Page 106 of A Blackened Bond

Creed’s gaze narrows as Ez continues.

“It was a group of fourteen, all clad in black, a handful of shifters and a few warlocks mixed in. We got Erving and his most important equipment out after the fights and placed him in the third safe house. Thankfully, everyone on our side was fine.” Ez brushes a hand through his hair. “Silas is looking into who the group was and why they hit Erving’s last night. I also put a few feelers out and called some contacts. But there’s nothing back yet.”

“No survivors to question?” Creed asks, grabbing one of his gross protein shakes and sipping it like it’s liquid gold and not the most disgusting thing ever created.

Ez shakes his head. “They weren’t exactly holding back, so we couldn’t either. Mal and I took the six to the front, Annex took the five out back, and Micai…she handled the surprise three that tried to grab Erving.”

Creed’s brows raise before quickly narrowing. “Why was she with you both on a job in the first place?”

That’s what he takes from Ez telling him Red helped us and kicked ass?

“We were together—”

“What’s new these days? You’re bothalwayswith her,” Creed gripes like some toddler throwing a tantrum.Matching his damn baby towel.

“How is that a bad thing?” I ask, my brows pinching together before a playful grin quickly stretches my cheeks. “Oh…Jealous? Missing my time, are we, Creed?”

A frown pulls at the bastard’s lips as he gives me a cute glare.

“It’s lucky weweretogether,” Ez continues, a little tick working its way into his forehead.

Talking to Creed about Redwasgetting annoying. His repetition of‘she’s an unknown’and ‘she can’t be trusted’was pissing the both of us off and grating on each of our nerves. She had proven multiple times now that she can be, and that sheisone of us.

Nobody else could be more perfect for the spot beside us than her. The dick was just too stubborn to see it properly.

“They had concealment spells and electronic disruptors. And if it wasn’t for Micai, Erving could have gotten hurt. Or even taken.”

Creed scoffs. “You would have gotten to him in time—”

“Why are you so against her?” Ez cuts Creed off, annoyance pulling his brows into a glare as he stares at Creed. “And don’t give us that shit about not knowing enough about her, Creed.”

Oh, Ez was getting serious now.

I pull the cereal box toward me on the counter and start chewing on the cocoa krispies like they’re popcorn. Watching the show.

And with both of my brother’s darkening expressions, it would surely be one hell of a performance.

“We don’t, though,” Creed barks, glaring at Ez. “How the hell does someone who can’t use magic and was weak as shit just a couple of months ago suddenly become so strong and fast? She can handle that beast with Grey with ease and out-run Mallyn’s beast like she’s going for a jog? She has secrets, ones she’s not sharing with us.”

Ezra glances at me with Creed’s words.

Red has her own past, like we all do. But she was already opening up to us. She told Ezra and me about the marks on her body and had no problem showing her strength and speed whendealing with the guys last night to help us. She’s showing us who she is bit by bit and letting her guard down.

It’s time we did the same.

“Of course she does. We all do.” I put the krispies down and stand up, going over to Creed and patting him on the back. “Weallhave our pasts. Ones we don’t freely talk about. Nobody wants to pour that shit on the ground and let everyone see it.” I shake my head. “That stuff takes time, Creed. You know that. Red’s already opening up and letting us in by showing us what she’s capable of and helping us. And it’s time we showed her the same respect.”

Ez nods, taking a step forward. “We want Micai in. She’s a part of us now, and a part of our family—”

“The fuck she is,” Creed barks, glaring at Ezra. “I get that it’s more serious than I originally thought. But who’s to say you’ll all be together in a year, or five?” He looks to me and then back at Ezra. “We can’t risk our group and the plans that have taken us years and ruin them by adding one girl.”

“She’s not just one girl—” Ezra calls, before Creed interrupts him again.

“She’s someone who could derail everything,” he grits out. “She could leave you, betray you and this group for someone else.”

“She wouldn’t—”

“But you can’t say that for definite.” A mocking grin tilts Creed’s lips. “We don’t know enough about her. Who’s to say she’s not using you now? She might take what she wants from you and leave. Or who says that you won’t get tired of her and want someone else? Where would that leave us if she knows our secrets?”

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