Retribution (Anthem River)

Chapter 18

Chapter

Eighteen

R am entered Kade’s apartment, trying his best to be quiet in case Kade and Doc were still hanging out or asleep.

“Hey.” Doc greeted him from the couch.

“Hey.” Ram looked around but didn’t see Kade anywhere. “Where’s Kade?”

Doc smirked at him. “He’s taking a nap, he’s in the bedroom with Valk watching over him.”

Ram set his keys on the little table by the door on the other side of Kade’s so the man wouldn’t grab his by mistake. “I know you said he should be catching up on sleep a lot, but are you sure this is normal?”

Doc sighed deeply as he stood. “In my professional opinion… At first it was but now I’m a little worried too. He seems to be drifting, lost in his own world. Has he made an appointment with Justice?”

Ram nodded. “Yes, I made him reschedule after last time.”

Doc grunted. “Good, make sure he goes. It would probably be beneficial to you as well if you went, as long as he was okay with it. I think he’s suffering from burnout. He’s been constantly moving since he was rescued, now that you’re around he’s slowed down but now with having more free time it’s catching up with him.”

“Doesn’t burnout affect other things besides just being tired?” Ram asked, worriedly.

“Yes, it affects mood, weight, headaches, fatigue, and it can also affect the sex drive.” Doc shrugged. “So don’t be alarmed if that happens.”

Ram snorted, he couldn’t help it. “That boy has a high sex drive, and from what he’s told me he’s never had one before.”

Doc chuckled. “That’s because it’s you. You know Kade more than he’s probably aware, but you also based this relationship on friendship. He trusts you just as much as he trusts me or one of the other guys. He just happens to be attracted to you and not us.” Doc grinned widely.

Ram snorted. “I’m very thankful for that. I would have been fine with staying friends but I’m really glad I can give him what he needs.”

Doc smiled warmly at him. “I am too. Make sure he goes to the appointment. Justice will be able to give you more ways to help Kade in the long run.”

Ram nodded. “Thank you.” He shook Doc’s hand as the man walked towards the door.

“Not a problem, let me know if you ever need me to do this again. It was fun to just hang with my brother again.”

Ram snickered. “I’m sure it was, I’m just glad Saint wasn’t here or I’d have had to bail one of you out of jail.”

Doc threw his head back and laughed. “No kidding. I had hoped when he became obsessed with Jed it would help settle him a little bit, but Jed seems to like his men wild.”

Ram scoffed. “I’d pay money to see it happen.”

Doc grinned in agreement. “I’ll see you later.”

“See you.” He locked up after Doc, gave Valk some scratches and went to find his baby. Kade was sprawled out on his bed, mouth open and looking like a Victorian child dying of the plague. He smothered a snicker, before gently sliding into the bed next to Kade. He breathed deeply for the first time in hours when Kade rolled over and wrapped himself around Ram. “Hey, baby.”

Kade wrinkled his nose, and burrowed deeper into Ram’s chest. “Sleep,” he whimpered.

Ram chuckled, Kade’s head shaking on his chest as it vibrated.

Kade’s hand slapped over Ram’s face as he traced his fingers over it, squeezing his cheeks and nose.

“What are you doing, baby?” Ram asked, moving his head around to keep Kade from accidentally poking him in the eye.

“The snooze button,” Kade slurred.

Ram snorted, scratching the back of Kade’s head with his fingernails. He loved the reaction he got from it. He knew Kade would be purring if he could make the noise, as his eyes rolled back in his head. “You can go back to sleep baby, I’ll wake you when the food is ready.”

Kade mumbled unintelligibly before rolling over and falling back asleep.

Ram huffed a breath before he got back up and headed to the living room. “Are you going to give me some love?” He demanded of Valk, putting his hands on his hips as he waited for a reply.

Valk just stared at him in that way that dogs have that make you feel stupid.

Ram grunted. “Didn’t think so.” He rolled his eyes and went to the kitchen to figure out what he could make for dinner. Kade always had the most basic things, which he understood, but it wasn’t enough to keep his boy going. Ram hated to rely on ordering out as he’d always helped his mom cook when he was little. When he could as he couldn’t when his father was around. He found it soothing and he loved to watch Kade enjoy his food. It was yet another way he could take care of his boy. He would end up having to go shopping if he wanted to cook, all Kade had was those five-minute-ready meals and he refused to even look at them. He pursed his lips as he thought he really didn’t want to leave Kade right now, he knew if he went in there to tell Kade he was leaving and would be back, that the man wouldn’t remember. Kade would wake up to find him and Doc gone and he had a feeling his boy would not like that so he called the one man who was always down to get some food.

