And when we do, Augustus is going to wish he’d never laid a hand on any of us.
Chapter 36
The tension in theair is almost palpable as we gather on the highest level of the compound, the nerve center, where everything is coming together. The space is large, open, and filled with the low hum of activity as the teams prepare forwhat lies ahead. My heart pounds in my chest as adrenaline and nerves pump through me.
There’s no turning back now.
Fuck.
My fingers tangle together as I close my eyes and breathe deeply. This has to work. It has to.
I feel him appear next to me a second before his scent hits. Warm, masculine, and something wholly mine.Hunter.His presence steadies me the way nothing, and no one else here, can. He pulls my nervous fingers apart and grips my hand tightly. My eyes flicker open, and I exhale a shaky breath. Neither of us says anything, because there’s nothing left to say, but it doesn’t feel awkward. Just charged.
Around us, the members of the Milieu’s tactical teams are gearing up, each one moving with practiced precision. I’ve never seen anything like this up close—this level of organization, this kind of military operation. It’s surreal. I thought my Diablos had their shit together, but this is…insane.
The gear they’re wearing is impressive. Each soldier is dressed in black tactical uniforms, the kind that look like they’ve been designed for both stealth and protection. The fabric is heavy, reinforced in critical areas, with built-in armor plates that make them look almost invincible. Straps and buckles criss-cross their bodies, securing additional equipment—knives, radios, spare magazines. Everything is perfectly placed, ready for quick access.
If some of them weren’t pseudo-related to me, I might even think the scene would be hot. The thought is creepy, so I quickly shake it away.
Instead, I picture all five of my guys decked out in tac-gear, their game faces on as they strap up with weapons. I can almost imagine Maddox spinning a knife while he kicks back in a corner, his dimples on full display. Gage would be serious,shouting at him to get his head out of his ass, while Nyx rolls his eyes and mutters to himself. Stone and Hunter…well, they’d be doing brother things.
I smirk to myself and shake my head.
Too soon. Way too soon.
I watch as sleek, black rifles are handed out, each one fitted with a suppressor, along with sidearms, and a variety of other weapons that I can’t even name. Grenades, flashbangs, and other explosives are packed into specialized pouches, the soldiers handling them with a familiarity that speaks to years of experience.
I’m struck by how well-coordinated everything is. It’s as if they’ve been preparing for this exact scenario for years, and maybe they have. For a moment, I’m taken aback by the realization that this world—the one I’ve been thrust into—runs far deeper than I ever imagined.
The second thing that hits me is a strong wave of fear. Do they really think it’ll be that bad outside the compound? Are they scared because they haven’t been outside in a long time, or is there a credible reason for this level of security?
Are we safe?
I swallow hard. It doesn’t matter. This is happening, no matter what.
Shadow Team is already assembled, a group that stands out even among the others. It’s led by Daniel, which is a shock I’m still trying to wrap my head around. Daniel, my foster father, who’s always been a rock in my life, steady and unyielding, is now standing before me as the leader of this elite unit. He’s tall, his once-graying hair now closely cropped, his face set in a determined expression. There’s a sharpness to his eyes that I’ve never seen before, a focus that makes it clear he’s not just a part of this world—he’s a leader in it.
Daniel’s title is fitting, though it takes me a moment to process it: Chief Tactical Commander. It sounds like something out of a movie, but the seriousness in his demeanor tells me it’s anything but fiction. I never knew he was involved in the Milieu, let alone that he held such a critical role. It feels like another betrayal, but on the tail end of that is pride. So much fucking pride that I don’t even have a right to.
Beside him, Evelyn is strapping into her gear with the same efficiency as the others. Her movements are quick, precise, and there’s no sign of the worry I know she must be feeling. She’s always been the heart of our little family, the one who kept us together. Seeing her here, so composed, only adds to the surreal nature of this moment.
She looks up and shoots me a reassuring smile that instantly makes my shoulders drop.
I can be mad and hurt all I want about the fact that these people kept an entire world from me, but at the end of the day, they also kept that world running. A world filled with innocents and families. They kept it safe from the enemies on the outside, all the while protecting and loving me. Giving me a shot at normalcy. We all made mistakes, but Daniel and Evelyn are kind souls, and despite it all, I love them.
Bobby, the big man who had taken me from the parking lot, is securing his own weapons with a kind of quiet resolve. He’s built like a tank, his massive frame almost dwarfing the others, but there’s a gentleness in his eyes that contrasts sharply with his appearance. I’m grateful he’s on our side.
Then there’s the small, thin man called The Surgeon. He’s almost the exact opposite of Bobby, with a wiry frame and quick, darting eyes that take in everything around him. He moves with a kind of nervous energy, his hands deft as he checks and rechecks his equipment. Despite his size, there’s anintensity about him that makes it clear he’s not someone to underestimate.
And finally, there’s Ghost. I haven’t seen his face—he’s always masked, his features hidden behind black and gray fabric. He’s massive, even larger than Bobby, but unlike the others, he keeps to the shadows, his presence barely noticeable unless you’re looking for it. He’s quiet, so quiet that it’s unnerving, and he won’t make eye contact with me. But I’ve been told he’s good at getting in and out without being seen, and that’s all that matters right now.
Even if he does give me the creeps.
The spicy creeps. Is that a thing? Feels like a thing.
My head tilts as I watch him check a Beretta over. His hands move in a practiced motion that reminds me far too much of my guys. I wonder if I could get them to wear masks for me sometime.
“Whatever you’re thinking,” Hunter murmurs, sliding his arms around my waist. I shiver against him as his breath ghosts across my throat. “You better knock it off if you don’t want me to die in the next few minutes.”
