Page 2 of The Villain

“We’re glad you decided to meet us,” one of them calls out. He’s walking in the front with the big bruiser next to him. Ira and Brody from the descriptions I was given. The twins are behind them, muttering to each other. They’re turned so I can’t read their lips. Felix and Blaze. Who cares which one is which.

Tera’s big bro Shade doesn’t say a word. He looks as stiff as a bad mannequin. It’s a subtle shift from the statue of a second ago.

If I didn’t know better, I would think he was scared. From everything I’ve seen this guy is too emotionally frozen for that. How he and Tera are so close is a mystery to me. Then again, she’s friends with me, too.

“We’ve been given an assignment out of town,” Ira continues. I can barely hear his voice from this distance but I have their lips lined up so I can read them easily. As long as they don’t twist around too much.

“You have a decision to make.” Brody crosses his arms more as an intimidation than defense. I thought Tera said these guys worked together for years? They act like her big bro is an enemy.

Shade’s head tilts like he’s questioning them without opening his mouth. A man of few words. I like that but I want to hear him speak more. What does he sound like?

“You can come with us or you can stay here with your little Tera,” one of the twins says and my eyes narrow on him. The differences between the two of them are hard to spot but he’s making me take notes right now. Wouldn’t want to hurt the wrong one, would I?

“How is that going by the way?” the other twin asks casually but his smug grin is slimy. “I heard she kicked you to the curb for the other three guys. You doing ok with that?”

“She’s a sister to me. I’ve told you that several times.”

His voice is mellow like cognac with a bit of bite to it. I want more. His disinterest is a little odd considering he’s dating them. Where is the heartfelt conversation Tera was sure would happen?

“Right,” twin two nods but the mocking look on his face makes his agreement a lie.

“Well, it’s her or us,” Ira holds his arms out like he’s waiting for a hug.

Don’t do it.

Be good and stay with Tera.

Stay in my sight.

And get rid of these assholes before I do.

“What about Andi?”

Look who’s dedicated to his job. Must be good pay.

“This trip is Matthias approved, Shade. We might not come back either. Now that the little princess is safe there isn’t much of a need for us.” The threat is given by twin one.

He just tossed that gauntlet down with a smile.

Douchebag.

“I thought we were going to talk? Clear the air,” Shade doesn’t sound moved by anything they’re saying and I silently applaud him. They aren’t worth heartbreak. They’re worth broken bones and blood.

“Something you wrote up with Tera? I’m sure it would move us all to tears now that she has you trained.” Twin one crosses his arms over his chest with a mocking sneer.

“Whipped,” twin two scoffs.

What is with the Tera hate? Even if these guys weren’t on Tera’s enemy number one list they’ve definitely made mine. So she wants to teach a block of ice how to talk about his feelings, who gives a shit? She’s getting a redo because it didn’t work for me. Hopefully he’s more receptive to it.

Shade looks down at his hand and uncurls a fist to reveal a folded piece of paper. He stares at it for what feels like eternity as they talk around him. It’s like he’s not really there. They talk at him. Everything about this is all wrong.

Get out of there.

“No.”

Yes. Good little statue.

They stop joking around and turn to face him again.

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