“And now we cross to the Mayor who is about to make his first speech of the campaign, Elliott?”

Tal Cooperman’s voice caught Matthew off guard as the radio blared in Eli’s studio. Jimmy looked up from where he was with Brian scribbling out chords. Zacky set down the guitar he had borrowed from Elijah and Johnny leaned over his bass, listening intently. Matthew frowned and reached forward to turn it up.

“Thank you, Tal. Well, I would like to thank all of my voters for listening in. Today, with my lovely assistant, Valary Sanders, we unveil to you our promise for the future of New Huntington. If I win, I promise to you that we will bring you more security, more confidence in the local government that we can deliver on our promises.”

Zacky scoffed, “Broken promises more like.”

“Shhh,” Johnny elbowed him to be quiet. Matthew cast a grim look at his friend then turned back to the radio.

Elliott’s voice took on a hard edge, “I swear that the crackdown on illegal activity will increase and we will ensure the peace of mind this city deserves. The Creed under my auspices has already had a change of leadership personnel…Jason Berry has taken over as TaskerOne-”

Matthew growled low in the back of his throat, a wounded sound. Dan moved forward fast to shut the radio off, glancing sharply at him.

“You don’t need to hear that, Shadows.”

“Piss poor that he drags Val into it,” Brian muttered, roughly.

“She does work for him,” Jimmy commented.

Matthew growled again and swivelled on his chair, glaring at his friends. “Don’t talk about that. We need to work on this.”

Jimmy grinned as he held up the paper he was writing on. “Yeah, we figured out the chord arrangement. Wanna hear it?”

“Let’s hear it,” Matt said with a smile as he settled back in his chair.

This was what he wanted, to get into the music and forget about The Creed, and all the crap that went with that. That was behind him, for now, and he didn’t want to be reminded of all the stuff that had happened in the past month or so. It was tough enough having to talk it through with Val and the shrink – he was still seeing him - he didn’t need to think about it in his down time. And the fact that he was still working at The Creed…that was something he would have to change at some stage as well. Though the thought of handing in his resignation made him sick to the stomach.

“Matt? You even listening?” Zacky nudged his friend on the shoulder bringing him out of his thoughts.

“Sorry…” Matthew looked over at Jimmy and Brian; the latter had his guitar out and was slowly going over the chords. The mechanic just shook his head and turned to watch his friends.

Jimmy tapped out a rhythm as Brian started getting into the groove and Matthew found himself joining in as he hummed a soft tune beneath the beat.

“Like that?” Jimmy asked after a moment as Brian paused and glanced at the others. Matthew nodded as he got to his feet and approached them.

“Sounds good, I was thinking, though we need to make it lift a little at the end there.” He grabbed a pen and leaned over the notes, scribbling a few marks over the chords. “Try that.” He stepped back next to Zacky and smiled lazily.

Brian screwed up his face but played the modification to a chorus of approval from all who were present. Even Dan, who didn’t really know much of the ins-and-outs of music, was impressed.

“When’re you showing this to PG?” Elijah asked after Brian and Jimmy had finished running through the track. He had been quietly watching from the chair in front of the sound desk just listening to the friends’ discussing the music.

Matthew rolled his head on his shoulders and murmured, “When do you think we should?”

“Soon as possible. His first campaign announcement is this afternoon.” The older male leaned forward on his chair. “Even a rough demo will be enough for a first run.”

Brian nodded as he set his guitar aside. “Well, we can definitely give Dad that. Shads says he already demo’d this one out, right?” He looked at his friend, who gave a tight nod. He had roughed out a very quick track of the song, which he’d called Tension because he’d needed to get it out of his system. “So, while we work on it and the others…we can pass it over to him…just as a taste.”

Zacky frowned. “You sure we should risk it?” They all looked at him. He rubbed at his chin as he said, “I mean once it’s out there, it’ll be like we’ve painted huge ass targets on our foreheads.”

Jimmy grinned hitting his cymbals with a crash. “Let them try to keep us down!”

