Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,121

food was spectacular. Ellie’s pies were the best dessert he’d ever had.

Whatever sadness and twisted thoughts Olaf had earlier had vanished by the time he and Jesse returned to the group. He looked over at his cousin, who was laughing and sharing a story about when he and Kristof had been kids.

He followed Jud away from the picnic tables. He paused at the corner of the building.

“What’s with the private chat?” Kristof asked.

Jud smirked. “I was ordered to find out what your intentions were however necessary.”

Amusement filled him as he glanced back at Jud’s wife and Mary. They’d asked a few pointed questions the past couple of hours, but they’d all been bookended with innocuous ones that kept the mood light. “They can ask themselves.”

“They will, but this’ll be easier on us both.” Jud crossed his arms. “You’re serious about her. I don’t need answers. I already know.”

“Then why are we doing this?” Kristof had no intentions of talking about Addy with anyone except Addy when she was ready—assuming she’d ever be ready.

What little she’d shared about her time at Hive and with Peter left him livid. He’d had no idea she’d endured so much and doubted anyone else in her life had a clue. A protective crew like The Arsenal would’ve weighed in long ago to get her sorted.

Which meant it was up to him to remain patient and give her the space she needed while also making it clear he had zero intentions of walking away. He’d spent two decades destroying his father. Addy was worth whatever time it took.

“You’re quiet.”

“I have a lot on my mind,” Kristof said. “Why are we doing this?”

“I don’t work here at The Arsenal. I have a side venture, an investigative business. I’m helping Riley Mason get her investigative license, and we’re solving problems and helping folks in the Tri-County. That’s Resino, Marville and Nomad. We’re outside of Resino. Kamren’s from Marville and still lives there with Dallas and her brood. Ellie’s also from there and lives there with Jesse and their daughter. Nomad’s a bit bigger and up north. That’s where we go for groceries and other shit.”

“Okay.” Kristof wasn’t sure why he was getting a geography lesson.

“There’s a lot of shit to deal with. If things get complicated, I can pull in an Arsenal team or the brainiacs to help dig. But I’m not using Vi and Mary and them much because I want Riley trained on how to use HERA so we can operate without The Arsenal as much as possible.”

“Because they’ve got enough on their agenda.”

“Exactly.” Jud uncrossed his arms. “I want you with us. The shit you dealt with in your underground and with The Collective gives you a knowledge base that’s wider than mine. It’d help Riley. It’d be you, me, Riley, and Jacob. He doesn’t know that yet, but he’d be a perfect addition to our team.”

Kristof looked forward to spending more time with Jud’s nephew. The young man had kept a relationship with Jud even when he was in the Collective, a feat few managed. The offer was ideal in many ways.

And give him a reason to hang around Resino for Addy without needing The Arsenal’s permission. Kristof grinned. “Right. Riley.”

Jud chuckled. “Look, fucker. We can do this however you want. If you want to be on one of the teams so your time is fully at the compound, say the word. I’ll get you vetted.”

“I’m not sure the Masons will go for that.”

“They don’t know what you’re capable of. I watched the compound takedown. You let their teams take the lead. Maksim stepped in when necessary, but you hung back.”

“I wasn’t at fighting strength. I didn’t exactly make a great impression when I got taken.”

“Guess we’ll agree to disagree on that. From what I saw, you and Addy handled yourselves well. You kept the attention off her while she was out. Not many in your situation would’ve done that. It’s not like you had any allegiance to her or The Arsenal.”

“You know that’s not true.”

“I do. But they don’t. Not yet.” Jud shrugged. “They’re getting the idea now, but either way. If you want to prove you can be on a team, I’ll help. They also need a hand-to-hand combat trainer full-time so those who are doing it now can focus on their teams and missions.”

That’d be perfect for Maksim.

“You’ve got options. I’ll make sure you’ve got a place here as long as you want it,” Jud said. “We started this conversation earlier,