“Hey Unc, how’s it going?”

Ram grinned at Saint’s happy go lucky tone.

“It’s going, I have a favor to ask.” It was one of the things Ram adored about his family, they would always drop what they were doing to help out.

“Name it,” Saint replied.

“Kade desperately needs to go grocery shopping but he’s asleep and I don’t want to wake him, I also don’t want to leave in case he wakes up. Could you run and get us dinner?” Ram asked as he pulled out a pad and pen from the junk drawer, he was going to make a list and they could go tomorrow to get all the supplies he’d need to make sure Kade was eating right.

“Yeah, me and Jed are actually heading to Betty’s Palace, you want me to get y’all something from there?” Saint asked through a grin. Who the hell would have put his uncle and Kade together, sure as hell not him, but he was so happy for both of them.

“Ooooh yeah. Get me and him both steaks and loaded baked potatoes and get him a coke and me a root beer. If you guys would like, we’d love it if you joined us.” Ram knew Kade would be okay with it, him and Jed seemed to get along pretty well, and Saint always made him laugh.

Saint chuckled. “Sounds good to me, let me just tell Jed the change of plans and we’ll be there in a little bit.”

“Thank you Saint, you are now my favorite nephew.” Ram grinned at Saint’s loud laughter. When he hung up he startled at Kade’s phone beeping from the kitchen table, before a lilting, masculine voice called out: “Reminder appointment to get your head checked for damage tomorrow with Justice at ten A. M.” Ram almost choked on his laugh, it was so unexpected. He could just see Kade setting that reminder up, his full lips pouting and his brows furrowed. He loved the man so much it was insane, Kade never failed to keep him on his toes and make his life more fun. He waited until he got the text from Saint telling him they were on their way before he went to wake Kade. He slid into the bed next to his boy and ruffled his hair as he kissed his cheek. “Hey, baby.”

Kade blinked groggily. “What’s wrong?” he asked as he rolled into Ram, throwing one of his legs over Ram’s.

“Saint and Jed are coming by with dinner. I need to go shopping because your kitchen is sorely lacking some things, but I didn’t want to leave you while you were asleep.” He nuzzled his boy’s neck, taking in his warm sleepy scent. God he would never get over Kade being in his arms.

“What’s he bringing?” Kade grumbled, settling deeper into Ram’s arms.

“Food from Betty’s Palace.” Ram snickered when Kade’s stomach grumbled in response. “I guess that means you’re hungry. Are you going to get out of bed and eat with us or am I going to have to bring it in here for you.”

Kade grunted. “I’m not that lazy.”

Ram dug his fingers in Kade’s ribs, delighting in the man’s laughter. “Could have fooled me.”

Kade blew a raspberry at Ram as he hauled himself out of bed. “Come on old man, I’m hungry.” He yelped when Ram popped him on the ass as he passed.

“You weren’t calling me an old man when I was fucking you into the mattress, now were you?” Ram growled in his ear as he pulled Kade flush to him. “No you weren’t, in fact I think you were begging me to go harder.”

Kade could feel his face heat. “You definitely know how to fuck,” he replied in a soft whisper.

Ram grinned, he wondered if Kade would ever be able to talk dirty in a normal tone, but the way his face flamed and he looked all embarrassed made Ram love him that much more. They sat on the couch and watched an old rerun of Scooby-Doo as they waited on Saint and Jed to arrive. “Do you want me to go with you to your appointment with Justice tomorrow?”

Kade’s brow’s furrowed. “Is that tomorrow?”

“Yeah, there was a reminder that went off on your phone earlier.”

Kade nodded. “Yeah, if you wouldn’t mind. I also have an appointment to go see my parents tomorrow morning.”

Ram raised a brow, this was the first time he was hearing anything about this. “Any reason why?”

“I have no idea if they know about Siren yet, the guy I talked to to make the appointment seemed oblivious to it. I want to be able to gauge their reactions to my sister’s death, and my brother’s disappearance, because not only is Carnage gone but I can’t find anything out about Savage either. It’s almost like they didn’t exist.”