Matthew snorted, “Papa Gates won’t reveal the writers of the song until we’ve finished.” Zacky relaxed at that piece of information and allowed a small smile. Matthew slapped him on the back and smirked. “You can’t seriously have been worried?”

The mechanic jerked away from him and glared at him. “Yeah, actually, I am. Someone’s gotta stay realistic here. If we get caught…” He didn’t finish the thought as he looked away from his friend’s direct gaze.

Matthew sighed and squeezed his friend’s shoulder gently in acknowledgement. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he was just as anxious. Still, he knew how careful they had to be. It definitely would not end well if they were caught. He focussed his attention on the others as Dan had started asking Jimmy whether there was anything he could do to help.

Jimmy smirked at the shorter male. “Yeah, cover our asses.”

Matthew rolled his eyes and came to his colleagues rescue. “We’re not going to ask you to risk your position, Dan.”

Dan swivelled his sharp gaze to him, eyebrow lifted. “Me being here is bad enough, Shads. I feel like I should at least be of some help.”

Jimmy grinned leaning over to poke his thickly muscled arm. “You could be our personal trainer. I know Zacky needs to be whipped into shape.”

Zacky glanced up at his friend’s sly dig but surprisingly just grinned. “Yeah, and you’re not any fitter, you fucking rake.”

Matthew cocked an eyebrow at their banter, a serious expression on his face. His friends stopped what they were doing to look at him.

“What is it?” Brian asked.

“Sounds like a good idea. If we had to run…how far do any of you actually think you’d get?”

Jimmy flushed and looked away a strange light flickering in his eyes; Brian grumbled something about ‘get away cars’ and Zacky answered, his lips flattening in a hard line, “I’d probably collapse in a heap.”

Matthew nodded and smirked at Dan. “There you go, Abell. Now you’ll be useful.”

Dan laughed lightly, sensing the tension decrease a little. Elijah stood and smiled slightly.

“Perhaps I could join.”

Dan blinked at the elder male. “Sir?”

Elijah chuckled tapping the tip of his finger against the side of his nose. “I may be an old man, but I aim to stay fit.”

“You’re not old,” Matthew protested. Elijah gave him look.

Jimmy piped up, “Old in body, young in heart.”

“Trust you to say that,” Matthew muttered as he pulled out his phone, which was vibrating violently in his pocket. “Shit…”

Dan glanced at him, noting the tight expression on his face. “What?”

Matthew growled, “JB wants to see me. This can’t be good.”

Dan stood. “I’m coming too.” The former T-One made to argue but Dan shook his head. “Don’t argue, Shads…” Matthew shut his mouth tight then nodded before turning to the others.

“Guys, I gotta head back to barracks…I’ll come back as soon as I can.” He looked at Brian. “Try and get a copy of the demo to PG by the end of today, call me if you need anything.” Brian nodded and then went back to his guitar. Matthew looked at Johnny, grimacing but said nothing just turned and clapped a hand to Zacky’s shoulder. “Don’t worry too much…and…I’ll call Val on my way.” The mechanic’s lips twisted in a wry smile, but the warmth in his eyes showed Matthew that he was not really worried about that anymore.

“Go. We’ll still be here when you get back.”

Matthew nodded then headed out, acknowledging Melissa with a raised eyebrow as she was about to walk into the studio with refreshments. She flashed a knowing smile at him which he returned with a dark look as he exited Eli’s grand residence. He had a fleeting thought that he really should talk to Elijah’s personal assistant, find out what was going inside that head of hers since those riots. But, then the message from Jason forced its way back into his frontal lobes as he stalked to Dan’s truck.

We need to talk. This is not a request. Be here in an hour. JB.

The fact that he still signed his texts as JB was quite maddening to say the least. It meant that Matthew was on edge because he had no idea what frame of mind he would be in.

“Shads?” Dan murmured once they were out on the highway and speeding back toward Huntington. Matthew’s hands tightened on the wheel and he grunted.

“What?”

“What you think he wants?”

“No clue,” Matthew said shortly. Dan sensed he didn’t want to talk about it so fell silent the rest of the trip back to the barracks.

