Free Bound By Blood: (The Betrayed Series Book 2) by Victoria Renteria Page A

aren’t really in the habit of talking about feelings and shit.” I pause, glancing at Noah from the corner of my eye.
    Smiling, he quips, “Oh, come on now. We’re nothing if not all about the feels. I mean, if you were to ask anyone else they’d say all we do is sit around a campfire holding hands singing Kumbayah.”
    “Smart ass. You know what I mean. What I’m trying to say is, what you said before about us being family . . . You’re right. We are family. But you’re not the only one that would sacrifice anything for the rest of us, man. We all would. Don’t think for one minute you aren’t just as important as Sam, Coop, or Brighton. We need you, Noah. Shit, you’re the damn glue that holds us together.” Chuckling, my frame twists until my eyes lock on his.
    “Do you realize that you can bring laughter to the most demanding of situations?”
    Noah quirks an eyebrow in response.
    “Do you remember that time we were all in Kuwait?”
    “Yeah, I remember. That place was a dream,” Noah replies sarcastically.
    Ignoring his barb, I roll my eyes and press on. “You know what kept us all going?”
    Noah shakes his head.
    I jut my chin in his direction. “That was all you, man. Those stupid jokes you told. Always making us laugh. Hell, if it weren’t for you, I think we would have gone crazy on that Op. What I’m trying to say is, I know we don’t say it often, but we’re here for you, man. All of us. Thank you for trying to pull my head out of my ass. I know I’ve been a . . . how did you say it? Oh, yeah, a grade-A asshole lately. It’s . . . tough, and I’m not making any promises, but I’ll try to be less of a dick. So, thanks.”
    My words trail off on a whisper as I turn around, letting myself focus on the building in front of us once again. A firm grip clasps my shoulder, squeezing for just an instant.
    “T-That was beautiful, man.” Noah sniffles, pretending to cry.
    “You’re an ass,” I growl.
    “Yeah, but you love me anyway.” Smirking, he centers his attention back on the job at hand.
    “More like a pain in my ass.”
    “Alpha.” Noah’s sharp, commanding tone has my head snapping in his direction. Discretely, he nods in the direction of the store. Whirling my head around, I see a dark figure slinking in the shadows exiting the side entrance.
    “Do you think it’s Sang-Hyun,” he asks.
    “Not a chance,” I reply.
    “Yeah, I didn’t think he’d come sneaking out the side door.”
    “Nope. He’d come waltzing out the front door for everyone to see. The man thinks he’s a god. He fears no one so there’s no reason for him to go creeping out the side entrance.”
    “Think we can get anything off of this guy?”
    “I don’t know, but we sure as hell are gonna try,” I growl.
    “Fuck yeah!” Noah chimes, fist pumping the air.
    Rolling my eyes, I keep my gaze focused on the man indulging in a heated conversation on his cell phone in the alley.
    “What’s the plan? You wanna just stroll up and take him by force?”
    “It’s a viable option. I haven’t ruled it out. Coercion is also an option.” Noah’s face contorts, twisting into one of disbelief. He locks his gaze on mine for a moment, his stare penetrating mine. I’m quite sure he’s trying to determine if I’ve lost my mind. He doesn’t believe we can coerce the punk.
    Slowly, I shake my head as a feral grin begins to spread across my face. “Noah, Noah, Noah. How you doubt me after all this time.” I tsk. “You should know better than that.” My bloodthirsty smile spreads a little broader.
    “Oh, I don’t doubt you, Alpha. I just thought we’d save the mess until we got somewhere that we could . . . contain the situation,” Noah says with a mischievous smile in his voice.
    “Well, I’ll be damned . . .” Noah’s voice trails off as he stares at the man whose face is no longer concealed in the shadows.
    “Isn’t that Gyeong Chee?” My eyes narrow on the man’s face, confirming