Page 54 of Cade

“I tried to lift her from me, but she wouldn’t let go. It wasn’t pleasant,” he said, staring at his boots.

“She didn’t file charges,” said Cade, “but Bodhi’s been living with the guilt of that for years. It was her fault, totally her fault. She was so drunk, she didn’t care that she was splitting herself in two.”

“May I?” said Piper, walking toward the group of men.

“Fuck me, I forgot we had women on board,” said Cade. He looked at his brother apologetically, shaking his head.

“It’s alright, Cade. We talk about dicks all the time,” smiled Piper.

“Really?” asked Cade.

“No, not really!” she laughed. “But we’re not stupid. Look, Bodhi, it sounds like you had an awful experience that wasn’t of your own making. Now, could you have done different things? Yes. But I’m going to bet that the young woman learned her lesson. Rory is a big man, Bodhi.”

“Uh, babe,” smirked Rory. She held up a finger.

“He’s a big man, and I was a virgin.” The men squirmed a bit, and Piper just shook her head at them. “Why in the hell can you talk to one another about this but not speak about it in front of women. We’re the recipients of those magical dicks.”

“Oh, good Lord,” said Tory, standing to help her friend.

“Look, Bodhi, talk to Vivienne. She’s a beautiful, intelligent woman who wants you. We’ve all been there, and we’ve all experienced ‘first times’ with our men. We heard you saying how lucky you are to have us, but we’re equally lucky to have all of you. You’re brave, smart, handsome, funny, and yes, we talk. You’re all stellar in the sack.”

“Babe!” yelled Gabriel.

“Oh, hush! It’s therapeutic, and you guys could learn a thing or two. Look, Bodhi, I don’t know what your magical dick looks like, and I really don’t care, but I’m going to bet that young woman tells her story to all her friends. She’s a user, and she made you feel bad because you knew you were hurting her. She didn’t care.

“Now, you can sit here and feel guilty about it, or you can pick yourself up and grab that beautiful woman back home waiting for you. Waiting for you, Bodhi, not your magical dick.” Tory started to walk away and then changed her mind, turning back. “Well, just to be clear, she probably wants the magical dick as well as you.”

Going back to her seat, she and Piper grinned at one another, Rory and Gabriel shaking their heads.

“Just be you, brother,” said Cade. “You’re my big brother. My protector and I have no doubt that you will protect Vivienne as well. Be happy.”

The others nodded at Bodhi and Cade.

“Be happy,” whispered Bodhi with a slight grin. He nodded.

“If you girls are done with your chit-chat now,” said Luke. He heard a clearing of throats and turned, blushing. “Sorry, ladies. I didn’t mean it that way. If you’re done, we know that we’re going to beat Hausman to Malaysia. The team has been able to tap into the devices he’s carrying in the briefcase.”

“The idiot was able to block the tracking of his phone but didn’t think about the tracking devices in the injections,” smirked Cam. “Our German comrade is following him, and we hope to be able to stop him before he meets with anyone.” Eric nodded, staring at the team.

“Get some sleep. You’re going to need it.” He turned to Bodhi, gripping his friend’s forearm. “Bodhi? It’s all going to work out, I promise you.” Bodhi smiled.

“I know. Now, I know.”

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