Ram flung an arm over Kade’s shoulder and settled deeper into the couch as Kade leaned against him. “Do you want me to go to that as well?”

“Do you mind?” Kade fired back.

Ram snorted. “If it was up to me, we wouldn’t be apart at all, but that sounds kind of creepy when I say it out loud.”

Kade scoffed. “Just a little.” He sat up when he heard the knock on the door. He could already smell the food through the door and he was surprised how hungry he actually was. Usually he had to force himself to eat just to be able to function, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d actually felt hunger since he’d been home. When he was a prisoner that seemed to be all he felt, that hollow ache in his stomach that seemed to travel through his whole body.

Ram helped Saint set everything out on the coffee table in the living room and made sure Kade had what he needed before they sat down to enjoy the show, company and food.

“So how’s vacation going?” Saint asked, his grin bright.

Kade grunted. “Wouldn’t know, I’ve slept through it.”

Ram snorted, and answered Saint’s questioning look. “Now that he’s slowed down a little, Doc thinks it’s his body’s way of taking what it needs.”

“Makes sense Kade, you’ve been going non-stop since you got home, hell I don’t even think you stayed in the hospital as long as you should have. You checked yourself out early against doctor’s orders,” Saint said as he finished off his cheesecake.

Kade rolled his eyes. “If I had to lay in another hospital bed as they hovered around me and poked and prodded me I was going to lose my mind. It was always fucking cold in there and the fucking blankets they gave us had holes in them.”

“They were anti-suicide blankets,” Saint told him.

Kade blinked. “What?”

“They were anti-suicide blankets, that’s why they were airy. You couldn’t suffocate yourself with them.”

Kade’s eyes narrowed. “They honestly thought I’d go for a fucking blanket to end it all?”

Saint shrugged. “I think they were prepared for just about anything. You weren’t very easy to handle when you first got home, they kept you sedated a lot of the time to try and give your body time to heal. When you were awake all you did was try to find a way out.”

Kade blew out a rough breath. “Yeah, I thought I was dreaming. I didn’t think I was actually home.”

Ram gripped Kade’s thigh in a gentle hold. Every time he heard a story about Kade’s recovery it made his heart ache. He remembered when the man had first come home, Saint was beside himself with relief, but that relief had been short lived when he’d seen the damage that had been done to his friend. Dealing with Kade during that time was like dealing with an injured wild animal, the man had been aggressive in his attempts to be left alone. He’d been so weak it had been somewhat easy for the nurses and doctors to overpower him and give him something to keep him calm, but all that did was make Kade angrier. Ram had wanted the boy even then. Bram had stepped in more than once to keep Ram from going to Kade in the hospital and just taking over. His brother had known he would have pushed too hard too fast and would have lost Kade forever.

“What do you have planned for the rest of your time off?” Saint asked through a mouthful.

Kade shrugged. “No idea, I’m just going to relax. I’ve got to go see my parents tomorrow.”

Saint’s brow furrowed, and he looked over at Jed for support. “Do you need me to go with you?”

Kade shook his head. “Nah, I’ll be fine, besides Ram’s going.”

Saint gave his uncle a knowing smirk. “I’m sure they’ll love that.”

Before Kade could reply his phone rang with Justice’s ringtone. “Hey.”

“Hey Kade, I hate to be so short notice but I’m going to have to push back our appointment tomorrow if that’s okay with you.”

Kade’s brows furrowed. “Yeah, that’s fine. I’m going to see my parents tomorrow anyway so just let me know when you’re free and I’ll come by… are you okay? You sound like you’re out of breath.” He heard Justice suck in a deep breath on the other end of the phone.

“Yeah, sorry, I had to help with a combative patient at the VA. It seems I was able to get through to him today so I’m going back in the morning to help give him meds and check on him,” Justice huffed.

“Alright let me know if you need me.” Kade warned his friend. Justice had a bad habit of trying to handle things all on his own. While he knew Justice could handle himself against another man, he had a bad habit of trying to empathize too much and it led him to getting hit more often than not.

“Will do. I want to know all about what happens with your parents when I see you. Don’t hold anything back,” Justice stated in his no nonsense shrink voice.

Kade snorted. “You got it.” He hung up shaking his head before he went back to eating.

“Was that Justice?” Saint asked, stealing some of the fries from Jed’s plate, thinking the man had ordered extra for that reason.

