Her Regret, His Resolve; Bouncing Back, Book 2

“What happened to you?” Russell didn't want to explain to David about the bruises and other wounds on his body. He didn’t want to come off as the guy who was scared to piss off his girlfriend, even if she was seven years his junior. He licked his lips, pretending not to hear the question. “Damn it, Russell,” David snarled. “I asked you a question, and I expect an answer. Where did you get those cuts?” Should he tell the truth or lie his way out of it? If he told the truth, the odds of his comrades believing him were slim to none. He could say he’d gotten them from training. They did look like something he would get from outdoor scouting and recon. Yeah, it would be believable. He hoped. “Oh, these? I got them from training,” Russell replied, pulling his tank top over his torso. His mind whirled as he silently pleaded for the much older man to stop pressing him for answers. There was only so much he’d be able to hide. Shoving his gear into his duffle, he winced at the new wounds that actually were caused by his excuse. Behind him, David scowled. He knew Russell was dating his beloved daughter, and he knew that if the young man faltered, there would be no one who would miss him. Deep in his heart, he knew that Russell was lying. He could hear the tremor in the deep baritone as Diablo’s half-brother tried to laugh off the marks ranging from recent to a few months old. He wanted to press the issue further, but his desire to protect his daughter left barely any room for any other opinion to form. He was about to clock Russell when the door to the changing rooms of the Underground opened, admitting Callum and Declan. Both looked like they had a decent workout in the ring, laughing and carrying on like they’d known each other their whole lives. Just as Russell rushed to zip his jacket, Declan glanced at his brother. “Sup, Russ? I thought you were chilling with Sky today.” Faltering in his step, the younger man clamped down on the shudder that ran through his body. He was a powerhouse of strength and stamina, yet there wasn’t a shred of their abusive father in him. “Uh, yeah, but she decided to go check out the agency that called her the other day. Modeling’s her thing, so I came to get in some training. I mean, is it a crime to have a change of plans, bro?” “No,” Declan answered. “So, David, we got that thing at eight tonight. You ready to go?” “Yeah, but Jax caught another cold, so I’ve got to find someone to make sure he doesn’t overexert himself. I don’t need my boy ending up in the hospital again because he decided to get a jump on his gaming stats. The little brat forgets to eat when he gets absorbed in his programming.” David sighed, recalling how he had to force the teen to stay in bed that morning. Russell's eyes lit up. “Rob’s in Newfoundland for his baby sister’s middle school graduation. If you like, I can keep an eye on him. I get on pretty well with Jax and Lukie.” “Really?” David’s voice was laced with skepticism, clearly not believing a word Russell had said. “You won’t mind if I call them to cross-check that information?” “Not at all,” Russell said, shouldering his duffle. “Here, I’ll do it for you.” Pulling out his phone, he scanned through his contacts and hit Lukas’s name. Placing the call on speaker, he waited until the fifth ring before the teen picked up. Declan shook his head, running a hand through his hair as Lukas’s voice echoed around them. “Thanks for calling Hell on Earth, Lukas Roberts speaking.” “I thought you were done with programming for the day by now,” Russell laughed. Lukas snorted. “Yeah, but Dad was busting my ass at home, so I figured why not.” “So, dude, level with me. How bad is Jaxon’s cold?” Russell asked, falling into the usual routine that they followed. There was a groan over the phone and a shuffle as the phone was passed to Jaxon. “Yellow?” “Brown,” Russell shot back. “Got any issues with me babysitting you two?” When the line went silent, David scowled at his friends. Declan and Callum shook their heads, neither knowing when Russell had gotten so close to the two youngest members of Phoenix’s crew. Callum walked over as the call continued. “So, ideas?” “No,” David grunted. “Jax is a good judge of character, and he did tell us last year that Russ had been secretly watching out for them for years behind our backs. I’m sure it was just to get close to my girl, though.” From across the room, Declan eyed his young half-brother. Sighing, he said nothing until he was standing with the two men he’d become friends with. “I’m not one to take chances, but I have to say I’m proud he waited until she was legal to make a move.” “Diablo, don’t make me shoot you.” Cal snickered. “Please. He’d make mincemeat out of you, and his sister would come for seconds. He’s right, though. As often as he’s been alone with the girls, he’s never approached them on his own.” “Yeah, yeah. I know that already. I just wish I didn’t have to put up with his ass the way I do. I’d give anything to put a nail in his coffin, but he’s been good for the last eight years. Now that Kenni and Mem are tying the knot with a little bean on the way, Sky’s been more antsy than usual,” David confided. Hearing Russell laugh, they glanced over at him. Jax was still lamenting about Lukas’s need to get their assignments all done before they had to shadow Trace starting Monday. Not that they would need the practice, of course. “Eh, he’ll survive,” Declan declared. “I mean, look at when Kennedy flipped and nearly took his head off. She damn near killed him, but he survived.” “I would have helped her bury him,” David grunted. Lifting his bag over his shoulder, he made his way out of the changing rooms. Looking at his brother-in-law, Declan sighed again. “He’s still not over what happened all those years ago. I wonder when it’s all going to come to a head. I mean, I waited for a while, and he never faltered.” “He good with your kids?” Callum asked. “Always; they love their uncle and regularly use him as a jungle gym when he’s at the flat. Hell, he even helps Tem with the chores,” Declan reported. Nodding, Callum grabbed a towel out of his locker. “That’s good. Dad took a calculated chance on him, and Russell really seems to like having a life to live. As long as there’s no repeat of last time, he’s fine. Any complaints from Sky?” “Nothing, not even a peep about him pressuring her. Last time I asked her, she told me she slapped him during an argument and all he did was put on his shoes and leave. Think I rubbed off on him?” Declan asked. When Callum laughed heartily, Declan joined in. There wasn’t much that could be done, but he was praying his little brother got something good out of his rough start to life. Finishing their showers, they returned to the office for another day of paper pushing. Suddenly, Declan’s phone chimed. Answering, he put the call on speaker. “Talk to me.” “Boss, I got an interesting question for you.” Scowling, Declan narrowed his eyes at his phone. “Russell, how many times do I need to tell you not to call me that?” Russell snickered. “I took a smoke break while the boys are locked up at my place because I have a possibly dangerous-to-my-own-life question for you.” His brother, though a young man, was happily living vicariously with the teenagers under the care of the mafia banner. Though it irked him, he knew that Russ did it to joke with him. Part of him wanted the guy to grow up. Part of him wanted to let it all go. That was the side he was content to follow. “So, what’s your question?” “Um, before I say anything, is David anywhere nearby? The dude’s got hearing like Superman,” Russell asked, an air of caution in his voice. “No, he isn’t,” Callum called over. “Now I gotta hear this one.” Chuckling nervously, Russell let out a breath. “Um, well, it’s like this. I wanted my brothers’ opinion about asking Sky to marry me. I know she’s young, but hot damn, she’s perfect.” Callum’s grin faded as David walked in scowling. “Sup, Dave?” A sound of surprise escaped Russell, and it seemed as though he dropped his phone in fright. “s**t! Gotta go! Lukas wants to beat me in Mortal Kombat, then Jax wants to hand me my ass in that new Donkey Kong game.” Before any of the men in the office could say anything, the line went dead. David raised a brow. “What was that?”