AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Brave
GRIM
“He’s a quick learner,” Beast remarks as Ford takes off after our training session with a spring in his step and a belly full of food.
It’s been almost two weeks since he barged his way into my club, and a week since Beast killed his stepdad. There’s already a little more life and a little less jadedness behind his eyes, but that might have more to do with his new setup after his move into a better children’s home a few days ago, and the support from Hudson’s charity. Though these training sessions have been a great bonding experience, all of us have benefited from them. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt part of a family, but everyday that’s changing, and I’m becoming fiercely protective of it and the people I care about, including Ford. Which is making it all the more difficult to break the news that he’s got to continue his training at another, more legit club. Frankly, I don’t want him out of my sight, not when the King is still a huge threat and Malakai is no closer to locating him.
“He’s got a mean left hook too,” I say, wiping my face with a hand towel, and forcing myself not to think about the King.
“Yeah, he does. The power behind it is surprising given he’s such a scrawny kid. He’s gonna be lethal in a few years,” Beast agrees, rubbing at his chin where Ford managed to sneak in a punch. “Might even best me.”
“I told you,” I say, watching Ford give Mark the finger as he exits the warehouse.
We both laugh.
“Why’s that kid still such a little dick to me?” Mark grumbles as he strolls towards us both.
“You can’t expecteveryoneto like you,” Beast quips, ducking through the ropes and dropping to the floor.
“Why the fuck not? I’m a very likeable guy,” he counters.
“Said no one ever," Dom adds, pausing from his bench press set and giving Mark a cheeky wink.
“I’ll have you know I’m well loved,prick.”
Beast chuckles, holding open the ropes so I can duck through them. “I’m not sure that’s a flex. We ain’t the Brady bunch, you know.”
“A person can be likeableanda merciless killer,” Mark complains, drawing a snort of laughter from Cleveland who has just entered the gym.
“Morning, Cleveland,” I say, smiling as Beast gives me a light slap on the arse.
“A word Ma’am?” he asks, his tone and expression changing from amused to serious.
“Sure thing…Beast,” I say, indicating for him to follow us as we head towards my office, the sound of Dom and Mark bickering following us out.
As soon as the door to my office is closed, Cleveland clears his throat. “We’ve located Rodriquez,” he says, bringing out his phone and flipping through his messages until he finds what he’s looking for.
“Where?” Beast asks.
“His credit card was used to book a stay at an Airbnb in a small village just outside of Cardiff this morning. We just got notification.”
My fucking heart stills. “Cardiff, as inWales?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Fuck!” I exclaim, grabbing my phone, car keys and bag from my desk.
“Grim, what is it?” Beast asks.
Ignoring his question, I focus on Cleveland. “I want hourly updates. If the prick takes a shit, I want to know about it.”
Cleveland frowns, glancing at Beast in confusion. “We haven’t got a man on him just yet, but Harris is on the way as we speak. Should be there in a few hours.”
“Then we’d better get going too,” I say, striding towards the door.
“They’re on it, Grim,” Beast says, clearly confused by my reaction to the news.
