A Destiny of Carnage (A Violent Agenda)

“We’re coming with you,” Lor says.

“Fine,” I say. I knew they would be. I expected nothing less.

A phone rings. Lorcan grabs his device from the side bench and looks at the screen. “Shit, I have to take this.” Then he walks off, answering with a gruff hello.

Jude looks at me. “How are you doing, babe?”

I give him a blank look. “Why are you asking me that? I’m fine.” Now that I’m looking at him, I can see he looks better than he has in weeks.

He shrugs and then grins. “Are you checking me out, Hawkes?”

I shrug back.

He saunters over, still grinning, looping his sweaty towel over the back of my neck, hauling me closer to his lips. He tastes of sweat, sports drinks, and himself. There’s no hint of alcohol on his breath at all.

I pull away, slightly breathless.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you,” he breathes.

“I haven’t gone anywhere,” I say.

“No, but in St Michael’s I had you all to myself. Now I have to share you with Lore and Psycho Charlie.”

“You sleep in my bed every night,” I say to him.

“I want more,” he teases. “I’m going to claim that ass, very soon.”

I roll my eyes.

He chuckles, dropping the towel around my neck, but not before running a thumb over my lip. I dart my tongue out to lick it. He’s salty from the workout.

“That was Grandfather,” Lorcan says, walking back over to where Jude and I are standing.

“What did he want?” Jude asks.

“He wants to talk about the inheritance. I sent him a message that Byron is alive.”

I tilt my head. “Are you going to see him?”

“Not yet. I need to know who my real father is first.” That’s different. A few days ago Lorcan wasn’t even interested. He must see my face because he adds, “Saskia wants to know too.”

“I spoke to Quinn, she can get us the list. Then we need to talk to the head of the agency, Iskar.”

“I can speak to him,” says Dante from his holding pen. We all look up at him and then the boys look at me. They’re waiting to see if I’ve decided what to do with him. I still don’t know the answer to that, but I guess there’s only one way to find out.

“I’ll have Quinn set up a meeting,” I say. “If anyone is speaking to him, it’s me.”