by KD Michaels
“House is clear. No one else is here. What do we do with her?”
“I’m going to have a little fun before we take her out of here. I’m going to keep her as my own personal toy. Time to remind her who the fucking boss is. Go into the living room and keep an eye out, make sure no one comes home expectantly. If they do, shoot them.” As the thug left, Mendoza started unbuttoning his shirt, staring at Laura. “Do you seriously think you can fight me, senorita? I told you in Mexico you will never be rid of me.”
“Fuck you, asshole. I will never stop fighting. Someone will always come looking for me. You’ll never be able to sleep without one eye open wondering when they will strike.”
Mendoza grabbed Laura and punched her hard in her stomach. Laura bowled over, grabbing her stomach at the same time she screamed out. Mendoza then smacked her across the face knocking her to the floor. As Mendoza moved to straddle Laura, she kicked out, hitting him in the groin. They wrestled around on the floor fighting for control when Laura punched him in between the legs as hard as she could.
She heard shouts and shots ringing out in the living room as she dove for the open closet door. “Fiona, hand me the gun behind the safe!”
Laura felt Fiona place the gun in her hand and turned around at the same time Mendoza stood up and started to come at Laura and Fiona. Laura fired her weapon three times, hitting Mendoza all three times, two hitting his chest and one between the eyes, just like she was trained. Laura kept her gun raised as she stood up and slowly walked over to Mendoza to kick his leg. He was dead.
Laura looked up and ran to Fiona. “Oh my God, are you ok, Fiona?” Laura checked her over to make sure she wasn’t hit or harmed in any way.
“Yes I’m good. Tex, Mendoza is dead. Laura just killed him. Where are the guys?”
Laura heard Tex’s voice come through the phone, “They are there, they just breached the living room. Stay where you are and they will find their way to you. Are you both ok?
“Yes, Laura’s more worried about me then she is herself.”
All of the sudden there was noise in the hallway as Joe, Cookie, Dude, and Wolf breached the bedroom door with guns raised. They walked over to Mendoza lying on the ground and checked for a pulse. Satisfied he was dead, they looked to where Laura and Fiona sat huddled.
Joe ran over to Laura and pulled her into his arms while Cookie did the same with Fiona. “Are ye lasses ok?” Joe looked into Laura’s eyes, noticing a fresh new bruise on her face. “Och love, if he wasnae already dead, I’d kill him myself. Are ye ok?” Joe kissed the bruise on her face.
Laura looked over at Cookie and Fiona and nodded. “Are you ok, Fiona? I’m sorry, so sorry. I never thought Mendoza would have come here. I’m sorry.” Laura started crying.
Fiona broke away from Cookie and reached for Laura. “Hey, it’s ok. I am fine. I called Tex when I couldn’t get ahold of Cookie. Tex kept me calm the whole time telling me what was going on while he got ahold of them. I knew they were on the way. I was worried about you being out here.” Fiona held Laura in her arms looking over Laura’s head at Joe and Cookie.
Joe got Laura to the hospital to be checked out to make sure the assault didn’t cause more injury or upset her old ones. When Joe tried to hold Laura’s hand, she jerked her hand away from him. When the nurse left to get her discharge papers, Laura turned her head to Joe, “I’m going to stay at Dom’s with Cody until I can get the door and windows fixed. I think it might be a good idea for you to go back to the base or stay with a friend for a few days.”
“What do ye mean for me te stay at the base or a friend’s? Lass, I’m nae leaving ye.”
“Joe, please. Don’t make this harder than it already is. This isn’t going to work out, damn it. I’m poison to you, to your career, and to your friends. It was my fault Fiona was almost kidnapped or killed today. What the fuck do you think your friends would have thought of your girlfriend then? Huh? I can’t do this anymore. I love you too damn much to ruin your career or turn your friends against you,” Laura cried out.
Joe jumped up from his seat and grabbed Laura’s shoulders, “Nae lass, ye are nae poison te me, my career, or my friends. Damn it, they were worried about ye too. Fiona was even worried about ye. They do nae think ye are poison. Do nae throw us away because of some trumped up idea that ye are saving me from some bullshite. I love ye. I’m nae giving ye up without a fight.”
