Page 18 of Kidnapped

“True,” Luc replies.

“Is your leg really okay?” Trick asks and I hadn’t realized that he was still awake, Jensen started snoring around the same time that Riot went back to sleep.

“He’s going to have a monster bruise on his leg. I was close enough to see how hard he hit you,” Cash replies.

Luc and Trick look at me curiously, and I simply shrug; he’s not wrong; I am going to have a giant bruise. Fortunately, it’s winter, and I’m not wearing shorts any time soon, so Riot doesn’t need to feel any unnecessary guilt about it.

“We should get some sleep. We’ve got to be up early tomorrow so we can head to Knox's place before we go and find Ryan to remind him that we’re watching him.” Trick is smiling viciously by the end of the sentence.

I chuckle but don’t bother replying as the room falls silent again, the only sound coming from the TV.

Chapter Thirteen

Jensen

Idid not get enough sleep last night, and it’s made me slightly more violent than I am usually. Not that it's saying much since I’m pretty fucking violent all of the time. I guess I should have said that I didn’t get enough sleep last night, and it’s made me less capable of hiding my violence.

The bottom line is I’m grumpy.

“You need more coffee,” Luc says as he hands me another cup, and I take it with a grunt of thanks; I’m not sure I’m capable of words right now.

Trick’s parents have gone to Cash’s for brunch or something, and my dad has tagged along because there’s food involved and he loves Kat’s cooking, he will take any opportunity he can to eat it. It means that we’re the only ones in the house, which thankfully means that we can talk freely and not in code.

Which I am damn grateful for, because I don’t think I’m capable of understanding the code right now and remembering what it all means, and I helped to come up with it.

“Alright, everyone, finish your breakfast, and then we’ll head up to Knox’s cabin so Jensen can talk to him before we head to Ryan’s new town.” Trick says as he finishes his own food and then puts the plate in the dishwasher.

Jenny would kill us if we left a mess behind, and as much as we all love Jenny, none of us are stupid enough to piss her off.

It doesn’t take very long at all until everyone is doing the same and clearing their plates. Thankfully, that third cup of coffee is working its magic, and I now feel a lot more awake than I did a moment ago, which is a good job since we’re going to see Knox. I wasn’t lying before; he is a good guy, but there is no doubt in my mind that he somehow killed the guy that killed his family.

I don’t know how he did it; the police can’t even pin it on him, but he did.

I can’t say I blame him; if I knew who killed my mom and sister, I wouldn’t just kill them. I’d slice them until they were begging for mercy, and even then, I wouldn’t give them the release of death. That would be too easy, and they don't deserve easy.

Strangely, I feel somewhat at ease in his presence, which doesn’t make much sense considering my earlier statement, but then, who am I to judge someone like that? It’s like my pain recognizes his and is just content to sit with someone who truly understands.

Having said that, I still don’t think it would be wise not to be at my best, with my senses in top form when I’m alone with him; I’d say that about most situations, though.

We all head for the front door, but before we open it, Cash asks, “Is everyone armed?”

“Yep,” Luc replies.

“Of course,” Riot grins while Trick and Rafe just nod in confirmation.

Cash turns to look at me, “Jensen?”

My smile is sharp as I hold my arms out to the side. “I have twelve knives on me. Do you want to guess where they are?”

Trick narrows his eyes, “There's no fucking way that you have got twelve on you.”

“I can only see three,” Riot says as he studies me closely.

I grin, “I promise there are twelve.”

“How?” Cash asks incredulously, all of us thoroughly distracted now.

“Magic,” I retort, making them roll their eyes at me.

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