by Owens, C. M.
“I just assumed he would… because we had… you came to check in alone… you hid from his parents,” he stammers out.
He’s not usually so flustered. I’m used to cool, unfazed, and composed Hale. I turn back to await Clay’s very slow analysis.
“He wasn’t exactly crazy about what happened, but he’s trying to understand. He actually loves me, and when you love someone you tend to work your ass off to keep them. He’s better than I deserve,” I mutter, and the last part was only meant for my ears. “His parents are just full blood assholes. I can’t stand them. I checked in alone because he had to check in the full bloods.”
Hale seems to be disappointed and a little shocked by Brazen’s true love for me. I feel like an idiot for spending so many years of my life loving a man who never loved me. I feel like a stupid bitch for letting myself want him so badly right now.
“There’s no infection in your blood. That’s a damn good thing. You can head on up now. The rest of the compound is on lockdown, so no one will be seeing you wearing a blanket,” Clay says very casually while pretending as if he hasn’t been listening to mine and Hale’s conversation.
“Thanks,” I murmur softly, and then I rush away from the lingering eyes of the man who will forever leave me boggled and confused.
I head up the silent stairs with only the sounds of whispered worries edging out from behind the secured doors. I open the door to my apartment to see Brazen’s anxious face turning to face me. Relief fills his eyes as his whole body visibly relaxes, and he rushes over to scoop me up.
“I’ve been so fucking worried. What the hell happened?” he gushes while squeezing me almost too tightly.
“The new breed hybrid came back to life, killed the doctor, and then the doctor came back to life as well. It’s a fucking hybrid zombie apocalypse or some shit. I had to take a radiation shower in case the infection spread to me,” I babble.
I walk to the bedroom to pull out some clothes, and I drop the blanket to the floor as I dress myself with a pair of skimpy shorts and a lacy camisole.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” he gushes as he follows me into the room. “Are you okay?”
“Clay wouldn’t have let me go if my blood hadn’t checked out. As for the rest, I’ll let him fill you in later. I just want to curl up in your lap and do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day since we’ll be on lockdown until they find out if it’s viral or not. I don’t have the answers you’ll need anyways.”
He sighs out, and then he pulls out his phone while motioning for me to come to him. I wrap my arms around his neck, and his soft lips brush my forehead as his angst-ridden breaths cool my hair.
“Were you attacked? I at least want to know that much,” he huffs.
“No. The thing lunged at us, but I threw it into the wall. For some reason it suffers from light sensitivity. It’s a devolved savage, a true devolved savage. It’s nothing like our savages. It apparently shows up even after death has been declared. It’s really almost like an animal,” I grunt, and he scoops me up to push his lips against mine.
“I came here expecting to find you. I thought it was just a minor security breach, and I assumed they were overreacting because of how many of the United were here. I tried to go find you, and they damn shut off all access to anything below. How did you get back?”
“Clay let me leave since I checked out, and he radioed ahead to make a path for me. I just wanted to get back to you. I knew you’d be here,” I murmur as my lips move back to his.
He smiles against my kiss, and then we move to the couch where he pulls me tighter to his chest. His lips begin stroking mine as he flips on the television. I smile as he turns it to a movie that showcases the old world and how simple it was.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I should have went to the lab with you before starting the check-ins. I didn’t think about something like this happening,” he murmurs guiltily.
“What? You didn’t expect the new hybrid to rise from the dead and go animal savage?” I sardonically joke. “How very thoughtless of you.”
He rolls his eyes, and then his lips press gently against my forehead again.
“I should have been there. I’m glad you were able to kill it before it got to you. That had to be terrifying, baby,” he coos.
Hale killed it. Not me.
“Honestly, seeing your mother was more terrifying,” I mumble, and he accidentally lets a laugh escape.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was coming. She and Miles are here as representatives for the Metropolis. She and my father have set up at my place, so I’ll be staying with you tonight.”
