Page 35 of Breathe (Genesis: Savage Warriors #1)

C leaning up at the compound took several hours.

Most of the perps inside were dead, and the ones that weren’t were in cuffs. Others, although only a few, had escaped.

The good news was that all of the victims inside of the structure had been rescued and Micky was in Viper’s custody.

They decided to torch the place since the bomb had destroyed most of the inside and caved in one wall on the west side. The property around the compound was cleared, and the woods were wet from the pouring rain, so no potential for fire.

A few of Genesis stayed behind to watch the flames, as well as he and Azrael.

After the flames died down and the fire department arrived, they walked away. There wasn’t anything more they could do.

The good news was twofold. The compound was toast, and Micky had been apprehended. He’d call that a win.

On their way back to the ranch, they found out that Stone had a bullet punch through his upper shoulder, just above the collar of his vest. The bullet had been a through-and-through, and the man was now out of surgery.

It was cause for celebration.

And even though it was late, most of them, along with Real and Azrael, stopped to see Stone at the hospital.

The medical center wasn’t far from the compound, and the charge nurse didn’t argue about it being after visiting hours.

She took one look at the big, muscled group of testosterone and smiled.

“You look good,” Real said, gently clasping Stone’s hand.

The man’s face was pale against the white hospital sheet, but his eyes were alert.

“Thanks, man,” Stone said.

Azrael handed Stone a box of Godiva chocolates they’d purchased at an all-night liquor store.

“My favorite.” Stone’s mouth quirked up and he placed the box on the bedside table.

“Mine too,” Azrael said, and Real made a mental note.

“Where’s Dave?” Real asked Stone.

“Probably chewing out the hospital staff or something. He wants me transferred closer to the ranch, but by that time, I’ll be out of the hospital.” Stone waved his arm and the hand on the side that hadn’t been shot.

Real chuckled. “Sounds about right. When are you going to tie that man down?”

Stone’s look turned pensive, and Real got it. He imagined that loving the former Secretary of Defense wasn’t an easy thing, and Real really didn’t see how in the hell it was going to work.

“I don’t know…I thought after he retired, we would…” Stone’s voice trailed off.

“When’s he retiring?” Azrael asked softly.

“He was supposed to have already done it. The place in Colorado is finished and thriving.” Stone shrugged, but then grimaced.

“The other assassin training facility?” Azrael asked.

“Yeah, we now have two places full up and running. Gage and Mason hold down Colorado while Real and Viper handle Nevada.”

“Can we go to Colorado?” Azrael asked hopefully.

“It’s cold, baby,” Real said.

“I don’t mind the cold as long as I have someone to snuggle with,” Azrael said. “Besides…I’ve been there during Christmas, remember?”

“I remember.”

“Too much sugar for this late at night,” Stone grumbled.

“News flash, it’s almost morning,” Azrael giggled.

Back at the Nevada ranch, they found out a few things.

It turned out that Micky was Michael William Batista, former Air Force wannabe.

The guy had never even made it past bootcamp when he’d been dishonorably discharged after charges were filed against him for raping a woman in the bathroom of a night club.

It had all been caught on surveillance video. The stupid fucker.

Micky had spent six years in jail. Not enough time as far as Real was concerned, and when the guy got out, he had met Titus. The rest, as they say, was history.

What Micky was, was a sicko, but what he wasn’t, was loyal.

Micky turned on Titus the moment Viper offered him a deal—a reduced sentence if he gave up Titus.

It was a lie.

There was no way in hell Viper was letting Micky walk off the ranch.

After all, the sick son of a bitch had shot Apollo, killed his roommate Jess, and tried to take Azrael. And it was for those reasons that Genesis would eliminate the threat.

Three days after the raid, Micky Batista was questioned and permanently dispatched by Genesis.

The whole ranch released a collective sigh of relief knowing the madman was gone.

“So that’s it,” Winter said. “Only one last monster to kill.”

“Yeah, if we can find him,” Rip agreed.

Fierce shook his head. “Don’t forget, Titus was one of three. Tanis is dead, and we have no idea what Tatum is up to.”

“True, but the next order of business is to find Titus,” Real said and took his empty coffee mug to the sink.

They had all gathered in his and Azrael’s cabin because it was one of the bigger ones on the ranch, and YA frequently hung out there because it was where Azrael spent most of his time.

