Page 23 of Calypso's Shield

I sink into the chair as a prospect I don’t recognize hands out beers. He’s young, maybe around nineteen or twenty with boyish looks that could charm the panties off an unknown female.

Torch doesn’t waste time. So?” He eyes Farris like he’s a goddamn alien. “Is this your new… what do you call them, Man Candy?”

Divine cackles. “Fuck no. That’s herman, not her Man Candy.”

I shoot her a glare. “Fuck off, Divine.”

Torch nearly chokes on his beer. “You’ve been holding out on us, Calypso.”

I smirk. “Aw, you heartbroken, Torch? Should I have sent out an announcement?”

Torch clutches his chest. “You wound me, woman. After everything we’ve shared.”

I snort. “Everything we’ve shared?”

He gestures vaguely to his crotch. “Yeah, everything.”

Farris’s grip on my shoulders tightens.

Daisy smacks Torch. “She inked your inner thigh, dumbass. That doesn’t count.” She turns her attention to Farris behind me. “Ignore the jackass. She didn’t touch his junk.”

“I didn’t say she did,” Torch grumbles before shifting his focus to Farris. “So, what’s your story?”

Farris shrugs. “You buying?”

“What is this twenty questions. Jesus, just spit it out already.” I grumble.

“That’s what he said.” Tiny rumbles from across the room at the bar.

Everyone starts laughing, and the tension eases slightly.

“Everyone, this is Dalton.” I point to Farris. “Dalton, this is everyone.”

“Hey.” Farris relaxes his grip on my shoulders.

Tiny, Torch, Trigger, Blayze, Dagger, Aftermath, Red, Bones, and Derange all shake and bro slap Farris.

Tiny leans in. “What brings you here, anyway?”

I glance at Sloane, who gives me the same questioning look. “Not sure. Allura called Capone, and now we wait.”

We shoot the shit, throwing jabs and planning the upcoming memorial run until Allura and Capone reappear.

I sit up, reading the look on her face. “All good, Prez?”

“It’s fine,” she says. “Let’s roll out.”

That’s it? I frown but don’t push.

Farris claps Torch on the shoulder. “Thanks for the beer and the laughs.”

Torch grins. “Anytime. And if you ever feel like blowing shit up, I’m your guy.”

The two bro-slap like they’ve known each other forever, and we exchange goodbyes before heading outside.

I fall into step beside Allura, lowering my voice. “What’s up?”

She stops, letting the others pass. “Bring Farris back tomorrow at ten. Capone wants to meet with him.”