Laura struggled with Joe, crying, knocking his hands off of her. “It’s over Joe. Please leave. I’m sorry but I can’t do this anymore. Please just go.”
Joe stood up, looking at Laura like she’d lost her mind and slowly walked out of the room. He walked toward the waiting room, running into Dom. “Dom, take care of ye sister for me. I love her nae matter what she thinks. I’m nae giving up on her.”
“Don’t you dare give up on her. I know she loves you, too. Just give her time, Joe. You have my number. Give me a call when you get where you’re going. I will take care of her. Just be patient, man. She’s scared.” Dom patted Joe’s arm as he walked toward Laura’s room.
Joe stood watching Dom walk toward the woman who held his heart. When Dom entered the room, Joe turned around and headed to the waiting room where Wolf and both teams waited for word. When he walked in, all he could do is stare at the room in a loss. He had his team, Wolf and his team, his brothers and his family back in Scotland, but he never felt so alone like he did right then and there.
“Hey man, is everything ok?” Wolf walked forward.
“She’s going te her brother’s for a few days until the door gets fixed. I’m going te get a hotel room for a few days. Let everyone ken she’s ok. She’s being released here in a few.”
“Wait, you’re not staying with her at her brother’s?” Wolf asked.
“Nae. She fucking ended things with us in that room. Some bullshite about her ruining my career or our friendship because she almost got Fiona killed. She thinks she’s poison. That’s her fucking spawn of a mother talking. Damn it man, I love her.” Joe punched the wall startling everyone in the room.
“Hey, don’t give up on her man. She’s scared right now. She doesn’t really know how we are yet. We aren’t giving up on her either. Just give her a few days to get herself put back together. Stay with me and Caroline. We have a room in the basement that you can use for a few days while you two get this figured out.”
Joe sighed then nodded. “Aye man, I ken do that. I need te get some stuff from the house and make sure it’s secure.”
“Ok, we can take you there and help make sure the house is secure. It’ll work out, Joe. I don’t know how but it will work itself out. You just hang in there and be patient.”
11
Six days after Laura came home from the hospital, she reluctantly went to the house to make the arrangements to have the door and windows fixed. To her surprise the door was replaced, as were the windows. Laura walked into the house and saw that the place had been cleaned up of all the damage and what needed to be fixed was fixed. There was no trace of what had happened. She found the card that Fiona had given her hanging on the fridge. She picked up the card and looked at it as tears started rolling down her face. She missed Joe like crazy. She wondered what he was doing, if he was ok, and if he missed her as much as she missed him. She didn’t even know where he was staying.
She had gone back to work two days after the attack and kept herself busy with going to work taking care of Cody. She would go to work until Brocard sent her home, take care of Cody, and then clean Dom’s apartment from top to bottom. She knew he was ready for her to go home. Having them there cut into his social life, but she just couldn’t bring herself to go back to the house no matter what. Dom had come over and gotten her clothes, uniforms, and work gear. He tried to talk her into taking a few more days off work but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
She couldn’t sleep at night because of the nightmares. Joe had helped her before when she had the nightmares after coming back, now she felt so alone. I
t was her fault for ending things with Joe.
Laura walked into her bedroom and froze at the door. She was so surprised by what she saw, or rather what she didn’t see. The room had been cleaned, sheets and bedspread had been changed and made up. There was a rose on the bed with a letter. Hesitantly, Laura walked over to the bed and picked up the rose and smelled it while picking up the letter.
My beautiful Laura
I know you are not talking to me right now. I’m sure you’re glad that at least my handwriting is in English since you joke that I speak a different language when I talk with my accent. Ah, there’s my beautiful smile. I meant what I said in that hospital room, love - I’m not giving up on us. I love you, my beautiful heart. You’re the Belle to my Beast, and the Beast is nothing without his Belle. I am here when you’re ready, love. Just know that I am never far, I will dry your tears when you cry. I will hold you if you’re scared. I will fight any demons that try to climb out of the dark into your beautiful light. I will slay the dragons that try to breathe fire and singe your beautiful skin. I will capture the wolves at the door and train them to be obedient guard dogs for their mistress. I will be that pillow you lay on when you’re tired. You are my world, Laura Renee Pratt. You and our son Cody. I miss you both fiercely. I meant what I said a year ago love, Tha mi sa' ghaol leat Bidh gaol agam ort fad mo bheatha, thusa 's gun duine eile. I am in love with you, I will love you my whole life, you and no other. Never forget that, Laura.
