Odd’s raised brow pretty much says it all.
“He sent you my files.”
“Yep. I’ll be honest, after watching the video of you killing that guy who was going after Erik, I’m surprised to see how much control you’re showing now. Not many people who get tossed around by my cousin live to tell about it, much less those who best him.”
Ant plucks at his T-shirt, grinning proudly. Understanding crosses his features. “I’m seeing Hedy. You know her, right?”
Odd nods. “She recruited me and Anders.”
“Okay, well, she’s the one who helped me understand that going all rage-beast on someone is a good way to die young. I can take out these assholes much more efficiently and safely if I’m in control of myself. She has me meditating for twenty minutes every morning,” Ant says, gesturing a gag.
Rubbing his chin, Odd responds, “Yeah, she’s got all of us on a meditation routine. It’s annoyingly useful.”
“Exactly.”
“But I do see what you mean. From what I can tell, we’ve got six crime scenes, and you showed major improvements with each subsequent perpetrator. The first one was a bloody mess, but the sixth was pretty good. We only had to switch out the knife, do some light blood-pattern manipulation, and erase the hotel video on that one. I might have you chat with our friend, Parker, regarding logistics so you’ll be better informed.”
“Why do I get the sense I’m still the only one who thinks this is a terrible idea?” Erik grumps.
Odd’s smile is patient. “Because, cousin, you are one of those neurotypical people we’ve heard so much about. Gotta admit, after everything my mom said, it’s disappointing that you’re still throwing up roadblocks.”
“Auntie told you?”
“Of course she did, but she said you’d be cooperative. He’s way better at this stage than Anders and I were. The violence he showed toward your attacker aside, Ant has demonstrated intelligence, a capacity and willingness to learn at a brilliantly fast rate, and a physical strength that outpaces his size.”
“How do we know he won’t go all Helter Skelter on someone again—someone innocent this time?”
Odd turns to Ant. “Can you imagine killing someone innocent?”
Ant shakes his head vigorously. “Absolutely not. I would never.”
Odd sweeps his hand in athere you gogesture, and Erik tips his head back, perhaps praying for guidance.
Finally, he fixes Odd with a stern look, hands on his hips. “Are you saying, having been here for all of thirty seconds, that Ant will never go crazy like that again? That the one and only time he went coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs was on the one guy who was going to kill me?”
Odd darts a look between his cousin and Ant—who seems a little called out by Erik’s words. Odd’s shrewd expression tells me he got it in one. Unlike his brother, who would no doubt tease both of them mercilessly, Odd demurs.
“I’ve watched the tape a few times, cousin. I’ve read Ant’s file, and my conclusion is it was a highly charged situation. You saved Ant from that awful life, and he wasn’t prepared to handle someone trying to harm you. In my opinion, he glitched.”
“Glitched.”
Ant shrinks at Erik’s sarcastic disbelief, and Erik can’t quite maintain his snarky, judgy stance in the face of Ant’s hurt expression.
Odd silently takes in all of this, then continues, “Ant’s better prepared now, Erik. Getting better by the minute. So, as long as you’ve learned not to leave your back exposed—which, by the way, what the fuck was that about?—he should be fine.”
Erik’s jaw drops. “Are you blaming me for what he did?”
Odd draws his chin back. “Have you not seen the video?”
"Yes, I’ve seen the video,” he mumbles.
“Mm. Let’s watch it again.” Odd pauses to check his pocket and comes up empty. Looking over my shoulder, he calls out, “Hey, DeShaun, baby? Do you have my phone?”
A handsome, solid brick house of a man joins us, his dark, sleek musculature impressive even at rest. He hands Odd the phone, and Odd reaches for a kiss before leaning against DeShaun’s chest.
Javier pulls me into a similar hold, and…fuck, that feels good. We’ve been discreet-ish, but I can’t go long without putting my hands on him. Every time I’m worried I’m being too needy, a quick glance at Javier’s pleased expression tells me he likes it.
After scrolling and finding what he’s looking for, Odd hands Erik his phone.