This time I laugh, and I shake my head as I scoot in closer to him.
“I didn’t kill the hybrid,” I grumble while returning to the rest of his statement.
I can’t lie to him. He’ll find out eventually who was down there with me.
“It’s still alive?” he gasps.
“No. After your mother bombarded me in the hallway, she wanted to interrogate me about why my ring was on the wrong hand. Hale interrupted her attempt, and he followed me to the lab to find out what the results were. He killed the hybrid after I threw it into the light.”
Brazen’s jaw tenses the moment Hale’s name is released into the air, and his grip on me changes.
“Why were you with Hale to begin with?” he strains out while trying to stay calm.
“I had to check in. Your father was walking down the hall when I tried to leave the first time. I ran and hid - pathetic I know. Your mother was coming toward me the second time, and she caught up with me before I could properly disappear. That’s all I was doing - checking in. It was outside his apartment, not inside.”
He relaxes slightly, and I feel air entering his lungs again. I kiss his neck very softly, and he squirms a little under my seductive touch.
“So you don’t want to be with him?” he asks very insecurely.
Yes. No. Hell, I don’t know. I want you too.
“I want to be with the only man who has ever really loved me - you,” I answer purposely indirectly.
His lips cover mine, and his grip tightens around my waist. I feel his erection bulging between my legs as I straddle him, and then my door opens without someone so much as even knocking.
“Oh. I’m so sorry. I was expecting it to just be Araya,” Clay stammers out with embarrassment, and Hale steps in behind him while allowing his eyes to catch mine briefly before looking away.
I huff as I dismount Brazen, but he tugs at my waist to keep me in his lap. Hale’s dark, wet hair glistens under the light, and his half buttoned white shirt reveals the top of his perfectly smooth chest while his dark jeans hang low enough to make me visualize the immaculate body I know is hidden. My mind inadvertently flashes back to his erection in our radiation shower, and I shiver slightly. He smirks to himself, but it’s only temporary. His brooding expression returns within a small second.
“We have a lot to talk about, but the good news is, the infection is not viral. Just as the virus carried by the full bloods, the new hybrid virus is going to have to be injected through the blood bringers or ingested through the mouth. The bad news is, the virus mutates when they’re in their savage form. While in their sane state of mind, they infect others to be like them. While in their savage frame, they infect others to be just as savage as they are. I’m not sure how in the hell it came back to life, but I think it has something to do with the unfinished code in this virus. It’s as if they only halfway engineered it before stopping for some reason. Until we know more, all nations - United and unaligned alike - will be on high alert. Absolutely no one wants another outbreak, and we’re reaching out to neighboring United members outside the region. You’ll come in handy here, Brazen, since you know so many outside of our network. The other leaders will be a little less lax on formalities than I, so please behave,” he murmurs, and the last part was solely pointed at me, his eyes digging into mine.
“I’ll b
e on my best behavior, Commander Jude, Sir,” I retort while saluting.
Hale stifles a grin while covering his mouth, and Brazen smiles as he kisses my head. Clay scowls at me before rolling his eyes, and then he sits down beside us.
“They’ll be here in a about five days, and it’s going to be hectic in this small compound. The reason I asked Hale to come tonight is because I want to know with certainty the two of you can get along in front of the other leaders. We were going over to your place when I finished speaking to Araya.
“I don’t want the other regions knowing two of my finest captains are on restrictions, so I’m lifting the verbal restraint. You can communicate one on one without supervision as long as you don’t lose your cool in front of the others.”
Hale and Brazen exchange an icy glance, and then they both nod at Clay.
“And you,” Clay exasperates while honing in on me. “Can you work with Hale and Brazen while remaining professional in front of the others? No overly exaggerated show of affection toward Brazen, and no arguing, snapping, or barking at Hale. Treat both of them as you would any other captain. Understood?”
I roll my eyes, and then I climb out of Brazen’s lap to sit on the arm of the couch.
