Page 85 of Beautiful Soldier

I flick my gaze to Johnny, but he doesn’t balk at the information. In fact, he looks relieved. “Good. We all have some strategizing to do.”

Since we’re about to have even more company, I slink to the closet.

Johnny chuckles from his spot on the bed. “I promise you Oscar and Brawler will be more than happy to see you in a towel.”

I give him a wink over my shoulder and let the towel drop, shaking my ass for them both before pulling on a pair of Johnny’s sweats that I’ve commandeered and one of Oscar’s football shirts.

When I turn, Magnum and Johnny are both staring. At this point, they’ve all seen me naked, so why bother? Also, if I spearhead the clothes are optional campaign, I’ll see more skin, and I’m all fucking over that. “Wipe the drool, boys,” I tease, which lets air fill the room again. There’s so much tension holding it back. It might be sexual or real-life danger heaviness. Take your pick.

On my way back to the bed, I take Jacob’s hand and lead him there. He’s not just going to hover in the background anymore. He’s one of us. He’s one of mine.

“Are you going to be okay?” he asks Johnny, searching his injuries.

“He didn’t break anything,” Johnny mumbles. “I’ll just have a fucked up face for a couple of weeks.”

I lean over, kissing his cheek. “Not possible. Nothing about your face is fucked.”

He gives me a look like he doesn’t believe me, and yeah, sure, he’s messed up right now, but nothing could detract from his hotness factor.

Magnum’s phone pings. He pulls it out of his pocket. “They’re coming up the elevator right now.”

I heave myself off the bed. “I’ll go let them in.”

I hurry out of the room before either one of them protest and get to the door when the knock comes. I open it, and Oscar pushes inside first. He captures me in his arms, lifting me off my feet. He’s wearing his hat backward again. A look I love on him. He doesn’t say anything, just hugs me until he sets me on my feet, and Brawler’s arms surround me from behind. His hot breath hits my ear as he presses a chaste kiss to my neck. “You okay?”

I nod, feeling myself relaxing already now that we’re all together. “Come on,” I tell them. “We’re all in the bedroom.”

“Meeting in the bedroom? I could get down with that.” We walk inside, and Oscar stops. “Dude. Fuck. Are you okay?” His concern strikes me, considering they’d just fought earlier. Though, you’d have to be heartless to see Johnny’s face and not care.

“I’ll get over it,” Johnny mumbles.

I can tell he doesn’t like being singled out as being hurt, but he’s going to have to get over that. We’re a team.

We all take spots on the bed, and I size them up. If this is going to be a regular thing, I’m going to need a bigger bed. We wouldn’t fit on here if we were all lying down. Not that my mind should be headed in that direction, but if you’re surrounded by four hot guys and your mind doesn’t go there, there’s probably something off with your libido. Just sayin’.

Brawler’s hand traces down my back. Magnum’s on my right and Johnny and Oscar are across from us. “Tell us everything.”

Johnny reiterates the story since he’s the one who was involved in most of it. The shock and anger that splays over Bat’s face warms me. “I hope you killed the fucker.”

I scoff. “I wish.”

Johnny continues, confessing to everyone that he didn’t kill Jiko because he knows what it’s like. He tells us his friend isn’t a bad guy, and I want to disagree with him, but I see where he’s coming from. He was between a rock and a hard place with the devil the only way out. I’ve been there before. Made decisions I didn’t want to but had to. That’s why I’m here.

“What’s going to happen now?” Oscar asks. “Do we have to worry about any more repercussions from K?”

Johnny shakes his head. “No, he’s done. He dished out the punishment, and for all he knows, we complied. He won’t even bring it up again.”

“Easy for him. He wasn’t the one beaten to a pulp or made to screw someone.” I reach for Magnum’s hand on the bed, so he knows I don’t mean anything against him. I wanted that part. Sure, I would rather our first time be more personal, but it is what it is. Hopefully, we’ll have a lot of time to make up for it.

Mag squeezes back.

“Alright, so...” Oscar says. “We got the fight coming up. Brawler’s initiation tasks, whatever they may be. And we still have to worry about the next move Gregory might make. Did I get everything?”

“We need to keep Kyla away from my dad,” Johnny says.

“Right. Because that will be easy.”

Johnny lets out a breath. “I want her to move in with one of you guys. I want her as far away from here as she can get.”

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