Page 40 of Mitchell
"And one has to do with butting into our relationship?"
"We don't have a relationship, Evan," Todd bit out.
Seryn turned in the seat. He gave Evan that empty smile. "One has to do with creating upheaval amongst a bunch of high-strung shifters. Do you want to know what happens when Daruss gets mad? Because you'll find out if you create problems."
Seryn turned back around, satisfied with whatever nonverbal response he'd gotten. He was sure Evan and Todd probably had wide eyes.
"This one time we were breaking up a sex trafficking ring at this house in Bensonville. We rounded up four of the traffickers and took them outside. I went with Daruss to look for victims. We found one guy tied and naked. He was lying on the floor, bruised and bloodied. Daruss took one look at him, told Izzy to untie him and then had me follow him outside." Seryn chuckled as if the memory was funny. "Daruss toyed with them for four hours, cutting them and talking shit, before finally giving the kill order."
Mitchell rolled his eyes and shook his head. Not that he doubted the truth behind the story. He lived on the streets long enough to know all of it was true. But it was like scared straight in the car. The poor innocent guys in the back seat were getting a crash course on how violent and volatile some motorcycle gangs could be.
Todd cleared his throat, but it was Evan who asked the question. "Where did he cut them?"
"Oh, Daruss didn't cut them. He had me do it."
"I think you've properly scared them, sweetheart." Mitchell took the next exit. "Which way do I turn off the exit?"
"Left." Seryn said it as he chuckled.
Mitchell turned and then started down the road a bit before addressing Todd and Evan. "Seryn's point is that you won't be around the same type of people. It's important to shut yourmouth and pay attention. You'll figure out who to avoid and who will protect you. Seryn and I have your back."
Seryn's phone buzzed from where it sat in the cupholder beside them. He skimmed the message and then set the phone down. "It's three miles up on the right. You'll know it when you see it."
Because Jude was standing outside, probably bawling his eyes out already. Yeah, Seryn didn't need to tell Mitchell that.
Mitchell's chest ached to the point of pain. He had to tell himself not to punch the gas pedal to get there faster. And it was a good thing he forced himself to drive respectably because Jude was in the middle of the road, waiting for him.
At first, Jude was nothing more than a shape in the distance. Mitchell still knew it was him. Someone closed the distance to him. The other person was a thin, smaller person.
Raylee, maybe, pulled at Jude's hand. Jude shook his head. As Mitchell drove closer, he noticed the Dragon Skull's leader standing in the yard with his arms crossed over his chest and a scowl on his face. He spoke and Raylee let Jude's hand go and went to Daruss instead.
Mitchell pulled over onto the side of the road when he grew close enough. "Give me a minute, sweetheart."
"Of course." Seryn leaned forward, giving him a kiss in reassurance. Or maybe it was support. It did both for Mitchell.
Mitchell had just gotten the door open when Jude was standing there with tears in his eyes and his face red, as if he'd been crying for a while.
As soon as Mitchell pulled his brother into a hug, it was as though he could breathe again. He didn't know how Jude's absence stole the air from his lungs for so long and he still walked around as if he'd been alive the whole time.
"I thought about you every day," Mitchell whispered. Jude was the only thing that kept him alive in that hellhole.
"I was so worried. I knew you were in trouble. You would never stay gone that long."
"You're right. I wouldn't have on purpose." Mitchell pulled away but held Jude by the shoulders. "Let me look at you."
Mitchell took in everything. The way Jude seemed to glow with happiness and how his clothing fit differently, as if they were of better quality. Or maybe it was because he seemed to have gained a little more muscle in his arms and chest. "You look good. You're taking care of yourself."
Jude nodded. "I work out now. Daruss, Raylee, and I do it together every morning. We have a gym in the basement."
That surprised Mitchell because he'd been trying to get Jude to workout with him for a while. But Jude made excuses.
Jude wiped his eyes. "I know what you're going to say."
Mitchell raised his eyebrows and grinned. "Really? What?"
"Daruss gives me incentive."
"Incentive."