“Yeah, he’s dealing with a combative patient at the VA, and wanted to reschedule our appointment for tomorrow.” Once Kade finished with his food he slid what was left towards Saint. There was no such thing as leftovers when he was around.

“Thanks man. Can I talk to you for a few?” Saint looked pointedly at Ram and Jed. “Alone.”

Jed smirked at him and shrugged before pushing away from the table and heading to the kitchen with Ram following behind.

Kade raised a brow in his friend’s direction. “Is there a reason you wanted to talk to me alone?”

Saint huffed, putting down his plate. “Maybe I just wanted to see how you were doing,” he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’ve been off lately and I’m not the only one who’s worried. I just want to make sure my best friend is okay. That alright with you?”

Kade scoffed. “Sure. I’m doing okay.”

Saint pinched the bridge of his nose. “Kade…”

“I’m serious, Saint. While the death of my sister and my brothers still missing hurts more than all the torture I went through in that hell hole, I’m better than I’ve been in a while. Ram has given me something to look forward to, I’m no longer just existing. He’s pushing me to actually live now, but it will take time and I’m sure things will get worse before they get better,” Kade said, interrupting him before he could go on a rant that would last a while.

“But you’re seeing Justice?” Saint demanded.

Kade nodded. “Yeah I try to see him at least once a week or a few times a month.”

Saint could feel the muscles in his shoulder relax as he breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay good. That’s all I wanted to know. I feel like we haven’t really talked to each other in a while. I know I’ve been kind of MIA since getting with Jed, but I promise I’ll make more of an effort to be around.”

Kade chuckled. “It’s all good brother, I’m happy you have someone good in your corner, and we both know how quickly things can change so hold onto him as tight as you can.”

“My uncle makes you happy?” Saint asked, softly. He just wanted to know his best friend would be taken care of and treated well after all he’d been through, he had no idea how his life would have turned out had he not met Kade that fateful day in the barracks.

“Yes. I can honestly tell you I’ve never been happier with someone else, even though a lot is going on right now, he’s the light at the end of the tunnel for me. I won’t lie it’s actually pretty fucking terrifying how much I’ve come to rely and care for him. Like I actually fucking love the man Saint… like what the fuck.” Kade threw his hands up in disgust while Saint laughed.

Saint had to lean against the couch as he laughed. It was just too fucking funny. Kade looked so offended, like how dare fate step in and make him fall in love with someone.

“Shut up,” Kade grumbled, pushing Saint until he sprawled on the couch.

Once Saint was able to control his laughter he sat up and patted Kade on the shoulder. “It’s alright brother, it happens to the best of us.” He snickered. “Want to watch a movie? I’m sure Jed and Ram are talking about boring shit.”

Kade sat back on the couch and relaxed into the cushions. “Yeah go ahead and put one on.” He leaned against Saint as the movie began to play and yawned. He rolled his eyes, he was tired again.

Ram and Jed came back in a half hour later finding both men wrapped around each other on the couch as they slept.

“He’s been missing his friend a lot lately,” Jed said, softly smiling adoringly down at his man.

“Yeah Kade did too, I’m hoping to get them all together for a cookout later in the week before Kade goes back to work,” Ram said, trying to keep his voice low so as to not wake the two sleeping men.

“Let me know the details and I’ll get the menu together.”

“Will do.” Ram assured him.

They sat around watching the movie play as they let their men sleep before Jed gently shook Saint awake and they left.

“Hey, baby. You ready to go to bed?” Ram asked, brushing the hair off Kade’s forehead, before he kissed him gently.

“Yeah.” Kade’s voice was deep and raspy with sleep as he yawned and grumbled to himself as he sat up. “Gotta be at the prison at eleven-thirty.”

Ram smirked, his boy was becoming a night owl. “I’ll make sure you get up in enough time to shower and eat breakfast.”

Kade blinked sleepily at him. “Okay,” he mumbled.

