Page 43 of Inevitable Dream

“I know,” I reply, concentrating on his wound.

He tilts his head around to look at me. “You believe me?”

“Well, yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Normally, people take one look at me and assume the worst.”

“I’m not most people,” I tell him, turning his head back into position so I can finish up.

“I got out of the army with all these ideas on how I want to live my life, and I ended up on the streets.” His voice cracks in despair, and he covers his face with his hands.

“Hey, I can’t pretend to know what you’ve been through. I don’t want to say everything’s going to be okay, because that’s lame and means nothing unless we do something to change it. But I do have some good friends who might be able to help. If you’re open to it, I can see if they can drop in tomorrow. You’ll be with us for a couple of days. If nothing else, you’ll have company,” I say.

“Not sure anyone can help me,” he says, despondently.

“You won’t know unless you try.”

Kane searches my face. “You don’t know?—”

“No, I don’t,” I interrupt, “but Rebel, Falcon, and the others do. What’ll it hurt to talk to them?”

He pauses, and I think he’s trying to decide if I’m setting him up for another disappointment. “I got nowhere else to be,” he concedes.

I smile. “Get some rest. They’ll be moving you to a room soon. I’ll check on you tomorrow before my shift.” As I’m leaving him, he reaches out and touches my hand. “Tomorrow,” I promise. He lets go.

Chapter20

Leave No Man Behind

Rebel

Sleep doesn’t come easy without Sadie by my side. I toss and turn before drifting off, only to awaken when I hear the bedroom door creak open. Sadie doesn’t turn on the light; I can hear her fumbling in the dark.

“Baby, turn on the light before you hurt yourself,” I mumble.

“Darn! I was trying not to wake you,” she whispers loudly, which makes me chuckle. The bathroom light comes on, and Sadie is quick to change before dropping in beside me. Immediately, I haul her over to my side, kiss her neck, and, with a muffled voice, say, “Night, sweetheart. Glad you’re home.”

She nestles in closer, her ass rubbing innocently against my crotch. Christ, we’re both so tired, or I’d throw her onto her back and fuck her senseless. My dick will just have to wait.

“Night, honey.” She yawns and is out cold in seconds. And I nod off right behind her.

I left Sadie sleeping this morning. She didn’t move at all throughout the night, and when I got up this morning, she didn’t stir. I prepped the coffeepot with a note to hit the Brew button when she was ready and saying that I picked up fresh croissants for her to have for breakfast before I hit the road.

Everyone but Wire was in the office before me. Bull was in his office finishing up a report that he’s been putting off for weeks. Falcon finally gave him shit for it yesterday. All of us guys hate paperwork, and Kailyn does most of it, but there are some reports that must be completed by us. I guess the talk lit a fire under Bull because his thick fingers are typing away on the keyboard, and his eyes are glued to the screen, concentrating fully, and he doesn’t even hear my “Hey,” as I walk past.

Kailyn is in her own office, looking at a pile of invoices. I know she’s doing the monthly accounts. There’s no point in talking to her until she’s done. It’s the only time that she gets cranky.

Phoenix and Falcon are in Falcon’s office on a conference call. They see me through the glass and wave me in. As I walk through the door, I hear on the other side of the line, “Yo, bro. I hear you got yourself a pretty girl. Smart too, but not sure how smart if she hooked up with the likes of you.” The crackling on the other end doesn’t disguise Archer’s gruff voice.

“Shit! It’s good to hear your voice. We need you here, brother. When are you leaving that hellhole?” I ask. We all miss Archer. We’ve done great without him, but it’ll only get better when he’s with us.

“I’m counting the days,” he replies. “Listen up. You never know when the line is going to drop. I’m sending you a package. I need you to put it away for me.”

“What is it?” Falcon asks.

“Personal shit that I’ve got to take care of when I get home,” he says. Archer’s a private person but has always shared when the time was right. That’s why none of us are too concerned when he takes his time asking for what he needs. Most of the time, all he wants is someone to listen. We give each other what we need.

“You got it,” I tell him.

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