33. Chapter 33
Chapter thirty-three
Alex
How the fuck did this happen?
Alex stood in the communal shower room with hot water running over his head, face, and body. He played the scene back in his mind, using his abilities to touch Hoko’s mind. The cinnamon tea…someone must have poisoned his tea. Did it happen here or before we left PGC? Alex’s train of thought was disrupted by Galen, who knocked on the shower room door.
“OK to come in, mate?”
“Yes,” he said as he turned off the shower and quickly wrapped his towel around his waist.
Galen stepped into the locker room, only wearing black boxer briefs with a toiletry bag in his hand and a towel draped over the other arm.
“Sorry if I interrupted yur moment of peace. Wanted to check on ya,” Galen said as he sat across from Alex’s bench. “Worried about ya…ya were starting to show symptoms of shock.”
“I’m fine.”
“Alex, it’s me. Ya don’t have to put up a strong front. Know ya was shaken. You can’t hide the fear in yur eyes. Alex, look at me.”
Alex raised his head to look at Galen, who had his towel draped over his shoulder. At any other time, the sight of Galen nearly naked would cause Alex to avert his gaze, but he was too exhausted in his current state to look away, so he sat there shaking his head from side to side.
“Know that look, mate. Ya know what happened. What did ya see?”
“I know you found him.”
“Aye, and?”
Alex said he played Hoko’s memories back. He’d gotten out of bed to start his morning routine, beginning with the cinnamon tea he loved. Alex looked up, making eye contact with Galen before saying the opiate was in the tea. Someone here, or at PGC, accessed Hoko’s property and tried to kill him. Due to Hoko’s condition, Alex couldn’t take the memory back to the point he needed to see.
“Why would anyone harm Hoko? He’s the gentlest soul I know…”
“’Cause they wanted to stop ya, Alex. Everyone at PGC knows ya are stronger, with Hoko guiding ya. Hurts ya and yur control of yur abilities without him.”
“These motherfuckers will pay dearly for kidnapping Danyal and hurting Hoko.”
“Can’t let this change the plans. Still need to attack while we got the advantage of surprise,” said Galen.
“Agreed. I’ll check with Ryo for an update on Hoko’s condition and let Diana know so she can be there for him.”
“Can ya trust her?” asked Galen.
“Yes, she loves Hoko and would never hurt him.”
“Secret office romance?”
“No…Well, Diana has never been brave enough to act on it, but maybe now she will. If Hoko makes it.”
“When Hoko makes it,” said Galen.
Alex nodded and said he was going to get dressed and call Ryo and Diana. He asked if Galen wanted to train because he needed to blow off some steam.
“I’m game. Ya been working out more lately? Yur muscles are swole.”
Alex shook his head and blushed as Galen had made him feel awkward in the shower room. He stood, holding his towel around his waist as he walked toward the door. Alex heard the shower turn on behind him, and looked over briefly at the mirror over the sink to his right to see the reflection of Galen standing naked under the shower, washing his hair. Goddamn it, Alex, why did you look? Fuck. He’d never forget that image. Danyal was holding on for dear life, and here he was scoping out Galen in the showers. Dirtbag.
Alex looked away quickly and closed the locker room door as fast as he could, hoping Galen was unaware of his stolen glance.
Alex and Galen walked into the auditorium, where Andrea was cleaning her weapons, and Michael was at the other end of the gym, shirtless, playing basketball.
“Hell of a way to start the morning, amigos,” said Andrea. “Any word on Hoko?”
“Ryo says he’s in ICU in critical condition,” said Alex.
“I’m sorry. I hope he pulls through. Only talked with him briefly, but he’s a fascinating man,” said Andrea.
“He’s an exceptional person,” said Alex. “I owe him a lot.”
“What’re you two looking so determined for?” asked Andrea.
“I need to practice my abilities to be strong for the fight ahead,” said Alex.
“I’d love to see more of your abilities in action,” said Andrea. “But first, do you remember how to clean a weapon, Galen, or do you need a remedial course?”
Galen laughed. “Always beat yur arse on weapon inspections.”
“Do you know how to fire a weapon, Alex?” asked Andrea.
“No, I don’t like guns.”
“Pity,” said Andrea. “Galen could teach you how to do a T-stance and the cute little ass wiggle he does.”
“Watch it, Andrea,” said Galen. “Anyway, don’t play for yur team.”
“I don’t care which team he plays for, Galen. I can recognize a hot ass when I see one. Can you?”
Galen sneered at Andrea and said, “Ya missed a spot.”
“You know I didn’t,” said Andrea, looking at the handgun barrel from several angles.
“Made ya look!” laughed Galen.
“How’d you gain these remarkable abilities, Alex?” asked Andrea.
