"Ajay is a fucking former Navy SEAL; he probably has as much skill in killing and missions as I do." Dragon paused and pursed his lips. "Well, I take that back. I'd say he's more on Maverick's level. I could easily kick Ajay's ass. But I'm just saying the man is no stranger to war. The way he took out that CO was art in motion." He thought back to when Ajay had to prove himself to the Lords, and the swift death he gave the CO who set him up in that shower was a thing of beauty to Dragon. He knew then that Ajay was born to be a Lord.
"And Shotgun?"
"I heard he helped torture a motherfucker while Maverick did the dirty work."
Richie rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I get it. The only thing I've done was pass my Hell Week Test, where the objective was never to kill me. If I get involved with this war, I'll be fighting for my life."
Dragon nodded, then pressed his forehead to Richie's. "I can't lose you."
Richie pulled back so that he could look into his man's dual-colored eyes that he loved. "And I can't lose you, but you don't see me trying to stop you from doing what I know you have to do," Richie said. "Pay me the same respect. I'm a Lord."
"You're a prospect," Dragon corrected.
"You know what I mean," Richie said with a serious expression.
Dragon sighed and nodded. "I fell in love with you because you were a badass. You're right, I'm sorry. Just being apart from you, even for that short time... I know I can't... hell, I don't want to live without you in my life. I got—"
"Overprotective," Richie guessed.
Dragon nodded.
"Don't worry, baby. I'm not trying to be on the front lines or anything like that. But I won't run and hide. I'll fight if I have to. I want to be in your life in every way," Richie said, then leaned forward, kissing Dragon again.
"Okay," Dragon said before climbing off the bike. He began to get dressed, and Richie did the same.
"We have to do that again," Richie said and waggled his brows at the bike.
Dragon laughed and nodded. "Oh, we will." He climbed back on, then handed Richie his helmet. Soon, they were back on the road, heading home to truly start their lives together.
Chapter three
Nathan "Scorpion" Bridger
Nathanstoodinthemiddle of his weapons room, looking over his choice of weapons for this job. His sons were doing the same, picking their favorite guns from their vast selection. It wasn't just guns they would be using—knives, grenades, and other weapons of the trade were selected. This would be the first time he and his pseudo-nemesis, Shadowfox, would be working together, and he was a little excited. He hoped he'd be able to see the man in action or maybe even spar with him, given the opportunity.
"Can Cody and I work together?" David asked.
"Depends on the target. One of you may have to handle it on your own," Nathan said as he pulled the chamber back on an assault rifle and then checked the sight.
"If it's a solo job, I can handle it," Cody said.
Nathan nodded; between his twin boys, Cody was the most advanced in skill. "That works."
"I could handle it, too," David complained as he flicked his butterfly knife in his hand, showing off his skill.
"Not yet, you can't," Nathan said, as he didn't believe in lying to his sons about their abilities. Giving someone a false sense of pride could get them killed in their line of work. He saw David pout, then smirked. "But you will be. This mission will help you increase your potential. For now, you will either work with me or your brother."
"Yes, Dad," David said. Arguing with their father about the business was pretty much prohibited. Their grandmother gave the commands, and they followed them. It was a system that had worked for generations and would continue to do so.
"I have to go meet with Vito, and when I get back, be ready to head out. I need to find out who the targets are and any intel they may have on them," Nathan told his sons.
"So, what do you want us to do in the meantime?" Cody asked.
Nathan snorted. "What do you normally do when you're at home?"
"Play video games," Cody said.
David shrugged. "Watch TV, play games, practice shooting, spar—"
