“So you need some suspicious ass motherfuckers to vet everybody,” Lee said.For the first time in a while, I saw a hint of a smile.
“I prefer to look at it as finding the right people for the job.And even some of the good ones among the new arrivals may not necessarily be the right fit for us.There may be those we can’t afford to bring on, and who we’ll find a place for, but not here.I need skeptics who aren’t going to be taken in by a well-told sob story, and saddle us with people who are going to destroy the clan’s reputation before we build it up.But who also remember that we need people, decent, hardworking people, to help us turn Fireborn into a clan we can be proud of.
“To become part of us.”
“Part of us,” Noah repeated.As if it was the first time he’d thought of the new arrivals like that.And then the diffident demeanor returned.“You know, I could help out, even with my leg like this.Just until you find somebody else.”
“That’s a generous offer,” I said.“Sure you feel up to it?”
“Are you kidding?I’ve been going crazy in here!”
I looked at Lee.
“Oh, you damned well better believe I’m in.I’m not gonna let anybody hurt Fireborn!”
“It also hurts us if you don’t let anybody in,” I said dryly.“And don’t do a Sienna, okay, and decide to exclude people who have a past.That’s another reason for choosing you two: you know how it is out there; you were on the streets longer than most.People did shit, but it doesn’t mean they are shit.”
“But some are,” Lee pointed out.“How do we tell the difference?”
“That, my dear, is the test,” I told him, and struggled to my feet.
“Wait,” Noah said.“Where are you going?”
“Back to bed!”
Chapter Thirty-Two
We’re making lieutenants now?”
The question jolted me out of sleep, and I rolled over in bed.There was another breakfast on my nightstand, so I supposed it was morning again.But something was different.
My nose twitched.My mouth salivated.My eyes focused on the tray.
“Is that…bacon?”
“I thought it would be easier than having you raid the guys’ fridge,” Cyrus said dryly.“The healer agreed as long as you take it easy and report any problems immediately.”
“But… there’s only two pieces.”
He cocked his head.“What did I just say?”
“Don’t know, wasn’t listening, ‘cause bacon.”I wolfed it down.
He sighed.
“What else you got?”I checked out the plate with interest for the first time in days.
It looked better than the usual white blandness, except for the ever-present cream of wheat that I quickly pushed to one side.But there was also a nice, if somewhat paltry, omelet as well as some grapes.And perched on a corner was the world’s smallest blueberry muffin.
Seriously, the muffin was a little tease.One bite, maybe three blueberries, and a dusting of Demerara sugar on top, just enough to let you mourn the fact that you were now out of muffin.I started nibbling on the omelet, which was stuffed with cheese, and suddenly it was gone, too.
Cyrus sat on the edge of the bed and waited until I was finished before getting to the point.“Can we talk about this lieutenant thing?”
“Yes.Thank you.”
“For what?”
I swallowed grapes.“I told Noah we were talking about it, and we just did.”
