Page 64 of Twice the Rivalry

The Predators did shit that wasn’t legal, sure, but other than that, he didn’t know much about how they operated. In his mind they were more like a group of nomads, and when she got the call, he naturally followed her, ready to help. And if he was honest, he was curious to see how they worked together. How Glitch’s fit into it all.

She was damn good at what she did. He watched her for a moment before jumping in to help, and he had been impressed. It had been a long time since he had seen anyone with that kind of fast, adaptable skill. She knew where to find the information, and what would be important. It spoke to her training, but also to the fact that she was a true force to be reckoned with.

Since he was being honest, he had to admit to himself in the most brutal way that Glitch was right. She was better than him. Better in so many ways that even now as he thought it, his ego’s first instinct was to dismiss it. Then again, if he were thinking logically, he’d have to concede she had a lot more on-the-job training than he did.

He thought back to the years he had spent working with the CIA and FBI. At sixteen when he had been arrested for hacking their systems, he thought for sure he was going to jail, and resigned himself to it. When he realized they wanted to recruit him instead, he jumped at the chance, ready to learn more, to prove he was better than even they thought. Eventually he would be the best in the world.

It had been a hard blow to realize there were far better hackers than him working there, and he was just a stupid kid who let his ego get the better of him. It had taken some hard knocks from his handlers and those around him, but after a couple months, he found his groove and realized he couldn’t rely on blind luck to get him through, he had to work hard and put in the effort to be better. Still, by the time he left there and started prospecting for the Dragons, he had been a young twenty-three and felt wiser than before. He had no idea that it would land him here. Now, here he was, years later and realizing the exact same thing. He was in the presence of someone who knew more than him, both out of training and necessity. It wasn’t like she could sit and learn things slowly at her own pace when she was hunting down some of the deadliest people in the world. Lives depended on her, and he knew Glitch took that very seriously.

He groaned and looked around the room. God, he was an idiot, and once again he felt like he was sixteen again. And that meant he was going to have to apologize to Glitch. Still, he was going to have to talk to her about being on her calls, because he enjoyed it. He didn’t experience that kind of situation very often with his own club, but when he had, it was thrilling.

Still, it would take some work to convince Glitch he was sorry, so there was no point in worrying about it right now. Best she calmed down before he approached her. He might not have a woman, but he spent enough time with his brothers and their Old Ladies to see the wisdom in that advice. Instead, he dived back into searching for the Ghost team.

After a few hours he pushed back, frustrated that once again there was nothing. No sightings, no crimes linked to them, and no chatter in the criminal underworld that suggested anyone was in contact with them. It was annoying as hell and he was ready for them to finally make a mistake. But until they did, they were at a dead end. So he set up another wide range search and alerts in case they did try to hack the systems, and then he stood and left his office. It was getting late anyway, and he was starting to drag. He was running on little sleep, and his eyes were tired and gritty. Yeah, he was going to bed. He would catch up with Glitch later.

Emerging into the common room, he saw that most of his brothers were there, along with most of the club girls. Off in the back corner were Glitch and Karissa, heads bent together and talking quietly. He saw the tablet in front of them, and he figured they were talking about the search the Predators were currently conducting. He thought briefly about going over to hear Karissa’s take, but then dismissed the idea to head up to his room, completely ignoring the club girls as they made their way toward him. He had no interest in any of them.

When he got to his room, he immediately headed for the shower. He didn’t linger, desperately needing to sleep as exhaustion weighed him down. As he emerged from the bathroom with just a towel around his hips, he heard his phone ring. He groaned in frustration, but knowing he couldn’t ignore it, he picked it up. “Hello?”

“Little bro, I’m going to kick your ass the next time I see you,” his eldest brother, Ty, growled at him. “Stop trying to give us money. We’re fine.”

“Who said I gave you money?” Code asked mildly. Though he had been anticipating this conversation. His brothers hated that he helped out so much, especially when it came to their everyday lives. But as he had told them time and time again, he had the money, and he wouldn’t let them struggle.

“Fine, you gave Dad money to give to us,” Ty huffed.

“Oh, that,” Code replied, tongue in cheek as he sat down on the edge of the bed. “Consider it an early birthday gift.”

“My birthday passed four months ago,” Ty said sourly. “And you gave me far too much money then. Just cut it out, okay? I know you mean well, but damn it, stop.”

Code sighed. “Ty, don’t argue, okay? Take it and treat your beautiful wife to a date night. Or buy the kids a toy they really want. I can’t be there, and it doesn’t look like I’ll be getting home for a while yet, so this will have to be my way of staying in touch.”

Ty was silent for a moment before he sighed. “Fine. But I’m not stepping in when Mike calls you to bitch and yell.”

Code chuckled. “You never do anyway. But thanks for the heads up. How are the kids?”

“Growing like damn weeds,” Ty said proudly. “Aiden is trying out for the soccer team next week. And Lila is at the top of her class in school. Though, I guess that’s not saying much in elementary.”

“Speak for yourself,” Code teased. “I know for a fact that you and Mike were constantly at the bottom of the list in school. Not like me, the much more handsome and smarter baby brother.”

Ty scoffed. “Says the kid that was always in trouble, getting sent to the Principal’s office for being a smart ass. I’m just glad my little girl didn’t take after her uncle in that. Though your nephew is starting to show some signs.”

Code chuckled. “Then he should have a much better chance.” Suddenly, a beep sounded in his ear and Code quickly merged the calls. “Hey, Mike,” he greeted. “I have Ty on the line too.”

“I’m going to take a switch to your ass the next time I see you,” Mike threatened.

“Yeah, see, Ty already said he was kicking my ass, so I’m afraid there won’t be much left after he’s through with me,” Code said drily. “And you’d have to catch me first, old man.”

“I’ll just trip you,” Mike replied without much heat behind his words. Then he sighed. “Look, man, thank you for helping out, but you need to stop. There are probably far more important things that you can spend your money on.”

Code rolled his eyes. “And I just told Ty that this is my way of being there without actually being there. I don’t know when I’m going to get home next, and I’m missing out on seeing my nieces and nephews growing up. Besides, you know I don’t have shit to spend my money on. Better to send it to your old ugly asses than letting it sit.”

“When did you become such a smooth talker?” Mike asked drily. Then he sighed. “Fine. Thank you. The kids will appreciate it, and so will Mary. We haven’t had a date night in a while. Maybe I can convince Dad to watch the kids so we can go out.”

“Or we will,” Ty offered. “With Mavie’s treatments and our work schedules being so crazy, I’m sure you and Mary need some time to yourselves.”

“How is Mavie doing with her treatments?” Code asked, concerned. His niece was eight and she had been through far more than many adults when it came to her health. She had cystic fibrosis. Her treatments were costly, and she was often in and out of the hospital, which meant Mike and Mary were drowning in medical debt. He tried to help as much as possible, but Mike rarely let him, and he refused to share how much they owed. He felt even worse he wasn’t there to support them, but he doubted he would be much help.

“She’s doing a bit better now with some new medications,” Mike answered, sounding tired. Code’s stomach cramped and guilt rode him hard. “And she’s feeling well enough that she can go to school a few days a week now. It’s doing wonders to give Mary a break, but she worries the entire time.”

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