Page 107 of The Deceptions
I understand immediately what he's saying. We all share pain in our lives. Some of us more than others. They understand what I go through with my dad. The only reason I'm able to come out with them tonight is because my dad is occupied with his newest apprentice. Someone who takes precedence over me. Everyone is above me in his eyes.
"No pain. No gain," Mack says in agreement.
"And the placement?" JJ asks.
Hux stares into my eyes intently, grabbing me by the soul and pulling me into him. That's what they are. That's what this means. We're soul mates. The four of us together. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. Always.
"On the ribs," I mutter.
Malic marches toward Hux with determination. They stand there. Nose to nose, glaring into each other's eyes. Their muscles tense in unison, and it makes me wonder where all the hate between the two of them came from?
"Hey, Simon. Why do they hate each other so much?" I don't take my eyes off them as they mutter words to each other.
"Rivals," Simon says with a dreamy smile. "Rumor has it that Mr. Viking is in a rival gang or something. You know this town is full of criminals and their underworld. Hux's not-so-real-daddy, is the leader of the Franco Syndicate. And Malic? Mmm. His boss is a shadow. That’s why we call them the Shades. No one knows who the boss man is. But he's a slimy fuck. They have a gym." Simon hiccups, shaking his head. "In the middle of town, where Malic and Wilder work. An all-dudes gym," he rolls his eyes.
"A gym," I surmise, nodding a few times and remembering the invitation from Wilder to spar and train there. "Interesting..." They have a gym that they help run for their shadowy boss? Weird. Normal gang leaders are out and proud about their criminal enterprise. So, why not this guy? Why does he hide in the shadows and use those two as the face of it all? Fuck. Just add that to the list of things I need to investigate while I’m here. I guess Jonathan was right. There’s a shit ton of moving parts to this case that I need to immerse myself in.
"They have fighting lessons there. Maybe I should go and get all tangled up and thrown to the ground," he giggles, covering his lips with his fingers.
Jordy snorts, "Why get thrown around by strange men when you have me?" He winks, and Simon melts, putting his head on Jordy's shoulder.
"So romantic, Jordy," Simon hums. "Throw me around later. I like it rough and dirty."
I gag. "Uh, please. None of that. I don't need to know about what's going to happen later." I cover my mouth with my fingers, pretending to gag again. Having images of my newly appointed best friend tangled up with my not-so-brother, has me aching to vomit everywhere.
Where’s the brain bleach when you need it?
"Next-next time, I'll try to be quiet. I'm a screamer," Simon says way louder than necessary with a giggle.
"Seriously, no more booze for you, big guy," Jordy chortles, pulling Simon closer to his body. "We'll make sure to get you home safe tonight."
The people around us don't notice our conversation once the fight starts. Hux and Malic stand tall, staring each other down without throwing the first punch.
"Come on! Hit him!" they all start to chant as they circle one another.
Malic grins at the crowd, taking his eyes off Hux for one split second, and meets my gaze for an uncomfortable amount of time, almost as if he’s saying something with his eyes. But what? I have no idea. Before I can examine why he’s looking at me, all hell breaks loose. They go at each other with vicious punches. Blood spurts from their noses and lips, and Hux's brow splits, running red down his face. Even then, the referee doesn't step in to stop anything as they continue to pound into each other. The crowd loses their shit. Jumping up and down and screaming at the violence before them.
It's so sad that a place that once meant a lot to the four of us has become this. Bloodshed. Violence.
I swallow back a few sips as a familiar twinge in my stomach causes my breath to leave my lungs. I put my hand there, slowly rubbing back and forth, hoping it’s from the fight and not what I think it's from. Stress should reduce the risk of my period coming. Besides, it's so erratic that it's hard to track my cycle.
Fuck.
The pain comes on again. A little more intense than the last one, squeezing my uterus like it’s trying to give birth. I squeeze my eyes shut, pleading it's just from the pain of Brutus and his vicious fists. Asshole. He's lucky he struck me before our time had started. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten a single blow in. I know next time, if I ever come back, that I won't be so damn lucky. Pain erupts in my jaw and my ribs. Again and again. It’s like my body is suddenly letting me know it’s revolting against the fight and everything else going on in my life right now.
Oh, God. I think I'm dying. It's all hitting me at once. My body rebels against me.
"I need to go to the bathroom." I toss a finger toward the bathrooms, hoping I can peek at the bruises forming under my binder and on my jaw, which feels like it's pulsating over my cheek.
Jordy blinks a few times, a smile encroaching on his lips. "Sure, man. Have a good piss in the men's bathroom."
Fuck.
My heart sinks.
The men's bathroom. I swallow hard. I've heard rumors of them being gross. Piss all over the floor and urinals. But I've never experienced it before. Not intentionally, at least. I've had those moments where I almost waltzed into the men's bathroom by accident. But this? I have to purposefully walk into the men's bathroom and do my business. Oh, God. My eyes flick to Jordy so fast, they nearly fall out of my head. My bladder screams at me now, begging me to relieve the pressure building. I can't wait. I have to go.
Maybe I should brave the woods outside. Piss on a tree and try not to get caught by all the drunk buffoons. They'd be in here, right? But how suspicious would that look? On the other hand, everyone thinks I have a dong, I could just water the bushes without going into the men's bathroom. Damn it.