The next morning Ram woke before his alarm, he turned it off and rolled back over to study his man. Kade had filled out a little over the time they had known each other, while he was still muscular and fit he’d gotten more definition. Instead of being ripped and all sharp angles and protruding bones, he was now thicker and it made his mouth water. He grinned when Kade rolled to his back throwing both arms above his head as he smacked his lips before he settled back down. He loved it when Kade made it easy for him. He straddled Kade’s waist making sure to keep most of his weight off him. Ram didn’t want to wake him just yet. He’d noticed lately that Kade was a heavy sleeper and he had to wonder if that was just because he was so drained or if it was a normal thing for him, but seeing as he’d been in the military he didn’t see it as a normal thing. He set about gently tracing the scars that started on his neck and traveled down to his shoulders. Some of them looked like they were burn marks, the skin was ridged and wavy, and they looked deep. He couldn’t imagine what Kade had felt, the pain alone would have been debilitating. Every single mark on his boy’s body made his breath catch. He sometimes wished he’d been there to protect Kade, but then he remembered who he was thinking about. Kade had been made to survive everything life threw at him, his childhood had been made to break him, his time in the military had broken him and now it was up to Ram to help him pick up the pieces and help him learn to live a life he deserved.

The hair on Kade’s chest fascinated him, it was dark and thick normally but it was shorter and softer now, he guessed Kade had trimmed it earlier when he wasn’t paying attention. He could understand it, when his own chest hair got too thick it curled and got caught on everything under the fucking sun and there was nothing more aggravating than having your shirt catch a piece of hair and pull. He traced the muscles in Kade’s stomach he was totally obsessed with before he leaned down to lick a stripe in between the ridges in his abs. He pulled back when Kade mumbled in his sleep and seemed to move closer to Ram, like he wanted his touch even in his sleep, and his love for the man made it feel like his chest would explode. Ram moved lower and was happy Kade had stripped out of his clothes before he’d crawled into bed last night mumbling about getting too hot snuggling with a furnace. Kade was starting to get hard as Ram continued his perusal and licked his lips. He desperately wanted to give Kade as much pleasure as he could, but that meant he had to control himself around other people. He couldn’t just grab Kade and have his way with him whenever the mood struck and it was taking some getting used to. Ram couldn’t wait until Kade got comfortable enough to go back to the club, he would have so much fun bending his boy over as many surfaces as he could.

Ram gently raked his fingernails over Kade’s thighs, enjoying the rasp of the hairs on his legs as Ram’s nails passed over them. He leaned forward and pressed his face into Kade’s groin, inhaling his musk. He had no idea what it was about Kade’s scent that made him damn near feral in his desire to mark his territory. In retaliation for Kade making him feel this way he sucked a deep mark on the crease where his thigh and groin met. Ram pushed Kade’s hips back down when they bucked up.

“Wha…” Kade’s sleepy voice was cut off by a deep groan as Ram sucked his dick into the back of his throat. “Oh, fuck.”

Ram grabbed Kade’s hand when he tried to grab Ram’s hair to slow him down. He pressed Kade’s wrists into the mattress as he deepthroated him. He had to take a deep breath when he pulled back, he’d never had a boy fill his mouth the way Kade did, his dick was both long and thick and he wanted to thank God for his treasure. “Too much, baby?” he asked, teasingly.

Kade mumbled something unintelligible, as he continued to try and free his hands.

Ram surged up and kissed Kade’s parted lips. “What’s a matter, baby?”

“More. More, please.”

Ram kissed him once more before he got back down to business. He didn’t waste any time sucking Kade deep, and bobbing his head. Maybe one day he would be able to control himself long enough to draw this out, but he knew today would be stressful for his boy and he wanted him to know where he belonged in case he forgot. He let Kade’s dick slide out until just the tip was left and gently sucked on it.

“Oh…” Kade’s legs shook like the first satisfying stretch after a good sleep.

“You like that huh?” Ram grinned, triumphantly. He wanted to find all the spots that would drive Kade crazy. He rubbed his hands up and down Kade’s thighs as he waited for his boy to catch his breath, he was breathing way too fast, and Ram was worried he wasn’t enjoying it like he wanted.

“More,” Kade moaned.

Ram leaned back down rubbing his tongue over the gland on the back of the head before he jabbed the tip of his tongue into Kade’s slit, and it was over.

Kade shouted as he shot jet after jet down Ram’s throat with the man milking him the whole way. He whimpered and shoved at Ram’s head when it became too much and his over sensitive dick was released from the warm wet hold.

“Good morning, baby.” Ram grinned widely at Kade’s grunted reply.

After Kade was able to get his brain back online, he stretched out lazily. He had to admit the more sleep he was getting the less his woke up aching, it could have also been the brain melting orgasm but he wouldn’t give Ram the satisfaction of knowing that. “What time is it?”

