Live Free or Die Complete Series Boxed Set: Age Of Madness - A Kurtherian Gambit Series by Hayley Lawson (pdf e book reader .TXT) 📗

and grinned. They got to their feet and headed over to Graham, who was putting his armfuls of weapons down on the table.

Carter reached to pick one of the pistols up, and Graham slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch the goods just yet,” the blacksmith told him.

Carter raised his hands. “Easy. Have a beer and lighten up.”

Graham gave him a skeptical look. “I’m not sure mixing alcohol and weapons is the smartest idea.”

“Good thing I’m not smart then, isn’t it?” Carter replied. He grabbed a beer and passed it to Graham.

“Looks like I’m in good company.” Graham chuckled and took a swig. Carter reached over for a weapon again and Graham slapped his hand without stopping drinking his beer, since he knew Carter would try to get the weapons while he was distracted. The weapons looked too damn cool.

The others all made a big deal of the weapons as they gathered around the kitchen table.

Carter rubbed his hand. “Will you stop slapping me now and show us the goods?”

Massimo stood beside Graham and admired the weapons. “You’ve outdone yourself, Graham.”

Graham was pleased that Massimo approved of his work. “Thank you, Massimo. I’ve been working on these for years, and there are quite a few upgrades—which is why I’ve been trying to stop Carter from touching them.”

Carter rubbed his hand theatrically. “Oh. Well, you only had to say so.”

First, Graham took a wooden spear off the table. It didn’t look like there was much to it. It actually looked like the most boring thing there.

Koda inspected the wood. “Nice.”

Graham smiled. “That’s nothing. Watch this.” He tapped the butt of the spear on the floor and lifted it up off the floor, and instantly 9-inch blades came out of the ends, making it a double-bladed weapon that was perfect for close- to mid-range fighting.

Koda’s face lit up, and he held a hand out to Graham. “May I?”

Graham passed it to Koda. “I thought this would be good for you.”

Koda took the spear with wide eyes. “Thank you,” he told Graham warmly.

“I’ve got these two sweet pistols for Byrant. I understand that you are very good,” Graham said, raising his eyebrow. “I also heard that Willard is a good shot, but when it comes down to it he buckles.”

Luckily Byrant wasn’t looking or paying attention. His eyes were on the set of guns. He was the drunkest of all of them, and Ryder could understand why, after him flaking so badly in the fight against the Mad. Ryder knew that they had to get that sorted out quickly. It was pointless having the so-called Best Gunslinger in Town if he was too traumatized to fire a weapon.

“I thought you’d like these.” Graham held up two shiny axes, and Carter’s face lit up like all his Christmases had come at once.

“For me?” Carter cooed, holding the axes against his chest.

Graham rolled his eyes. “Yes, for you.”

“I think you’re my new best friend. Sorry, Ryder, you’re out. Come here, you.” Carter clutched Graham in a bear hug, and Graham hugged him back, laughing.

The two men released each other with a grunt. “Was it good for you?” Graham asked with a wink.

“Yeah, I’ve still got a semi-on.” Carter grabbed his crotch and thrust in Graham’s general direction. The other men around the table began to laugh.

Graham patted himself on the back. “Looks like my work here is done.”

“Well, you can finish me off if you want to,” Carter stated.

That got Massimo chuckling, which made Ryder laugh as well.

Graham put his hands in the air. “Not on the first date.”

Carter rolled his eyes and asked Ryder, “What’s with him? He’s such a dick tease.”

Ryder shook her head in amusement. “Are you two done with your dick jokes?”

Carter folded his arms and smirked. “I’ve got more if you want them.”

Massimo began collecting the empty beer bottles. “Save them for later, Carter. It’s getting late, and we have a big day tomorrow. Let Graham finish his demonstration now.”

Carter patted Massimo on the back. “Will do, boss.”

Massimo turned to Graham with a resigned sigh. “Graham, why don’t you show us what else you have?”

“Sure thing.” Graham passed out all the different weapons. He had cool knives, guns, swords, and crossbows, and he gave them all out to the newly-named Merry Men.

Tightwad went for the swords, which were long and impressive. Ryder hadn’t expected Tightwad to go for that type of weapon.

He swung them a few times to get the feel and nodded with satisfaction.

Ryder thought he looked strange with his two swords and his colorful sweater, but then she glanced at the table and wondered what weapon wouldn’t look odd with his outfit. She grinned. Actually, the weapons had nothing to do with it. He was just going to be the funniest looking vampire slayer in the bunker.

“And last, but not least...” Graham held up a cloth-wrapped package.

Ryder’s fingers were tingling with excitement, ready to get to hold of her new weapon. She took it from him almost reverently, already certain what was within, and opened the cloth. “It’s…it’s beautiful…”

“It’s more than beautiful,” Graham told her. “The arrowheads are made from metal instead of the flint you’re used to. No more breakages.”

“Thank you, Graham.” Ryder giggled as she examined the bow. The craftsmanship was far better than her old bow, and the stronger arrowheads would mean she could be a little less fussy about where she aimed the next time they were fighting. “This is going to make a huge difference.”

“That’s not the best thing. Watch this.” Graham walked over to Massimo’s hard alcohol. I thought he was going to show me something, not just drink more.

“Do you mind if I steal this?” Graham asked Massimo.

“Be my guest.” Massimo was happy to have people drinking in his house. Ryder noticed that Fluffy wasn’t walking in a straight line as he came over to the group. He was drunk. Ryder looked down at him, fondly shaking her head as he came to lie down beside her. “Oh, Leandro.” She rubbed the