SEAN

Wiping the steam from the antique mirror with my hand, I stretch my jaw out and inspect the cuts in my cheek, my lip, my nose, my forehead. Smiling I give the faucet a sharp twist and splash cold water on the wounds, a useless effort to stop the bleeding.

These people are everything I thought they were.

I wanted them to be exceptional.

They are.

Now that I know it’s a reality, my desire to become a Cipher has multiplied by a million. What if they don’t want me after I got my ass kicked so badly? I tried to keep up. With everyone watching, the pressure was obscene.

Under my breath I ask my reflection, “What now?”

Drying off my aching body, I don’t treat it gingerly. Not gonna allow myself to get soft. I rub the towel over my pecs, thighs, calves, as if I’ve got no bruises. Won’t even wince. Grabbing my cock I stare at my reflection and tell myself, “You want this, then you better push yourself.”

Wrapping the towel around my waist I snatch my dirty clothes from the floor and leave the steam-filled room for the cooler hallway. Muffled female voices slow my steps. But I recognize who’s talking—it’s Celia’s mom and Jett’s hot wife.

“Carmen, calm down, I don’t know what you’re trying to say.”

“What if she turns bad?”

“You need to explain. You can’t just keep rocking and saying the same thing! What do you mean by bad? Why on Earth would Celia turn bad?”

“Because of her father, God knows which one!”

A man’s voice comes through the door, irate and hurried. “I’m her father!”

“No, you’re not! And I love you for saying you are. You know I do Tonk, but bad men did that to me. Celia has bad blood in her! What if she turns bad?”

My spine straightens in an instant. Holy fuck, I’m not supposed to be hearing this. It has to be old history they’re trying to put behind them. In a hurry I make it back to Atlas’s room, quietly shut the door, put my back against it and breathe again.

Wow, I mean wow! From what I heard I can deduce what happened. Carmen was gang raped and Tonk stepped in to father the child. Probably found her on one of their missions? That has to be it! Celia’s had the good fortune of being raised in a household that doesn’t shame her for something that wasn’t her fault. This family—some blood, some not—is even better than I imagined. That Tonk would do that means I will look at him from now on with greater respect. I wince at the image this realization has thrown into my head. Celia…

I make a promise to myself that I won’t bring it up, no matter what. It’s gotta be a sore spot for Celia. Nobody needs that kind of reminder of where they come from, when they just want to live a life.

My throat closes as I yank some jeans on, a shirt, tug my sneakers over the bruised toes and tie the laces. As I walk into the kitchen, TV room to my right and not separated by a wall, the Ciphers pause filling their plates around an industrial-sized kitchen island. Jett’s missing. Atlas and Honey Badger, too. And of course the people from that overheard conversation upstairs aren’t here either.

Scythe jogs his chin, “You’re bleeding, son,”

I drag a hand through my wet hair and shrug. “So?”

Group laughter as Celia hands me an empty plate, smiling, “We do it buffet style so help yourself to lunch.”

“Thanks.” I stare at her with the knowledge of how she came into this world. How is it someone so beautiful could be born of something so wrong?

“You ready to have your tastebuds blown?” she asks. “Melodi’s an amazing cook. Could have won contests in any fair around if we decided to share her. We don’t share.”

From a faraway place I nod, “Yeah, cool.”

She holds my look a second, cocks her head at my expression, but lets it go, calling to Melodi, “If we feed him we might not be able to get rid of him, Mel.”

Luna and Tonk walk in, Carmen absent.

Fuse motions to a dish. “Sean, grab some of these fried crawfish. Ever have ‘em?”

“Nope. Can’t wait.”

He indicates for the line to make room for me to cut in with him. I pile my plate out of respect to his including me. The guy is big and burly. Silver hair and skin leathery from riding a bike across America and beyond. He was introduced as one of Jett’s crew, Melodi’s husband. “You ever meet a motorcycle club before?” he asks while others stop their conversations to listen.

“Some have traveled through Sedona, but I’ve never had the honor, no.”

He eyes me. “We hear you’re a renegade.”

I cock an eyebrow as I load up my plate. “I don’t think the people of Arizona would agree.”

“Normal people don’t know how to label people like us. So they opt for the easiest title: trouble.”

Several people laugh. I lock eyes with Celia. “Maybe people need to open their minds.”

Her eyes narrow and she nods as Fuse agrees, “Damn straight. Nobody wants to change. They fight it out of fear.”

Luna smirks, “Then call us when fear changes to terror and they need somebody’s help.”

Scythe agrees, “Even though most wouldn’t invite us to dinner—they sure call us when they need help, don’t they?”

Denita piles some unwanted vegetables onto her twin daughter’s plate, muttering, “Sounds like the cops, doesn’t it?”

Everyone exchanges glances.

Celia’s brother says in his calm and meditative voice, “Human beings put police officers down, but most pray to God they show up when they’re called.”

It’s an odd thing to admit for a group of outlaws so they change the subject fast.

I head to the windowsill behind their old couch, a huge sectional flanked by reclining armchairs, and a couple smaller wooden chairs outside those. This room is furnished more modernly, but it’s lived in. Nothing is new. From the bright colors they probably bought this stuff way back in the 1980’s.

As the Ciphers sit and eat, they talk easily about the current state of affairs in our country, the local news stories, where they can help. Eventually Jett reappears, white-blonde hair wet from the shower. He scans the room locks onto me, and says in a loud voice that demands attention, “You did good today.”

My fork hovers in front of my open mouth, and this food is so good it’s a miracle I’m able to pace myself. Guarded, I say, “Thank you, sir.”

Everyone is frozen as he nods, heads for the kitchen on a casual, “You’re going to stay and train. That doesn’t mean you’re one of us. There will be a vote when your training is over.” From over the platter of sweet potatoes he eyes me. “So don’t get too comfortable.”

“I won’t let you down, sir.”

As he lifts the serving spoon he says, “We’ll see about that. How’re those cuts? Looks like you’re still bleeding.”

“No big deal.”

“Good. You start training this afternoon.

“That’s great news.”

He chuckles, “Wait until you get out there. I’m starving.” As he shovels food onto his plate he shoots a quick glance around. “Where’s my bride?”

“Here Jett,” Luna purrs as she walks in behind him, slides her arms around his back. Everyone goes back to talking about the world’s problems, but it takes me a second to look away from the couple as they kiss like nobody is here. That kind of open affection I haven’t experienced in a home environment since I was a little kid. My dad was that affectionate with my mom. They used to cuddle and kiss all the time. Forgot about that until now.

Glancing to Celia I see her watching me, wondering if I’m shocked by their unabashed sexuality. I hold her look until her expression changes to confusion. She glances down to her plate and concentrates on eating.