Chapter Seven
It felt odd wandering around the room with Crisp gone to California.
Two whole days. They hadn’t been apart that long in the year they had lived together.
He hated this. Jay was bored. With months of healing, his eyesight was good enough for him to see the TV.
Crisp had encouraged him to spend the time he had alone binging some show he recommended or reading one of his books.
Even though he could do those things, staring too long at anything anymore gave him a migraine.
So Jay paced and fretted. Crisp was in California for Tracker’s wedding.
That had emptied the entire household except for a skeleton crew.
There was a small kitchen area, and Crisp had made sure the fridge was filled with food before he left.
Jay snorted. The noise sounded hollow in the empty space. Maybe he really was the pet Beau accused him of being. He couldn’t do it. Jay couldn’t stay cooped up for the rest of the night. Still, he waited until the sun went down.
Jay had been slipping on and off the property more and more often.
He had used those trips to gather new tactical gear, making it even easier for him to move freely in the darkness while also keeping his face hidden from any possible camera angle.
Jay dressed carefully and grabbed a backpack.
He opened the door to find Jett standing on the other side.
His hand was raised as if he intended to knock.
He looked every bit as surprised as Jay felt when they came face to face.
Jett eyed his getup. “Okay, Bane. Where are you headed? You do realize everyone here knows about you and you’re free to come and go as you please, right?”
Jay blinked. “Why do you call me this? I don’t know what this Bane is.” Still, Jay took a step back, silently inviting Jett inside.
A bright smile lit Jett’s face. “All you spies are so uncultured. What did y’all do for entertainment over there?”
Jay didn’t miss a beat. “Kill people. Train to kill people. Then kill people better.”
Jett laughed and shook his head. “I can’t even tell if you’re joking. Anyhow,” he held up the items he carried. “I have beer, cigars, and some playing cards in my pocket. If you’re anywhere near as bored as I am, then I’ve come to the rescue.”
Despite Jay’s unsurety, he removed his mask and hoodie. He tossed them aside. “What game did you have in mind? I don’t know many.”
The way Jett’s lips stretched into a wicked smile set Jay’s warning bells jangling. “Poker? I can teach you that.”
Jay motioned toward the small, two-person kitchen table. “I know of poker. You might have to refresh my memory and keep bets low, but I’m not opposed to this plan.”
Jett’s smile turned even more predatory. “Great.”
Inside, Jay laughed his ass off. Jay had skills he had been taught to hide. There was no better poker face. He was also very good at the game. Jett’s attitude would determine how gentle Jay would be. Jay was an expert at playing the idiot when needed.
Jett chose a chair and cracked open a beer.
Jay joined him, following suit. While Jett dealt, Jay checked out the cigars Jett had brought.
He had everything: lighter and a cutter.
They were quality Cubans. He was in. Jay cut the tip and lit up.
His first puff let him know how big his mistake had been.
Jay didn’t drink or do drugs. In his field, a mind had to stay sharp to stay alive.
The way his head swam had him looking for a place to extinguish the smoke.
Jett distracted him. “What about a simply five-card draw? Do you know that one?”
Jay nodded. In his distraction, he took another hit. Goddamn. He really needed to find a place to put the cigar out. His judgment was already impaired.
Jett stood and dug around in the cabinet. He came back with a small glass plate. “Here. You have to take it slow on these boys.”
Jay didn’t waste time carefully smashing it out and not ruining the cigar. He didn’t know how easy they were to come by, but they were obviously the good stuff.
While doing his best to look sober, Jay eyed his cards. “Remind me. Is four cards of the same number good or bad?”
Jett set his cards down. “Sounds like I need to reshuffle.”
Jay handed his cards back, smirking inside. “Okay.”
With his next hand, Jay discarded two for two. “What’s the bet here?”
Jett took one card. “We could do money, but I’m sure neither of has any real stake in that? How about this? If I win, you have to do whatever I want for the rest of the night. Within reason, of course. I won’t step on Crisp’s toes.”
“So, like a dare?”
Jett nodded.
As long as Crisp didn’t get upset, Jay had no real skin in the game. “What if I win?”
“I’ll do the same.”
Jay nodded. “Playing for dares. We should’ve just played truth or dare.” He placed his cards on the table.
Jett did the same and won. He didn’t show any signs of triumph the way Jay expected. “You’re right. We should just play truth or dare because I’d rather have a truth.”
Jay shrugged. “Go for it.”
“What’s your plan for when all the brothers learn about you?”
Some questions required fortification. He re-lit the cigar and took a puff before responding. “The plan is: there is no plan. I suppose it’ll rely heavily on how they react. No matter what, I’ll put Crisp first.”
Jett nodded, looking satisfied. He motioned toward Jay. “You go.”
They were getting fucked up together. They may as well get to know each other. “How did you end up as a guard for someone like Beau? I have a hard time believing you simply applied for a job you saw online.”
Jett’s instant smile said a lot. He was happy working here. “I did three tours of duty and came home messed up and ended up on the street. That probably sounds weak to you considering how many people you’ve likely killed. I’m sure you’ve seen way worse than I have.”
“This is not a fair comparison. Our emotions are stripped from us starting on day one. That still doesn’t explain how you came to be here.”
Jett laughed. It was a soft, nearly under his breath sound. “I tried fighting one of Beau’s guards at a bar.”
“That was dumb.”
Jett shrugged. “Ultimately, no, because I wouldn’t be sitting here if it had been anyone else.
