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“Be careful.”
I nod before sliding into the driver’s seat and wave to my parents as they watch me leave. Now, I have to clear my head and come up with a game plan. I hate lying to them, but there’s no other way.
I’m coming for you, asshole.
CHAPTER 5
THORN
“Mornin’, sunshine.”
I groan at Abyss’s chipper demeanor. It’s too fucking early to be anything but tired and grumpy. The kitchen is full, and my brothers are all chowing down on breakfast. I cross the room to the counter, where there’s still some bacon, sausage, and eggs left. I’m sure they’re cold by now, but I don’t give a damn.
“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Spike comments with his mouth full.
“Leave him alone,” Soul orders, and I cut my gaze to my pres and nod gratefully.
Ever since church the other day, when my brothers learned about my full past, Soul has been cutting me some slack for my attitude. I hate that he feels the need to, but I appreciate it, nonetheless.
“Wanna come to the gym later?” Knuckles asks as he leans back in his chair. “I’ve got a couple of potentials coming in, and I could use someone to spar with them.”
For the first time since I woke up, I grin. “I could use the practice so sure, why not?”
Malice throws his head back and laughs. “Bullshit. You could use a target, not practice.”
I shrug. “Same thing.”
Conversation ceases as we finish off the food. Just as I’m rising to my feet, Grim strides in with Violet, his ol’ lady, on his heels. Knowing the rules, I grin and lift my hands.
“Looks like you’re on cleanup, brother,” I sign.
Grim scowls, and if I didn’t know him like I do, I’d think he was about to charge me and slit my throat. But his current expression is that of mild irritation, not malicious murder.
“This place will be as clean as you’ve ever seen it,” he signs.
Violet taps him on the arm, and he glances down at her. “I’m not cleaning it for you,” she tells him.
Grim rolls his eyes and refocuses on me and my smirk. “Shut the fuck up.”
I brush by him and laugh when he shoves me with his shoulder. Aside from Soul and Malice, I’ve known Grim the longest, and underneath the prickly demeanor is a giant teddy bear.
A teddy bear on copious amounts of steroids maybe.
As I walk through the clubhouse to return to my room and shower, my mind wanders to my first meeting with Soul and Malice.
“Welcome to the team.”
My eyes drift from one new teammate to the next. I didn’t ask for this reassignment, but it happens when an entire unit is decimated by a landmine. Well, all but lucky me.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“I’m Matt.” The man thrusts his hand forward and nods to a soldier next to him. “And that’s Paul.”
I shake his hand. “Kyle.”
“Sorry about your team, man,” Paul says, his tone gruff.
I shrug like it’s no big deal, but on the inside, I’m dying. I’ve had too much loss in my life, more than any one person should have to face.
