“I’m just playing my part as arm candy,” he says with a wink at Micah.
“If anyone is the arm candy, it’s her,” Dex rumbles as he walks in, covered in sweat.
“Ha!” I laugh and point at Gage, who’s scowling.
“You’re a bunch of fucking children,” Micah sighs. “What about your locked-up friend?”
“Haven’t been in there. I’ll take him some food, though,” I tell him.
“Do you think you should? Maybe one of the guys could do it.” I narrow my eyes at Micah, and he backpedals. “Fine. Do it yourself.”
We all sit down around the island after Ryder and Holden come in from their workout. I dig in, plating eggs, bacon, and biscuits, savoring each bite. Micah doesn’t just like to cook; he loves it and is damn good at it, too. It’s the only time we get home-cooked meals, so I usually beg him to cook for us.
I look over at Holden; his long dark blonde curly hair and brown eyes make him look boyish. But I knew the time he was putting into the gym with the other guys. Just because he sat behind a desk all day didn’t mean he was letting himself go.
“Anything new?” I ask him.
He glances up with a small smile before looking back down. “Yeah. I’ll bring it out after breakfast.”
Progress. Holden looked me in the eye for a second.
Holden is the newest addition to the team. He has been with me for over a year, and when he first started working for me, he was the office dweller Gage picked on him about. I found him when a lower family of the Mexican cartel was trying to make a rise, using him against us. It didn’t take long to track him down, and how we found him was awful. So, instead of killing him for hacking my systems, we offered him a better life. They kept him locked in a room since he was sixteen; we got him out at twenty. Now at twenty-one, the guys have given him the confidence he needs to work out and stay healthy. He’s the best hacker I have ever encountered; he could findanythingyou needed.
“Thanks,” I tell him before plating up more food. “I’m taking this to Leo. I’ll meet you back out here.”
He nods, so I walk in that direction. I knock on the door to announce myself before unlocking it.
Leo is standing in the middle of the room, a towel around his waist, water dripping down his body from his wet hair.
“I brought you food,” I say lamely, sitting the plate on the metal desk, trying to tear my eyes from the water running down his abs.
“Good morning, baby,” he smiles. “Thanks.”
I shake my head and shut the door back. I’m so confused. This man is part of one of the most powerful crime families. He was locked in a room and just took it without a fight. I can’t help but think he is up to something; there is no way he’s ok with all this.
When I get back to the kitchen, everyone is gone except Holden, sitting at the kitchen island with papers in front of him.
I slide onto the stool beside him. “Hit me.”
“He’s telling the truth,” he says, sliding some papers towards me.
My heart leaps in my chest, and I try to push it back down, trying not to get my hopes up.
I peer down at a birth certificate, bank statements with a large amount of money deposited, and a few pictures of him and his mom; he looks almost identical to her. She was tall for a woman, thin, and beautiful.
“Fucking hell,” I say, running my fingers over his baby picture. “I’m going to have to sit down with Evander and Mateo, aren’t I?”
Holden shrugs. “Looks that way,” he mumbles. “I have more proof if you need it.”
I shake my head. “No. I believe you,” I say with a smile, making him blush. “Where is everyone else?”
He chuckles. “Gage swatted Ryder on the ass with a towel, and they took off. Dex and Micah are in your office.”
I squeeze his shoulder. “Thanks, Holden,” I say and scoop up the papers.
I hear Gage’s crazy laugh from the living room and head that way. He and Ryder are standing at opposite ends of the couch, with Ryder throwing out threats. I’m not even surprised because this type of thing happens way too often.
“Serious time,” I say, walking towards the office, knowing they will get the hint that it’s time to stop playing around.
