Page 49 of Flint's Arrow
“How private are we talking?” Arrow asked.
“Patterson could scream his head off, and no one would hear him half a mile away,” Levi said cheerfully. “The wards are that good.”
Devon shot him a look. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“I enjoy watching assholes get what they deserve,” Levi corrected. “It’s different.”
“Is it though?” Pax asked.
“Enough.” Python’s voice cut through the banter. “I’ll take Flint and Arrow. We leave now, get there early, and set up positionsaround the perimeter. Arrow faces Patterson alone unless things go sideways.”
“Define sideways,” Arrow said.
“If Patterson shifts and tries to kill you, we intervene,” Devon said. “If he brings backup, we intervene. If he somehow overpowers you and goes for a killing blow, we intervene. Otherwise? It’s your fight.”
“What about Cyrus?” Flint asked quietly. “When will you tell him?”
Python’s expression softened slightly. “After. When it’s done, and there’s nothing for him to worry about. He’s got enough on his plate managing the agency brass. This...” He gestured at the assembled assassins. “This is us taking care of family business.”
“He’s going to be so pissed you didn’t tell him,” Storm said.
“Probably.” Python shrugged. “But he’ll get over it when he realizes the Patterson problem is solved. And I’d rather deal with Cyrus being mad at me than watch him stress himself into an early grave over agency politics.”
“You really think you can pull this off without him noticing?” Wren’s tone was skeptical. “You two are mated. Won’t he feel something through your bond?”
“I’m going to keep my emotions locked down tight,” Python said. “Asimov’s good at that. As long as I don’t get too excited or angry, Cyrus won’t pick up anything unusual.”
“And if youdoget excited or angry?” Calvin asked.
Python’s grin was sharp. “Then I’ll deal with sleeping on the couch. It’s worth it to protect my mate from stress.”
“Romantic,” Pax said dryly. “In a slightly deranged way.”
“That’s basically Python’s brand,” Storm agreed.
“Can we focus?” Arrow’s nerves were starting to fray. “We’ve got less than two hours before Patterson arrives, and I’d like to know the plan.”
“The plan is simple,” Python said. “We get there, spread out, stay hidden. You talk to Patterson. Try to resolve this peacefully first - tell him to back off, leave you alone, stop harassing Cyrus. If he agrees, great. Everyone goes home happy.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Arrow already knew the answer.
“Then you fight.” Flint’s voice was steady. “You challenge him properly, wolf to bear. You win, or you scare him off. Either way, the harassment stops.”
“Kill him or scare him off,” Python clarified. “Either way is fine with me. We’ll have your back regardless. But make it quick.” His expression turned slightly worried. “I really don’t want to sleep on the couch. Cyrus gets creative with punishments when he’s annoyed.”
“Too much information,” Devon said.
“Way too much,” Levi agreed.
“You’re all just jealous,” Python shot back.
“Of your couch-sleeping prospects? Not really,” Storm said.
Arrow felt Flint’s quiet laughter through their bond, and some of his tension eased. This was his family now. Weird, violent, fiercely protective, and slightly unhinged, but his.
“Let’s go,” Arrow said. “Before I start overthinking things.”
They filed out of the sawmill, breaking into their assigned groups. Python led Arrow and Flint to his Maserati. “Buckle up,” Python said cheerfully as they climbed in. “I drive fast.”
