Page 84 of The Order

“You're not going to hurt me?” Aaron questions, receiving a flick in the head from Hunter.

Even Kai waits for me to respond, clearly enraged at the thought of Aaron hurting me last night.

“Fallan already did it for me,'' I say, wondering why he would go to such lengths to prove a point. “Consider it even,” I say, watching Hunter’s head shake.

“Who was the one Untouchable he said not to get near?” Hunter says, scolding his friend with another shove.

“Wait,” I say, pausing their banter. “Fallan told you both to stay away from me?” I question, seeing Hunter nod while Aaron shakes his head no.

“He didn't want you getting involved in any Unfortunate drama that could get you hurt,” Hunter says.

Aaron’s eyes roll at the comment.

“Why would he care?” Kai questions.

“You know, I was hoping she would know the answer. He’s never had any issues with any of the other jobs we’ve done in the Untouchable sector or laid into me for doing what I need to do with anyone else that’s gotten in my way during a heist. I never thought the last name Blackburn would start popping up in our life again,'' Aaron says, crossing his arms angrily.

Again?

Hunter’s flicks have grown into full-fledged punches toward the arrogant redhead.

“You do know I can still drag you out onto the street and beat your ass, right? Even if she doesn't?” Kai questions.

Hunter’s lips curl up at the comment, his hand hiding the smile my brother’s threat has managed to give him.

“Please do. Maybe then they will lay off me in my sector,'' Aaron says, scanning his nail bed with annoyance.

The back door to the bakery swings open, revealing the shop's owner. He observes the space around him with large eyes. I have seen him numerous times, catering my father's work events with pastries of all sorts. He scowls at the two men, only softening once he sees my brother and me.

“Are these two bugging you?” he questions, holding his rolling pin in his hand like a weapon.

“No-”

“No. We were passing through, decided to get some amusement watching them struggle to lift bags,” Kai says, answering the question so casually, you would never know he's lying.

I nod at the comment, watching the baker smile. He kicks up dirt toward the two men.

“Between you and me, I think they barely deserve the scraps,” he says, patting Kai on the shoulder, moving to do the same to me.

I grab the owner’s hand, letting it linger in the air between us. Whatever relationship he thinks he has with us because of our father is not one I want to indulge.

“You'd better get back inside,” I say, watching the pots on the stove behind him boil over. “You seem to be needed elsewhere,” I continue, motioning my head toward his open doorway, squeezing his wrist with a tight grasp before letting go.

He exclaims at the gesture, moving away from us and back inside, closing the door with a swing.

“Not a fan of the baker?” Aaron questions, somehow making me smile at his sarcasm.

“Listen,” Hunter begins, smiling while he rubs his hands along the front of his apron. “It’s been great talking to you, but I have to get this all back before noon, and I’m sure Fallan is already wondering why we are so delayed, but thank you,” he pauses, looking between my brother and me. “For everything,” he finishes, keeping his eyes on my brother.

“If you two ever find yourselves in our sector and are looking for fun, you know who to look for,” Aaron says, grabbing one end of the cart. Hunter holds the other. The wheels turn slowly, creaking to life with short movements.

“Wait,” I say, moving closer to Hunter. “If you see him today, can you ask him something?” I question, waiting for Hunter to give me a nod.

“Can you ask him why he gave it to me if he would only take it back?”

The necklace. It's one of the many parts of last night I am struggling to wrap my mind around.

“Take what back?” Hunter questions.

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