Birth of a Star: Ajax & Orion, #4

By L. Loryn

When Ajax's beloved shelter burns down with his two best friends inside of it, it sets off a chain of reactions.

Can Ajax and Orion figure out who's attacking them before everyone's gone?

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. Loryn
• Release date: Apr 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386128953

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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Prologue

He had long since forgotten who warned him about hot doorknobs in a burning building, but the knowledge floated to the forefront of his mind as scorched air entered his nostrils. The surrounding people were frantic, desperate for air and safety. They flocked toward the only clear entrance, and he swam through them, treading through quicksand.

The flames originated from the kitchen and spiraled through the galleyed serving station, engulfing the main hallway and blocking residents still on the second floor from a direct escape. Warm, brown eyes scanned the area, calculating their escape. His heartbeat accelerated, but he inhaled deep breaths, slowing it again. He was calm, a steady river against the unpredictable fire.

Everybody out, his voice boomed over the panicked rumble of noise and the crackling of a growing fire, and stay calm. When you get outside, go across the street and find your loved ones. He pointed to the door and touched shoulder after shoulder as bleary-eyed people passed him.

Ricky. A curvy, brown-haired woman painted with black soot raced to him. It smells like gas.

Okay. We will worry about it later. Get these people out of here and across the street, Kai. I’m going upstairs.

Kai bobbed her head. Got it. I’ll help once these people are out.

Good. Thank you. Ricky nodded. His eyes lingered on Kai as she buzzed around the people, connecting crying babies to frazzled mothers and soothing parentless teens. A smile graced his tired features, and he raced the flames to the second floor, taking the emergency stairwell and checking every room. He sent the elder children to the first floor, but the babies he carried. He clutched their heated cheeks to his steady chest and transferred them one by one down the stairs and through the fire to the front door.

When Kai joined him, he met her at the base of the stairs and passed them off to her welcoming arms. His lungs burned as the oxygen fed the fire. He busted a window.

The flames roared.

His muscles throbbed, his vision blurred, and he grabbed another child tucked safely in a hand-me-down crib.

***

Part 1

His cell phone vibrated on the bedside table of their hotel room on the fifth floor of a luxury high-rise, and he fought through a mass of sheets before he grabbed it, glimpsing the phone number before flipping it open and putting it to his ear.

Speak.

AJ, it’s Ellis. I’ve tried calling all your numbers. Urgency colored his words.

What is it?

It’s-It’s Kai and Ricky, he paused, they’re dead.

Ajax bolted upright, jostling the smaller man sleeping beside him. What?

Jay, Orion moaned, rolling over and cracking his green eyes open. He curled the lush comforter under his chin, balling it in his fists. Who’s calling?

Ellis. Kai’s husband. Hang on, Eli. Ajax muffled the receiver and peered down at Orion, a smile lifting the corner of his lips. His eyes glossed over, and he ran his tongue along his lips. Kai and Ricky are dead.

What? His question was feather light.

I’m putting you on speaker phone. Ajax warned after uncovering the receiver and placed the phone between them. Eli. I don’t think you ever formally met Orion.

I didn’t, but I’ve heard a lot about you. I wish I could have met you on better terms, but welcome to the family.

Thanks. I’m sorry for your loss. Orion eased himself up, placing his arms between the curve of his thighs and pressing his legs together. He rested his chin on his knees.

Thank you. AJ, how soon can you be back in town? What about Trav and Raine? The people at the shelter. I-I want to bring them here, as many as I can. And Jake’s place. Kai would want that. Ellis’ voice cracked. Kai-

Ellis. Orion snatched the cell phone from the pillow. Ellis, listen. We’ll take care of everything. I will talk to Trav and Raine, and we’ll be at your place by tomorrow morning. Here’s what we need from you.

He was quiet on the other end.

Ellis?

Y-yeah? His voice cracked again.

This is what we need from you, Orion instructed. I need you to text Jay the Inn manager’s number, because Raine and I will take over the Inn duties. Then, I need you to take care of yourself, okay? Eat three meals today and go for a run. Then watch some television. We will see you tomorrow.

Silence.

Ellis. Did you hear me?

Y-yes.

Good. Jay will be waiting for your text.

Yeah. I’ll be waiting for your text, Ajax croaked. His saliva had evaporated, leaving his throat parched.

Okay.

Okay, bye Ellis. Orion ended the call and tossed the cell phone on the bed between them.

