Page 13 of Christmas Trouble

“Oh here we go.” Joshua jumped up—anger quick and hot, fists clenched.

“Calm down,” Seven said, leaning back with his hands flat to the mattress. “Dave is opening a training facility here in Colorado.”

The words caught Joshua off guard, and he stared at his brother. “What kind of training facility?”

“One I think will be right up your alley. It’ll include young adults from Pegasus, Phoenix, Erebus, and perhaps some from Genesis as well.”

Seven never kept anything from Joshua. His brother wanted to be treated as an adult. So when Joshua had turned eighteen, Seven had sat his brother down. It was during that conversation that Seven listed out the specialty teams and pointed out the dangers of knowing about any of them or what they did.

“You’ve got to trust me,” Joshua had said.

“I do trust you, but you need to know that knowing this information can get you killed,” Seven responded, not mincing his words.

“Crossing the street can get me killed,” Joshua countered.

Seven grinned. “Now you just sound like Hunter.”

“Don’t worry so much bro, you both are rubbing off on me.”

Joshua had been right that day and looking at his younger brother now—anger rippling Joshua’s tall, muscled frame—made Seven smile.

“Are you trying to get me to join this new facility instead of the Navy?” Joshua squinted at him, heat glinting in his eyes.

“You can’t do both.” Seven shrugged and then sighed. “Well, I guess maybe you can…perhaps join the Navy first and then do the training or vice versa.”

“Can I think about it?” Joshua probed, wondering if this was another way for his brother to control him and keep him from joining the military. “At least give me some time.”

“Take all the time you need,” Seven said.

Aknock sounded on the door just before Hunter opened it and poked his head through the opening.

“Foods ready,” Hunter told them.

“I’m fuc—er starving,” Joshua grinned and held out a hand to his brother. Seven didn’t need help up from the bed because he was in top shape due to his demanding job, but he let himself be pulled up anyway.

When Joshua left the room ahead of them, Seven held Hunter’s gaze.

“What did he say?” Hunter asked in a quiet whisper.

“He’s intrigued and thinking it over.”

“Yay.”

“I can only hope.” Seven linked their fingers as they stepped out of the room and headed down the hallway. He really didn’t want his brother joining the military, but he would drop the subject for now.

Entering the main room, the scent of pizza drifted from the large open kitchen. Someone had put on holiday music and “White Christmas” floated from the speakers.

The twenty-foot-tall Douglas fir with a diameter of twenty-five feet took up one corner of the great room. Boxes of ornaments and a ladder had been supplied by the owners of the lodge and decorating the massive tree had taken the boys hours.

Hassle barreled through the room, his nails clicking on the floor as the dog pranced into the kitchen looking for treats. Grit was up from his spot on the rug near the fireplace to follow after the smaller dog.

Gage and Travis made their way out of the hallway. Travis looked like he had washed up and a smile creased his young face as he shoulder bumped his brother.

From the kitchen, they all heard Dave break down and offer both dogs treats.

“Only one bacon treat for each of you,” Dave said.

Laughter filled the outer room, and Seven smiled. He pulled Hunter to a free spot in the large sectional.

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