I fixed the door for you yesterday. Dom changed out the keys on your key ring so that you could get in. Wolf and the guys fixed the windows and helped clean up the mess. Caroline and the wives helped cleaned the house. I bought you a new bed, pillows, and linens.
I love you Laura.
Joe
Laura slid to the floor with her back to the dresser and cried. She just didn’t know what to do. She loved him yet pushed him away out of fear. Laura pulled out her phone and called Caroline.
“Hello.”
“Hi Caroline. It’s Laura, I’m sorry to bother you, I’m sure I’m the last person you wanted to talk to right now. I was just wondering if you have seen Joe?”
“Laura, hi, how are you? Are you ok?”
“Yes. Sorry, I just saw Joe’s note on the bed. I came to the house to make the arrangements to get things fixed. I wanted to thank you guys for all you’ve done.”
“It was nothing, Laura. That’s what friends are for. How are you?”
Laura sighed. “I’m ok.”
“Laura, I can hear the sound of your voice. You’ve been crying and you sound sad. We are still having the cookout tomorrow. You better be here or I will come and get you myself.”
Laura laughed. “I don’t know yet, Caroline. How is Fiona? Is she doing ok?”
“Oh sweetie, she’s fine. She’s been worried about you just like we all have. Matthew and Hunter have threatened to hide our car keys if we didn’t give you space.” Caroline laughed.
“How is Joe?” Laura whispered.
“He is miserable without you. He’s been sleeping in our basement instead of a hotel. The guys keep him occupied at night so he doesn’t go to your brother’s house and drag you out. He misses Cody. I think Dom let him call a few times to talk to Joe.”
“He doesn’t hate me?” Laura whispered.
“No, he loves you. He knows you’re hurting and he’s had to fight not to crowd you. Come to the cookout tomorrow, Laura. I promise he will be happy to see you. Matthew and I will come pick you and Cody up or you can bring your brother with you. He’s more than welcome to join us as well.”
“I don’t know. I’ll let you know. Thank you, Caroline, I really appreciate it more than you know.”
“Laura, call the number on the card that Fiona gave you. I use Dr. Hancock also and can tell you that she’s great. It won’t happen overnight, but it does get better. Don’t give up.”
Laura hung up the phone and leaned her head back against the dresser withCaroline’s words playing around in her head. She felt like she was damaged goods. She pulled the card out and looked at the number again. Picking up her phone she called Dr. Hancock. No more procrastination allowed.
The next morning, Laura drove down to the beach and watched the people walking and running in the sand. She walked down to the water and sat in the sand with her arms wrapped around her knees. Laura took her shoes off and put her toes out to be lapped at by the waves rolling in. She put her face up to the sky and breathed. She knew Caroline wanted her at the cookout but she didn’t know if she could go being around everyone after she ended things with Joe.
On cue, her phone rang with the screen showing Caroline’s number. “Hi Caroline, has Wolf had you tested for psychic abilities?”
“And give away my secrets? No, and don’t you suggest it to him, either. Are you coming today?”
“I don’t know if I can. Why do you want me there? I shut everyone out. I hurt Joe by ending things with him.”
“Where are you, Laura?” Caroline requested, ignoring Laura’s question.
Laura sighed knowing Caroline wouldn’t give up. “I’m at the beach. I needed to get out away from everyone and everything and just think.”
“Don’t move. We will be there in a little bit.” Caroline hung up.
“Caroline…” Laura was talking to dead air. “Well shit.”
Thirty minutes later she felt Caroline sit down on one side of her then Fiona sat down on her other side. “You don’t give anyone time, do you?” Laura chuckled.
