Page 104 of Scarred Savages
“That was—” Axel slides out from under the bike to glare at her, but there’s no heat in it. “Fine. Maybe I pushed it too hard on that mountain run.”
She grins triumphantly. “Knew it.”
I’ve never seen anyone talk to Axel like that. He’s the wild card, the one everyone gives a wide berth. Even Hudson approaches him cautiously when he’s in one of his moods. But here he is, letting Luna tease him, the usual tension in his shoulders absent.
“You riding with me when it’s fixed?” Axel asks, disappearing back under the bike.
Luna hesitates. “I don’t know. It’s pretty fast.”
“I’ll go slow.” A pause. “For you.”
The way he says it makes me feel like I’m intruding on something intimate. I back away silently.
Back at my workstation, I try to focus again, but my thoughts drift. I’ve always taken pride in helping others, being the medic, the one who keeps this house alive so Hudson can concentrate on the bigger picture. But now I’m questioning his judgment, questioning all of it.
My phone buzzes.
A text from Hudson.
He wants to see me. Now.
Perfect timing.
The summons isn’t unusual, but my stomach knots as I head to his office. Patrol reports, maybe. Another attack at the southern border, possibly worse.
The door is ajar. I knock anyway, a habit formed from years of respecting hierarchies.
“Come in, Ethan.”
I push the door open to find Damien standing rigidly by the window.
Great. Just what I need.
His perpetual scowl deepens when he sees me.
The feeling is mutual.
Ever since Luna arrived, there’s been this tension between us. I assume it’s because he opposes Hudson’s plan, as I do, but sometimes I catch him looking at her with something that seems more like longing than hatred.
“You wanted to see me?” I keep my voice neutral.
Hudson sits at his desk, hands steepled. He looks tired. Running our operation and protecting the tenants isn’t easy, but lately, the stress lines around his eyes have deepened.
“Sit down, both of you.” It’s not a request.
I take the chair across from him. Damien remains standing, arms crossed over his chest.
Typical.
“I’ve decided for Luna,” Hudson starts, and my muscles tense automatically. “The original plan is off.”
I blink, not sure I heard correctly.
“What do you mean, ‘off’?” I ask carefully.
Hudson slides a package across the desk.
My stomach drops.
