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Chapter 31: A Marked Man

Chapter 31: A Marked Man

By the time, I get home, it's just starting to get dark. I let out a yawn as I enter the new house. Today's been quite the productive day.

I pass by Grey and Laik in the kitchen. Grey stops making food when he sees me. "Are you just getting back now?"

I nod. "Yup."

"Did Lan drop you off?"

"Nope." I reach over him and grab a slice of bread. "I took a long stroll."

I hate running but I do enjoy my walks.

"What is wrong with him?" he says to himself and takes out his phone. "I'm calling him."

I step into his space and snatch his phone from him. "Don't you dare! We just became best friends!"

He blinks down at me. "Are you stupid?" he asks and then waits for an answer.

I scrunch up my nose. "Am I supposed to—"

"It's not safe for women to come home after dark alone!" he snaps at me, not giving me a chance to speak. He crosses his arms over his chest. "I'm telling Jay."

"I would expect nothing less from his lackey," I reply, yawning a second time. It's not even fully dark yet.

"You should have called me," he criticizes.

"I don't know your number," I lie.

"I'm sending it to you. Save it and memorize it," he commands.

I shrug his worries off. "Why do you care though?"

He gray eyes darken at hearing my question. "You really are stupid if you still think I don't care."

I look up to see Laiken watching our interaction closely.

I search the room. "Where is Jay anyway? Is he still sleeping?"

"He had another meeting to go to," Grey enlightens me.

This is what I mean; Jay is always busy.

I sigh to myself. "Great, so I'm stuck with you two."

"Hey!" Laiken chips in, offended. "I didn't even say anything."

I meet his dark brown eyes and notice a glimmer of sadness there. It's then that I remember where he's been all day. I want to ask him about Zac but...

Grey whips me out of my thoughts, "Where are your gloves?! Your hands are blue! Do you want to get a cold?"

"Sorry, Dad." I roll my eyes at him. I can't believe I'm getting scolded at.

"Ew, gross. Don't say that," he mutters angrily.

Laik, trying to conceal a smirk, arches an eyebrow at me.

"Laiken doesn't even have a jacket on," I point out. He and Zac never seem to feel the cold.

"That's because he has zero brain cells. I thought we've already established this," Grey remarks with venom.

I guess their bonding isn't going so well then...

"Again, I didn't even say a thing," Laik whines. "Do I have a target painted on my back or something? I feel like a marked man."

Grey sighs before pushing a covered plate my way. "I made you food."

"You did?" I ask in surprise.

"Yeah. I didn't know if you had eaten or not." He grabs his own plate and starts heading out of the room. "If you don't like it..." he stops and turns to look at me, shifting his feet, "throw it out or whatever. Can't be worse than your green soup though."