“It’s about eight-thirty, I wanted you to have enough time to have a shower while I made breakfast.”

Kade raised a brow. “Are you always this chipper in the morning?”

Ram licked up his chest and neck to his ear. “When I have the breakfast of champions, yes I am.”

“Fuck,” Kade groaned as his hips rolled into Ram’s.

“No time baby, later. Go take a shower and get ready. I’ll have breakfast waiting for you and then we can go to the prison.” Ram patted his thigh as he got off him and headed to the kitchen, chuckling when Kade growled and threw a pillow at him. The pillow would have hit him had he not ducked out of the room and he reminded himself again to be careful because even though Kade was blind his aim was scary accurate. He decided to make an easy breakfast, he didn’t want to pile Kade with a heavy one when he’d be anxious all day. He made simple breakfast burritos with a cinnamon swirl bagel smothered in rich cream cheese, and chowed down on his while he took care of Valk and waited for Kade to join him.

“I smell cinnamon,” Kade declared as soon as he hit the kitchen.

Ram snorted. “Cinnamon bagel.”

Kade made a humming noise as he immediately headed to his plate.

Ram smiled wide. He knew no-one else would get it but Kade had immediately headed to where he knew Ram would have set out his food, no questions, and not a thought to make his own. Kade had trusted that Ram would take care of him and he was so fucking happy his boy did. He smirked when Kade licked his fingers and stared down at his plate like he was contemplating licking it as well once he had finished. “Are you ready to go?” He was glad Kade was dressed in sweats and a hoodie, he wanted his boy to be comfortable and it showed him he didn’t care what his parents thought of him. He wasn’t dressing to impress them and it gave Ram a good feeling that they would be okay today.

“Yeah, let’s get this over with.” Kade stood and called Valk over to get him dressed and ready to go.

Ram got them in the truck and headed out for the forty five minute drive to Dallas County Detention Center. He let Kade pick the music and stayed quiet to give his boy a chance to prepare himself for what was going to be a really hard day. The drive there was uneventful and they easily found a parking spot.

“We’ll have to go through a metal detector.”

Kade’s voice made Ram jump slightly as he wasn’t expecting to hear it for a while longer. “Is that a problem?”

Kade shrugged. “It’ll take a bit because I still have pieces of shrapnel inside me, I’m sure they’ll want to strip search me again.”

“I’m sorry… again?” Ram asked, his blood boiling with the thought of someone else’s hands all over his boy.

Kade sighed. “Yeah, it’s why I don’t visit often, and why I dressed like this.”

“Do they have to strip search you?” Ram demanded.

“I don’t think so, they could easily use a wand or pat me down, but the last guy I think he just wanted to see me squirm, it happens sometimes,” Kade said softly, looking out the windshield and refusing to look over at Ram.

“What do you mean?” Ram was genuinely confused.

Kade sighed deeply. “I don’t know how to explain it very well, but once men who think they’re big and bad meet me it’s like they have to do whatever it takes to make me squirm or to get a reaction out of me. I’ve been through actual torture, their pissing contests don’t bother me. I just wanted you to be prepared.”

Ram opened his mouth to speak but snapped it shut and grunted. “We’ll see how it goes. When was the last time you visited your parents?”

Kade shrugged. “It’s been well over a year, and I was only allowed to talk to them over the phone. They still had the prison shut down due to Covid but I wanted to speak with the warden. This will be the first time I’ll be face to face with them since they were arrested.”

“Alright, let’s do what we can to keep this short and sweet then, we still have to see if Justice wants to see you today, but I would like to be able to get you home and relaxing for a bit before that.” Ram sucked his teeth before nodding and getting out of the driver’s seat. He waited by the grill while Kade got Valk out and ready to go. Ram walked close to Kade, close enough that their arms brushed up against each other every few steps, and he hoped it was enough to help ease his boy’s anxiety.

“What can I help you with today?” A bored guard asked as they entered the heavy metal doors.

“We’re here to see Waya and Coyote Stone,” Kade replied, as Valk pressed his heavy body against his leg, sensing his desire to be anywhere but here.

Ram saw the guard’s brow raise as he studied Kade for a moment before he typed something on his laptop.

“Never seen you in here before. What’s your relationship to the inmates?” The guard asked kindly.

“Biological parents,” Kade replied tersely.

