Page 70 of Breathe
“This ends right the fuck now,” Viper growled.
The words of authority rang through the air, causing them all to give the man approaching their attention.
Viper, the commander of the active military side of Genesis, stood with Crow on one side and Winter on the other.
“Sir,” Rip said and took several steps away, unfazed by Boston still clinging to his back.
“I don’t answer to you,” Fierce told Viper, his words low and lethal.
“Then get the hell off my ranch,” Viper said, his words just as low and guttural.
The air was so charged with tension that Real could have cut it with a knife.
“News flash, this isn’t your ranch,” Fierce’s lip curled in a sneer.
“I run this place when Will’s not here,” Viper said, oh so very quietly.
It was plain to see the rising rage on the commander’s face. In truth, Quick Jameson used to own this ranch but sold it to Will not long ago, but that was beside the point, Fierce was being disrespectful as fuck to Viper.
“I’m still here,” Will said, and all eyes snapped to the SecDef.
Today, Will wore blue jeans that molded to his powerful thighs and a dark blue t-shirt that seemed to have been poured over his muscled chest. The man wore work boots and gloves. A brown mare stood behind Will, the reins in the man’s hand dangled a bit, but she was content to stand still.
“What the fuck is going on,” Will said, and it wasn’t a question.
“He put his hands on Boston,” Rip said, reaching around behind himself to remove Boston from his back.
Other than a fat lip, Boston was no worse for wear.
“Boston hit Freedom for no reason,” Fierce said. “I can’t allow that.”
“I had my reasons!” Boston glared at Freedom.
Freedom licked his bottom lip and looked away.
“I’m going to give you a piece of advice,” Will said. “The next time the young assassins go at it, Genesis needs to stay the hell out of it.”
Will lifted the reins on the mare and mounted her. Once he was situated in the saddle, he looked at them.
“And Viper and Real’s words are law here. If you don’t like it, then get out,” Will said flatly.
The SecDef’s words were directed flatly right at Fierce.
Every person froze at Will’s words.
The silence was deafening.
The air was thick with tension, almost crackling with the strain as they waited for a response, any response.
“Don’t mind if I do. See ya, cuz,” Fierce snarled, gave a one-fingered salute, and spun on his heel to stalk back inside the barracks.
“You okay?” Rip turned to Boston, and the boy nodded with a grin.
“Of course,” Boston said, hanging on to Rip’s muscled arm.
Freedom ran after Fierce, disappearing into the barracks.
“I can fight my own damn battles,” Freedom shouted and then slammed the barracks door with him and Fierce inside.