Thanks. Ajax flicked his eyes up to Orion’s square face. His green eyes shined with determination.

You’re welcome. You, too. Get in the shower and get dressed. I’m going to talk to Trav and Raine. Then, I’m going to book our flights home. Orion cast the blankets aside, swinging his legs off the bed and revealing stained briefs from the previous night’s encounter.

Yeah. Ajax nodded.

Orion slipped off his bottoms and sauntered to the closet, donning clean shorts and a T-shirt before pausing. Oh, shit. He ran back to the bed and threaded his fingers through Ajax’s unruly curls. Orion’s nails prickled his scalp. He pulled Ajax into a chaste kiss. I love you. Everything’s going to be okay. I promise. He cupped Ajax’s head in his hands. Look at me, Jay.

Ajax closed his eyes, took a breath, and then dragged them up to Orion’s face, over his lips, the graceful curve of his nose, and finally his resolute, green eyes.

Everything is going to be okay. He kissed him again, stroking soft fingers along Ajax’s stubbled cheeks. Orion retreated, stuffing his feet in casual sandals before exiting the bedroom. The door to the hallway opened and closed minutes later, and Ajax was alone.

He sat in the bed with the comforter pooled around his legs for ten minutes and sat on the cold porcelain toilet seat for fifteen more minutes before turning on the shower and listening to the rhythmic pattern of water droplets on the tiles. He was naked when he stepped into tepid water, feeling it warm up as it beat against his chest. He counted the seconds until the temperature of the water burned his skin and counted the seconds until the scalding water overwhelmed him, and he shrank away from the pain.

He had stood in many bathrooms and in many showers after the loss of loved ones. When Dee disappeared, he stood in a standard-issue, highway hotel bathtub washing sex from his chest with Chris’ arms tight around him.

When Chris disappeared, he collapsed on the octagonal floor tiles decorating Ricky’s guest bathroom. He washed blood from himself in that bathtub and watched the water dilute ruby red plasma as it spiraled down the gurgling drain.

There were countless more showers where he spent his time counting the tiles on the wall. He started with the upper left tile, and he counted rows horizontally until he lost the number.

Then, he started over. He counted until he reached the bottom right tile. Sometimes it took hours. Sometimes the water ran cold on him, and the sun rose and fell while he stood in the shower. Sometimes it took minutes, and he returned to the world as quickly as he left it.

Today, he counted until the muscles in his legs burned and the pain of standing rigid ached his legs, his spine, and his shoulders. Orion came and went endless times, peeking in the bathroom. He called his name, touched his shoulder, and again promised everything would be okay. He relayed familiar advice, insisting Ajax eat three meals today, put one foot in front of the other, and take it easy.

It took twenty-seven attempts until he reached the final tile, turned the water off, and stepped out of the shower. Orion greeted him with a towel and a kiss.

I booked a hotel a few miles away from the shelter, and I packed our suitcases. We have to get to the airport in two hours. Our flight leaves in three and a half. Orion wrapped Ajax in the towel and peered up at him. Do you want to talk?

No. His entire body was numb from the tips of his fingers to his automated internal organs.

Orion nodded. I laid out clothes for you. Do you need help getting dressed?

Ajax growled, No.

Orion nodded. I have food in the kitchen for you. Do you need help eating?

Ajax lingered on his response and sighed. No, love.

Orion kissed his damp shoulder and pranced toward the exit. Okay. I’ll be waiting in the kitchen for you.

No.

What?

Stay in here.

Okay. Orion rocked on his heels, tiptoeing backwards with his hands clasped behind his back.

Ajax wandered to the clothes spread over the bed, trailing his fingers along the seams of one black pair of briefs, one pair of worn and faded jeans, and one equally worn and faded charcoal gray shirt. The shirt had once been crisp black, but many washes with harsh chemicals changed it to a dull gray.

I talked to Trav and Raine. Trav’s devastated. Raine and I made a plan. We’re going to Ellis’ place first. We’re going to make sure he’s okay. Then you, me, and Trav are going to the shelter. Orion sucked in a deep breath. We’re going to the shelter, and we’re going to make sure everyone who lived there finds a new temporary place to stay and has their necessities. Orphans and families are going to Ellis’ place because Raine will be there. Older people are going to Jake’s place for obvious reasons.

