Page 1 of Mariposa
1
KADE
“Jesus, old man, when are you going to settle the fuck down?”
Smirking like a devil, I shake my head at Booker.
“You’re insufferable, Chaos.” I flip him off. “Same argument, different day. When do I even have time to give anyone? I’m always gone. I’m never home. What’s the point?”
We’re high in the sky, flying over the mountains in a war zone and about ten minutes out from our target area.
“Master Sergeant!” A hand touches my shoulder.
I jerk my head towards Owen Pearl, the youngest special operator on the team. He has bright red hair and freckles all over his nose—his call sign is Kid.
He removes his hand, getting the message that I don’t like to be touched. I don’t even like to talk before missions, but Booker is my best friend, so I’ll make an exception. But Kid? He better have a good excuse.
My scarred brow raises, and even through my balaclava skull mask, Kid senses my unwelcome expression. He gulps and fidgets in the seat of the Black Hawk.
“Sir. Permission to speak freely?”
I clearly intimidate him by the way he stutters and shifts like this, a usual nervous tick for him.
I nod.
“I just want to say it’s an honor to be on this mission with you. Everyone knows who you are. Everyone knows about you and Grim. I aspire to have a successful career like both of you. Any advice?”
I stiffen. My brows knit together with a hardened gaze. He studies and waits for me to say something.
The Black Hawk turns sharply, causing everyone to groan and hold on for dear life.
“Fuck, I hate flying.” Booker lifts his mask just enough to expose his mouth, grabs a bag, and retches inside it.
I chuckle. Motion sickness always gets to Booker.
“Asshole, turn that way.” I nudge his shoulder with mine until he faces Slater beside him.
“Advice…” I say pensively. Taking out my latest project from my pocket, I continue working on a Punisher skull for Adam. I enjoy carving wood in my spare time.
A piece of wood flies onto the floor as I tilt my head to the side, shrugging. “Stay alive. Survive.”
Kid laughs naively as he gapes. He keeps going as if waiting for me to join his awkward, broken chuckles. With a scowl on my face, my eyes narrow into slits.
“Oh, you weren’t kidding?” His smile disappears.
I say nothing.
“That’s it? Survive?” He waves his hand, bewildered.
“Don’t freeze up,” I add.
He watches me, waiting for more, but then nods when I don’t break eye contact. “Okay. Cool. I guess.”
“How’s your son, Adam, doing?” Booker grumbles next to me. His green face slowly turns back to normal.
“We don’t talk, but from what I know, he’s doing just fine. His mother just told me he has plans to propose to his long-time girlfriend. I’ve never met the girl, but Penny has nothing but great things to say about her.”
“You have a son?” Kid chimes in enthusiastically. “I ask because…” His gloved hand reaches into his pocket and takes out an ultrasound photo. There sits a little bean with an arrow pointing at it and a label that saysheartbeat.
