Page 192 of Burn Like An Angel

“We have a peace offering.” Kade lifts the white, plastic bag in his hands. “Thai takeout.”

Looking at each other and silently deliberating, we leave them hanging. Hudson seems to say something to his brother, a stormy scowl carving his features as they both turn to face the others. Collectively, the group starts to leave.

I push past Xander to jab the button. “Wait! Come up.”

“Ripley,” Lennox hisses.

Ignoring his protest, I press to give them access to the building.

“Okay, then.” Raine jostles on his feet.

The guys disappear from the camera as they walk inside. Lennox and Xander are both bitching while I wait for them to reappear on the second camera outside. They appear before a knock echoes on the door.

“Ripley,” Xander warns.

Ignoring him, I pull the door open. Two friendly hazel orbs meet mine. Kade can’t be much younger than us, though the dark circles beneath his black-framed glasses seem to age him.

“Hi.”

“Hello,” I reply timidly.

“Kade.” He gives an awkward wave. “From the intercom.”

Xander’s shoulder pushes into mine, forcing his way in front of me. “Can we help you?”

A pierced, black brow cocked, Hudson gestures to the takeout his brother is holding. “We brought dinner.”

“Why?” Lennox barks.

There’s a snort from the blue-haired guy behind them, holding the hand of the fourth member, who avoids looking at us altogether.

“This is going about as well as expected.”

“Phoenix,” Kade scolds before turning his attention back to us. “You don’t know us, but we’ve heard about your stories. You’ve probably heard some of ours. I figured we should all meet.”

Looking between them, I’m filled with confusion. “What about… uh, Brooklyn? Brooklyn West?”

The silent, curly-haired one at the back flinches. That must be Eli. He’s staring down at his shoes, a pair of ancient-looking Chucks, and seems deliberately secluded from the world around him.

When he finally looks up and I get a full view of his startling, rich-green eyes, I know he’s hurting. Whatever they’ve been through to get here, it’s left them battered and scarred. Just like us.

I offer him a tentative smile.

After a beat, Eli smiles back.

Phoenix is holding his hand in a white-knuckled grip. The pair seem glued at the hip. By comparison, Hudson and Kade feel like the team leaders, both standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

“She isn’t with us.” Hudson’s stubbled throat bobs. “It’s kind of a long story.”

Nodding, I hold the door open for them.

“We’ve got nothing but time.”

EPILOGUE

WHEN WILL WE BE FREE? – YOUNG LIONS

XANDER

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