Page 186 of Hell Breaks Loose

“Yeah, that’s rich coming from you, Connery.”

“Lishten here, jyooniah!” Gavin growls in a horrible imitation. “At least I don’t play master of disguise on the regular.”

“Hard to disguise that mug.”

“Hard to improve, you mean?”

“Impossible to hide those biceps, more like,” Hellena quips, squeezing Gav’s arms through his suit sleeve. He looks outstanding, if I’m being honest.

“I’d hit that.” I snicker, ignoring Gavin’s flaring nostrils, the light blush at his cheeks.

Hell’s got a look to match, only I think she’s imagining way more embarrassing things for Gavin and me. Let her dream.

“Where do you find suits that fit?” Tell teases, leading the way toward the car. “Terminator Taylors, at youah service!”

Kill me now. At least Tell’s impressions are usually spot on.

“Evan put me in touch with a guy.” Gavin shrugs nonchalantly, freezing as a popping, ripping sound comes from his back. “Fuck.”

Hell bursts out laughing, covering her face.

“Was it the jacket or the ass?” Tell snorts, side-eyeing me over his shoulder.

“I’m not complaining, Gav, but you should have worn an undershirt. And underwear.” I smirk, leaning into Tell’s haranguing.

“Damn thing was too tight!” Gavin snarls, reaching back to pin the sides together and running awkwardly for the cars.

“And apparently made of tissue paper…” I mutter, tonguing the inside of my cheek.

“You didn’t!” Hellena gapes, swatting my arm.

“I still owed him a few comebacks for all the times he whooped my ass.”

“This is the best day of my life.”

“I don’t know, Tell, something about your cologne seems off. Maybe we should call you ‘Smell’ instead.”

“You asshole!” He sniffs his suit, making a face. “I thought it was the guy sitting in front of us who kept busting ass!”

“You should check your pockets from time to time, spy boy.”

Tell joins Gavin in the car, glaring over his shoulder at me.

“What’s gotten into you?” Hell twines her fingers through mine, looking at me with wonder in her eyes. “It’s almost like you developed a sense of humor.”

“Let’s just say I developed an appreciation for having friends. For having a family.”

“And a little laughter helps too, huh?” A shadow passes over her eyes.

“It does,” I admit, leaning into her.

“You don’t have to tell me everything, you know that. But when you’re ready, I’m here for you. We all are.”

The nightmares still plague me. The horrible things Rachelle made me do. There’s blood on my hands that will never wash off. But maybe with time, it will fade.

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

We reach the parking lot and the slick, black-suited, black-shirted man waiting by the jet-black Mercedes. As always, he’s stock-still, leaning casually against the side of the car.

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