The Enforcer Enigma (San Andreas Shifters #3)

by G.L. Carriger

Colin liked Trick because it was really hard not to like him. Colin was annoyed by this, as he tried not to like anyone. The fact that Trick had made it through his defenses was really… well, tricky of him.

Colin didn’t like guns, so he had no idea what kind it was. It was a big, metal, loud surrogate for a tiny dick – like all guns.

Or perhaps it was more, that he hoped if Colin was broken, it was like a break in one of those Japanese cups. The kind that could be repaired with gold and made into something imperfectly precious and whole again.

“We talking parents now? You wanna tell me about yours?” Isaac twitched. “Okay, touché. But you’re old enough to know the damage done, regardless of who did it originally, eventually is your responsibility and not your excuse. Especially not an excuse for poor behavior towards others when we have guests. You’re not a pup anymore.”

“You know, they’re supposed to take care of us. Parents are supposed to look after us, and love us, and talk and hug and all that sappy stupid stuff. You know that, right?” “Yeah.” Colin stared back down at the floor. He looked fragile, sunken in on himself. Isaac’s voice firmed. “No, I mean, do you know it – all the way down to your bones? The ones that break and reform. Really know it. I don’t think we heal, without that knowledge. You get to blame him. And her. You get to hate them even. I give you permission, if you need it.”

“No one can teach you how to be gay, baby. Not even me. I mean, I can help you with the sexual side of things, but gayness is more than that. It’s like, no one can teach you how to be happy. You have to figure that shit out for yourself.

Americans didn’t have the concept of afternoon tea, a fact that, even all these years later, Judd still found a grave character flaw.

“I like where I ended up. Here. Now. It’s a good place with good people and a great pack. Because of where I’ve been, I know how lucky I am. I’d not feel as contented now if I hadn’t followed that path. How I lived, where I started, my own history. It got me here. So I’m good.”

I know that your mind right now is muddled, but your actions are all that matter.”

Clearly the idea that enormous Tank belonged in all ways to their pack Omega was a revelation. “Huh. So many rainbows to sparkle under, aren’t there?”

“But that’s what brave is, sweetheart. Stepping forward, even when you know you can’t win. People like me who do it all the time, that’s because it’s in our nature to be fierce. That’s not bravery, that’s duty.”

His actions were all understated. Which didn’t mean they should be discounted or devalued, because they added good into the world in small doses.

Max gave a vicious grin. “It’s exhausting watching you two bob around each other. You should have been considering our finer feelings and screwed this one’s little ginger brains out sooner.” “I object, my brains are not at all little,” said Colin.

Bryan came home at that juncture, looking tired from a long shift. He showed absolutely no surprise at seeing Tank and Isaac in robes, Marvin in a flapper dress draped over his Alpha’s shoulder, Colin in Judd’s lap, and Trick bouncing about on an improvised runway made of Mylar tape and sequined throw pillows. “Hello, pack,” said Bryan, a man of few words.