Page 54 of Warrior

Mila and Skylar joined us, while grumpy Thad declined the invitation.I couldn’t blame him.Once upon a time,Iwas the grumpy one too.I was lucky they’d invited me.Maybe absence really did make the heart grow fonder, or maybe they simply needed an excuse to party.

As we made our way out, a wave of longing for King hit hard.I pushed it aside.

Jax’s Bar was about a mile from my old living quarters.The place was smoky, lit by dim candlelight, and carried a stale odor the smoke couldn’t mask.There was no menu because Jax’s only served two things: hooch and popcorn.Somehow, Jax had commandeered, bribed, or outright stole hundreds of pounds of popcorn kernels, and he popped a fresh batch every day.It was heavy on the salt and devoid of butter.It was a rare treat, and on my first visit, I’d gorged myself until I thought my stomach would explode.After I stopped going, Kara would sneak some in her pockets and bring it back to our living quarters for me.That was nice of her.

Still, let’s not kid ourselves.There was only one real reason to come to Jax’s, and that was the hooch.

Even the memory burned my throat.After my father died, I’d wanted nothing more than to drink myself into oblivion, which was how I ended up at Jax’s on my very last visit.It had taught me a hard lesson.Alcohol was better left for times of desperation.My father wouldn’t have approved of me drinking to dim thoughts of him anyway.I’d never seen him touch so much as a drop.Everything he did was to keep me safe, and I owed it to him not to drown myself nightly, or even weekly, in booze.

King had told me alcohol would have little effect on me now, and I planned to use that to my advantage.When Landan ordered the first round, I slammed the glass back without hesitation.The liquid scorched my throat and burned all the way down to my stomach, and I let out an involuntary cry at the intensity.

King really should’ve mentioned that even if the alcohol didn’t affect me, it would still taste disgusting.

Kara gave me a few hearty slaps on the back while the others laughed.“It’ll put hair on your chest,” she joked.

It would be hysterical if I shifted right now and showed Kara whatreallyput hair on my chest.Of course, I wouldn’t.

Run.

Yes, Ms.Beast, I know you want out.But I’ll decide when.

A sharp jab to my kidney followed.

Stop.

She quieted instantly, and I took a shallow breath as the ache faded.

“Tell us about your new position,” Kara demanded playfully, downing her first drink like a seasoned pro.She barely grimaced at the burn.

My guard stayed near the door, far enough away that he couldn’t hear the conversation.I’d made sure not to invite him over.

Nonchalantly, I spilled the beans.“I was promoted to my father’s position.”I grinned, letting them know I didn’t take myself too seriously as I added, “I’m Secretary of Defense now.You should probably call mema’am.”

Kara’s eyes widened so much I thought they might pop out of her head.

They fell silent.It was the kind of heavy quiet that made the air feel suffocating.

This wasn’t the reaction I’d expected.

It was Landan who finally broke the silence.“You’re one ofthemnow.”His words were flat, and he stared into his glass like he’d just found a bug floating in it.

I tried to meet each person’s gaze, but no one would look at me.I was missing something.Something big.

“I’ll never be one of them,” I declared, enunciating each word deliberately.

I needed to figure out what was happening.And fast.

Kara rolled her eyes, still refusing to meet my gaze.“Yeah, right,” she muttered, her tone dripping with disbelief.She pushed her chair back and stood.“I should probably be leaving.”

Turning to Landan, she added, “Next time we go out, I’ll buy the first round.”She took a step toward the door.

“Kara,” I said, grabbing her sleeve before she could leave.“I need to talk to all of you.Please, sit down.”

She glared at me, anger flashing across her face, but my promotion left her little choice.With a huff, she sank stiffly back into her chair.

“What’s going on?”I asked softly, keeping my voice low but pasting a smile on my face so the guard wouldn’t become suspicious.

Landan’s gaze swept over the group, his expression hard, daring anyone to speak.It was clear he was the one keeping them in line.

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