Page 30 of Breaking Sanity
I: It’s been too long, Caine.
Chapter 6
Vaughn
My morning routine has always been the same after I left the military. Wake up at five, go for a run, eat breakfast, go a few rounds in the ring with Nik or another guy from my unit, and then shower. This isn’t any different except the added company. Nik joined me for my run and just stuck around.
He is acting normal but still something feels off. He hasn’t really spoken since last night, which is strange. Hell, he didn’t even acknowledge Carson. I expect that from Baron and Gunner. They pretend he doesn’t exist the majority of the time, but Nik will at least say hi. It’s not like him to ignore someone. He hasn’t been like that since high school.
I know he is a little ticked about yesterday, which is understandable given our new little prisoner. The girl does know how to make an entrance. She also likes to touch what doesn’t belong to her. That definitely needs correcting. Her entire fucking attitude needs correcting, and I would love to do it. A little pissed I didn’t get the option to claim her.
“I have to go round up Baron’s patient,” I say, drying my hair with the towel.
“You are seriously sticking to this? Gunner might dismember you if you actually harm her.” Nik almost looks as if I kicked his puppy. In a sense, I guess he could look at it like that since she acts like a rabid bitch. As entertaining as it was to watch her fight him, her making him bleed pissed me the fuck off.
“Yes, we need to figure out how to tame her, unless you want to have another scar. Plus, Gunner hasn’t been able to kick my ass for years so he can try. “
“She’ll find out soon that I bite back. But I won’t stop you. Know this though, if he blacks out and beats the shit out of you, I am not helping. You will be on your own.”
“Deal, but don’t tell him just yet, yeah? He just got back from collecting this morning and I’m not sure what mood he is in.”
“Done.” He agrees, storming out.
I grind my teeth together as he slams my door. I should kick his ass just for that. Both of them have anger issues that they need to sort out, and Baron is no fucking help in that category.
Pulling my shirt over my head, my door quietly reopens causing me to freeze for a second. I’m not in the mood for getting attacked a second time. Annie’s bullshit attempt was enough.
By the sound of shuffling feet, I know it’s my youngest brother. Carson never learned how to pick up his feet no matter how many sessions he had with Melinda. I asked him why he didn’t stop after I had to pick his broken body from the shed floor. He said he didn’t do it because Gunner said it was adorable. If he knew why Gunner told him that he would have rethought doing it.
“She’s up,” he says. “She didn’t fall asleep until about a couple of hours ago.”
“What was she doing?”
“Pacing the room and she did throw one of the lamps at the full length mirror. Luckily it’s not real glass so it didn’t break.”
“And the other?”
“She slept until about two in the morning. She woke up screaming and crying. Then Alley went to comfort her and they both fell asleep cuddled up.”
“Where is Alley now?”
“She just finished with breakfast. Then she is scheduled to shower.”
“I’ll take her to the showers.”
“Oh,” Carson finally goes from business to devious.
“Not likethat,Carson, she’s not mine. I just want to take her directly from the showers to Baron without incident.”
“Oh,” he says disappointed.
“But don’t give her clothes, just a robe.”
I wink ushering Carson and myself to the hallway. I lock my room before we head our separate directions. After Annie broke in, I have kept it locked if I am not in there or I’m sleeping. I am still not sure who helped her escape her room and get to mine without getting caught. She wouldn’t give up the traitor during our little talk, so I dealt the only punishment necessary.
A few days ago
“Who helped you?” I get in her tear-streaked face. She’s been nonstop sobbing since I started this interrogation and I’m done with it. She’s only doing this to herself.
