Chapter 15 #2
Fucking stupid machine. I slam my fist against the pinball machine I’m wrecking to kill time until we can go get Fiasca. I kick the damn thing, my anger rising even more. I have an inherent fear of the unknown.
My mother was so hot and cold when I was growing up, and she could flip on a dime. My father didn't give a single shit what she did to me. Hell, he beat me and shoved me in tight spaces himself.
The crazy bitch cut me up so much, I was permanently scarred before I hit double digits in age. I never knew when she would be coming for me. I was in a constant state of terror and fight or flight.
It was a horrible way to grow up—and that's without the mafia bullshit. Is it any wonder I'm crazy as hell, and have an affinity for a razor blade?
I shake my head aggressively to clear the thoughts. I need to go fight or something. Anything to pass the time while Fiasca is gone. Those fuckers need to find her yesterday.
I leave the media room to head to the gym. I'm hoping someone is there to spar with, otherwise I’ll be hitting a heavy bag.
Striding through the door, I can see Synn beating the shit out of a bag. His blows land so hard it’s sending the bag swinging. I guess he’s as pissed off as I am.
“Brother, let’s spar. I need to get some of this out of my system,” I say to him in greeting, walking up alongside the bag.
Synn grunts. “Yeah, good idea.”
We both go to the ring, stripping off our shirts, and grabbing gloves. Before we can climb into the ring, someone else barrels into the gym.
“No. Me, fight,” 3 yells, eyes blazing. “I can do it. Need it now.”
Whoa—fuck.
“You sure, man? I don’t fight fair,” I try to explain, but he’s already grabbing gloves, and gets into the ring.
I look at Synn. “I'll go; you’ll kill him.”
Synn laughs. “Sure will.” He goes to find a spot to watch.
I put the gloves on, dancing in place to warm myself up. I’m about ready to move to the center, when a flash moves in my vision and I take a vicious blow to the face.
“The fuck, man?” I complain.
The little shit can pack a punch. Who knew?
I lash out at 3, getting in a good stomach shot. He lets air out, and I move back in, hitting him with a flurry of punches to his abdomen.
3 roars, and I raise a brow. He stands tall, rushing me again. He crowds me against the ropes and just unleashes. He's not pulling his punches one bit. I'd almost be proud of the guy if he wasn’t beating the shit out of me. I never get bested in the ring. This is unacceptable.
Synn is laughing his ass off, and I holler with a rapidly swelling lip, “Fuck you.”
3 takes advantage of my distraction, punching me in the jaw so hard, I spin around, and hit the mat.
Motherfucker.
I go to pull myself up, but 3 stalks over, shoving me back down with his foot.
“Ding ding,” he crows, making Synn laugh so hard he’s wheezing.
It takes me a minute to gather myself and drag my body up to a standing position. I manage to clumsily get out of the ring.
“Where did you learn to fight like that?” I ask 3, genuinely curious.
“Ring. Morgue,” 3 says.
“That was beautiful,” Synn grins, shaking his head.
“Now that the entertainment is over, let’s go check in with the computer geeks. Surely, they’ve made some headway. I'm getting antsy,” I say to Synn and 3.
It's already been half a damn day. It will be dark in a couple of hours. We have to get Fiasca the fuck away from the mask motherfucker.
Hunter
I can’t find my damn sister. I left Cynthia in our room while I checked in with Jax.
He told me they’re still assembling teams, and the hackers are still working on zeroing in on a smaller area for us to search.
I'm stalking the halls, not finding her anywhere. I've checked with Valley, the media and theater rooms, the kitchen, and nothing.
I'm going to the computer room next, hoping she’s in there.
Nothing in this world could have prepared me for what I see when I walk in.
Cynthia is sitting on Thor's lap, giggling with him.
“What the fuck are you doing? Get off him!” I zip over to them, and grab her arm, trying to yank her up.
Thor tightens an arm around her middle, holding her to him. “She stays, man.”
I grind my teeth, looking at my sister.
“He’s teaching me computers. Look at this—I can type.” Cynthia looks so damn proud of herself, I just don’t have the heart to be an overbearing brother right now. Plus, it looks like she’s lucid.
I open my mouth to argue some more, when Cynthia cuts me off.
“No, Hunter. I am where I want to be. Please, brother.”
I sigh deeply, looking at the ceiling briefly, before looking at them again.
“Take care of her, Thor. I'm trusting you. Do not fuck that up. We're friends, but that’s my sister,” I tell him.
“I solemnly swear no harm will come to her, man. I've got her,” Thor says confidently.
“If she starts babbling again, find me immediately, okay?”
“Yeah, man. It’s all good.”
“Thor is my boyfriend,” Cynthia chirps, and the man flushes like a girl.
My jaw comes unhinged, any response dying out on my lips.
I just shake my head and squeeze her shoulder. “Be good, Cynthia, please?”
She gives me a huge grin as an answer.
Fuck my life. These women are going to turn my hair grey.
I pale as I think of my Pretty Girl. I'm praying she's okay and unharmed.
As soon as I get her back in my arms, I'm never letting go again.