“Alright, do you have any weapons or anything on you?”

“No, Valk has metal on his vest but I can take it off.” Kade assured the guard. “I also have shrapnel in my body so if you need me to go through the metal detector I’ll set it off.”

The guard pursed his lips. “Alright, I’m just gonna give you a quick pat down, but your guest and dog will have to go through the metal detector.”

Ram nodded, easily taking Valk’s gear off but giving him a command to continue to work. He handed the vest to the guard and passed easily through the metal archway followed by Valk and waited for Kade on the other side. He kept a close eye on Kade’s face as the guard quickly but efficiently patted him down, before leading him to a door he pressed a code into and then Kade was by his side. “That the guy?” Ram asked softly.

Kade shook his head. “No, I’ve not met him before.”

Ram stayed close to Kade as they were led into a room that kind of resembled a cafeteria.

“Grab a seat, they’ll be brought out in a few minutes.” The guard nodded respectfully before he left them.

Ram sat next to Kade making sure their thighs were pressed up against each other under the table. “You doing okay, baby?”

Kade sucked in a deep breath and his shoulders relaxed slightly. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

Ram grabbed Kade’s hand that wasn’t currently buried in Valk’s fur and gently rubbed the back on it with his thumb. He waited in silence until two people he knew were Kade’s parents were brought in. Both were cuffed by the wrists and ankles as they shuffled slowly to the table. The once black jumpsuits now gray with age.

“Mercy.”

Ram felt Kade tense as the woman spoke. She was tiny, a little wisp of a thing barely topping five feet and probably weighing a buck soaking wet. Her dark eyes took in Kade hungrily as if she was making sure he was okay. Her brows furrowed as her eyes passed over the scars littering her son’s face and neck. She sat across from him, her shackled hands resting on the table like she wanted to reach out and touch Kade.

“Mother,” Kade replied coolly. He had to admit the fact that he couldn’t see his parents made this easier on him.

“It’s about time you came to visit, son.” A deep voice scolded him.

Kade snorted at his father’s words. “No reason to visit you.”

Ram studied the father, he was on the shorter end as well at several inches below six feet. His long raven hair pulled back into a braid that went down the middle of his back. Whereas Kade’s mother’s hair had silver threaded through her braid, his father’s was still dark and shiny.

“I only came out of expectation. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.” Kade assured them both.

“Why won’t you look at me?” his mother demanded, her voice cracking.

Kade looked dead at her. “I can’t see you anyway so what’s the point? I’m not here to listen to your apologies or your excuses. I have no desire to hear anything about you. I am here to tell you Siren is dead.” He sort of felt bad when he heard his mother’s pained gasp.

“What are you saying?” his father demanded, his voice softer, more unsure.

Kade swallowed hard. “I stumbled upon the fact that I have two younger siblings while I was looking for Carnage. Siren’s body was found by police in December. Savage is still unaccounted for.”

Ram saw the mother look at her husband in panic.

“What do you mean, unaccounted for?” she wailed.

“Both Savage and Carnage have not been found. Police said they had Savage identify Siren’s body and afterwards it was like he disappeared. Carnage has been missing for decades, ever since the drug house you sold us to was raided, he was never found,” Kade said emotionlessly, before he stood.

Ram stepped in front of Kade when his mother tried to come around the table to grab him. He didn’t say anything, just met her eyes. They were swimming with guilt and turmoil and he almost felt bad for her.

“I’m ready to go,” Kade told Ram, he was done. Hearing his parents voices again took him back to being that scared little boy again who’d only ever wanted to make his older brother proud. His brother was gone and the two people in front of him were to blame and he really wanted to hurt them as much as they’d hurt him.

“Can we not visit with you for a while, son?” his father’s voice asked, uncertain.

Ram could see Kade cringed at being called son.

“Maybe you’d like to introduce us to your friend.” His mother continued, seeming to grasp at any straws she could to keep him here.

“That’s Ram, my partner. Ram, these are my worthless excuses for parents.”

Ram felt proud of Kade for hitting his parents back, he couldn’t even imagine the damage they had caused Kade over the years.

“Partner?” Coyote asked, looking at his wife in confusion. “Like a business partner?”

Kade raised a brow before he grinned. “I would never sleep with a business partner,” he stated, and could just imagine the shock that went over his father’s face, and for a split second he would have given anything to be able to see it.