Page 10 of Starting Over
Yes, two hundred years Thunder Bounty Hunters Plus existed. Thankfully, their foolproof plan of passing the business onto their children had allowed them to keep doing what needed to be done and never once having to reinvent the wheel. However, this last time that they were going to have to change their names and make a move, they’d all talked and found out just how much the very idea of continuing on with the business didn’t appeal to any of them, and they all wanted to take a step back… far, far back.
To put it simply, they were done.
That’s why when River told them he’d accepted this case they all about kicked his ass.
Oh well, there was nothing to be done about it. One last job and they were officially retired.
“The guys are coming in. You order yet?” Asod asked.
Shaking his head, Wyatt said, “No, I guess I got lost in thought.”
“Crazy that this is our last job. I know you guys had to hold me back from ripping River’s head off, but I’m glad that my last is going to be with you,” Asod said.
Wyatt snorted, shoulder bumping Asod. “Shut the fuck up. You still plan to rip River’s head off when we get back.”
Pursing his lips, Asod gave a sharp nod. “True, but I’m still glad we have the team we do. It’s kind of fitting when you think about it.”
“What do you mean?” Wyatt asked as he walked up to the screen, and started hitting buttons on it until he had enough food for them all and then some.
“Wyatt, our first job was you, Ryan, me, Tandris, and River. Now granted this time River’s remote, but he’s still working the case with us. It’s like closing the door the way we started it.”
Wyatt tapped his card and turned to Asod. “I’ll be damned. You’re right.”
Standing and waiting for their number to be called, Asod asked, “What is it with you and that picture?”
It took Wyatt a minute to understand what Asod was asking and then when he thought about the picture his dragon once more perked up. Shaking his head, Wyatt said, “I don’t know. I looked at the picture and he took my breath away. It’s kinda odd, but I can’t deny it and besides, Rain even caught my dragon’s attention.”
Their number was called and they walked up to the counter to grab the bags and drinks, Asod saying in passing, “Sounds to me like you might have found your mate.”
CHAPTER 4
Rain rolled over and yawned. The brightness of the room telling him that it was much later than the six in the morning wake up he normally did. However, with the emotional toll all of this had taken on him, it wasn’t exactly surprising that he would need to sleep, and a few hours in the car didn’t count.
Tossing the covers off, Rain let out a yelp and grabbed to get them back when there was a soft knock on the door. “Come in.”
Jude walked in smiling. “Hey there. I wasn’t sure if you were up yet, but I made us some lunch. I thought you might be hungry since you went to bed before eating any dinner.”
At the mention of food, Rain’s stomach growled. He felt his cheeks heat.
“I’ll take that as a yes, Jude, I’m hungry,” Jude said with a laugh, then turned to leave. “Come on then. We can eat and talk.”
The moment Jude closed the door, Rain plopped onto his back and let out a loud sigh, muttering, “Well shit.”
Rain had heard those words before. They were the same words his aunt had said to him when he turned eighteen and told him foster care was over, she wasn’t getting paid, and he had a week to get out.
Gods, what was Rain going to do? He had no idea where he could go. He didn’t know anyone that might help him, and even if he did was it fair to bring this kind of danger to their door? Was it fair that he’d already done that to Jude.
Jude was a nice guy and he should be thankful that the man was willing to feed him and let him crash for the night. Expecting more from him or the people he knew wasn’t right.
Sighing heavily, Rain got up, did his business, cleaned up, as best he could with only having the clothes on his back and went downstairs to the kitchen.
Jude put out the makings for sandwiches. “Sorry, I’m not much of a cook, but I figure sandwiches will do.”
Rain pulled the slices of bread close to him, “This is fine.”
“Do you know how to cook?” Jude asked. “I tried a few times, but I burn the shit out of everything. My mate isn’t any better at it then I am, and trust me you don’t want to know what my maharishi can do, he isn’t just named Smoky because of his gift.”
Rain knew what Jude said was supposed to be funny, but he didn’t get the joke, “Maharishi?”