CHAPTER 1
Kane stepped into the compound and instantly regretted it. The noise rolling out from Sloan’s office hit him like a damn freight train. Voices were raised...again. He paused, frowned, then pivoted on his heel. Yeah, hell no. He didn’t even want to guess what kind of chaos was brewing in there.
“Where in the hell do you think you’re going?” Charger’s deep voice boomed from behind him, sharp enough to make Kane’s shoulders tense.
“Not in there,” Kane muttered, jerking a thumb toward Sloan’s office before glancing over his shoulder. One look at Charger’s glare, and he sighed, knowing that look. “Shit...”
“If I’m going in, so the fuck are you.” Charger nodded toward the closed door like a man marching into battle. “You wanted me here, and I’m here.”
It was true, he had asked for Charger to be here, and now he regretted it. Kane groaned under his breath. He hadn’t been around for a few weeks, and every time he did show up, itseemed like the universe decided that was the perfect time for some shitstorm to explode in Sloan’s office.
“Where have you been?” Charger pressed as they neared the door.
“Well, Dad,” Kane drawled, throwing open the door before he had to answer and immediately wished he hadn’t.
“All I’m saying,” Jared was bellowing, hands flying through the air, “King isn’t the only one who’s been shot with silver and lived! He’s running around here acting like a God or something.”
Kane glanced at King, who cocked his eyebrow with a half grin, but remained silent.
“And I’m asking if it went straight through Raven?” Sid shot back, eyes rolling hard enough to see the back of his skull. “The bullet was embedded in King. There’s a big difference, genius.”
“I am a God, ya know,” King added with a wink at Raven, but was ignored by both Sid and Jared.
“Oh, okay, Dr. Dumbass!” Jared snapped. “Forgive me for not remembering whether it went straight through or not! I mean, my daughter just got shot. I was a little preoccupied with worry.”
Kane smirked, his gaze drifting to Raven, who only shrugged with that signature “I’m surrounded by idiots” expression.
Sid turned toward Charger, pointing like an attorney at trial. “You were there! Did it go straight through or not?”
“Do I even want to answer this?” Charger muttered to Kane, who snorted.
“Not a chance, bro. No matter what you say, one of those two is going to be pissed.” Kane warned him, then shrugged. “Ah, fuck it. Tell them.”
“Straight through,” Charger finally said, sealing his fate.
“Ha!” Sid barked, jabbing a finger at Jared. “Told you!”
Jared’s eyes went dark. “What the fuck ever? Silver is silver! Doesn’t matter if it passes through or sticks. It went into her body!”
“Should I tell them?” Kane murmured to Charger, who grinned.
“I mean, they should already know. They are the mighty Warriors.” Charger snorted, smirking at Raven, who gave him a knowing look. “But yeah, go ahead. I want to watch this dumpster fire burn.”
“There are imitation silver bullets out there being sold. Hell, there’s probably more imitations circulating out there than real ones,” Kane said loud enough to cut through the argument.
Jared turned, scowling. “Do we look stupid?”
“You really want me to answer that?” Kane muttered cocking his eyebrow as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “I’ve been shot with silver, or so the idiot who shot me bragged before pulling the trigger. Got the bullet tested because I live and there wasn’t a trace of silver. Just cheap knockoff metal.”
“Would have loved to have seen that sucker’s face when you didn’t die instantly.” Duncan chuckled next to him.
Sid frowned, ignoring Duncan. “Was it embedded or go straight through?”
“Will you give it a rest?” Jared barked, throwing up his hands again.
“Either way,” Kane said, his tone flat, “if it had been real silver, I wouldn’t be standing here having this stupid-ass conversation. And Raven sure as hell wouldn’t be over there smirking like the queen of sarcasm. We’d both be dead.”
“Nickel silver,” Steve chimed in from the back.