Ajax pulled briefs over his moist thighs. The band snapped against his hips. Cool. He squinted thick eyebrows down at his shirt and his jeans.

Then we’re going to inspect the damage, Raine and I will plan the funeral, and we will go from there.

Funeral, Ajax murmured.

Yes. We’re going to have a lovely funeral ceremony for Kai and Ricky at the Inn.

At Jake’s.

Orion nodded. We’ll have it at Jake’s.

Cool. How’s Jake? Ajax pulled his shirt over his head and stepped into his jeans. He shoved bare feet in black leather boots and tucked the shoestrings into the side.

Jake? Orion blinked and stared incredulously toward the other man. Um, Jake’s fine. I talked to him after I talked to Trav and Raine.

He’s made of steel.

Indeed. Your shoes are on the wrong foot, Jay.

Ajax looked down and grunted. Right. He sat on the edge of the bed, removing his shoes and putting them on again. He didn’t tie them the second time, either.

I had them send up their waffle special for a late breakfast, but it’s probably soggy now. Do you want to eat it, or would you rather get something at the airport?

Don’t matter. Ajax moved through the bedroom to the miniature kitchen, standing between the stove and the kitchen island. Calloused fingers picked at the sugared fruits and pinched bites off the waffle. The light, bready taste and texture were foreign on his tongue, but he rolled it around his mouth before swallowing.

It was acid down his throat.

Okay. Orion perched himself on the kitchen island, grabbing his plate and slicing the waffle in squares. He ate square after square, swiping them in the gelatinized icing created by the fruit juice and powdered sugar.

Ajax ate three more tiny pieces of the waffle and abandoned the plate. I’m done.

All right. We’ll get something at the airport before we board. Orion collected both plates and stacked them. I’m going to call a taxicab and a bellhop.

Right.

The smaller man buzzed around him, dialing numbers on the hotel room’s analog phone and gathering their belongings at the front door. He yammered about their plans as he worked, adding color to the heavy silence in the room. Ajax watched with his head cocked to the side.

The young, curly-haired bellhop loaded their bags into a metal cart and wheeled it through the hallway down to the first floor where he transferred everything to the trunk of a white, standard-issue hotel vehicle. He blushed and squirmed when Orion handed him a ten-dollar bill. Ajax ducked into the backseat.

T-thanks, he mumbled, scrubbing his pimply face.

You’re welcome. Orion climbed into the vehicle behind him and buckled them both.

They rode in silence.

They checked in their bags in silence. When they reached the security checkpoint, Orion handed Ajax his passport and identification, and Ajax presented it to the two officers posted by conveyor belts and walk-through metal detectors. The older officer with a handlebar mustache and a deep-rooted scent of alcohol snatched the passport from Ajax’s hand. He combed his fingers through his beard and sucked his teeth, turning the plastic identification card over in his chunky fingers. He thumbed through the passport.

Something wrong, Jim? The rail-thin man beside him stretched his neck, glimpsing the passport over Jim’s meaty shoulder.

Nope, the man sniffed. After discerning looks between the pair, the officer handed Ajax his identification back, and Ajax passed it to Orion.

Jim frowned and looked down his crooked nose at Orion, narrowing his beady eyes.

Orion’s eyes expanded, and the whites of his eyes circled his sparkling green irises. I’m sorry. My boyfriend is a little distraught. We got a call that one of his best friends died this morning. They were childhood friends, so everything is a little overwhelming.

Uh huh. The officer quirked bushy eyebrows at Ajax, folding his arms over his round belly.

Ajax kicked off his boots.

Is this right, boy?

Yes, Orion replied.

Wasn’t asking you. He jerked his head to Ajax.

What?

Is this story he’s tellin’ right, son?

Ajax shuddered, features tightening. His nostrils flared and his baritone voice deepened more. Yeah. It’s right.

Well, then. The officer uncrossed his arms, hooking his thumbs in the flat pockets of his slacks. I’m real sorry for your loss. Go on ahead.

Ajax wandered through the metal detector and stood on the other side, toes curling in the well-traveled carpet while Orion set his boots on the conveyor belt and pushed it through the baggage scan. Orion deposited his own shoulder bag and shoes as well before walking through the metal detector after Ajax.

You two are good to go. Have a good flight. The skinny officer nodded, passing Orion their belongings.

