Hardcore Love

The Mission

AN: A bit of writer's block. Raven is being hard to work with here. :) However, happy holidays readers.

Raven POV

The dinner was delicious but so was watching Ghost and the others. We already knew that they were more observant than normal. It was funny watching the Blackbourne team realized that they have to answer a question. What was not excepted was how Ghost and Shadow shut everyone one up. I had to ask why did Shadow exclude himself from the others. "Shadow, why do you not label yourself with the Shadows?" I asked, looking pointing at Shadow. The man in question was smirking at the question, "Why do you think I don't identify as a Shadow, Raven?" I decided to be cocky with him as I was about to pound his face for being way too close for my liking with Ghost. "You connect with one of the team members in sex. The way you watch the others as if they are going to fuck you, too." At this, he started to laugh hard as did the others. Corey looked confused at the reaction they had to my response. Ghost who wearing an amused smile answered with a gentle powerful voice. "Wrong guess but it was the more common opinion when people see us together. It's a very different bond we have instead. No, the others are not going to hurt him as well all of you boys." Fuck, how did she know that I wanted to hurt him but what relationship did they have. Axel directed everyone back to the living room as the twins got up to gather dishes to clean up after eating. Mr. Blackbourne got down to business going over the case details with the Shadows. About two minutes in, Giant stopped him as he stated "We can figure out the rest. It's not our first time tangling with them. Besides, this case is an easy one compared to others." By that time, Corey and Brandon walked back in as he finished. Kota spoke up when the tiniest of nods came from Mr. Balckbourne. "Mind telling us why you are showing us the range of emotions you are?" Echo answered for the group with a confident strong calm soothing voice. "In the dark night flies a many-hued phantom. It soars and spreads its wings above the gloomy human crowd. The whole world calls to it, the whole world implores it. At dawn, the phantom vanishes to be reborn in every heart. And every night it is born anew and every day it dies." All of their phones go off as we are about to ask questions. Nodding their thanks as they answered the calls. The faces we were used to seeing harden into marble as whoever on the other side was talking. I could see their bodies tense up ready for a fight as they looked ready to destroy something into tiny bits. Whoever it was wanting a longer phone call because after two minutes they all ended the call, just hanging up on them mid-call. Looks were passed around the group as they gathered their stuff as Sparky announced in a tone for no questions asked, "Hey, we need to go. One of us will call you Axel or Owen before we leave so you have ETA time. Next time, can we make a plan?" Bossman and bossman number two nod as they go out the door. Corey decided to speak "Why the riddle for an answer instead of a straight answer. They have never done that before." Brandon responded back, "I don't know brother. All I know that something is wrong for them right now because of whoever that was made react in a way I didn't like. They are not dumb, so the reason for the sudden leaving must be serious shit that we can't follow them into."

North POV

Grunting my agreement with Brandon was easier than trying to explain how so very right he was. I didn't like it at all which surprised me as Ghost was in some ways similar to Sang Baby that it surprised me that I wanted to protect them as I did her. Bringing up Baby was hard now as almost a year and a half has passed. I was wondering about the multiple topics that come up with Baby, her health, safety, and if she stills loves any of us anymore if she is alive. One thought that surprised the hell out of me, was if the Shadows might be able to get answers for us about Sang. I felt a hand on my shoulder as I tense ready to defend my family. As I see Luke standing there, I relax letting him know that he just surprised me. The sad smile on his face told me that he knew who I was thinking about. "You ready to leave?" he asked gently. Grunting my yes as I stand to join my family. We said our farewells as we leave to go home. Grabbing my keys, I opened the door to my black Jeep. I see the pink hidden heart in the steering wheel cover that I brought to remind me of my love. Silas sat down in the passenger seat as Luke and Gabriel got into the back. Pulling out of the parking lot, I followed Kota back home. Once we were back home, I jumped on my Harley after telling Kota. He also told me to be back before tonight and I nodded at that. As I left the house, my thought cleared up enough to get me to North Shore. She was the only girl that understood me to make me a better man. Sang is an angel from heaven sent to us. That was the only way that I could understand how she could love us once she pointed out all our strong points that made her feel loved. I refuse to think that she could be dead but then that would be an answer to our questions. Frowning softly when I realized that I wasn't alone on the beach. Footsteps became closer till I recognize Ghost. She changed her clothes to black alethic leggings with a rose color loose tank top with grey silver tennis shoes. Once she was closer, she paused before asking in the most gentle voice I have ever heard from her. "Would you mind if I join you?" Nodding my head as I spoke, "No I don't mind." She moved to sit down as if she was without one of her senses as questions filled my eyes. "Could you tell me what the water looks like right now?" she asked in the same tone of voice. Realizing that she was blind shocked me but I complied sensing that what the hell happen shock her good. "The water is a deep blue that is angry but peaceful to keep the anger in the water. The sun is setting with a golden yellow hue that bleeds into a soft orange that leads to a soft pink. The pink changes into red then the night sky. The sky is clear with some tiny clouds visible as the stars are making themselves known." Her eyes started to water as time passed but no tears formed yet. Gently asking "How did you lose your sight, if you don't mind me asking." Nodding her head no, she responded back, "Fire took my sight. Now, I wish I could see the night sky and the sunset and sunrise. No is something I get told every day now and it hurts every time." With that, a single tear fell down her face leaving a trail. I grabbed her hand to give my silent support as we sit there till I dropped her off at a hotel. I headed home as quickly as I safely could. Ghost is one mystery that I want to help out.

Nathan POV

Hearing a motorcycle stop, told me that North was home. I was about to head upstairs to my bedroom as I noticed the look on my brother's face. He shakes his no at my questions and with his eyes tells me later. I headed upstairs to run into Kota and the others. "Family meeting" was all that was said. Groaning inside as I headed back downstairs to meet up with the others. Mr. Blackbourne started the meeting covering home bases. North went last, using this moment to share what he found out earlier, "Same as Luke. Ghost is blind and fire was how she lost her sight. Have no idea how long it has been either." The room went quiet when North was finished. Doc spoke first, "How did I not pick up on that fact?" My own brain went into review mode of every single movement of Ghost to see if she left any hints that she was blind. Founding no clues that she left, I was getting frustrated and sad about the situation. Mr.B spoke up to calm everyone down, "Enough, if Ghost wanted us to know then, she would have told us then. No need to fret over the fact that she kept that info from us. I will go ahead and call Axel to update him on the news after the meeting." Nods rippled throughout the room. Kota started off, "First off, they were asking questions like they were prepared for the answers. When we try to throw those questions back they became more elusive than before. Then the riddle, I do believe that the answer is hope or dreams. For what I have no idea but they have more faith in us then they are willing to publicly show. Whoever called them, it was not someone who would have protected them. The way they reacted was like it was someone who wanted to hurt them. I"m curious if that is why they don't share their real names with us. Could it be to protect us but from whom?" Silas spoke then, "I got the same feeling that they were protecting us too. Could it be from the people who are supposed to help them in the military? They were around the mob when the deal was going down. I don't think that they are good people if the Shadows are supposed to answer to them." North added in "And the Shadows know it too by the way they were acting when they entered the door. They all were slightly angry but hid it after the door fully opened till the phone calls." Mr. B looked at everyone when he asked, "All in for helping the Shadows and the drug mission?" "I'm willing and I will obey" came from everyone in response.