Defeat the Darkness Read Free Page B

interested when he realized Laurel was the Handler who helped save your worthless ass. He might stand you and me up, but I suspect he’ll show up for her.”
    â€œLast time I talked to Jarvis, he was pretty closemouthed about Fitzsimon’s problems.” Trahern looked at Devlin, obviously waiting for him to fill in the blanks.
    â€œAll I can say is that this guy’s problems make Penn Sebastian’s seem like a walk in the park.” Devlin adjusted the controls on the grill. “I know more. I won’t say more.”
    The sliding screen door opened. Hunter glared at Devlin and then Trahern as he stepped out onto the deck. “It’s nice to know you’re a man of your word. My business is exactly that—my business.”
    â€œFine by me.” Trahern leaned over to snag another beer out of the cooler, then held it out. “Here.”
    Hunter accepted the drink and sat down. “Nice view.”
    â€œThanks. I’m going to hate putting this place on the market.” Devlin busied himself with straightening his barbeque tools.
    â€œWhy do it then?” Hunter picked up a handful of chips.
    â€œEventually the neighbors are going to notice that I haven’t aged in all the years I’ve owned it. It’s bound to draw unwanted attention.”
    Trahern looked around, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I’ll probably have to do that myself one of these days.”
    Time to change the subject. “How do you like your steak, Hunter?” Devlin asked.
    â€œBloody and still mooing.”
    â€œThat makes three of us. Brenna and Laurel like theirs a little less raw.”
    The screen door opened a second time, and two women joined them outside. “Talking about us again?”
    Hunter studied them. Both were attractive but in different ways. As soon as Laurel got close to Devlin, the Paladin leader slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her in close. Lucky bastard, he was the first Paladin to ever dare date a Handler. When Hunter had first heard the rumors, he’d been surprised that the Regents had allowed the relationship to continue. Now that he’d seen the two together, he realized the Regents must have figured they’d stood to lose both Devlin and Laurel if they’d pushed it. The two were very obviously in love.
    The same with Brenna and Trahern, but Hunter had already seen them together back in Missouri. She’d fought tooth and nail to drag her man back from insanity. Hunter liked that about her. He wondered if she know that Jake had a bit of a crush on her. Hunter figured it had started when from the two of them had been shot at the same time.
    Laurel smiled at Hunter. “As soon as the steaks are done, we’ll be ready to eat.”
    â€œSounds good.” He wasn’t much for etiquette these days, but for Laurel and Brenna he’d make the effort. “Thank you for inviting me over.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.” Brenna gave him a warm smile. “How are all the John Does doing these days?”
    It took him a minute to remember that was the name Jarvis had told her to call all of the Paladins in Missouri when Trahern had breached security and brought her inside the compound without any authorization. Even if her late father had been one of the Regents, outsiders weren’t allowed in the underground facility.
    â€œThey’re all fine; Jake sends his regards. He said to tellyou that his computer game is about to be released. He’ll be sending you one of the first copies.”
    He eyed Trahern briefly before adding, “The dragon Jake named after you is a real beauty. It even has your coloring.”
    Her face lit up. “He shouldn’t have done that.”
    She was clearly pleased, even if Trahern wasn’t. He grabbed Brenna’s hand and tugged her onto his lap. “That’s right. He shouldn’t have.”
    Devlin laughed and pointed his tongs at Hunter.