Phoenix (The Boys of Brooke Hollow Academy Book 4) by Charlie Jules & Stacy Stone

Author:Charlie Jules & Stacy Stone [Jules, Charlie & Stone, Stacy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SVM Publishing
Published: 2023-09-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Twenty-One

COLTON

I think we fell down a rabbit hole on the sidewalk. Unless Ava’s just into trying to look like Alice and making me feel like we’re in Wonderland.

Is it weird that I’ve gotten this far in life without ever having had a picnic? Probably. Is it surprising given the line of work my family is in? Probably not. I don’t know, but as we all sit down on Ava’s checkered fucking blanket, I get why Maverick tried to bolt.

This is way too Stepford-y for me. Yet, Skye is smiling as she sits down with Ava and that Sterling guy, so I guess we’re staying.

While Aaron and Phoenix talk about Frankie Hayes and Dylan falls into a deep but quiet conversation with Alistaire, Maverick and I end up next to each other, both of us sitting with our spines ramrod straight and our arms crossed. It feels wrong to be out in the open like this. I know we’re in a supposedly secure compound, but shit.

This park is huge. I can’t even see the end of the lush green lawn as it stretches into a copse of trees on the far side. We’re surrounded on three sides by streets lined with neat, single-family homes, and there’s no indication that there’s a sniper in a window pointing a muzzle at us, but my heart is still beating too fast, my palms sweaty as I glance around.

“You’re safe here,” a steely, rough voice announces from the other side of the blanket and I start until I realize it was Sterling.

People say my eyes are gray, but his are like gunmetal and it sets my teeth on edge because I also see the telltale bulge of a gun under his t-shirt. I jerk my chin at it. “If that’s true, why are you packing?”

“Presidents’ orders. Ava is precious to them. She’s not to be unprotected under any circumstances.” There’s zero inflection in his gravelly voice, but I still see worry in his eyes. His shoulders are held as tight as mine and Maverick’s and his features are set as hard and sharp as Dylan’s usually are.

Another sign of his obvious discomfort is the press of his tongue against the ring in his lip. I can see the bulge of it whenever he toys with it on the inside of his mouth, but he doesn’t make it so obvious as to tug it between his teeth or let his tongue peek out. But still, this guy’s uncomfortable. And worried.

I frown, but Mav suddenly cocks his head. “I’m assuming there’s no need for introductions.”

“Nope.” Those steel-colored gaze rests on Mav’s and it’s hard, but I also think I see the barest glimmer of curiosity. Possibly even respect, but he still doesn’t trust us. That’s for damn sure. “Maverick Jameson and Colton Baker. I wish I could say it was nice to finally meet you.”

To my surprise, Maverick’s still not frowning or looking as on edge as I feel. In fact, he smirks at the guy and blows out a sharp breath through his nostrils.

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