“See ya tomorrow, pretty face.”

He snorted before hanging up the phone.

Even though I was confused and pissed by the whole Grim situation, Nik’s phone call actually made me feel better. Yeah, it was annoying as hell to have basically zero privacy from my family, but at least I knew they all cared about me, at least I knew they had my back. Unlike Grim, who from the looks of it, didn’t have anyone. Ugh. I can’t even go two minutes without thinking about him.

Thinking about who? Jorah asked in my head, clearly overhearing my thoughts. Perfect example of never having privacy.

I sighed. No one. Nothing.

You okay, big bro?

Yes, Jor, I’m fine.

He didn’t respond, but I felt a little of his concern through our bond. There was really nothing I could do to help with that.

When I got home and settled into bed, I sighed and tried to push