Page 12 of Property of Camo

“What’s with the boy?”

“He needs lessons. He has a faded bruise on his face and fresh ones on his wrists.”

“Who did it?” His nostrils flare in anger; I know how he feels, hell, we all do.

We all came from shitty homes and escaped the second we could.

“I am going to talk to him to find out. He is going to come here after school when he can and sit in on some lessons. For payment, he is going to do some light cleaning and get some food in his belly, because he is fucking thin, Clark.”

“You tell me who the fucker is who hurt him and I will make them pay for hurting him.”

I softly rub his bicep, loving how amazing my friends are. They do not know Aston from Adam but they will jump through a ring of fire to help him.

None of us like seeing kids get hurt, but it really makes our blood boil when it is family who hurts them.

Giving him a nod and stepping back over to Aston, I see he is still looking around nervously.

“Come with me,” I call to him, and he jumps off his seat, following me into the room that is the shared office that the four of us use.

I point to the chair, letting him know to sit. I hate seeing the fear and uncertainty in his eyes, and it hurts my heart.

Kids should feel joy, love, and fun, not fear and hunger.

“I have spoken to my business partner, and he is happy for you to help around here when you can, and in return you can train with any one of us who are teaching a class, and you will eat and drink what you need from the staff lounge as you will be staff. That sound good?”

He nods. “I can do that. My mom and the twat-waffle do not care where I am most of the time,” he gruffs.

“Okay, rule one. No swearing.” He looks to his feet. “You are allowed to speak to us about anything but you show respect. Rule two, you come to any of us to let us know that you are here and when you are leaving. You leave before it gets dark; I will not have you walking around after dark, okay?” He nods.

“Thank you, Skyla.”

“Now, who did that?” I point to his face.

“My mom’s new boyfriend. He hates me, always tells my mom to kick me out. But she won’t because she gets money and food stamps because I live there.” He shrugs and it breaks my heart.

I shake my head, fucking hating people who should never be allowed to have kids.

“Do you have a cell?” He nods.

“A friend from school gave me his old one, in case of emergencies.”

“He is a good friend. We all need good people in our lives. Here.” I scribble my number down on a piece of paper for him, adding my friends’ also. “Call me or anyone on that list and we will come for you. Got it?”

“I will. Thank you.”

“Have you told the school what has been happening at home?”

“Yeah. My mom tells them that I am making it up because I am jealous of her boyfriend taking her attention away from me.” He sniffs.

“Her attention should be on you, honey. Parents should always put their kids first; I am sorry that this is happening to you.”

He goes to speak, but the office door opens, making Aston jump. I push to my feet, moving closer to the boy, and my heart skips a beat seeing Camo stepping over the threshold.

It has been a week since I last saw him, but I refuse to admit to him, or myself if I am being honest, that I missed him. I need to stand my ground when it comes to him, not let him win whenever he pulls a bullshit move like he did recently.

His strong body moves with such force that no one would step in his way to stop him. The side of his lips quirk up, his gaze lazily moving over my body, and heat curls through me.

Fucking damn it.

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