Thank you. He beamed at the officer, tilting his head to the side and curling his shoulders forward in a gentle giggle. Juggling both containers, he sat down next to Ajax, handing him the container with his boots and other belongings. I hate airports, he whispered, dropping the smile from his face, as he laced his shoes again and strapped his bag over his shoulders.

Ajax tucked his feet back in his shoes, shoved his wallet back in his pocket, and discarded the tray. He sighed.

We’re almost home. You can sleep on the flight. Orion squeezed Ajax’s shoulder, and his hand traveled down his arm, clasping their palms together and interweaving their fingers. Trav and Raine’ll be here soon, too, so let’s go sit in our flight area. He guided Ajax through the airport and securing four seats out of the way.

Ajax slumped into one of the blue, plastic chairs and floated between paralyzed and enraged. His heart accelerated even as he sat in the sloped plastic chair with Orion next to him. It calmed again, drowning in its own pit of tar.

Trav and Raine joined them after a series of boarding calls, and Trav plopped down next to Ajax. Trav rubbed his hands over his blotchy, red face and turned to Ajax. Both filled and overflowing with an impossible grief, their long faces mirrored each other,

Raine hugged Orion’s shoulders and rested her head against him, closing swollen eyes. He rubbed her arm.

I love you all. Orion met each of their eyes.

Trav and Ajax nodded once. Their chins kissed their chest, and they never recovered. Raine’s chestnut eyes brimmed with a fresh wave of tears.

I know, she whispered. I love you, too.

***

Orion drove his silver hatchback through the heart of the bustling city, listening to both Trav and Ajax’s vague directions. Half of the city was nice, with well-kept lawns and slender women pushing double strollers as they jogged behind them. The other half of the city was the setting of a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel. Even the bright blue of the midday sky lost its luster. The smell of waste and death assaulted Orion’s nose, and he clenched his jaws as he turned from a four-lane street to a one-way neighborhood road.

His late-model vehicle was the newest one on the block, and his car was sandwiched between a slow rolling brown sedan with bungee cords holding the trunk closed and a swerving pick-up truck with crackling paint. Orion adjusted his mirrors.

I will not go faster. You can just calm all of your tits. He peered at the driver behind them through the rear-view mirror.

Turn here. Ajax pointed to a stop signing hanging by one screw on its post and rocking as the wind blew. A woman with shining black hair loitered at the corner, holding a shirtless infant to her chest with a sway-backed dog at her feet. The female dog’s teats scrubbed the ground, and her shoulders pointed to the sky. With a drooping head, her tired, amber eyes watched the passing cars.

As Orion rolled to a stop, the high-waisted woman stepped off the lip of the sidewalk, knobby knees bumping each other. She patted her bony thigh, and the dog trotted along behind her. Orion turned the corner and continued down the next street, passing a car service center hidden behind three piecemealed cars with faded paint. They passed a corner grocery store with a vintage, handmade sign advertising fresh meat. The price was one dollar and nineteen cents a pound, and burly men guarded the door, cigarettes at their lips and sagging jeans at their hips. Orion bit his bottom lip and looked at Ajax.

What? Ajax rumbled.

Um. Nothing. Are we almost there?

Yeah, why?

I don’t know. I’m nervous.

Why? Trav and I are here with you.

Yes, but I’ve never been somewhere like this except, you know.

Ajax shrugged.

This is where you two grew up?

Yeah, Trav chimed in from the backseat, leaning forward and hooking his arms around Orion’s seat. It looks nicer now, though.

Nicer? Orion’s eyes bulged.

Turn here. Ajax pointed to the left at the next four-way stop. Orion gripped the steering wheel as a pack of adolescent boys tugged their pants up and trotted across the street. They glanced back at the silver hatchback with an animalistic curiosity, craning their necks and lifting their eyebrows for a better view. When they recognized Trav and Ajax, the boys wrestled each other until one tawny skinned boy stumbled into the road. Laughing, the boy strutted toward the vehicle.

He adjusted his low-crotched pants, and long dreadlocks swayed behind him. His fingers rotated in a circle once he reached the hatchback.

Orion gulped and looked at Ajax again. What do I do?

Roll the window down.

Trav reached between the side of the vehicle and Orion’s seat. His fingers found the power-window button, and he pressed it. The boy bent forward and poked his head in the car, folding his arms across the windowsill.

Hiya. The boy smiled at Orion, and his brown eyes glittered before he looked at Ajax and Trav. Long time no see. Y’all lookin’ like grandpas now.

