Page 28

Honesty Train

T he door slams shut behind me, announcing my arrival. They all ignore me as they dig into the food on the table. Gritting my teeth, I walk over to where they all can see me and clear my throat. Maxen lifts his head, his expression cold.

“I’m sorry,” I have to push the words out, but once they are said a weight lifts off my chest, “I have trust issues.” I cross my arms defensively and wait. Maxen sighs and offers me a sad smile, his face softening.

“I’m sorry too, Mi Alma, I shouldn’t have snapped like that.”

The relief is staggering, but I look at the others. Drax smiles cheekily at me but sadness still lingers in his green depths.

“I can think of ways you can make it up to me.”

Rolling my eyes, I face his brother. Jax sighs and my heart clenches. I look for any sign of the man I know he hides but it’s like he’s completely locked away from me.

“I can understand where you were coming from, but it hurt.” Swallowing, I nod. “But I forgive you. We are all going to make mistakes, but let’s promise to be truthful with each other from now on.”

Nodding vigorously, I smile at him and he returns it. It brightens his whole face, sending my heart into overdrive. Okay, one more to go. Thorn doesn’t lift his head from where he’s staring intently at the table. His shoulders are tight with tension and he actually flinches as I step closer.

“Thorn?” When he doesn’t reply, I find myself in front of his chair. With my usual confidence returned, I plop myself in his lap, making his head snap up, his eyes locking with mine in shock. Cupping his cheek, I lean my forehead against his.

“I’m sorry, big guy.” His eyes close in bliss and he eventually sighs and wraps his arms around me.

In his arms, all the tension and worry fades away, leaving a warmth that spreads through my whole body.

How could I ever think I didn’t know them when my body reacts like this to them?

He doesn’t speak but the tightness around his eyes speaks volumes.

Looking into his eyes, I know if I hurt him again this deeply, it will be the end. Here and now in his arms, I vow to trust him, even if I don’t like the outcome. Breaking our silent conversation, he sighs out his next words.

“I guess I forgive you then.”

I dart in and kiss him before wiggling to face the others.

I don’t bother moving off his lap; I think I might need the comfort of his arms before the end of this conversation.

A part of me rejoices as they tighten and when he nuzzles into my hair, I almost squeal.

I haven’t lost them. Remembering my vow to be honest, I nibble my lip before ploughing right in.

“Okay, while we are on the honesty train, I met with Dray,” Jax’s eyes narrow but the rest just wait for me to carry on, “He told me what he wants from me and I agreed to the job. Know that before I tell you, you don’t have to go with me.”

“As if, sweet cheeks,” Drax snorts. Maxen’s lips twitch and he rubs his thumb across the plump bottom one, making my eyes follow. Clearing my throat, I bring my train of thought back to the conversation.

“Right. Okay. Well, there’s been a summit called. He needs me to go to the Worshippers and extend the invitation to their leader.” The words are going down like a lead balloon. Their muttering blends into each other.

“Well, shit,” Drax smiles grimly at me.

“Pretty much. Reeves has already agreed to come. Dray’s thinking is I might be able to use my connections to get us in to see the Worshippers safely.

” I wiggle on Thorn's lap, causing him to grip my hips tightly and bite my earlobe. My pussy clenches in response, making me bite my bottom lip against the groan that wants to escape. I raise my eyes and they lock on Drax’s heated ones.

Thorn nips my flesh again, harder this time.

My eyes stay locked with Drax’s as he watches me rub myself on Thorn.

“And can you?” Maxen asks, oblivious to the sexual tension. Reluctantly, I pull my eyes to him.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve let people live in the ring, I’ve shown mercy and made friends, but that doesn’t mean they will betray their clan for me. The Worshippers aren’t known for being social.” My voice is rough with my desire, almost velvety.

“We are coming with you,” Jax's voice rings out, firm and resolute.

The last shred of doubt falls away. I was worried about going alone. It gets tiring watching your own back, and after being spoilt with them for the last couple of days, I don’t want to go back to being alone. The realisation strikes me like a lightning bolt, freezing me in my spot.

I don’t want to be alone anymore, maybe I never did.

My inner wall is nowhere to be found, destroyed by these men.

This is the turning point. I could push them away again and they would walk away.

Everything in me screams at that idea. Or I could bring them with me.