Likely, I would’ve gotten myself killed.
Instead, I ended up sitting across Beau’s desk, looking into the eyes of the scariest person I’d ever seen.
Beau gave me two choices. Work for him and get my life straight or die.
For someone with nothing to live for, I oddly didn’t want to die, so I stayed and straightened out my life.
Now I’m living on this beautiful island.
For the most part, I get to live an easy life.
” He sat forward and claimed Jay’s cigar.
He took a puff before continuing. “Truth or dare?”
“I’ll stick with truth.”
Jett nodded. “All right. Do you know anything about something called a society training camp?”
“Nothing good, but yes. Why do you ask?”
One of Jett’s shoulders lifted, as if the topic meant nothing to him.
“One guy on the brothers’ team—he took Field’s place so Field could retire—he came from there: Briggs.
I’ve never been able to get a bead on him.
He doesn’t have much to do with anyone unless he is specifically invited to join.
I don’t think I’ve heard him say ten words, but you can see him watching and absorbing.
It bugs me. I don’t know if he can be trusted, even though he’s definitely been with the team long enough for him to pull whatever move he intends. ”
“I understand. You wish to protect your family, and you’re probably right to feel distrust. We were born into the Russian spy program, genetically perfected.
You don’t strip people’s emotions by being kind to them.
It takes a certain level of coldness and anguish to lose humanity, but the society is much worse.
It might literally be hell. Children are bought from orphanages or scooped from the streets.
They live in dirty cages and are forced to fight and kill other children for food.
Each one is tortured and taught to be soulless before being sold at auction as killers or whores.
It’s a nightmare worse than death. They don’t come out the other side whole.
If this Briggs has his freedom, he’s either done something to earn it or he’s still someone’s property.
If that’s the case, someone could pull his strings any day.
But I imagine Beau knows all that. He must let him stay for a reason.
There’d be a bloodbath if anything happened to his family. ”
“That’s true.” He put out the cigar and leaned back in his chair. “Okay. One last round. I’ll choose dare this time.”
A smile that felt evil even to Jay spread across his lips. He’d had a goal when he tried to leave earlier. Jay hadn’t changed his mind. “I need a favor.”
The immediate worry in Jett’s expression nearly made Jay laugh. Jett knew Jay was about to ask too much of him. He was right.
Tidy sat hip to hip with Crisp. They sat on the bluffs and watched the waves crash against the stones.
Wind whipped around them, chilling the night air.
Still, neither wore a jacket. They simply shared each other’s body heat.
Being with Tidy was always peaceful for him.
They knew each other so well, sometimes they didn’t need to talk.
After spending the entire day with his family, celebrating Tracker and Zeus, his heart felt heavy.
Their time together had him split right down the middle.
On one hand, he realized how much he missed the entire family being in one place.
Even though rowdiness spiked his anxiety and sent him scrambling into privacy after too long, he still loved them.
On the other hand, he had Jay to consider.
It felt a hell of a lot like he would never get a life like the one he celebrated today. He just needed this time with Tidy.
“I had a thought.”
Crisp was almost relieved when Tidy broke the silence. His thoughts were growing too heavy. “What’s that?”
“Maybe we should move away?”
“We’ve already moved away from here.”
Tidy bumped shoulders with him. “You know damn well that’s not what I meant.
We’re in the position to live anywhere we want now.
Everyone is getting married, and days like this when we’re all together are nearly nonexistent now.
What if we just moved somewhere? You and Jay could have a normal life. ”
Crisp eyed Tidy. “While that sounds good for me, what would improve for you? I want you to be happy too.”
He felt Tidy shrug. Tidy stared at the water, not meeting his gaze. “Maybe I wouldn’t feel as isolated.”
Crisp’s heart dropped. “You should’ve said something. I’d love for you to hang out in my room or whatever. I never meant to make you feel like I don’t want that.”
Tidy flashed a smile his way. “I know that. You’ve been backed into a corner where you have to stay out of sight.
That’s one of the reasons I’m suggesting this.
Like, imagine us living in Spain or Portugal.
We could get a smaller house, and we could come and go as we please.
It’s never been that way for us, not really.
We’ve always looked over our shoulders and been stronger as a unit.
Now Kuznetsov is dead. Everyone is slowly making their own lives.
There’s no reason we can’t do the same. I mean, we’d still come back to visit and shit.
I’m not talking about vanishing. We don’t have to do anything right now.
Just think about it, okay? Even if we just traveled the world for a while. That would be nice.”
Crisp nodded.
Tidy hugged him. “You can’t hide that man forever. But I’ve never seen you as happy, and you deserve that shit. No matter what, I’ve got your back.”
“I love you.”
Tidy smiled. “I love you too.”
Crisp's phone buzzed, pulling Crisp from their moment. He checked the face and snorted.
Jay: I made Jett very sorry he showed up to play poker tonight.
A photo appeared, and Crisp leaned Tidy’s way so he could see the phone. They roared with laughter. Jett wore bright red lipstick, hot pink blush, and blue eyeshadow. His shaggy hair had been put into a spiky, short ponytail on top of his head. He looked miserable. Crisp texted back.
Crisp: I’m scared to ask where you got the makeup.
Jay: Some questions are best left unanswered.
Tidy and Crisp looked at each other and started laughing again. Yeah. Somehow, some way, everything would work itself out. He had to believe that was true. There was no way he could live without this.