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And then he was off, marching toward Sawyer’s office, hoping his brothers would be there, knowing they all needed to talk.
“OhmyGod, Hayden?! You need to tell me everything now!” He heard Julia’s whisper and chuckled to himself.
He wondered how Anna would explain their journey together. Oh, what he’d give to be a fly on that wall.
But, unfortunately, Hayden had pressing matters to attend to. He quickened his pace.
Chapter Fifteen
“HONESTLY,” HUNTER SAID, “I think we’re ready.” He leaned back onto the couch, hands knotted together in his lap. “We have the weapons, the fighters, our own stronghold to lean on for supplies and fallback.” He shrugged. “It’s as good a time as it ever will be.”
Sawyer paced the room, hands behind his back. “I just don’t want to put anyone at risk if there’s even a chance we’re not ready, yet.”
“Listen, I’ve been training people for years. I’ve trained more people in the last few months than I have in all the years before.” Hunter leaned into his elbows. “When I say we’re ready, I’m not bullshitting you. Let’s not forget that these are my people, too.”
Hayden watched Sawyer’s throat move as he swallowed, then nodded. “I trust your assessment, then, brother.”
Hayden eased forward on his seat. “We need to discuss how things will be handled. How duties will be split among the four of us.” They’d always had an easy division of labor… Derek handled what went on at home, Hunter handled what went on in the field, Hayden analyzed the information that came in and went out, and Sawyer oversaw it all. When it came to battle, they usually ran in together, guns blazing.
But this? This, they couldn’t do together. That sobering thought silenced them all for what felt like an endless stretch of time.
“I’ll stay back with Julia,” Derek said. “I can keep things running over here, and keep the supplies moving toward you guys. Whatever or whoever you need, we’ll make sure it finds its way to you.”
Sawyer nodded. “Thank you, brother.”
It was the simplest solution, of course. Derek had always handled the Resistance’s domestic issues. But it left one gaping hole, one that Hayden didn’t want to bring up, knowing the reaction he’d get. But that was his job, and Hayden was nothing if not bound to his role.
“Hunter.” That was all he had to say.
Hunter’s shoulders rose, then sagged. “I know.” He leaned back once more, raking his hands through his hair. “I don’t like it.”
“No,” Sawyer started. “Absolutely not.”
“It’s the only way,” Hayden murmured.
“No.”
“Brother,” Hunter said, standing. “I have a child. Another on the way.” He looked down, shaking his head, and something inside Hayden ached for his brother. Hunter loved the fight, lived for it, was born for it, but sometimes… sometimes, one found something that mattered more.
If Anna asked him to stay, would he? Hayden shuddered at the thought. He couldn’t imagine not being on the frontlines. He’d worked so long for this, poured so much of himself into this. But if she asked… if she asked, he’d say yes.
“Plus, someone needs to be training more soldiers. That is kinda my job, after all.” Hunter cleared his throat. “It sucks, but it has to be done.”
With Hunter at home, more men (and women, if they elected to join) would learn to fight. Would be ready to join them in the East in the long battles to come.
“And you?” Sawyer asked, turning to Hayden.
He swallowed hard, biting back the “yes” that ached to be shared. “Let me talk with Anna first.”
Sawyer’s eyes grew cold, his jaw tensing. “Very well. I need an answer by tomorrow morning so I can start preparations.”
Hayden nodded.
His brothers continued to talk, but he could only half-listen to what they were saying. All he could think about was getting back to Anna, seeing where she stood, and praying that they saw eye-to-eye on this.
? ♥ ?
Hayden hadn’t showed up to the barbecue, but neither had Derek, nor Hunter, nor Sawyer. Sven cooked the venison himself, everyone else fluttering around and gossiping about the newcomers and the possibility of war.
