CHAPTER FOURTEEN
KADEN
“Fuck, Bro, what the hell happened to Gracie?” Brad’s words hit me hard in the chest, a longing to protect her washed over me.
“Her fucking douchebag husband.” I dropped the sheet and tried to pull boxer shorts over my moonboots.
“Fuck, what an asshole, he really did a number on her.” His eyes met mine, my anger reflected in his eyes.
“Ya think?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Hey, don’t take your anger out on me, I was just saying it was fucking nasty.” My best friend held his hands up.
“Fuck.” I snorted before dragging my hands through my hair. “I’m sorry. “I just wish I could protect her. I feel so helpless.” My voice cracked and his hand fell to my shoulder
“I know you do, brother, I know you do.”
He stepped into the kitchen and flicked the jug on.
“It smells like sex in here.”
Stepping away from the bench, Brad cracked open the window and looked out over the park outside.
“Is she safe?” He asked as he turned back to face me. I raised my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“Going back to her house, will she be safe?”
I scrubbed my hands over my face, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach makes me feel nauseous.
“Fuck, I don’t know, but I fucking hope so.”
***
While having breakfast in the dining area with Brad, I found my mind was on Gracie the entire time.
I gazed up at the ceiling and let out an annoyed breath. “I fucking hate being stuck here, Brad.” I was jittery, needing to be out of this place so I could get back to training and be with Gracie.
Brad broke into my thoughts. “You know I came here for two reasons.”
I rolled my head on my shoulders.
“I figured as much.” I stared at one of the only guys who knew how dark the demon was that sat on my back.
“One…” He held up one finger. “I said I’d be back to check on your broken ass, so here I am and you’re still broken.” He looked over the rim of his coffee cup and laughed – asshole.
My friend snorted coffee at the death glare I was sending his way. Honestly, he could be such a dick.
“And?” I was growing tired of him already.
“Two…” He held up two fingers. “I need you down at the base with me. I need your skills in training. Not only physical, but your mind.”
I looked down at my legs and body before waving at them with my hands.
“ Ummm HELLO!! Do you not see this?” My eyes burned into his.
“Yes, dick, I do.” He threw his rolled-up napkin at me. “I meant, you can rehab at base and let me pick your brains at the same time. You can write up programs based on the soldier’s skill sets or lack of. Let’s not get shit twisted here, the new cadets they have sent me are fucking pussy’s.”
I watched with amusement as his joking expression changed and his hands ruffled up his hair. “Seriously, it’s fucking painful there at the moment, Kade. I tell ya, having you will be a breath of fresh air in a stagnant cesspool.”