* * * * *

Jason turned as he recognised the heavy tread that stepped into the office. Matthew stood just in the entrance, face impassive.

“You wanted to see me?” His voice was low and revealed no emotion. That unnerved Jason. He’d expected irritation, anger even but not this. But, then he didn’t really know why he was surprised by that. Aside from his temper bursting out every now and again, Matthew was usually very calm and in control. And ironically before his promotion, before his brother’s execution, Jason would have defended that point to the end. No more, though. That was over.

“Jonathan Seward.”

Matthew blinked slightly, surprise registering on his face. “What about him?” He obviously hadn’t expected to talk about him.

“I’ve spoken to the General and he says he needs to return to the Astor.” Jason looked expectantly at him for a reaction.

The bigger male actually blanched. “What? You can’t…” He trailed off, expression tightening, as he straightened his back and glowered at him. “You can’t be serious.”

Jason frowned at him. “You didn’t think him being with you would be permanent, did you? You know Eskino said it was only temporary.” Matthew shook his head and rans his fingers through his hair. “Good. He needs to be signed in by tomorrow night. You will inform him once I’ve finished speaking with you now.”

Matthew nodded as he attempted to wipe all expression from his face again. But, he was shocked and was unusually shaken.

He frowned then said, “It’s not been long enough and Eskino told me he would try to find a better solution.”

Jason looked hard at him. “Yes. Him returning to the Astor. His program has been altered, and that’s all you need to know.”

Matthew swore softly; Jason narrowed his gaze. “You forget yourself, Shadows.”

Matthew’s gaze hardened and he snapped in return, “I forget nothing, Berry. I will return Johnny to the Astor, but only if they promise to not put him in isolation.” He paused, eyes narrowing icily to gauge Jason’s response. He just stared at him non-plussed. Matthew’s lips twitched in a cold smile as he added, “Oh, and…fuck you, Jason. I am finished with the Creed.” And before Jason could respond and tell he hadn’t finished the bigger male spun on his heel and stormed out of the office.

Jason poked his head out of the office to see Matthew stomp passed a shocked Dan and several cadets who watched open-mouthed as the former TaskerOne left the building, not looking back as Jason hollered for him to come back.

* * * * *

“What the fuck was that, Shads?” Dan sounded angry. Matthew didn’t register as he floored the accelerator and tore out of the barracks parking lot. “For fuck’s sake, dude…you can’t quit!”

Matthew snarled, “I just did, Abell.”

“God…you’ll just make things worse.”

The former commander slammed on the brakes and pulled over into the dust and leaned over to open the passenger side door. “You don’t like it you can get the fuck out.” He pointed out to the side of the road. Dan blinked and looked into the cold eyes of the bigger man.

“Shads…”

“Go on. Be shitty somewhere else. I gotta get back and tell Johnny his stint of freedom is fucking over, how exactly do you think I feel about that?” There was just as much fury in his voice as was evident on Dan’s face and suddenly the soldier felt awful. He’d heard what Jason had said regarding Johnny, and he felt a twinge of guilt. He’d known that the General and Jason had been talking about that for the last couple of weeks. But, he knew he couldn’t speak of it to Matthew. The anger bled from his features and he slumped back on his seat.

“Forgive me, you shocked me, is all…”

Matthew didn’t soften, just continued to glare at him. Dan looked at him then suddenly smiled a thought coming to him.

“You quit, right?”

Matthew blinked, eyebrow lifted. “Yes, that’s what I said.”

“Well, then you don’t have to tell Johnny anything.”

“Oh, so now you’re encouraging me to break the law.”

Dan snorted, “You don’t need any help from me, buddy.” Matthew stared at him and then realising the absurdity of the situation cracked a big grin.

“Fuck me…you’re right.” He groaned, shaking his head as his eyes lit up and chased away the coldness that had threatened to consume him. “I’m sorry.”

“Ah, don’t be. I wasn’t much better.” He gave a wan smile. Matthew smiled back then sighed as he returned his gaze to the road. Dan yawned and leaned over to turn the radio up as they headed back to Elijah’s the mournful tones of a saxophone filling the cabin. And how fitting was that.