Right now, Azrael was curled up on the long sectional that sat against one wall in the living room. Along with Azrael were Boston, Rebel, Beck, and Freedom.

Two of the boys held gaming paddles, and the others were giving rolling commentary on the latest MMO online game.

Real smirked. While he and Genesis tried to figure out a way to bring in the rest of the nut cases, YA was having fun.

He was glad. He was pleased that Azrael had friends, but more than that, he was happy that the younger generation had the ability to let shit go. He wished he could be like that—play a game and forget, but it wasn’t in his DNA.

A little while later, Stone arrived back at the ranch, and the man was welcomed into the cabin with cheers.

Dave, walking inside with Stone, looked like he’d aged over the past few days.

“Why don’t we take this to the great room?” Rip said. “And let these two have their privacy.”

Real said nothing because he thought that was a fine idea. The great room in the ranch’s main house was designed for a large group gathering. And while his cabin was on the larger side, he didn’t want to spend the evening with his brothers.

Not with Azrael only a few feet away.

Across the room, Azrael suddenly lifted his head and caught his gaze. The younger man’s head tilted, and the long, silky dark hair slid over one sleek shoulder, making Real’s gut tighten.

Real gave a slow smile and a slight tilt of his head toward the hallway.

The men of Genesis and YA started to file out of the house.

Azrael laid his gaming paddle down and slid off the couch cushions.

Stretching, Azrael padded to the hallway and disappeared toward their bedroom.

After locking the front door, Real placed his mug aside and followed.

It was sometime during the next morning when Real stretched awake. He found Azrael lying on his stomach beside him, chin propped on crossed arms, and those dark eyes locked on him.

“What? Was I snoring?”

Azrael grinned. “Nope.”

Real rolled to his side, pillowing his cheek on one hand. He brushed the hair from Azrael’s cheek and positioned it back over one sleek shoulder.

Azrael had surprised him in bed that first time, and he kept surprising him every time. Instead of taking things slow, Azrael was a very demanding lover. He insisted on being the bottom in this relationship, but what Azrael didn’t know was that he ruled their house.

It was funny that he was so taken with the younger man. Every major decision Real had made since they’d become lovers was passed by Azrael.

He naturally wanted the young assassin’s opinion because they were together.

And he would be the man that Azrael wanted. Normally, he didn’t let anyone have that much power over him, but with Azrael, it was different.

“I wish we could go back to December,” Azrael murmured softly, breaking into his musings.

Real’s head jerked, and he squinted. What was this about, he wondered.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because none of this shit would’ve happened.”

“What shit, baby?” He cupped the side of Azrael’s neck.

“The delay in…us.” Azrael sat up, the sheet fell to his waist, leaving his chest naked. The younger man was fit and, while not bulky, he had muscle.

“Perhaps. But we’ve learned a lot about each other.” Real brushed a finger over Azrael’s bottom lip.

“I learned that you weren’t cheating on me. Not that we were together, but it still felt awful,” Azrael whispered.

“I’m sorry. That was from my lack of facilitating understanding.” Real’s gut tightened with remorse. “I’m not a big talker, but I promise if you have questions, I will answer them.”

“If I had known you thought I had put you on a pedestal, I would have said something,” Azrael pointed out. “I can’t read your mind.”

Real grimaced, but Azrael was right. There was no possible way for Azrael to know his thoughts and feelings unless he opened his mouth.

“I promise to share more,” he vowed.

It was a bit comical watching Real come to the realization that he needed to build a stronger rapport with him.

After all, Azrael thought, his big, strong warrior was used to being the silent type.

Enough had been said, though, and Azrael let Real off the hook and changed the topic.

“So…How is Patrick?”

Real had told him about the protection Patrick needed from his abusive ex, and he couldn’t fault the guy for coming to Real. Anyone in their right mind would want a former Navy SEAL protecting them.

“Oh, I assigned one of the Genesis operatives to guard his apartment.”

That’s good,” Azrael said with a cheeky grin. “You know, you’re kind of a hero.”

“Oh no.”

“Yep,” Azrael insisted. “I can call you a hero without hero-worshipping you.”

“True.” Real gave a sheepish grin and chuckled.

Azrael smiled and his eyes filled with laughter.

God, how in the hell did he get so lucky to have Real as his partner in life and on the job?

“Azrael?” Real said huskily.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”