A controller clatters to the floor, and Razor starts to laugh. “You can’t handle what we do.”
“You don’t have a violent bone in your body, man. You'll just be in the way,” Purge says from his position in front of one of the TVs, playing a game with Ghost.
I see red. Refusing to back down, I steel my spine. Raising my voice, I clap back.
“Bullshit. I'm a man, same as all of you. I can learn. I want to fucking help. There are still many things in play. An extra set of hands should be welcomed.”
“Bro... you just cursed!” Trikk’s eyes are wide with his exclamation.
“Yes, I fucking did,” I say, holding my head up.
Synn chortles. “Okay, man. You want in? You may not be able to stomach blood and torture, but we can give it a shot.”
My stomach roils, but I shove the feeling down. “Good, thank you. What do I do first?”
“Nothing yet, man. When we have more on The Camp to actively go after, we’ll let you know,” Frost says from the other pinball machine.
That makes me feel a bit better. Frost isn’t the type to bullshit me.
Harris follows that up with, “We will include you, Bryan. It's best to mentally prepare yourself beforehand.”
“I will!” I say confidently.
“Score. Ha!” Razor yells from the game he’s playing with Ghost. “Want to take over, man? Ghost needs someone he has a chance against.”
Ghost smacks Razor upside the head. “Fuck off, asshole. Come on, Bryan, let’s play.”
My legs carry me over, and I plonk down where Razor was sitting. Ghost hands me the controller, and we start to play. Some kind of shooting game. I can learn this.
My heart is full of hope as I hang out with the guys for the first time. I've never had a guy friend. Hopefully, I'll gain six now.
Razor
That boyfriend of Valley’s, Bryan, is never going to hack it. I saw quite clearly how gun shy he was during The Morgue escape. The guy’s scared of his own shadow.
I don’t know what possessed Synn to okay it. Everything we are preparing to do is dangerous. Bryan’s life will be on the line.
Shaking my head, I think about what Fiasca told us earlier. She said she wanted to take all her fears back, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. I know my girl can handle it. Hell, maybe she’ll even enjoy herself along the way.
Fiasca amazes me more every day. I never had the courage to stand up to my parents. It felt wrong to go after my mother, since she’s a woman, and mentally fucked in the head. And my father... well, mafia leader—enough said.
I've hated myself for most of my life. I've always been tight-lipped. The guys don’t know much about my feelings. I hide them behind the crazy, tough exterior. I want to change that, though. Maybe taking Fiasca’s lead can give me the courage to finally stand the fuck up.
I really hope so.
Chapter 29
Frost
It'smy damn turn with Killer. I have somewhere I want to take her tonight, if she’s not too tired from her date with Trikk.
It will push her boundaries, but that’s the purpose of it. Killer threw down a gauntlet; I’ll be damned if I don’t pick it up.
I decide to check her room first. Knocking politely, I hear movement inside. Killer opens the door in nothing but a towel.
I have to bite my lip to keep from grabbing her and bending her over the bed. Clearing my throat, I face her with a smile.
“How are you after your date? Do you think you’ll have energy for a date with me tonight?”
