Page 32 of Echoes From Within

“Where are you going?” Ma asks with a small smile.

“I’m going to go claim my woman,” I answer.

“Bout fucking time, brother,” King says. “Let’s go. I’ll drive.”

I glare at King as I open the front door and walk out.

So, that’s what that fucker has been waiting on.

“Yeah, he was waiting for you to get that stick out of your ass,” Xander says.

I glare at the moody bastard getting behind the wheel while simultaneously glaring at the moody bastard in my head.

“I like that Xander,” King grunts as he starts the truck.

“How do you know it was Xander I was just grumping at?” I ask.

“He’s the only alter who makes you look like you want to kill them.”

I pause for a few seconds before chuckling.

He’s not wrong.

Xander is a pain in my ass.

***

“Oh hey, I remember you.”

I smile at the young teenager and offer my hand.

“Names Venom,” I say. “Your Cady, right?”

She blushes but accepts my hand.

“Thank you for getting us out of there,” she tells me after pulling her hand back.

“It wasn’t just me, sweetheart,” I tell her. “But I’m glad I was able to help. How are you doing?”

“I’m better,” she tells me. “It was really tough at first. Especially considering the baby, but things are finally getting back to normal and I’m learning to just live each day to the fullest.”

“That’s good,” I say. “I actually know a friend of yours.”

“Really?” she smiles brightly. “Who?”

“Knox,” I answer.

“Woah, are you in that same cool club that he’s part of?”

I nod, much to her delight.

“I never would have imagined that my best friend would be part of a motorcycle club,” she giggles. “He’s just not the type.”

“Not to mention the young man is terrified of motorcycles,” King says, walking into the door.

I watch as Cady’s smile falters for a split second before she rolls her eyes at herself.

“Sorry,” she tells King. “I just wasn’t expecting someone so…”