“I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know?”I finally say, my voice low, almost to myself.“This...”I pause, searching for the right words, “...this mess, it’s not how we do things.”
I feel the weight of my words hang in the air between Scout and me.The code we live by is simple—no-nonsense and straightforward.Nothing about what’s happened in the past couple of days fits into the way we handle business.I can’t shake the feeling that something bigger is at play, and that unsettles me.
The door to the clubhouse opens, and Vex walks in.He’s paler than usual, his face a little more drawn.He moves toward me with that serious look on his face that tells me it’s time to listen.
“We’re in the clear,” he says, his voice steady, but there’s tension in his words that’s hard to ignore.“No one knew we had a deal with Alec.”
“Alec?”I repeat, confused for a second.“His name was Alec?”
Vex nods.“Yeah.He lived alone, stocking up for winter.I guess he thought he could get away with it.”
I rub my jaw, trying to make sense of it all.“Thought he could get away with it?”
The whole situation still feels off.Alec was just a small-time homesteader, but trying to screw us over?And then pulling a gun?That doesn’t sit right.
“Well...”Vex continues, his tone flat, “...he underestimated who he was dealing with.Had no clue who he was fucking with.”He meets my eyes.“But it’s done.We covered our tracks, and we’re in the clear.No one’s coming after us.”
I let out a slow breath, still not quite sure if I trust this is over.But for now, it’s the closest thing to good news I’ve had all day.
“All right, but we keep our eyes open,” I tell him, my voice firm.
Vex gives a quick nod, his gaze flicking to Scout, who’s been silently watching the exchange.“It’s good to see you, brother.”
Scout laughs, his blond hair falling into his eyes.“Yeah.It’s good to be home.”
Scout is our tail gunner, and he’s been in the Yukon, visiting with some of his people.He needs to connect with them from time to time to make sure they are well and for his sanity.
“How’s Tink?”Vex asks with a smirk, his eyes glinting with mischief.
“Her name is Mira,” Scout responds with a faint smile.“And she’s good.”
Mira is Scout’s girl, living up in the Yukon with his people.He talks about her sometimes, but none of us have met her.
“Where’s she going to spend the winter?”I ask.
Scout shifts his weight, rocking back on his heels, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips.“Here.”
Vex grins and lightly punches him in the arm.“Way to go!How’d you convince her to come?”
Scout rubs the back of his neck, looking a little awkward.“Her father told her she has to go.”
“Does she want to come?”I ask.
Scout shrugs, his face serious now.“Not really, but their home’s overcrowded as it is, and her father knows I’ll keep her safe from any threats.”His gaze locks on Vex, sharp and pointed.
“I’m no threat to her,” Vex states.
“There’s talk that you haven’t gone hunting with Kyler,” Scout counters, his tone steady.“You might be fine, but is he?”
Vex’s lips turn down into a firm line, and he locks eyes with me, his voice steady.“I’m going to take him.The time needs to be right, that’s all.”
“Can you do it before Mira comes?You’re the first of your kind that hasn’t tried to kill me as soon as they meet me.I don’t want Mira ending up a casualty because you haven’t trained him.”
Ever since Kyler showed up, Vex has made it his mission to avoid him.As a result, Kyler has had a hard time finding his place here.Vex is my VP, and if he doesn’t trust a new member, it makes everyone else question the guy’s loyalty.The only one who actively makes time for Kyler is Fury, and though I trust Fury completely, he’s my sergeant at arms, and his influence can be a double-edged sword.He’s got a way of pointing people down paths that aren’t always the best for them.
Scout cocks his head to the side, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.“Heard a rumor about you, Prez.”
I raise an eyebrow, looking at him.“Is that so?”
