Hardcore Love

Present Day Continue

Owen POV

Everyone from the Toma team along with my family were here trying to come up with a solution to the JH-14 drug problem. Both Axel and I were quiet as the rest talked. When I heard Axel's phone go off. I was wondering who was able to call him during our meeting that we made sure that the Academy couldn't listen in too.  When he answered the call, I was ready to tell him yo wait until I heard "Hello Ghost." Who was Ghost and whoever they can reach our phones? I signaled to the others to quiet down so that we could hear the conversation between Axel and Ghost. Ghost must have said something because Axel became curious about something. The rest of Axel's brothers listen intently. Corey Henshaw was looking intent on something that he needed his computer to do. Victor told me that he was trying to locate Ghost. Why were they trying so hard to know more about this person?  Axel eyed everyone as he moves the conversation to one on speaker. A female voice broke through the silence "Hello Axel, so what are we doing that requires us to help out?" I notice that her voice had a calm curious voice that holds secrets but was to the point like an arrow. At this point, some of my brothers couldn't hold their tongues anymore. Both Mr. Lee and I shot looks to Mr. Coleman and Mr.Taylor Sr to quiet up. "You are on speakerphone and the case is bad enough that you need to work with the Blackbourne team too. There are nine of them and I will let them introduce themselves. The point is to stop dealers and you all might get the case to blow up the lab where the drug is being created" was what finally said when the room was quiet enough. I was surprised at how blunt he was and he covered something that we don't get to do? Just what were the skills of the mysterious female that she gets to blow up something. Axel nudged me to start the introductions and I comply with hopes to learn more of this girl. Being myself, using my formal stern tone when I introduce myself, "Hello, my name is Owen Blackbourne and I am the team lead." Nodding to my best friend, he flirted lightly as he did his, "My name is Sean Green and I am the team doctor." Mr.Lee spoke with his everyday tone, "My name is Dakota Lee. I prefer to be called Kota. I am the family lead." Taking advantage of a moment to gather themselves, they were ready to go with their everyday tones. Mr.Griffin with his deep protective vibe,  "My name is Nathan Griffin." Mr. Morgan with his smooth musical vibe, "My name is Victor Morgan." Mr.Korba with his greek accent starting to come through, "My name is Silas Korba." Mr. Taylor Jr with his deep slightly angry voice, "My name is North Taylor." Mr. Talyor Sr with his slight sugar high voice,  "My name is Lucien Taylor. I much rather be called Luke though." Mr.Coleman with his unique vocab along with a high level of energy, "My fucking name is Gabriel Coleman. And what is your damn name and what the heck you look like?" Silence followed his questions as the Toma team started to lightly chuckle at him. I was confused at this reaction as the rest of my brothers were glaring and grumbling at Mr.Coleman. Ghost's voice brought me back to the present when I heard the calm neutral tone instead, "You have to found that out as we work together and no I'm not a doll for you to play with. Also, everyone else is here listening. I will let them introduce themselves." Then the rest spoke but all in the same tone of voice. Who was she talking about? Just as I was to ask, they introduced themselves. "I'm Techno" "I'm Heartwood." "I'm Apollo." "I'm Sparky." "I'm Lockhart." "As you know, I'm Ghost." "I'm Giant." "I'm Echo." What caught my attention when all eight were done was the same tone of voice was used by all of them.  I was about to reply with a question of why the academy trusted them when a ninth voice broke though, "I'm Shadow and don't expect to easily get the answers you desire." What was he talking about? Why do I have a feeling that they are going to play us if given the chance? Then why do I feel that they are not out to hurt us intentionally? When I focused on the present moment, I noticed the need to know something about Ghost was becoming a task that was needed to be done. "Axel, we are going to your place to get to know everyone a bit better along with Shadow. ETA hour and a half." Axel quickly pulled himself together thankfully with a reply, "Ok, see you all soon. We will dinner ready by then." As I was expecting a good-bye, instead she just hung up. Nothing I have just learned about the mysterious female is connecting at all. However, I have the feeling that was going to change with both teams working together. Axel meet my eyes asking if we were in to help and I nodded my answer of yes.

Sang POV

Everyone jumped to change into what we were wearing to hide who we really were. It was pure luck that we had pulled together different identities before we worked with the Toma team last. All we have to do is put all of that back on and then remember not to reveal anything. Someday we will be able to let them know who they are working with, who we really were but not yet. Not yet can we truly be ourselves in public without people running away in fear or trying to get our attention so that they can be famous just for a moment? Not yet, can we just opening do a task without people trying to kill us in multiple different ways possible. Someone, I would love for all of us to have a family outside of what we have with our military op teams and our military family. The Academy has teams that have possibilities for us to learn how to be human again and maybe love if it goes that far.  Thankfully, I didn't have to change in a major way with my clothes but in attitude just a little. I do have to change my skin tone,  my eyes, and my hair. Add some piercings in my ears and in my nose. Thanks to my origin country as not as hard as it seems to be. As I was changing what needed to be changed I was wondering if the Blackbourne team would see through the disguise. I hope that they still thought of me in a positive light. I hope that they are not falling apart and if they are, I just have to put them back together again at a later date. How would they react to the others and Grayson? Will they be able to accept that my past wasn't what I thought it was? Will they accept the bond I have with Grayson and the others? Realizing that time was not on my side, I had to stop thinking about the boys that I haven't seen for 17 months. Otherwise, I would be going in circles. Once the changes were completed, I changed my clothes and focused on my sassy feisty bold attitude to dominate. As I was finished with my makeup, the others came in done with their transformations too. Nods all around as we grabbed our bags and headed out to the SUV.  Once we were all in, Jenna started the short drive over to the Segent Jasper Apartments.  When it reached the 75-minute mark from the end of the call, we were pulling up into the parking lot. I sent a text to Axel before grabbing my bag. My bag in my hands, I headed towards the lobby.

Ghost: We are here. We will meet you in the lobby.

Axel: Ok, on my way.

Once we were in the lobby Axel showed up. With a quick nod from Axel, we were on our way up to his apartment. When we reached the door, Axel opened the door as the scene inside was a busy one. People were moving all over the place but it was in sync. Without letting the others know, I was watching my boys see if they see me as Sang instead of Rose.  With a sad interior smile, I was proving that my disguise was good when Kota, my 52,  greeted me. After he was finished, the others stepped up only for me to find the same answer. Grayson grabbed my hand and squeeze it in understanding but also a reminder. A reminder of what would have to happen of the boys knew that Rose was me, Sang. I didn't want to disappear for years and sure as hell didn't want them dead because I failed to keep a secret. Knowledge is my burden of knowing too damn much without the ability to share it.