Eddie. Ajax’s neutral features lifted to a smile, and Orion relaxed, leaning into his seat and exhaling a slow, wavering breath.

Yes’sir. Eddie tipped his head to the side, and a broad grin dimpled his cheeks.

What’s been going on around here? Ajax’s hand slithered across the center console, covering Orion’s.

Not too much. Ol’ man Bennett is out of jail again. He’s been hanging around the grocery trying to get a little somethin’-somethin’. Candace had her second baby, and her ol’ bitch had a litter of puppies about two weeks ago.

The baby is two weeks old? Orion arched an eyebrow.

Naw. The pups two weeks old. The baby is about three months now. She right over there anyway. Eddie hiked his thumb toward the woman Orion saw at the last corner.

How old is she?

Just told you. The baby is three months. Eddie flashed Orion a grin.

Ajax shook his head, Candace is about your age, Ry.

Oh, yeah. Candace is about twenty-two. I’m surprised the baby even made it. Man, she smoked so much crack while she was swollen, damn near smoked her kneecaps off.

Ajax rumbled.

Sorry. Just ‘bout smoked her kneecaps off. ‘Cuse my language.

Uh huh. How you doing in school? Trav shifted between the two front seats, turning a discerning gaze on Eddie.

School? Eddie cut his eyes to the side, scuffing his feet against the rough city terrain.

Yeah, the place you go every day to get an education.

Oh. Huh. I think I hear people callin’ me. I need to get back. Eddie stepped away from the car. His broad smile never left his face.

Eddie, Ajax called him back, one more thing.

Yeah?

How’s your ma? Ajax focused on the boy’s face.

She good. She real good, actually. She’s still workin’ at the plant. We have an apartment in Project Nineteen.

All right. You keep out of trouble. Keep your nose clean, keep your dick wrapped up, stay in school.

Yeah, yeah. How long you in town for? Eddie quirked his eyebrows up.

Not long. You hear about the fire at the shelter? Ajax rubbed Orion’s knuckles.

Oh, yeah. I heard ‘bout it. It was crazy. I wasn’t there though. I-uh-I had detention. You know, at school, but some of my friends were there. Said it went from chill to flames. Smelled like gas or somethin’.

Ajax and Trav nodded, glancing between each other.

Are all of your friends okay? Orion flicked his eyes toward the collection of boys standing at the corner before back to Eddie.

Oh, yeah. They fine. Xavier and Zeke was inside when it happened. You should check up with them and see what they say.

Sure. Where are they now?

Uhh, not sure Jax. Xavier at one of those alcohol meetings, and I think Zeke went to the park.

All right. Thanks. We’ll check it out. Let me know if you or your mom need anything before we head out. Text me.

Aight. I’ll be in touch. Eddie tapped the side of Orion’s hatchback and then jogged back to his friends.

Roll your window back up. Ajax released Orion’s hand and sank back in his seat, glancing out the passenger side window.

Orion obliged, drumming his fingers on the gearshift as the boys laughed and loped down the side street. I feel bad.

Why?

Because you guys grew up here. It stinks here, and there is project housing. And then I gave you cranberry sauce when I donated cans. I’m a terrible person.

Cranberry sauce?

Yes! Raine told me rich people always donate stuff in the back of their pantry, and I know my family probably did. All I can think about is Eddie being hungry and only having cranberry sauce.

Ajax stared. You take things to really weird places. He shrugged. Keep driving.

Are we going to go find Zeke or Xavier?

Later. I’ll look for Zeke. You’re not going to the park. Trav instructed. His usually calm voice hardened.

Is the park dangerous? Orion rolled forward, gripping the steering wheel with both hands as he continued through the neighborhood.

For you, yeah. Turn here. Ajax pointed. You’re too jumpy. Drug dealers and pimps smell fear.

And assassins?

Yeah, assassins too. Ajax gazed out the windshield as Orion turned onto a four-lane street with an expansive median separating the two directions. Newly planted trees held in place by sticks and rope dotted the grassy area. Slow down. We’ll be there at the next block.

Okay. Orion cruised in the far-right lane, driving well below the speed limit. Other cars flew passed them.

Shit, Trav murmured. I see it.

Where? Oh. Orion’s eyes landed on the raw-wood frame of a two-level building at the next block. The building and its excess parking space occupied half of the square, and in its heyday, the building had been impressive. Now it was singed wood and old memories.

