Saving Calen

1.

Calen's POV

"Again!" Cole screeches as he sets himself in a fighting stance. He wipes the blood off of his face and I sigh. We've been at this for hours.

Training is all I've ever known. Growing up in the family that is set to protect the infamous Galantes family means that we are taught to fight before we are taught to speak.

Weapons. We're nothing more than living, breathing weapons.

Cole lunges forward throwing a punch. I easily dodge it throw one of my own, which connects with his temple.

"Keep your hands up." I snap. Once someone is fully trained, they take on the role of training those under him. My older brother trained me, now I train my younger brother.

He growls and lunges at me. I grab onto his waist and bring my knee up, effectively connecting with his gut. I throw him to the side where he lays

"Fuck!" He yells.

I chuckle and lend a hand to help him up. "It's okay Cole. You'll get there."

"He'll never get there with you coddling him like that." My dad, the great Sean Riot, says as he walks into the room. Although, dad is a strange word to use.

Commander would be more appropriate. Or douchebag.

Scratch that, douchebag is definitely most appropriate.

He looks like an older version of me. Same lightish brown hair, same green eyes and same smatter of freckles across his cheeks, so light you can barely see them.

Cole scrambles to his feet and stands with his hands behind his back. I look at him and roll my eyes, but do the same, like the good trained dogs we are.

"Won't happen again, sir." I apologize. The words taste bitter on their way out. I wish with everything in me that I had been born with a spine or any semblance of will power.

But alas.

My dad just scoffs.

"Calen, I need you well rested and ready for tomorrow. A short 5 mile jog and call it a day. You're on a security detail."

I nod my head once and he leaves the room. Cole and I finally relax.

"Stop helping me, Calen. I can do it on my own." He pouts as he unwraps his hands. I smack the back of his head lightly and he glares up at me. I smile back.

"I know, but you're my little brother. I'm not going to beat you senseless."

"Did Caden take it easy on you?" He snaps, all fire and defiance.

I wince at the name. My older brother is the most ruthless of us all. Training with him was terrifying, but it made me who I am. He's a robot. A mechanical thing bred to kill and to maim.

"That's what I thought." He says, interrupting my memory.

There's four of us boys. Caden, me, Cole and the youngest Casey.

Bless my poor mother.

"You better head out before dad comes back."

"Dad can kiss my ass." I retort. Cole flinches and looks over his shoulder.

"Dude! Do you want another beating like last summer? You were in bed for a week!" He whisper shouts at me.

I shrug my shoulders, but pain wracks through my body at the memory.

"It wasn't that bad." I lie. That memory often brings bile rising up my throat.

"Yeah, well speak for yourself."

I look up at his green eyes that are identical to mine and see pain flicker through them.

He had to watch.

I cross the room and squeeze his shoulder for reassurance. A hug would be too weird. We aren't an affectionate family.

Then I punch him square in the stomach and he hunches over. I laugh. "Don't be a pussy, dude."

There. It was getting a bit chummy.

He flips me off as I set out the door for my run.

...

By the time I'm back I'm drenched in sweat and famished. I head straight to the kitchen where mama cooks us all of our meals.

"Got anything for me, ma?" I say as I wrap my arms around her.

"Boy, you better get out of here with all that sweat." She says as she swats me with the spatula. I raise my arms and sit at the table with a smirk.

She brings me a heaping plate of steak and potatoes. My mouth waters as I dig in.

She bends down and kisses the top of my head quickly before whispering in my ear that she loves me. Signs of affection around here are strictly prohibited as it'll make us boys "soft".

She quickly stands before anyone notices, but gives me a warm smile before yelling:

"Get upstairs after you're done and shower. You smell like a barn."

"Yes, ma'am." I respond. With that, she disappears back into the kitchen.

I am finishing up my plate as I feel a hand like a vice grip clamp on the back of my neck. My shoulders immediately stiffen as Caden rounds the table.

"I hear you're on a security detail tomorrow."

I nod.

"This is a special one, Calen. It's for the Giovanni's."

"But-" I start to interject.

"Yes, the rival family. It's to show a sign of good faith. You'll be guarding the daughter."

I nod again.

He grows deathly quiet as he leans in.

"Do not embarrass this family, or I'll make last summers beating look like a cake walk."

He releases my neck and stalks away, practically shoving my mother as he passes.

"Caden, watch where you're going." I yell out.

He stops dead in his tracks and turns towards me, jaw set with anger.

"What the fuck did you just say to me?" He sneers, the familiar violent glint shining in his eyes.

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