“Ball and chain, old man, soul mate, dear one, love of my life, sweetie…” I’m interrupted.
“Brothers, Hud claimed Sophie yesterday and today went head over heels.” I laugh watching Hud’s face.
Donna hits my arm. “Everyone knows. You’re both whipped.”
I push my drink at her.
“Sophie, how is it you’re both fearless and Badass?”
I tear my eyes away from Hud and look at Mase with his mic and nosy questions. He’s a reader and didn’t ask that for nothing. I look around and see Airmen and crews packed in. This is for them. “Elite, hell all military are weapons the world doesn’t know what to do with anymore. They don’t pay us, fix us, or employ us. Badass knows what to do with us and you understand our oaths so we’re not forced to break them. Brothers for life includes respect, honor and integrity. You show it and we give it back.” Hud puts his arm around me and points to the boards of other Clubs.
“Hooyah!” Explodes on boards and here in person.
Mase hands the mic to Cort as he throws me chin.
The giant President is smiling. “That’s the best answerI’ve ever heard. Justice, ‘Elite military are weapons the world doesn’t know what to do with anymore…’”
… Justice finishes it, sort of. “‘Brothers for life includes respect, honor and integrity. You show it and we give it back.’ I’ll make sure Sophie Girard gets credit. It’s about as true as true can be, Boss.”
I’m not Girard yet but I smile up at Justice in the Bravo Club. He throws me chin. I give it back getting a couple of laughs.
Men are so weird.
An older Brother with a patch stands by an older Justice. Patch guy laughs. “Danny LaPonte, my son Jessie LaPonte-James.”
I laugh pointing to their side. “And Dakota Lightfoot, Justice’s dads and grandfather.” I look at the board and see Justice watching his family in the bar with us.
“You’re good at this. Jessie can marry you before anything else happens around here.” Danny LaPonte offers like this happens every day — these guys are Badass Legends.
Danny smiles at me.
I shake my head. “You’re all readers.”
Jessie laughs. “They are, I’m the normal one.”
Hud tightens his hold on me so I lean to see his face. “I’m in. Everything I have is already yours.”
“You really are a nut.” I lean so he can kiss my head.
Danny laughs again. “What do you want big?”
I look at Hud getting a shrug. “We just need the words and a license. Here, now is perfect.”
Danny looks at Hud. “Don’t fuck it up, she’s an old lady already.”
My turn to laugh and I do.
Chapter Ten
Honor Rising
Hud
I get my ol’ lady’s breakfast on the cookie sheet and wonder about the coffee. Hopefully, I make it without wearing it and put it on the pan, then turn thinking if and when it spills, I’ll deal.
“That’s a good start to my first day as Sophie Girard.”
I freeze before I drop the pan and wear her coffee. “It almost wasn’t a good start for me.”
