Page 31 of Damaged

“Did everything go good?” Solomon frowned, gazing at him over the desk as if he didn’t believe it.

“Yeah, he took care of it.” Rogue stood in the Erebus office, located in a warehouse that he hated—it reminded him of the building Solomon had caged him inside.

If it were up to Rogue, he would get his jobs over the phone and never come there, but Solomon had liked to use his power and summon him at will.

That very day, he was relieved of following Wrath and placed on other tasks, but that had not made a difference to him. Back then, Rogue tailed Wrath whenever he had the time.

Every time they met, Rogue took the opportunity to get close. He never gottooclose though, but a hand to the man’s bicep, or a press of their foreheads as they waited in the dark seemed okay.

There had been a few near misses when Wrath tried to kiss him, but Rogue hadn’t been ready for that.

It wasn’t until he found Wrath sick with fever and had taken him to the hospital that he’d begun to fantasize about kissing him.

Perhaps it had been carrying a naked Wrath wrapped in a sheet that had sent him into a tailspin.

And last night?

Well, they had gone to a whole other level.

“Who’s that?” Wrath murmured to Echo and shot a glance toward the pool.

Munching on a piece of bacon, Rogue glanced over. The stranger in question Rogue didn’t know at all and that had his senses on high alert. This was one of his best friend’s home.

Having been through so much together as kids captured by Solomon, Rogue considered both Fisher and Echo as his brothers. For a while, they’d been called the originals, but that was not the case. There had been many more throughout the years.

Rogue was very protective of his family and friends and lowered his hand to the inside of his jacket where he kept his weapon.

Wrath, seeing his move, pulled a weapon beneath the table. Rogue felt marginally better with his own hand wrapped around his Sig Sauer.

The stranger had to be in his late thirties or maybe just looked it. Even as heavily built as the guy was, Rogue thought he could probably take him and win in a hand-to-hand.

Rogue couldn’t figure out how the hell the guy had entered Justice and Fisher’s property without getting seen or dead.

Echo and Ice glanced over but didn’t seem to be concerned. That was fine with Rogue, he would handle the man himself. He went to rise from his chair.

“Stand down,” Stone murmured to Rogue. Having Rogue go at Winter wasn’t something he ever wanted to see. “He’s with Genesis.”

“How the hell did he get into the backyard?” Rogue growled.

“He stayed the night.” Echo patted Rogue’s arm.

“He’s pretty fucking stealthy,” Wrath muttered and tucked his weapon away.

“Win!” Stone called out and the man looked over at them.

Icy blue eyes traveled over him and Wrath, measuring them as possible threats. The guy looked and moved like an assassin even without knowing he worked for Genesis. Without answering, the guy gave Stone an up-nod and pulled off his t-shirt to reveal ripped abs, tattoos, and miles of muscle. Walking to the edge of the pool, the guy dove into the water.

“He seems…nice,” Wrath chuckled, and the rest of the table broke out in laughter.

“He’s not too friendly,” Stone agreed with some humor.

“Win is short for Winifred?” Wrath asked and Rogue snorted his coffee—the burn up his nose was instant.

Wrath laughed and reached over to pat his back and then ran his palm up and down.

“You okay there?” Wrath snickered at him and Rogue gave a squinty-eyed mocking scowl, trying not to laugh.

“Short for Winter,” Stone said with a laugh.

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