“I think I’ve been acting very professional with Captain Banner, and I dated Captain Mordel for months in secrecy at Javeline. I know how to be covert,” I snark.
“I knew the day you conceded to his request for courtship,” Clay chirps while giving me his condescendingly smug smirk.
“Ass,” I mumble to myself.
“Just be professional. Some of these people consider it a high offense to be spoken to with casual demeanor. Some are as laid back as I am. Just find your medium. This is the first time we’ve all come together in a long time.”
“I promise I’ll be a good girl, Commander Jude.”
Hale stands up, and he and Brazen nod to each other as a sign of truce for the time being. Clay sighs as he stands up, and I can see the stress still in his eyes. I suppose being the commander is tough enough without having to worry about our fucked up triangle.
“I’m lifting the lockdown now that we have the threat contained and we know it’s not airborne.”
“Crap,” Brazen huffs accidentally.
“Something wrong, Captain?” Clay muses.
I giggle to myself, my eyes shifting from Brazen to Hale by accident. I always share jokes with Hale, but I can’t right now. I look away, my amusement slipping.
“My mother is here,” he grumbles. “I was hoping she’d stay locked up for the night.”
Hale smiles lightly while looking at me, suddenly realizing why I had giggled and turned to him. It feels good to at least have that little bit of normalcy back. Clay stifles a laugh of his own while shaking his head.
“Sorry, Captain, but I’m afraid I can’t leave us locked down just to keep Mrs. Mordel at bay.”
Brazen smirks, and then he sighs as he leans back into the chair. Clay walks over to hand me my ring back, and I smile as I slide it back onto my right hand.
“Hale said you wanted to keep it, so I had it analyzed for any traces of blood. The radiation shower could cause it to rust though. You might want to look into replacing it.”
“I’ll do that,” Brazen coos while his lips stroke the back of my hand, and he looks up at me hopefully.
Hale winces under the insinuating comment, and I feel guilty for making him watch this even though I shouldn’t.
He fucking cheated on you girl! Have some damn self respect.
“Angelica and Grayson?” I chirp to interrupt the impending proposal Brazen’s eyes are promising.
“They’re together in her home, but Nicholas was locked down on the east side. He’s been worried about you,” Clay answers.
“Me? He should know better than to worry about me,” I chuckle out.
“I’m just glad Hale was there to put the creature down. From now on, you’re not allowed to go on any solo missions of any sort. Until we know what the hell they’re after or what they’re trying to do, no one goes anywhere at all without someone else. I’m going to assign everyone a roommate until this is resolved.”
“You can assign me to Araya’s room for as long as my parents are here,” Brazen grumbles. “We’ll go to my place though if they’re leaving soon.”
Everyone shares a bit of a giggle - well, except for Hale for some reason.
“They’re going to stay until all matters are resolved. I had already assumed you’d be staying with Araya. I’ve got others to tend to now. I’ll see you both later,” he murmurs softly, and Brazen jerks me back to his body in a way that makes me laugh.
Hale’s eyes turn to give me a glimpse of envy, and then he swishes out completely. He is so frustrating, and I’m tired of trying to figure him out. My lips claim Brazen’s, and he jerks my hips to his body to let me feel how badly he wants me right now.
“I love you, baby,” he murmurs against my lips.
“I love you,” I utter while smiling into the kiss, and then he lifts me up while walking to the bedroom.
I feel the bed beneath me, and then his body falls to mine as he grips my ass.
Brazen. Definitely Brazen.
Chapter 7
Shattered Secrets
“I suggest steering clear of the market and shopping centers. My mother won’t be able to hide indoors,” Brazen grouses while clipping his captain’s badge to his belt.
“I’ve got back-to-back-to-back interrogations this morning. I doubt I’ll run into her there. If I do, I won’t be the one wanting to hide. That’s the one place I never fight fair,” I murmur deviously, and he smirks while smoothing his lips over mine.
