I dart toward the right and push off with all my force with my left to propel me, my right foot landing on the base of the tree, and I push with it next to launch me high enough to grab a branch right as Cooper comes to stand below me. I stare down at him and smirk as I pull myself up.
“You think you’d catch me that easily?” I grab another branch to balance myself on the one I’m standing on.
“You appear stuck to me.”
“Yeah, but maybe—” I cut off when one of my feet slips off the branch, and I correct it.
“Oh shit, sis, not looking too good.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, making Cooper’s smug smile spread wider. “Well?—”
“Well, what?” he says smugly.
“Well, you’re out,” I tell him as Mac jumps onto his back, screaming, “Got you, sucker!”
I drop to the ground in front of them.
“Be right back,” I say as we’re heading back toward Romeo. I spot him twenty yards up but don’t slow until I’m about to pass him. I drop and roll as he bursts around the giant old log tree that fell years ago.
I jump back to my feet and keep running. He mutters a curse and follows. I’m quicker in sprints; they can’t catch me, but add some distance, and their long legs eat up the distance faster than my own.
I run full force until I’m near my target.
“It’s not tag! The tree line doesn’t make you safe!” Romeo shouts out from behind me. I freeze at the tree line and spin around, wanting to see this. Not half a second later, Romeo trips on the planted line. I almost can’t believe that actually took him down.
“Got ya,” I say when I come to stand over him.
“You’re a brat, and that fucking hurt.” Those wires can be a bitch. I give him my hand, helping him to his feet. “That’s always fun even if I don’t catch you.” He wraps his arm around me, giving me a half hug.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I was—” I’m swept off my feet, and I know it’s Paxton before I can see him.
“The hell did you come from?” I tap his chin.
“I’m always close when it comes to you.” He’s not smug about it, putting me back onto my feet.
“Where did you fucking come from?” Romeo mimics my question, glancing around. I’m honestly not sure either and am highly impressed. It might turn me on too, but when it comes to Paxton, it doesn’t take much.
“I have a job for the three of you.”
“Wait, I can go?” Marcus asks, coming up from behind me. I’d both seen and heard him.
“I don’t see why not, but know?—”
“I know, I know.” He stands up straighter. “I got it. No jokes or fucking around. I swear.”
“All right, let’s meet up at the house, and we’ll go over things.”
“Come on.” Romeo slaps Marcus on the back, and they head up together. I’m sure Cooper and Mac are already making their way back too.
“Kansas City has been handled.” One by one things are falling into place.
“Is Bonte’s father headed out?”
“Yes, we got him all his supplies and sent him on his way. He said he’d need a week.”
“The man is going to have too much fun. It’ll be like a damn murder vacation for him.” Some people have a taste for blood. It’s part of them, and you have to find a place to channel it.I don’t enjoy killing, but I do rather like correcting someone’s behavior if I must.
“Going to have some fun myself.” His hand goes to my ass, lifting me off my feet. I wrap my legs around him.