Alex said he guessed he owed it all to his surrogate mother, Aphrodite, but the process of how was too convoluted to explain right now.
“The goddess of love? Can you make Galen love me again?” asked Andrea as she tried to give Galen a sultry look with her eyes.
Alex could see Galen was upset by her comment as his face turned red, and he kicked a piece of wood up against the wall. Alex replied, probably not, since he couldn’t make people genuinely fall in love unless it was fated for them to do so. He added he could give Galen a mental push toward her bed, though.
Galen punched Alex hard on the shoulder. “Mah bed is fine as it is. Send her to Michael.”
Michael, in response, started to flex his arms and make muscle-man poses, showing off his upper torso covered in brightly colored tattoos.
“Gross,” exclaimed Andrea as she made fake retching movements. “I’d rather eat broken glass every meal for the rest of my life than touch that vile piece of meat.”
Michael scowled at her response. “Ask anyone who’s had a piece of this prime beef. They always come back for more. Right, Galen?”
Galen said, “Shut up, Michael. Don’t pull me into yur shite.”
“Put your money where your mouth is, or have you gone soft? Bring it on, a game of one-on-one basketball. High stakes!”
“Never turn down an opportunity to humiliate ya,” said Galen as he ran across the basketball court, pulling off his t-shirt.
“Those two seem to be highly competitive,” commented Alex.
“That’s one word for it. They’re always chirping at each other about something,” said Andrea. “So, ‘Love God,’ do you have any hand-to-hand combat skills?”
“Only Greco-Roman wrestling,” said Alex. “I won medals all four years in high school.”
“I see some mats in the corner. Show me what you got.”
Alex smiled as he helped Andrea pull out the mats and set them up. Andrea said they’d do two three-minute rounds, and she’d even teach Alex some rules about hand-to-hand combat. Alex and Andrea each went to their respective corners, as Galen and Michael stopped their basketball game to be spectators, walking closer to watch the wrestling match.
“Rule number one, Alex, size does not matter. Proper leverage and technique are more important,” Andrea said before lunging toward Alex as he forcefully pushed her away with his forearm.
“Rule number one of wrestling, Andrea, never underestimate your opponent.”
Alex moved towards Andrea as they locked arms to tussle. Andrea made her sudden movement while flipping Alex to the floor, where he landed on his back, and she straddled him.
“This feels nice,” she said as she winked at Alex.
“This won’t,” said Alex as he shifted his weight, kicking Andrea to the side, where he surprised her with an armlock.
“Ouch! That hurts,” yelled Andrea.
“Don’t hurt her, Pretty Boy,” warned Michael as he fired the basketball in his hands at the back of Alex’s head.
Alex turned toward Michael, and with a wave of his hand, sent the basketball hurling back at Michael, hitting him in the face.
“You bastard, I’m going to wreck your pretty face!” Michael yelled, blood pouring from his nose and onto his tattooed chest.
Alex released his grip on Andrea as he turned to face the charging Michael and levitated him off the ground.
As Andrea completed a perfect leg sweep, Alex and Michael hit the ground in a thunderous crash. “Rule number two of engagement: don’t turn your back on a threat. Now put your dicks back in your pants, boys. It’s all fun and games until you make it about who’s the biggest cock. The pissing contest is over. Save it for the fucking enemy. Galen, get the medical kit and clean Michael up in the washroom. Alex, you’re not done. Get a mop and clean up this bloody mess you made.”
Alex sulkily headed to the supply room while Galen took Michael to get first aid. Once Alex returned with a mop and bucket, he could see Andrea was still upset by her scowl.
“So, should I apologize to him?” said Alex.
“No, meathead needs plenty of time to cool off before he can use words. You’ll have to keep it to short syllables,” said Andrea.
Alex chuckled. “For the record, it was an accident. I’m still getting a handle on my abilities, and when I’m angry, I might lose control.”
“I believe you, Alex. Hell, I don’t see how a broken nose could make him any uglier, and he always starts a kerfuffle. It will sting a little more with it happening in front of Galen, because he was trying to show off.”
“He’s not ugly; he’s hot if you’re into inked, rough-around-edges bikers who might choke you out in the bedroom.”
Andrea gagged. “Fuck you for putting that image in my head.”
Alex laughed so hard he fell off his chair. “So, I take it you were all close once upon a time?”
“We were remarkably close. Combat does that to you.”
“Galen doesn’t talk much about his previous life.”
“We all have reasons for entering the military, but his was barbaric.”
“I understand. Galen told me about the events with Amara.”
“Well, you two must be close if you know his secret. Galen is a very private man.”
“I’m going to go get some lunch and try to meditate. Do you need anything?” asked Alex.
“No thanks––rest if you can. A midnight operation takes it out of you.”