They might not like what they find, but it’s a risk I’m going to have to take.

Decision made, I lean back against Thorn.

“Then we leave after breakfast in the morning. It’s at least a three-day ride if we are going flat out.

With the raids, I’m not planning many stops, so pack enough and be ready for a hard ride.

” I twine my fingers with Thorn and he squeezes reassuringly.

My conversation with Major resurfaces and so does my curiosity.

“So, what are you doing here?” I hold my hand up to forestall the argument “I’m not accusing you of anything. You said I should have asked, so I am.”

They look between themselves before Maxen clears his throat, “Officially, we were hired by the cities’ government to come to the North and scratch out an agreement with the leaders.”

“And unofficially?”

“They want us to spy on the clan leaders. Also, there are rumours of a place buried in the Wastes unaffected by the world around it. A paradise. The cities are dying. What they don’t want anyone to know is they don’t have enough power or food to hold them for much longer,” Maxen’s voice is hard and laced with anger.

Shit, I didn’t realise it was that bad down there.

“They want you to find this place?” I raise my eyebrow in question.

“Yes, they want us to scout it, then report the location back.” Leaning back, he watches me carefully.

“That place doesn’t exist. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve heard the rumours, but that’s all they are: rumours. All that's left out here is death and destruction, and if you're lucky you find a slice of happiness.”

“Maybe, maybe not. It doesn’t matter anyway,” Drax points out happily.

“Why not?” I tilt my head to the side to watch him, but it’s Maxen who answers again.

“We never planned on going back. If this place existed, we planned to seek sanctuary.”

“And if it didn’t?” The questions swirl in my brain too fast to keep up.

“We would stay in the North. Better we die because of our mistakes out here than at the hands of the government who are culling the poor to stay on top,” Jax almost spits the words out, the venom clear to hear. He clenches his hands into fists on the table, his skin mottling with the force.

“They wouldn’t-” gasping at my imagination throwing image after image at me.

“-they are. Only a small amount for now, but enough for us poor bastards to know. The rich will live while we die like rats on their streets, protecting their walls, collecting their food,” Thorn grumbles behind me.

“So why did they trust you with this?”

“Thorn was born up here. We may have overstretched his knowledge and connections to make sure they sent us. Plus, they’ve used us for missions before.

We are their elite fighters. We fight and hunt like Northerners.

It makes us lethal, they like that.” Maxen’s smile is devious, shooting a bolt of desire straight to my pussy.

The image of hundreds of people being killed soon dampens it.

There’s just one more thing I need to know…

“So you don’t plan on going back?”

He smiles at me as if he knows where I’m going with this. As sick as I feel at the mass murder happening down South, I know I have to concentrate on one problem at a time. It’s not like I can ride in there and save everyone, even if I want to.

“No.” They all answer unanimously, their voices blending together like a chorus of my favourite song.

“So what will you do?”

Thorn chuckles into my hair and kisses my neck. My heart throbs at the unexpected gentleness.

“We were hoping you would keep us,” his breath hits my sensitive neck as he speaks, causing me to shiver.

“Either that or we stalk you across the Wastes. Your choice really,” Drax winks, but I have a feeling he’s serious.

“Fuck, you’re all mad,” I groan, but inside I’m happy dancing at the thought of spending the rest of my days, however many that may be, with these warriors.

“You love it,” Drax declares happily.

Damn right I do. Having not one, but four, maybe five, men that can keep up with me? Who needs paradise?

Staring out at the Wasteland, the night's breeze brushes against me. The guys went to bed a while ago. I told them I would be in after packing up. But really, I needed some space, just to try and think of a plan that won’t get us all killed.

“Can’t sleep?”

Jumping, I turn around to see Maxen leaning against the door frame. I didn't even hear him come out, my thoughts too distracted by what is to come.

“No, I keep thinking of different ways we can get into The Worshippers compound. Paths to follow, our options if captured…” I trail off, rubbing my head.

“You are going to give yourself a headache at this rate.”

I nod and lean back against the stone barrier of the balcony.

“Tell me something about you,” I beg, needing something to distract me. He reclines against the wall of the building, the moonlight lighting his perfection. I let my eyes run down him before meeting his.

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything,” I say softly, my mind turning to the gutter at his half-naked form.