“Well, Ms. Cavanaugh today is your lucky day. I am Adam Henry.”

I swallowed, suddenly nervous. If he didn’t have the answers I needed, I’d be lost. “Have you heard of the Vaktare?” I figured I might as well get right to the point.

The other end was silent for several long seconds. My Adam mouthed, “What’s going on?”

Shrugging, I said, “Mr. Henry? Are you still there?”

“How soon can you be in Boston?”

I shook my head, confused. “I don’t know. Soon, I guess.” My father owned a private jet.

“Excellent. Do not allow your flight to land after midnight.” He paused a moment. “The sooner you get here the better.”

I didn’t know this man. He could be a total creep. “It’s okay, your father and mother know me. Their names are Fisher and Lenora, correct?”

“Yes, but anyone could know that.”

The other line was silent again. I nearly hung up.

“Recently you began experiencing emotion . . .” He trailed off when I gasped.

“How did you know that?”

“Please, Beatrice, come as soon as you can. We have a lot to discuss. Call me when you land.” He hung up.

“What did he say?” Adam seemed nervous.

“He told me to fly to Boston.”

“Fly?” His face seemed to turn several shades of green.

“Are you afraid of flying?”

He coughed. “No, not at all.”

I went to my bedroom door. “Liar,” I said with a smirk.

Adam ran a hand through his hair. “Just a tiny bit.”

“Isaac,” I shouted.

He came up the stairs. “Yes, Miss Cavanaugh?”

“I need you to have the plane readied.”

“Oh?” he asked when he reached the landing. “Where are we flying?”

“I am flying to Boston, Massachusetts. Please schedule me a car and driver, book me suite, and have my bags packed.”

“When will you be leaving?” It was obvious he didn’t like that I was leaving him here.

I glanced at the clock next to my bed. It was ten in the morning. “How soon can the plane be ready?”

Isaac turned to head back down the stairs. “I’ll make the calls and let you know.”

“Thank you, Isaac.”

His features softened. “Of course.”

“Oh, and Isaac?”

He paused.

“Yes, miss?”

“Please make sure that I land well before midnight.” I had a feeling Mr. Henry made that recommendation because of what I’d become or what I was. A Vaktare? A werecat. I’d shifted after midnight last night. Maybe he did know something about me. The prospect scared and excited me.

“Of course.”

“I’m going with you,” Adam said for probably the tenth time.

The truth was I wanted him to go. I didn’t want to do this alone, but it was so obvious he was terrified of flying and I didn’t want to do that to him.

“It’s fine, Adam. I’ll be okay without you. There’s no need for you to fly.” His face went white as a sheet when I said fly. I was in my closet trying to decide what to pack. I’d already changed out of my jeans and into a Valentino casual suit. The jacket had three-quarter sleeves with black polka dots and black piping. The skirt went to mid-thigh. I paired the outfit with simple black Jimmy Choo pumps. I had no idea what to take or how much, but finally settled on as little as possible. If I stayed longer, or needed more clothes, I’d buy them.

Adam took the floral dress from my hand and walked it into the bedroom, laying it carefully on my bed. “Really,” he began, “it isn’t a problem.”

But I could hear his confidence wavering.

“Stay here. See your mom. I’ll be back before you know it.”

Adam growled, frustrated. “I’m supposed to take care of you. That’s my job.” He caught my gaze and held it. “Who will do your hair?”

I laughed out loud. “I’ll find someone.”

“Miss Cavanaugh?” Isaac asked as he knocked.

“Come in.”

He opened the door and rolled in a suitcase. “The plane will be ready in two hours. There will be a car waiting on the tarmac when you land and I’ve reserved a suite for you at the Boston Plaza. Would you like me to drive you to the airport?”

“No, I’ll drive her,” Adam said.

Isaac glanced at me. I nodded. Adam had given up. He wouldn’t be going with me.

“Very well. Mrs. Dotts is on her way up to assist with the packing.”

“Thank you,” I said with a big sigh of relief. Just because I wanted to do more didn’t mean I could. Packing was out of my league.

The ride to the Salt Lake International Airport was mostly silent. Adam drove the Lykan, his eyes focused on the road. I tried to start a conversation with him a couple different times but it never went anywhere. Finally I gave up and focused on the view. It was early summer, so wildflowers bloomed all along I-15. In the distance were the mountains. Seeing them reminded me of what I’d experienced last night. Hunting and then seeing a werecat or Vaktare and then a werewolf. I found it odd that the Vaktare wanted to kill me while the wolf protected. It seemed like it should’ve been the other way around.

My phone vibrated. It was a text from Will. A wave of guilt washed through my body. He’d been the first to find me but I hadn’t even thanked him. And I’d thrown his present into the pool. I’d been terrible to him since the day we met.

Can I see you? His text read.

I quickly texted back: Can’t. On my way to the airport.

Where to?

I debated whether to tell him.

“Don’t tell anyone where you’re going. Not until you’re sure who you can trust.” Adam watched me from the corner of his eye.

“How can you read my texts and drive?” I glanced away, irritated.

He tapped his eyelid with his finger. “Good eyesight.”

“Huh.” I turned the phone away from Adam’s gaze and texted back: It’s a secret. I sent it, then decided it was better to say something to him via text rather than not at all, especially since I didn’t know when I’d see him again. So I texted: I wanted to apologize for the other day. I shouldn’t have thrown your gift in the pool. It was actually very thoughtful. Thank you, and I’m sorry. Really, really sorry. I hit Send and waited for a response.

Finally one came: Who is this and what have you done with my Bea?

I laughed. She’s here. Just a little changed.

Now I really want to see you.

I’ll text you when I get back.

Adam arrived at the airport. I directed him toward the private airstrip. Our plane was silver and had a red rose blooming on either side. The name Cavanaugh was painted in large black letters over the top.

“Your family doesn’t do anything small, do they?” He parked and glanced over.

“Nope. Some of my dad’s business associates say his slogan should be: Go Cavanaugh or go home.” I smiled.

Adam got out of the car. I met him at the trunk where he pulled out my bags and handed them to a waiting agent.

“Take-off is in twenty minutes,” the guy said.

“Alright, I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Yes, Miss Cavanaugh.” He took the suitcases and went up the stairs. I watched him, nervous about turning back to Adam. Facing him. Saying good-bye. I didn’t want to do that. Part of me wanted to demand he come. I’d promised myself when I first met him that I would make him suffer.

Adam broke the awkward silence. “If you need me, call. Or text. Or send me a text anyway, just so I know you’re all right.”

I smiled, fighting back the tears. “Okay,” I whispered.

He tugged on my chin, forcing me to see him. “I’m going to do something so crazy, like freak-out crazy. So if you need to freak out, it’s fine.”

“What?” I asked, searching his eyes.

“This.” Adam leaned down and kissed me right smack on the lips.

A surge of emotion rushed through my heart and into my throat. Fireworks exploded over and over in my stomach. My pulse raced. His lips were firm but tender. I sensed he wanted to give me only a quick kiss, but I wasn’t ready to let him go. I dropped my purse and flung my arms around his neck. He responded by pushing my mouth open, taking our kiss deeper.