Page 58 of Fractured Memories

I groan as I come to a stop, and Rohan quirks a brow. “Chasing each other around like children?”

“Not all of us like boring sex, Ro.” I clap him on the shoulder, about to slip past him, but he elbows me in the side and shoves me back. I let out a grunt and glare at him.

“You were on the mat tonight.”

Jude would be laughing if he were here right now. He still might be in his own home, tucked away with his wife and knowing what he left me to endure.

I sigh. “Rohan…”

He holds up his hand. “I’m in no mood to argue with you like a petulant child, Kieran.” His jaw works, and I know that I’ve pissed him off. He’s been more tightly wound lately as the rebel attacks have spiked.

The small group used to be of little consequence to us. They wanted to live out in tents and breathe toxic air? It wasn’t our problem. But now that they’ve started attacking buildings and disrupting supply chains, it’s become a constant headache—especially with Miles worrying over it.

“Clearly, you are preoccupied. Try to leave some time in your busy schedule for us to talk tomorrow, yeah?” A muscle in his jaw jumps as he turns and stalks off.

Lochlan watches him go. I know I’ve been sticking him with too many problems lately, meetings with Miles and a wound-up Rohan. I’ll need to fix that—and actually agree to staying out of the cages. I understand that it’s not doing anyone much good to watch me kill someone on the live broadcast when they all already call me a murderer. Not that I care, but it’s lending itself to the rebel cause.

I cross to Lochlan, bumping his shoulder with mine. It’s something he usually does to me, and I want to ease the tension I see lining his stiff muscles. I’ve definitely been a piece of shit when it comes to him.

I’m protective of Lochlan after everything he’s been through. He’s like my little brother, and while Rohan and I might butt heads—though that doesn’t change that I’d sacrifice my life for him—Lochlan is much more of a peacekeeper.

“I’m going to talk to him,” I assure him. “Tomorrow. When he’s less likely to break my jaw.”

Lochlan nods, and I’m surprised when he glances over at me with a smile. “Your fight was great.” The corner of my mouth pulls up. “But Eden’s was better.” And my face falls flat.

He chuckles, patting my shoulder. “He doesn’t like seeing everyone getting as riled up as they are. It reminds him too much of our dads.”

Pain flickers in my chest. My father wasn’t as cold as my mother—at least not toward me. Not to say that I was overly attached to the man, but his death is harder to think about than my mom’s.

His car was targeted with explosives one day in the city—an action that led Lochlan’s father to conduct a raid among the lower class. He was targeted and killed that day. Rohan’s father, however, died in a car accident where a storm caused him to roll down the side of the mountain—something all of us believe was intentional. Especially given they all three died within eighteen months of each other.

I should have realized that constantly leaving the compound—especially to challenge people on the mats—would remind him of that. Not that Rohan is particularly emotional, but as the most strategic of us, he likes to remind me that luck runs out. And we definitely don’t want to lose each other.

“Right.” I rub at my jaw. “I’ll fix it.”

“For what it’s worth, both of us are happy for you. Hope you know that.”

Well, fuck. Who knew I could feel so fucking much? I swear an echo of something just tried to pierce my cold heart.

I deflect. It’s all I know how to do. “Are you expecting a hug now? A fucking kiss?” I shove Lochlan, and he rolls his eyes. “Don’t be such a sap.”

He snorts. “Don’t be a fucking prick.” He nods toward the back of my house. “Go get your girl. We’ll talk in the morning.”

Lochlan whistles on his way out, looking at ease. It’s shocking given how tense he was originally. Sometimes I don’t know what to make of him. I don’t think even Rohan can figure out what’s going on in his head half the time.

Shaking off the interaction—and knowing I’ll resolve it tomorrow—I stalk toward the back of my house. I already know where Eden is. Something that is confirmed as I find a trail of her clothes leading to the patio.

I shake my head as I pick up each piece and step out into the night. The sky is clear, so I can see endless stars above us. But that’s not where my eyes go.

Instead, they are on the gorgeous woman already naked and in my pool. Her eyes are glittering when they meet mine. “You can’t seem to win tonight.”

I chuckle, dropping her clothes before starting to undress myself. “And you are going to end up getting someone killed if you strip inside my house.”

“Should have been faster.” Her grin is mischievous. “Then you could have stopped me.”

“Oh, you’re mistaken if you think I want to keep your clothes on.” I descend into the heated water. “I just don’t want anyone else seeing you.”

She swims closer. “Does that mean I’m getting that punishment after all?” Her fingers grasp my shoulders as she locks her legs around my waist. My hands drop to grip her arse on instinct. “Since I’m causing you so many problems.”