Shifter Wars by A. E. Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

getting sick of purple anyway. Time for me to pick out a respectable color.”

Chapter 7

    Jason and I sat at the back office table plotting our visit to the body shop tomorrow. We had decided not to rush over today in the heat of the moment. When the office door opened, Dolly came in with a plastic bag and held it out to me.
    “What’s this?”
    “Hair color.”
    “Why…”
    “Jean Luc mentioned you needed to dye your hair a normal color, and since you were busy back here, I told him I would run out and get you some.”
    I looked at the bag like it was a rattlesnake. “He did mention normal color for a human right?”
    “Yes! It can’t be any worse than that purple.”
    Which was true. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
    I accepted the bag, and she stomped off, hollering over her shoulder for me to call Misha.
    I picked up my cell and hit speed dial.
    Misha answered on the first ring.
    “Hello.”
    “Are you ready to be picked up?”
    “Yes, have Jason come, too. Trina wants to see both of you. I’ve insisted you’re okay, but she wants to see you in the flesh.”
    Half an hour later, Jason parked the SUV in Griffin’s driveway. I walked up to the large entry door and knocked.
    I was half expecting a posh British butler to answer. Instead Beatrice opened it with a smile.
    “Good to see you both again. Come in.”
    “Where’s Misha?” I asked.
    “He’s in the kitchen. He has an amazing appetite.”
    I laughed. “You can say that again. We understand Trina wants to see us.”
    “Yes, she’s upstairs. Stephanie insisted she take it easy today, but Trina doesn’t remember what happened in the SUV and she’s afraid you were hurt.”
    Before I could respond, there was a commotion at the top of the stairs, followed by Stephanie yelling, “Trina, wait!”
    I looked up. Trina beamed at us from the top of the stairs. “It’s okay, Mom, I told you Kyle and Jason were here.”
    She wore pajamas and a robe and slippers. As she ran down the stairs toward us, she stumbled and pitched forward. My heart plummeted, but before I could react, Jason dove and caught her. He pivoted and landed on the floor with her on top of him. Bea and I ran over to help.
    Stephanie appeared at the top of the stairs and shrieked. “Trina!”
    Which caused a number of other shifters to come running, including Griffin, who rushed out of his office to take in the scene.
    Trina scrambled off Jason, and he sat up laughing.
    Stephanie ran down the stairs and snatched Trina into a hug, somehow managing to also check for injuries. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine, Mom. I knew Jason would catch me.”
    “Trina, how many times have I told you not to run on the stairs! Apologize to Jason at once. You could have hurt him.”
    Jason held up a hand. “I’m fine, Mrs. Connor. I grew up playing tackle football. Trina was like catching a feather.”
    Trina giggled. “I am not a feather!”
    Stephanie gave Trina a Searing Mom Stare before turning to Jason. “Please, call me Stephanie. This is the second time today you’ve saved my daughter, so I don’t think we should stand on formality. I didn’t get the opportunity earlier to thank you for protecting her.” She looked up at his bandage. “How’s your head?”
    “I’m fine.”
    She turned to me, probably much to Jason’s relief, since he looked ready to squirm. “Thank you, too, Kyle.”
    Trina interrupted. “Are you guys staying for dinner? We’re having macaroni and cheese. It’s my favorite. Mr. Misha said it’s his favorite too.”
    I sighed. Every food was Misha’s favorite food. “I don’t know, Trina.”
    Griffin spoke up. “There’s plenty for everyone. Trina is being a better host than I am at the moment.” He walked up and held my gaze. “Please stay.”
    I glanced at Jason. “You might as well tell Misha we’re staying for dinner.”
    * * *
    Between my full stomach and the lull of the drive back to my apartment, I dozed off. Before I knew it, we were parked in