Toy Soldier {ManxManxMan}

CHAPTER 24

I wasn't exactly in the mood to rest, and miraculously my hip wasn't hurting as bad as it probably should have been for someone who'd been thrown into a chair, so instead of heading straight to my room like I said I would, I turned down the hall and made my way towards the gym. Demi, Cass, Malachi, and Arthur would all be with Kailas for a while, so there was no one walking around to catch me not resting.

The arena was filled with the same number of soldiers as I usually found there, and Maggie was the one pacing around and eyeing them to make sure they were all working accordingly. I was going to join her, maybe try and talk to her, when I felt someone slam into my back, arms squeezing around my neck.

"Beth," I grumbled as the blonde teen spun around with her arm slung around my neck, grinning at me.

"Dakota, can we have a heart to heart?"

I arched an eyebrow suspiciously as Beth released me and took a step back, one hand on her hip as she pushed her glasses higher onto her face, the light flashing on the lenses, "I don't think I want anything to do with getting Ian and Cass back together."

"That's not what I wanted to talk about," Beth huffed, "Besides, Ian said there was no way, so we can't," she folded her arms, a light coloring of red dusting across her cheeks, "I wanted to talk about your sister."

"My sister Maggie?" I asked, looking over at where she was standing with Logan, having what looked like a conversation with sign language, "Why?"

Beth just tilted her head and looked off to the side, tugging on a strand of hair, "I just wanted you to introduce us is all."

"Why?" I drew out, and Beth poked her fingers together.

"I dunno."

"Y- wha- okay," I held my hands up, "Beth you're sixteen. Maggie is almost twenty-seven by now. There is no way that can be a thing, so stop blushing!"

Beth pouted heavily, "I never said I had a crush," she complained, looking over at Maggie, still playing with her hair like she was trying to make sure it was perfect, "I just admire her strength and want to talk to her about her fighting techniques."

I rubbed my hands over my face, "This is the creepiest thing that's happened so far."

"Don't be a dick."

"You know what, cool," I turned, holding an arm out, "Let's go meet my sister, why the fuck not, have fun getting in her pants."

"That's so rude," Beth complained, but she happily followed me across the room over to Maggie, who beamed when she saw me.

"Hey! What happened with your boss? Is he okay?"

"Kailas? He's fine," I waved a hand before jabbing a thumb over my shoulder to point at Beth, "This is Bethany Ellis, the younger sister of Arthur and Ian. She's been training with Beckett's class and wanted to meet you."

"Hey," Maggie held a hand out, and Beth wasted no time in taking it in her own, smiling dreamily.

"You're really awesome!" she said, squeezing Maggie's hand, "My brothers are both so protective and annoying I haven't even started fighting with weapons yet, all I can do is punch stuff, but I've seen you training the men with guns and knives and it's amazing!"

Maggie looked stunned before laughing and rubbing her neck, "Thanks so much."

"Did someone teach you how to fight?"

"I kind of taught myself most of it, but an old friend did train with me when the world went to shit. It's safer to stick with someone when you're still learning."