Page 40 of You Don’t Kiss Your Brother's Best Friends

“Yeah. Shit.”

Her face was solemn now. Her rosy cheeks, somber.

“How many died?” she asked.

“Eleven in total,” said Bishop, “and another seven fighting our way out of there. Six from our own squad. The very defenses designed to protect us blew up in our faces. All because some dumb fuck got antsy while trying to cover his ass.”

Jocelyn’s pretty hazel eyes dropped to my arm. I watched them move slowly over my shrapnel marks, before shifting to Bishop.

“That’s how you got these scars,” she swore, pointing. “All because of him. The VIP.”

“And Blight,” I added. “But yes. And now that VIP is one of three big dicks in charge of Blight, having driven the rest of the old guard away. They call themselves the Founders, even though they’re not. And although very few people know anything about them, they’re still three of the most powerful — and hated — men in the world.”

I scratched at my arm, which still itched from time to time. But always when I recalled what happened.

“So you’re here for revenge,” Jocelyn theorized.

“Is that so bad?”

She took a while to shrug. “No, but—”

“The Founders keep to themselves, on opposite ends of the world,” said Bishop. “They do this for safety. If you were to cut one of the heads down, they’d only grow a new head.”

“Like the hydra,” offered Jocelyn. “In Greek mythology.”

I nodded, thoroughly impressed. “In the story of the hydra, two heads would grow back for every one you cut off. But yes, it’s a lot like that. Which is why the three Founders are never in the same place at the same time. Except for the rare occasion, once a year, when they meet—”

“They’re coming today,” she breathed. “Holy shit.”

“Which is why we had to get you out of there,” Bishop explained. “As quickly as possible. The airport’s running again, and your flight should be—”

“What about Kayden?” she asked abruptly. “How’sheinvolved in all of this?”

“Kayden’s the one that got us in,” said Bishop. “They’re so paranoid, they rotate the help. And with him being an executive chef, it was just a matter of putting him in the right place at the right time.”

It was making it sound easier than it was, of course. And less dangerous.

“So neither of you are chefs, are you?” she sighed.

“No,” I admitted. “But they don’t know that.”

“Once Kayden was hired and vetted,” said Bishop, “it was a simple matter for him to bring us on.”

Jocelyn looked away for a moment, back in the direction of the island. I already knew what she was thinking.

“So who’s that woman with him?” she asked, her voice faltering. “Evelyn, I think you called her?”

“She’s a Blight operator, working with Raif,” I explained. “And she’s not ‘with’ Kayden.”

She scoffed. “She’s not with him right now?”

“Well, technically yes. But she’s notwithhim, with him.”

“Sure as hell seemed like it while he was kissing her.” Her tone was angry now, but also hurt.

“He wasn’t kissing her,” Bishop countered. “She was kissing him, and he was, you know, just going along with it.”

At that, we both frowned at him.

---