“I actually hope my mother swings by in that case,” he jokes, and I laugh lightly before walking out with him.
“You want to do lunch, or will you be too busy?” he asks while kissing the back of my hand.
“I’ll have to call you when I know for sure. It depends on how quickly I can wrap up the list I’ve got waiting.”
“There you are, darling,” Greta coos from behind, and I instantly try to drop Brazen’s hand.
Damn stalking mother! Crap.
He clings to me, not allowing my hand to escape, and then he even pulls me closer as she rushes over to hug him.
“I looked everywhere for you after the lockdown, but you wouldn’t answer my calls,” she grumbles.
“I stayed with Araya last night, and I left my phone on silent,” he lies.
His phone rang numerous times, but we were otherwise engaged for the better part of the night. I almost wish I could rub her bitch face in that.
“I see,” she rolls out in distaste. “I suppose she didn’t want you to talk to me,” she says, her eyes slicing through me like uranium tipped blades.
“I told you, my phone was on silent. Araya and I are together, so don’t start this again. I swear I won’t speak to you at all if you do.”
I lean into him after hearing his protective words, and his arm wraps around my waist to further emphasize his point. I almost want to pull his face to mine and plant an I-want-to-fuck-you-now kiss on him.
“I’ve already heard the two of you broke up because she went after another hybrid,” she murmurs with malicious intent, and her eyes wickedly cut toward me once again.
Balls. Loud mouth gossipers.
“That’s not why we broke up,” he growls. “We’re back together, and you can get the fuck over it or stay out of my fucking life. Excuse us, we have real things to worry about.”
He jerks me away from her, and I almost have to run to keep up with his vicious pace.
“I’m so sorry,” he huffs out guiltily.
“You didn’t do anything to apologize for,” I mutter in confusion.
“I’m sorry for my mother,” he sighs.
“Why? It’s not like you control her. She’s an individual with her own opinions - opinions you don’t share.”
He smiles lightly, and then he even let
s out a small laugh as his pace slows to a more feasible stride. He pulls me into his arms suddenly, and his lips tangle against mine.
“What?” I muse while grinning because of his infectious smile.
“You’re just very refreshing sometimes,” he snickers out.
“I’m not sure what I did to provoke this,” I mutter with a goofy grin.
“That’s why you’re so refreshing, baby,” he snickers out.
I’m confused by his amusement, but I don’t question him anymore because I’m relishing the sweet taste of his lips twisting with mine. His hands pin mine over my head as the wall presses against my back, and we ignore the scrutinizing eyes glaring their disbelief and distaste for our not-so-discreet make-out session.
“And I was worried you wouldn’t act professional,” Clay sardonically interrupts.
I laugh lightly against Brazen’s lips as he pulls back with a bashful smirk. Clay rolls his eyes, his exasperation growing.
“The other regions aren’t here yet, and that’s when you said I had to act professional,” I giggle out.
He rolls his eyes again and then crosses his arms over his chest very disapprovingly before saying, “I need you to interrogate your top three threats, and then I need you in the lab for a little while.
“Okay,” I grouse, and then I turn back to Brazen to offer him a sweet kiss rather than a steamy one. “I love you.”
“I love you, babe. Call me if you can do lunch,” he murmurs before kissing my forehead, and then he disappears out the front doors.
“You’re incorrigible you know,” Clay huffs.
“It just feels good to have someone be in love with me. I’m sorry if that aggravates you, Mr. Grumpy Pants,” I giggle out.
He rolls his eyes while stifling a grin of his own, and then he shakes his head.
“I swear,” he mumbles. “I hate it when you make me smile while I’m trying to scold you. It steals my thunder.”
I loop my arm through his while snickering, and we make our way down the hall until an argument stops us in our tracks. My moment of lightheartedness ends abruptly as I stare at the hybrid who always stops my heart.