When the Soothsayer finally lets me go, slipping back into the dark recesses of my mind, Vivian comes forward, holding a cup of coffee out to me.
“That thing isn't very friendly, is it?” he observes, sipping at his own cup as he looks out over the sparring mats.
Kieran has gotten into the ring with the black belt, and it’s highly amusing watching them scuffle. The Gifted isn't very scrappy. He has a lot of perfected techniques that could be an absolute asset out in the field, but Kieran is more of a combination fighter, intent on doing whatever it takes to win the sparring match. It’s an interesting match.
“It doesn't really have any feelings towards anything except Oli.”
Vivian nods for a second and then shrugs. “If it's ready to burn the whole world down just to keep her safe, then it’s a good thing we have it on our side. Maybe we can channel it a bit to keep the community safe as well.”
“That's the plan. Who knows if we can make it happen.”
I go back over to my Bonded, and Atlas slaps me on the back in a friendly gesture as I move past him. His eyes are narrowed on the group of men standing together murmuring amongst each other. They’re not talking about anything of note, but Atlas is on high alert anyway, as he always is with our Bonded around, and I'm not going to blame him for that.
“You’re back! How did it go?” Oli asks, leaning into my side as she watches two of the women fight.
Both of them have a little more than basic training, which is a great starting point, one that will get them on missions quickly under the right training regime.
“Everyone who came has been processed. Honestly, everything that happened might just turn out to be for the best.”
She sighs and nods, calling out directions to one of the women as her feet shift a little dangerously, and I smile down at her. “Who would’ve thought that the girl who hated the treadmill would be correcting other people’s stances?”
She scoffs at me and groans a little under her breath. “I still hate the treadmill, and you were an asshole to me. The real reason I'm here today is because Vivian was a true gentleman.”
Black looks over at her like she's crazy, and Rockelle jabs a thumb over his shoulder. “ThatVivian? Because that Vivian's a way bigger asshole than Shore has ever been, that's for sure.”
Oli props a fist on her hip as she pulls herself into her own fighting stance. “You better not be talking smack about Vivian right now, Rockelle. I will piss in your Cheerios so fucking fast.”
He makes a face at her, glancing at me as though he's expecting me to jump in and save him, but only an idiot would speak badly about Vivian in front of Oli.
“We've almost gotten through the entire crowd. I didn't even think that was possible this morning,” Kieran murmurs to me, and I nod back.
“Any standouts?”
“The black belt, but we already knew that, and maybe a handful of others. We should be able to replace those we lost fairly easily. How are North and Nox doing?”
I don't want to say much, but I never have to with Kieran. “Busy, both of them. I'll be dragging them out of the office later, I'm sure.”
He gives me a curt nod before he starts barking out orders to rotate the people on the sparring mats once more, moving the last group in.
Oli bumps me with her hip, careful about how much affection she's showing me now that we're in business mode while still grabbing my attention. “You're going to make sure they come back tonight, right? They're not going to be sleeping up there again, are they?”
I nod my head. “Even if I have to physically drag both of them down, we will all be at the house tonight, Bonded. I promise.”
Her shoulders deflate a little in relief, and just to make sure I keep that promise to her, I send the image through to North and Nox.
Your Bonded wants you home tonight. No excuses.
Neither of them question me.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Oli
I waketo a hand stroking my belly and a hot, hard body pinned against my back. I grind my ass into the thick, hard cock that’s pressed against me, a low moan creeping out of my mouth. I don’t need to open my eyes to see who’s here with me.
I can smell their cologne, and I’d know by the feel of their hands on my body alone, but the low tone of their voices mixing together proves that the Draven brothers have finally come back to me.
I don’t need my bond to tell me, I know exactly how much I needed this, how much I needed them.
