Chapter 1 #4
I looked between my brothers. “I–I don’t understand. Underground network? I thought you were part of some secret military organization that sent you overseas?”
Felix shrugged. “I was, for a time. Unfortunately, I too inherited our father’s temper, landing me a few write-ups.
I would’ve been able to keep my post had I not gotten a bit carried away.
Long story short, they kicked me out after the last mishap.
I wasn't sure what I was going to do with myself until they approached me. Now, I’m working for them doing basically the same thing, just in the shadows. ”
None of what he said made any sense. “Them? Them who?” They didn’t answer me.
“I–I don’t understand.” I turned back to Haze.
“You’ve been hanging out with Felix this whole time?
Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been worried sick, thinking you were just sleeping on the streets or something, stressing for no reason!
” I looked between my brothers. “What the fuck, you two?” They exchanged a look.
“Why do you have to keep so many fucking secrets?”
Aiden mumbled under his breath. “Must be an Osvaldo trait.” He chuckled to himself, and we all looked at him. “What? Hey, don’t look at me!” He raised his arms in defense. “I’m not the one keeping secrets from my sister.”
Haze smirked. “You sure about that?” Aiden made a face. My brother looked back at me. “And to answer your question, it’s not that I didn’t want to tell you, Indi. I haven’t exactly been allowed to say anything.” He shot a glance at Felix.
Our older brother shook his head. “And still isn’t, but that doesn’t stop this fucker from breaking all the rules, now does it.” He crossed his arms. “He’s fucking lucky I haven’t kicked ass.”
Haze scoffed. “You wish, old man.”
Felix straightened his back and stood tall, towering over even Haze. “I might be twelve years older than you, but I got a lifetime of killing. And how many do you have, little brother? One?” He laughed. “Watch out now, little Hazelnut here is so deadly.”
Haze’s smile fell at the childhood nickname. One I’d almost forgotten about. “Don’t fucking call me that,” he growled. “Take it back.”
Our older brother cocked his head. “Or what?” He then rolled his sleeves, revealing countless tattoos that stretched along his entire arms, covering every inch. He egged Haze on, and from the sound of it, I knew he was grinning. The two always did love to fight. “Let’s go, Hazelnut.”
And just like that, he ran at Felix. I tried to stop him, but it was pointless; the two were so focused on each other as they wrestled around. Aiden looked over at me. “Please tell me this is normal.”
“Sadly,” I sighed.
Aiden shook his head and marched over to my brothers, shouting as he ripped them apart.
“Hey! Brothers shouldn’t fight like this!
At least not in front of their sister.” They both eyed him, then looked at me.
Aiden shook his head as the two fixed their clothes and calmed down.
“Felix, come on, man. That’s not why you’re here.
And Haze, respect your elders.” Felix leaned against the car and fixed his sleeves as Haze snarled at Aiden.
Haze grumbled to himself as he joined me and wrapped his arm around my waist. He shot a glance over at our older brother, who was now smoking a cigarette through his slightly raised mask.
“Aiden’s right. So tell me, what’s so important that you had to speak with me, Felix?
You were supposed to just drop me off and leave. ”
Our older brother exhaled. “That was the plan.” He looked at the burning cigarette. “Or it was until I got word that somebody’s asking questions.”
Questions? About what?
“Someone’s always asking questions.” Haze snorted. “That’s nothing new. And sure as fuck not worth dragging me out of the club over. Besides, The Red Eye is part of the web, isn’t it? That means it’s safe.”
The web? What the fuck is the web?
Felix pushed from the car with the cigarette between his lips. “This one is.” He plucked the burning butt from his mouth and lowered his mask. “Word is someone is talking under the radar. Someone new.”
Haze’s smile fell. “Police?”
Our brother shook his head. “Police aren’t involved.
Last bit of intel I got said they were too behind on paperwork to even bother with your case.
No, whoever this is, they’re smart. And they’re asking all the right people.
” He dropped the cigarette onto the gravel and snuffed it out with his boot.
“Someone’s talking.” Haze looked at him with a worrisome look.
“Until we can figure out who, you need to quit wandering off. Boss’s orders. You need to come back with me.”
“What about Indi?” he asked. “I can’t keep leaving her, Felix. She needs me.”
Felix looked at me with his burning green eyes.
The same eyes as Haze and our father. My eyes.
“I’ll see what I can do. Aiden can get her home, right?
” He looked over at the silver-haired man who nodded with a big smile.
“That settles it. Tell her bye, Haze. We don’t have all night.
” Felix ducked back into the car and slammed the door behind him.
I felt sad. He was leaving…again.
Haze stepped in front of me. I looked up at him, visibly upset by the fact that he had to leave, but more so worried about what was happening. “Please don’t go,” I whispered. He tried to force a smile. “Please.” I looked up at him with begging eyes, seeing the struggle within his own.
“I don’t have a choice, Indi. Felix is right, I need to go.
” He lifted my chin. “But know that if I could, I’d take your ass back inside that club and repeat what we did on Halloween.
” He pulled me close and kissed me. “I’d break all the fucking rules for you, little sis.
” His tongue glided along the top of my mouth as I released a sad, whimpering moan.
I kissed him back, holding off swelling tears. “I just wish I could find a way to at least talk to you.” He glanced down and wiped my eyes. “There has to be some way to know you’re okay when I’m not around.” He studied me closely. “Haze.”
He pulled away, kissing my forehead one last time before shooting a look at Aiden. “Get her home safe,” he snapped. It was more of a warning than a request.
Aiden nodded. “I’m always careful,” he teased.
I watched Haze reluctantly jump into the passenger side of the classic car. He and Felix both turned to me, and before I could blink, my brothers drove away.
Underground network, huh? Whatever the fuck Haze has gotten mixed into, it’s got to be big, especially if Felix is here. At least they’re together.