Always Crew

They came from the other side of the house, and Blaise turned around, looking past me.

Frustration evident on his face as he started walking toward me. “Aspen, I told you—”

The body hit me first before thin arms wrapped around my stomach. A head buried into my shoulder blades. Another body hit me from the side. More arms around me.

“Scootch over. I want in here, too.” And I got a hug from the other side.

A fourth person walked around, and I eyed Jade with nearing alarm.

She grinned, shaking her head. “No worries. I’m glad you’re obviously okay, but I’m not a huggy person.”

The person behind me gave me an extra squeeze before letting go, and walked around, too. “Not true. She hugs me.” Aspen shot me a grin before turning to her boyfriend. “And if you think I hear you say, ‘Oh shit, something’s wrong with Bren. Gotta go,’ and I’m not coming to be here for her, you’re a moron. I’m not dating a moron, so I know you’re not going to question me again about why I came to make sure my friend is okay.”

Blaise glowered at her, but after a moment of both sharing a look, he sighed and held open his arms. Aspen walked right into them, tipping her head back and smiling at him.

The two girls let go, stepping back.

Angeline was blushing. I’m not sure why.

Veronica was half-glaring at Zeke, half-looking like she was eye-fucking him.

He was doing the same, except a lot less of the ‘eye-fucking’ and his hostility level was amped way higher. “What do you want, Nut Kicker?”

She smiled, and it looked like pure evil for a moment. “Look at you. All foreplay, Allen.”

Jade snorted, laughing. “Oh my God, you two. I don’t understand. I don’t understand at all.” She asked me, “But you’re okay, right? You look fine.”

“I—”

A third vehicle roared up, slamming to a stop. This one was louder and bigger, and I knew that engine.

Good Lord, I could only guess who had called them?

These guys were quiet, and I knew that so I was still watching for them. The others had stilled, but didn’t look back. They were waiting for the sounds of running, doorbell, and pounding. Nope. Not these guys. It took only a second before Brock turned the corner, his Taser gun raised and ready.

He wasn’t alone, and they were all in their bounty hunting gear, all black, vests, everything.

Hawk was right behind him, sweeping out beside him.

They saw me, saw the others, but they didn’t stop running.

The weapons were checked and then Brock ran past everyone and picked me up. His arms wound around me tight. I watched over his shoulder as Hawk waited, a faint grin showing. She looked especially Vikings badass today. Her hair was pulled up on both sides of her face and wound into a high French braid that had volume to it. She had a couple feathers clipped into it, too, and her makeup looked even warrior-esque.

“Holy cripes.”

That was Veronica. She got a look at Hawk.

“Whoa.” Then, a smarmy, “What’s your name?” That was Zeke. He noticed Hawk, too.

But Brock was putting me back down, and I heard the rest of the cavalry arrive behind him.

He stepped back, his hands on my shoulders. “You’re okay?”

I nodded. “My brother?” That was the only guess I had.

He nodded back, grim. “He called. Said you were on the phone and heard you. He said the Reds might be here.” His eyes glanced around, ignoring how now Veronica, Jade, and Angeline were all checking him out and gawking. He settled back on me, taking a step backwards and letting go of my shoulders. “I’m seeing they’re gone.”

Shetland stepped up next to him.

I glanced down, still making sure I noticed his hands, but they were hitched to the sides of his vest. He tipped his chin up to me. “See you’re still in one piece, Ball Buster.”

I frowned. That was a new name from him. I spoke to him and Brock, and for Hawk because I knew she was listening, “I’m fine. Yes, they were here, but I’m okay. Everything’s okay.” I held my hands up. “I promise.”

Big and Burly ambled up, and Veronica’s eyes got huge. “Whoa! Who are these gigantic Magic Mikes?” She went back to looking at Brock. “You look like that guy from Outlander. Bren, where have you been hiding all the delicious people? And who else do you know?”

“What’s up, Little Monroe? Nice to see you’re still standing.”

I hid a grin. “I’m good, and… I can’t say anything else.”

Brock nodded. “Got it.” His face shuttered closed, though. He wasn’t happy.

“Sucks all those warrants went away like that? All disappearing in the wind like ash.” Shetland was eyeing Brock, the end of his mouth curved down.

Brock growled. “Can’t do anything about that.” He found me again. “You’re going to get another slew of arrivals in a couple hours. Your brother was on the way here, and he set the call in to your boyfriend. They shared notes. Neither was happy about how your crew got called away.”