Page 58 of Bruised MC Bear

“To train and indoctrinate them. Do I really have to spell this out?”

“So you’re telling me that not only do parts of the United States government know about us, they want to enhance us and have us join their ranks?” Axe shook his head. “The world isn’t ready to find out about shifters, Vincent, let alone shifter soldiers.”

“The front lines aren’t what you see during primetime news. Wars are being waged right this moment, and the world knows nothing about it. Battles are won and lost in the darkness, and maybe sometimes there are the odd soundbites that make it to headline news. Those are never reality. You should know that, but let’s get back to the point.”

“Your point is that you’ve either flashed money, the threat of exposing some juicy secrets, or your goddamned fangs to the right person or group of people. And now like magic, Angel, Nancy, the kids, and Kade’s family are all safe. That’s what you’re telling me, right?”

“You made it here in one piece and didn’t have to confront or fight a soul, correct?”

“True.” Axe raked frustrated fingers through his hair. Every cell in his body was still on alert, wanting and needing to fight. This anti-climactic resolution courtesy of Vincent and his several hundred-year-old connections may have eliminated the threat, but Axe’s bear was not satisfied. “What about Asher and Annalee? Are they going to be okay? What I mean is, other than being able to shift before they turn eighteen, did those bastard government wingnuts do anything else to my mom and Kade’s dad that can affect those kids, or the one Nancy’s carrying?”

“Honestly? I don’t know.”

Axe shook his head. What he wanted to do was turn back time, bust some government heads and make all of this go away. “If anything happens to them, it’ll destroy her.”

“I won’t let that happen. We won’t.”

“So you’re sure we’re fine? What about Giovanni? We already know what kind of out of control bastard he is. Has someone put a leash on him too? I swear, if that man comes anywhere near me or anyone I care about, I’ll personally put him down. I don’t care who his dead mafia ex-boss father was, or how much fucking cred he’s racked up. He’s done enough to Sabrina and Silas, then Tate, and the brotherhood. Fuck, he was even behind the panthers who kidnapped Addison and locked him down for months like some insignificant nobody. The kid is Governor Riley’s son, for fuck’s sake, and that still didn’t stop Giovanni. Look, all I’m saying is if he comes around again, he’s going down permanently. Fuck the consequences. Someone needs to pay for everything that’s happened. For Mom and Dad, for Kade’s father, for those kids, and what they may have to face for the rest of their lives. Even for Angel.”

“People have paid, Axe. Rest assured that they have, but don’t ask me for details.”

“What’s with you tonight, and all this talking in code?”

“Honestly? The less you know, the better.”

“So you’re protecting me, huh? And what about Angel? You know that danger and violence have been part of my life for a long time. I’ve lived and breathed this shit every day with Silas and the Brotherhood. It’s not the same for Angel. She may be taking things in stride, but this ain’t the kind of life she’s had up to now.”

Axe caught sight of Vincent narrowing his eyes as he studied him carefully.

“You care about her,” Vincent said. “Wait, it’s more than that.” Then he smiled. “Silas was right. You’re fixing to get wifed up! Axe, you’re making the old man proud over here, son. Are congratulations in order?”

“Jesus, what the hell is wrong with you and Si?” he barked. “It ain’t like that.”

“Like hell it ain’t.” Vincent raised his eyebrows and his lips curled up in a grin. “What do you kids call falling in love these days? Let me see if I remember. Oh, right. Whipped AF, right? Who’s the best man? I should mention I haven’t been one since Reagan was President.”

Axe shot him a glare. “I’m serious. She’s not even remotely interested in signing up for all this…baggage. But anyway, getting back to the point, we need Giovanni off our ass for good.”

“He would have to be crazy to defy us again.”

“That fucker lives for crazy, but you’re telling me he’s under control. It’s all over?”

Vincent picked up the cell phone on his desk and threw it over at Axe. “Phone your sister. Talk to Kade. Call Silas. They’ll confirm.”

“All right, fine. Let’s pass on phoning them. You know I trust you. I just hope you’re right.” Axe stood up and started for the door.

“Where are you going?” Vincent asked. “I’m not done yet.”

Axe waved his hand above his head and turned around, but kept walking backward out of the room. “Tell me in the morning. I’m beat. By the way, I’m crashing in my old room, if that’s okay with you.”

“It’s exactly the way you left it,” Vincent answered, smiling. “But Axe?”

“Yeah?”

“Silas and Sabrina want me to give you a quick message.”

“What’s that?”

“Two words. Background check.”