Sawbones likes that. “I’m in.”
I nod and ask. “What are ways to build trust.”
“Spend time together, rides, meets, parties, outreach. I’ll get Aylen to add you to her Club outreach so Sophie gets advice from Brothers who are aware of her background.” Teller is still with me here.
I nod and smile seeing Pauly running our way. “Dad, I like this one. Can I come back? Daniel said I can help anytime.”
Raid and Daniel walk our way. “Brothers, did you see the lake?”
I nod. Sawbones is negotiating a monthly outreach plan with Daniel for Pauly so I answer. “Yeah. The fire blowing up from the middle must look impressive at night.”
Raid nods walking us toward the condos. “It is. We lived on the other side before the compound was built. The old houses had a nice view of the lake. Now we see it from the opposite side. It’s impressive no matter what side you’re on.”
I bet it is. We make it back to the compound before I realize Teller is gone.
When I look back down the road, Sawbones laughs. “He stopped a while back. When I looked, he was gone.”
Fuckin’ magics.
§*§*§
Phoenix Rising
Sophie
“You rode up on the back of his bike?” Stella is perplexed.
“Yeah, it’s the reason you didn’t hear a chopper setting down. He went with Sawbones to get Pauly. Where are the boys?”
“In the house with Cort, Brinks and Jinx. Why are you on his bike?”
Really? “Because he hasn’t built one for me yet.”
That fierce look shows and I smile. “Cut the shit. What happened between the cruise and now?”
I breathe deep wasting as much time as I can while hoping the guys get back before I let the breath out. Since they’re not rounding the corner of the yard and I’m in jeopardy of passing out, I spill it as fast as I can. “We got drunk last night and I asked him all the questions then proved that fucking behind a door is more than acceptable.”
“You’re a fuckin’ nut.” Stella shakes her head at me.
Seren cracks up.
I nod. “I know but every answer was almost identical to mine.”
Seren pushes drinks over the tiki bar and comes aroundto sit. “I didn’t agree with Cort on everything but it was close enough for me. We didn’t have the Prince list then but I had questions. So, after drunk you’re not flipping out. Tell me he’s at least looking at you now.”
Stella throws her hands up, I ignore her and answer Seren. “That happened on the ship. We spent hours talking on surf pool night.” I take a breath to tell her more but she gives a time out sign.
“Hold up. He taught you to surf in a pool?”
Stella jumps in as I take a breath to answer. “No, the surf pool has waves generated. He’s a surfer but had the shower brace with wet shoes on. Sophie just gave him pointers on what to expect and what’s different than ocean surfing.”
I nod for Seren. “Yeah, that.”
“I want to surf. Did you surf?” She asks Stella.
“Yeah, all the Protectors have been in a wave pool. Justice and Teller took us before the lagoon, right after I had the twins. Brinks almost shit a brick but Jordan was cool and took me while Brinks had the twins.”
I laugh. She’s crazy. I would think recuperation time should play in there.
