Brother's By Bond Not Blood

Chapter 1

Victor
The Gang

Driving up to an old salt warehouse felt as familiar as it always had. Which was good after being away for six months.

I got out of my jeep and looked up at the old Jace's Salt sign that was barely hanging on to the warehouse. I walked to the door seeing it slightly ajar and heard voices speaking loudly inside mixed with laughter.

I walked in, shutting the door behind me, and walking down a little hallway to the living space that was made a few years back. I stopped at the end with a smile as I saw almost the whole gang here.

Nicki, the oldest in our group, sat beside her brother Kenneth on the couch playing Phase 10 with Holt and Whitlyn. Over by the makeshift kitchen was Flynn and Madison probably gossiping about someone they know from a rival gang. There was only one person I didn't see in the room but knowing him, he must've walked off to do something or just to be anti-social.

"I come home and not a single one of you even talked to me," I said to the group and each one of their heads shot up to look at me.

"Victor!" Whitlyn shouted excitedly, throwing his cards down and running over to hug me. "When did you get back?"

"Hey Whit Whit," I said and messed up the boy's hair causing him to smack my hand away. "I got back a few hours ago but didn't see anyone at home so thought y'all would be here."

"Nicki wanted to play Phase 10 so we all came here," Kenneth said.

"Would have won too if you didn't show up," I heard Nicki grumble.

"No you wouldn't have, you were on phase two still," Whitlyn said.

"I would of been farther if you would of quit skipping me!" Nicki grumbled annoyed as everyone else laughed at her.

"Sure you would of," Holt said sarcastically.

Nicki huffed and started putting her cards away.

"Anyways, where's Sammy?" I asked as I looked around for the short guy.

"Where do you think he is? He walked off a little bit ago to go work on something probably," Kenneth said sitting down on the couch with Red Bull in his hand now.

"So, he's in the back?" I asked, already walking to the metal tin sliding door at the far wall.

"Probably," Flynn said, tagging along with me and Whitlyn following him like he normally did.

I slid the door open and walk into a big open area. There was an older truck sitting on some ramps and tools scattered on the floor around it. The hood was raised for where someone had been working. A desk sat against the wall with papers scattered across it and a few books.

Sitting in the chair in front of the desk was a small figure in a baggy hoodie scribbling away. I walked over quietly, the guy too lost in thought to notice me when I stopped next to him. I looked over his shoulder to see him writing one of the many books he's been working on.

"I see your writer's block has finally ended," I said, startling the guy.

Samuel looked up at me and a grin spread across his face.

"Vic? What are you doing here?" He asked as he stood up.

"Just came back from being with grandma," I said. "And before you ask, yes she's doing well, and no she didn't kick me out."

"I didn't think she kicked you out," he said with a chuckle. "Anyways, why are you in here? Shouldn't you be catching up with Nicki about the last six months?"

"I wanted to make sure you weren't causing issues," I said, causing Samuel to roll his eyes.

"Vic, if anyone is causing issues it's Madison and Nicki," Samuel said with a laugh as he stashed his papers away into a folder and shoved them into a drawer.

"You're probably right but if I'm gonna have to go in there so are you," I said, putting my hands on Samuel's shoulders and start shoving him to the door.

"Hey stop, I got work to do," Samuel said, moving away from me.

Flynn and Whitlyn grabbed his arms and started yanking Samuel to the door while he protested. We walked into the living area and Kenneth was making coffee by the counter having to bend his back so his 6'6 frame didn't slam his head into the cabinet above.

"We're out of creamer," Kenneth said as he looked over at Nicki.

"It was Madison's turn to buy," Nicki said and the two siblings turned to the girl.

"I forgot my wallet," Madison said with a shrug.

"You always forget your wallet," Flynn said as he and Whitlyn pulled Samuel over to the couch and forced him to sit down.

The guy grumpily sat back and crossed his arms. Madison dropped down beside him causing Samuel to look even more grumpy. Sammy wasn't really big on people being super close to him. Between him and Holt, I didn't know who was worse about it.

I walked over to the chair next to the sofa and sat down as the rest of the gang came over. Nicki sat in the chair across from the couch while Holt and Flynn sat on the floor next to the table.

"This is so much better now that everyone's here," Madison said with a smile. "So glad you're back Vicky."

"Don't call him that," Kenneth said.

"Vicky don't mind," Madison said. "Do ya Vicky?"

"Well I do, now stop," Kenneth said, shoving his cousin lightly as he sat on the couch arm.

"Now that we're all sat down, what all happened while I was gone?" I asked, looking at everyone one at a time.

Everyone turned to look at Samuel and he dropped his head, making his long hair hide his face. I raised an eyebrow and glanced at Nicki. By the look on her face she seemed displeased with the guy, that explained why Samuel wanted to stay in the back room. He's done something he shouldn't have.

"What did you do Sammy?" I asked and the guy looked up barely meeting my eyes.

Samuel glanced at Holt, and for a split second Holt looked like he felt guilty. Which was weird because my brother didn't normally feel bad about anything. Samuel looked back at the ground and fidgeted with his hoodie sleeve.

"I'll tell you what he did," Whitlyn started before Flynn clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Let him hear it from Samuel," Nicki said.

Samuel finally lifted his head and met my eyes and I could tell by how his hands were shaking, he didn't want me knowing what he did. Holt looked away from him with a frown.

"I made a deal with the Hamilton Brothers," Samuel finally said.