Page 58 of Hell and High Water

He really could teach me a thing or two. Every time I've attempted to take a swing at Gavin, he’s landed me on my back.

“Where'd you learned to fight like you do?” he asks, circling to look at my arm after grabbing a first aid kit from a drawer.

“All over. Some as a kid, others overseas. Spent some time in Korea. Japan.”

“Huh,” he huffs, tearing my sleeve.

“Hey! Ah, never mind. It’s ruined, anyway. Where’d you learn?” It’s a bit rhetorical. I know he’s ex-military. He looks pensive as he slides a chair over, setting a box of first aid equipment down beside us.

“Marines. Special Forces. Ten years as a merc.”

The first stitch stings like hell.

“Damn. You served with Hellena’s dad?” Wincing, I take another sip of whiskey.

“Yeah. Met him in Spec Ops.”

“Sounds like a badass.”

“You have no idea. They didn’t call him Demon Damon Michaels for nothing. He taught me most of what I know, then we started our own crew once we left the service.”

“And the rest of your crew?” I probe tentatively, hoping he doesn't clam back up.

“Long story. Most of them are gone. All of them, I thought.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Eh. It was a long time ago.”

“I know that feeling. I’ve lived a lot in my short years.” I regret it the minute I say it. I sound like a jackass.

“Shut the fuck up. You're only nine years younger than me.”

We both laugh, sipping our drinks, my arm and our worries forgotten for a moment.

“Since we're stuck here, and I'm way too amped up to go to sleep, why don’t we play a little game?”

“A game. I didn't take you for a gambler.” He kicks at my chair, trying to off balance me as I lean back.

“Oh, I don't gamble. I usually make sure I can win before I start.”

“What's the fun in that? Where’s the risk?”

“I take risks. They’re just calculated.”

“You’re pretentious as fuck, you know that?”

I nod, unable to hide my drunken grin.

“So, what's this game?”

“It can be anything. But for every round I win, you have to answer a real, honest question.

Even if I want to know something you don't want to talk about.”

“Alright, the same goes for you, though.”

“Of course.”

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