“Technically we gave you a week to sulk and hide. Time’s up.” Fiona quipped. “Now to answer your question to Caroline, we both have told you that you’re one of us. You’re stuck with us, sister. No getting rid of us. Sorry Charlie. While your mouth may have told Joe things were over, your heart is telling you it isn’t. You both took some time away from each other and that time is up. Joe is miserable without you, and you’re miserable without him. I can see that just sitting here, so don’t deny it. Wolf, Dude, and Cookie are also waiting in the car to make sure you don’t try to make a run for it.”
“It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for,” Caroline cracked. Laura and Fiona laughed.
“I called Dr. Hancock yesterday. They had a last-minute cancellation so I went for my first appointment. Thank you.”
Fiona and Caroline leaned in and hugged Laura from each side. All of the sudden a shadow came over the girls. Laura looked up and saw her stepsister and her mother. Fiona looked back at Wolf, Cookie, and Dude while Laura and Caroline stood up.
“I didn’t realize they allowed dogs on the beach,” Jennifer snarked.
“Well, they allowed you in so I guess there’s no guard to keep them out,” Laura responded.
“You wish. Aren’t you done being the family embarrassment? I heard Joe finally wised up and dumped your fat ass. Maybe I’ll look him up now and show him what a real woman is like. I hear SEALs know how to make a girl scream,” Jennifer sneered at Laura.
“Well, I’m sure you can find some want-to-be SEALS who might feel sorry for you. A real SEAL wouldn’t touch a prostitute even if he was on his death bed,” Carolina remarked. “And for your information, Joe didn’t dump her. They are very much still together. You’re just jealous because he chose the real woman. A real man won’t look twice at you.”
Jennifer looked behind the women and smiled big. “I guess we’ll find out here shortly, won’t we ladies? Look Mom, there are some fine specimens walking this way.”
Laura looked behind her and saw Dude, Cookie, and Wolf walking toward them with hard looks on their faces.
“Jennifer, this isn’t the time for you and Mom to cause a scene. Please just leave,” Laura pleaded.
“Jesus Christ, Laura Renee. Where the hell did I go wrong with you? I gave birth to you, clothed you, put a roof over your head, and all you can do is embarrass this family. What did your father and I do to have you treat us this way? We found you someone who overlooked your weight and the fact yo
u’re a cripple. He treated you like gold and you divorced him because you couldn’t do your wifely duties so he went outside the marriage bed. If you would just lose your weight, stop that ridiculous career you think you’re doing good in, then you’ll find a decent man. I’m sure Jonathan will even take you back. I don’t understand why you can’t see that we only mean you well instead of assuming we’re attacking you all the time. Seriously Laura, why do you have to make people think your family mistreats you?” Kathy complained.
“Probably because you do mistreat her. I don’t know you from Adam, which is probably a good thing. And to answer your question ma’am, no we wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole or with a drug-addict-stoned-in-an-alley’s dick. Joe and Laura have not broken up so you can get that out of your head. And for you to think that a man should be ok to cheat on his wife because she doesn’t conform to his ideals tells me all I need to know what kind of parent you are. Laura is loved by all of us. She has twelve new brothers and eight new sisters. She has a man who worships the ground she walks on. So let me make this very clear, the three men you see standing right here are three of those new brothers in her life. You see her on the street, in a store, in a restaurant - I don’t care where - you walk the other way. Do not approach her, do not contact her. She’s no longer on your radar. Do you understand me?” Dude was pissed and let it be known what he’d witnessed
“Ugh whatever, you can have the loser.” Jennifer and Kathy walked away.
“Now Laura, does that answer your question if these two didn’t answer it already? You’re one of us now. We look after our own. I meant what I told your mother and sister. Aside from Joe’s team, you have this team and our wives. You even have Tex and Melody without even knowing it. You are not alone anymore. Are we clear?” Dude pulled Laura into his arms and hugged her. Wolf and Cookie took their turns hugging her as well.
Laura could only nod, overwhelmed by the show of support and love from her new family. “Ok now that we have that out of the way. Can we please go back to the house where we have a cookout going full swing and put a very surly Scotsman out of his misery before these men drown him?” Caroline cracked.