From the street, Orion saw the whole floor plan. He saw where the front lounge room had housed enough seating for at least a hundred people. He spied the kitchen off to the side with a classic cafeteria serving station. Past the kitchen, a staircase lead to the second floor.

The flames had desecrated the second floor.

When Orion rolled to a stop in front of the building, Ajax and Trav climbed out of the vehicle and wandered inside. Orion shifted the gears and lifted the parking brake before he reached for his door handle. The door swung open, and a stout man blocked Orion’s way.

The man adjusted his jeans, and the glimmer of metal caught Orion’s eye. His blood ran cold, and a bowling ball dropped in the pit of his stomach.

You’re new around here. The man draped one heavy arm on the door of the hatchback and the other one the roof. Liquor wafted from his lips, bombarding Orion’s nose.

Sort of. Orion chuckled.

What do you mean sort of? Not many people like you pass through around here. If you came to give a donation, you obviously can’t now.

No, I came with some friends who used to live here. They heard about the accident.

Accident? He chewed and turned his head, spitting brown sludge into the street. It stank of tobacco and rotten teeth. You think this was an accident?

I’m not sure, yet. I can’t imagine anyone who would purposely attack a homeless shelter. Orion shifted in his seat, leaning away from the other man.

I don’t right know either, but I’ll tell you somethin’. I saw this pregnant blond-haired girl hanging around the shelter days before the attack. Never saw her before then.

Blonde? What color were her eyes?

The man scrubbed his cheek. I wasn’t looking too closely because she had a pregnant belly in the front, but I wanna say blue. Why, you know a pregnant blond-haired girl?

Well, the description is vague. Orion straightened his back. Did she talk to you, or did you get her name?

Yeah, I talked with her. She said her name, but I don’t remember. Started with an m. Marry, Melissa or somethin’.

Hm. Okay. Wait. What’s your name?

Leon.

It’s nice to meet you, Leon. I’m Ryan. Orion smiled. Thanks for the information. His smile waned, and he looked toward Trav and Ajax. Um, did you live in the shelter?

Nah, but I used to get a good hot meal there a few times a week.

Oh. Orion studied Leon’s features, memorizing his swampy green eyes, his crooked nose, and his stringy brown hair. Can I help you out with anything else?

Leon peered toward the dilapidated building. The diamond stud earring piercing his ear glistened in the sunlight. He craned his neck and faded tattoos crept from the hidden safety of his collared shirt, exposing his youthful mistakes. As Ajax and Trav exited the building, Leon looked down at Orion again. Nah. You good, kid. I hope y’all figure out who attacked the place.

Me, too. Two-

Leon turned on his heels, and the gun at his hip sparkled again. He crossed oncoming traffic and disappeared in the sea of vehicles as Ajax and Trav reached the hatchback.

Orion blinked, tearing his eyes away from where Leon ran and looking at the two other men. Did you find out anything? He studied Trav and Ajax’s somber features.

Smells like gas. The furniture and everything’s been moved out or stolen. Not sure which. Ajax got in the passenger seat while Trav got in the back seat.

Doubt anything was stolen. Trav buckled his seatbelt. Who were you talking to?

This guy named Leon.

He came up to the car? Ajax squinted through Orion’s window toward the direction Leon went.

Yes. When you two got out, he came up before I could join you. This is why I never went inside.

Oh, I thought it was because you didn’t want to see the inside of the building or smell dead bodies or something. Ajax buckled his seatbelt as Orion turned the key in the ignition.

No, I wouldn’t avoid it when it’s so important to you. Orion wrinkled his nose. Did it smell like dead bodies?

Nope. So, what’d he say?

Orion shrugged. He hinted at the fire not being an accident and said a blond-haired, blue eyed pregnant woman had been hanging around days before the fire.

Mila? Ajax glanced at Trav, and Trav looked up from his cell phone.

Likely.

He said her name started with an M, but he claimed he couldn’t remember it exactly, Orion added.

All right. What else did he say?

Um. Nothing else, really. Orion chewed his bottom lip. Do you want to go after who did this?

Ajax settled in his seat. Maybe. It depends.

Depends on?

Depends on what the others say and how we’re feeling after the funeral. Trav snatched his cell phone back.

Okay, but didn’t we learn something from the Brody situation? Orion looked between the two other men.

Ajax rumbled. "Yeah, we did. We learned to keep in