Page 159 of Love Bleeds Red
“Calm your tits,” Jasper shouts back. “We need the space. Tonight’s serious business.”
I close my textbook,Trauma-Informed Care for Adolescents, and stretch my arms above my head. I’ve been reading case studies for hours, trying to understand how kids process violence. It’s been super informative, especially with my firsthand experience as a guide. I’m hoping to get a jump on my assignments for this semester before mid-terms.
“Bailey, get in here!” Falin yells from the living room. “We need the list.”
The police scanner crackles from its spot on the kitchen counter. I wish I could say I’ve gotten used to the white noise like everyone else has. It’s still jarring, but I understand their need to listen for certain keywords. Leon’s laptop is open next to it, his screen showing surveillance from around town. Even on fight club night, we’re always working.
“Coming,” I call back, stepping over Havoc, who’s sprawled in the hallway like she owns the place. Mayhem’s perched on the windowsill, tail twitching as she watches a car drive by the semi-busy street.
The living room’s been transformed in the time I’ve been reading. They pushed the furniture against the walls, rolled up the area rug and shoved it behind the couch, and moved Leon’s prized PlayStation to another room. They’ve gotten their little monthly ritual down pat. I still don’t get the need to beat the shit out of each other for fun, but maybe I will after tonight. I have a surprise up my sleeve.
“There’s our bookworm,” Damon says, not looking up from where he’s checking the clip in his gun before setting it on the side table. They all stay armed, even during downtime. “Ready to watch your man get his ass kicked?”
“Leon can handle himself,” I say, settling on the floor next to where Blake’s organizing her first aid kit. She’s gotten scary good at stitching people up since we started this whole thing. Perks of knowing an almost doctor. “What are the stakes tonight?”
“Loser gets the next cleanup duty,” Falin says, cracking her knuckles. “And I’m talking full cleanup. Body disposal, scene scrubbing, evidence burning. The whole fucking nightmare.”
Leon walks in from the bedroom wearing only gym shorts and nothing else. I can’t help but drink in his perfectly sculpted body. Did it suddenly get ten degrees hotter in here?
“All I heard was evidence burning,” he says, heading right toward me. “What kind of shit are you stirring tonight, Falin?”
“The kind that keeps you out of prison, pretty boy,” Falin shoots back with a smirk. “Unless you’d prefer orange jumpsuits to your fancy leather jackets.”
“We’ve got that thing planned for next week,” Damon cuts in, all business. “Someone’s got to deal with the aftermath… and it’s not gonna be me. We have plans. Right, Angel?”
Blake’s cheeks color instantly. “You better win then.”
The “thing” is a child trafficker who’s been operating out of a warehouse downtown near campus. Leon and the guys have been tracking him for months, building a case that’ll never see the inside of a courtroom. After a few key Brotherhood members got away scot-free recently, we don’t bother with the law anymore.
“I vote Blake sits this one out,” I say. “She’s got that practical exam coming up.”
“Absolutely not.” Blake stands, rolling her shoulders. “I’ve been dealing with cadavers all semester. I need to hit something that’s not dead.”
Leon meets my gaze with a knowing smirk. “Alright. What are the ground rules?”
“No permanent damage,” Damon says. “We need everyone functional for next week.”
“And no knives,” I add. “The landlord’s already suspicious about the bloodstains.”
Jasper grins, pulling his shirt over his head. “Not even tiny ones?”
Falin slaps him on the back and he fakes a pained howl.
The scanner buzzes to life. We all pause, listening, but it’s a domestic disturbance call. As much as we’d love to intervene, that’s not exactly what we’re looking for. These days, we’re hunting bigger prey.
I pull out my iPad and type out everyone’s names in the random pairing organizer app. After one too many sore losing arguments over the past few months, we keep things completely random now.
“Falin and Jasper, first round,” I announce. “Winner facesme.”
All heads turn my way, clearly shocked. This is the first time I’ve included my name in the mix. I’ve been secretly training with Leon, but no one else knows that.
“Bailey,” Blake says carefully, “are you sure about this?”
“What, you don’t think I can handle it?” I challenge, standing up and pulling off my sweater. Underneath I’m wearing a sports bra, and I catch Leon’s eyes widening slightly as he takes in the muscle definition I’ve built over the past few months. And my chest. Most definitely my chest.
“Oh shit,” Damon mutters. “Bails has been holding out on us.”
Falin’s grinning like a kid on Christmas. “This just got interesting. Hope you’ve been saying your prayers, boys.”
