by J. M. Dabney
Priest chuckled as he headed back to the grab a cart and got to shopping. It was a bit more expensive than going to the big store about thirty minutes away, but they always preferred to keep things local if they could. They liked Powers just the way it was.
As he slowly filled the cart, he marked things off the paper. A strange tingling started at the base of his skull; the hair felt like it was standing on end like he someone watched him. He turned to scan the aisle behind him. He was stupid; he’d lived on the edge of a breakdown for nearly a week. Starting with almost losing Lucky, finally admitting he wanted to push past his fear and try for something less than platonic. He loved the crazy man, but he was still scared of ruining what they already had.
He shook his head as he grabbed three gallons of milk to go along with the several boxes of cereal. The crew ate like teenagers. Most afternoons could find the guys standing leaned back against the counter shoveling copious amounts of sugar into their systems. He’d brought green stuff one time, and you’d think he’d brought an infectious disease into the house.
Turning the corner to head for the checkout he bumped someone with the cart.
“Sorry, I didn’t—”
Everything inside him froze. His lungs seized as he looked into beautiful hazel eyes that burned with rage. Andre blocked his way. His hands went sweaty where they had the handle of the cart in a death grip. He felt like someone was choking him.
“Hello, Matthew, isn’t this a pleasant surprise?”
His panicked gaze darted around in search of help, and that’s when he noticed a few familiar men loitering a few aisles down. He couldn’t stop his body from shaking as his heart threatened to pound out of his chest.
“Wha—What are—”
“We’ve come to visit you; you didn’t stick around long after your mother’s funeral. I didn’t get a chance to offer my condolences before your—friend so rudely interrupted me. How is he by the way? If I’m not mistaken, I overheard he had an unfortunate accident.”
The coldness of Andre’s tone and the evil mirth in his eyes caused a thought to form.
“You—”
“Now don’t go thinking stupid shit, Matthew, if memory serves it never got you anywhere.”
“Priest?”
He almost sighed in relief at the welcome sound of Linus’s voice. A gentle touch skimmed his lower back. If anyone other than him had touched him at that moment, he’d have come out of his skin.
“You doing okay,” Linus asked.
He turned to give Linus a reassuring smile but froze at the anger showing clearly in eyes very much like Lucky. And he said the first thing that popped into his terror-addled brain. “You finally picked up the horn?” The black glass septum horn was thick in the middle and tapered down to blunt points. He was odd to see Linus looking like, well, them.
“A few days ago, thanks for ordering it. Lou and I saw Lucky’s car; no one else would brave driving it. We wanted to take you to dinner tonight.”
“We were in the middle—”
Linus snorted to cut Andre off; his arm wrapped around him, and Linus tugged him against his side. Linus was taller and slightly broader than his frame, but the man was all muscle, not a lot of softness. It was strangely comforting.
“I don’t give a fuck what you were in the middle of, I’m talking to my brother-in-law. Since he doesn’t appear to have shit to say to you, move on and take your lackeys with ya.”
“We’ll finish this later, Matthew.”
“Don’t even fucking think about it, man; I’m not making an idle threat.”
Andre didn’t stick around; he nodded to the other man, and they disappeared quickly out of the store. It wasn’t until he knew they weren’t coming back that his stiff shoulders collapsed and his knees went weak.
“Hey, look at me.”
Soft, yet strong hands grabbed his face and lifted him to meet Linus’s gaze.
“Deep even breaths, do it with me.”
He eventually got his lungs working and mimicked Linus.
“No, don’t close your eyes, keep looking at me. That’s right. Everything is okay. Just you and me,” Linus cooed in a soothing tone. “We’ve got all the time in the world.”
He counted the tiny yellow and green specks in Linus’s irises. Inhaled the warm scent of coffee-laced breath and eventually, his muscles began to relax. He felt safe, not to the degree that Lucky did, but close.
“You with me?”
He nodded and Linus studied him for long seconds before he seemed satisfied and released him.
“Something I need to know?”
“That was—”
“The sadistic asshole ex, I figured that part out. Doesn’t exactly look like your type. Thought unwashed, dreadlocked hippies were more your kink.”
“Lucky isn’t unwashed, he always smells like hemp and lemon, with an undertone of musky incense.”
“Whatever gets you off.”
“What is it with the Trentons and sex?”
“Naw, you’re not lumping me with them. I bring dates around I know will drive them crazy.”
“Ah, now I see the method to your madness.”
“What can I say, they made me the way I am. Besides, Lou always tries to sleep with the women I bring around, maybe eventually she’ll find one of them she likes.”
“Weird matchmaking practice.”
“I do what I can, so, dinner with us, we’ll pick you up at the house at six.”
“Will Lily and Damon be there?”
“Nope, just the three of us. Mom’s on this damn vegan kick and if we get one more offer of some fucked up tofu loaf we’re gonna go insane.”
“Maybe learn to cook?”
“What the hell for that’s why they invented takeout. Come on, let’s get you through the line and to the car. I’ll feel better knowing you’re on your way home. Anyone there?”
“It’s Trouble’s day off. He headed to pick Princess up when I left so he should be back by now.”
“You got my number, text when you get there.”
“Thank you for what—”
“Don’t even try, me and Lucky don’t always get along. It’s been that way forever, but my brother loves you. You’re family even if we’re a bit crazy and no one else would want to claim us.”
It didn’t take long to pay for the groceries and get them to the car. Lou even hugged him before he got in Lucky’s car. He pulled off and glanced in the rear view to find Linus and Lou standing together with their shoulders touching. Even though he’d always felt included it was still weird they’d come to his defense.
That’s when the thought which semi-formed came back to him. Would Andre be insane enough to try to kill Lucky? The instant answer was yes, he knew it without a doubt. Knowing Andre was in town made it a certainty. Lucky embarrassed him by knocking him down. Andre never hesitated to claim ownership. With every punch, he’d yelled it. He needed to talk to someone. He pulled into the driveway and then grabbed his phone from his pocket.
He scrolled until he found Scary’s number.
“Yea,” Scary’s gruff voice answered.
“I think Andre tried to kill Lucky,” Priest said it so fast to him it sounded like one word.
“Who the fuck is Andre and why would he try to kill Lucky?”
“He’s my ex; he was abusive and insane. I ran into him at the store.”
“Are you home?”
“Yes, I just pulled in. He said something about Lucky’s unfortunate accident, but—”
“I’m getting Tank and Elijah; we’ll be there soon. Stay the fuck inside and don’t open the door. Who’s there?”
“Trouble. His truck and bike are here. What about Juvie?”
“She’s taking an art class; she’ll be there a few more hours. They’re doing some exhibit at Heller’s Gallery at the end of the month.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t fuck around, Priest, do as I say.”
“I promise.”
&nbs
p; The call disconnected without Scary responding. He got the groceries in the house in record time and was putting them away just as the front door opened.
“Priest,” Elijah called out.
“In the kitchen.”
“Now tell us what the fuck is going on,” Scary ordered as he pulled out a chair for Elijah and another for Tank, then stood behind them with his arms crossed over his massive chest.
He took a deep breath and started from the beginning, things he’d never even told his therapist. Elijah’s eyes had filled with tears, Tank and Scary had seethed. His nightmare played out in full color in his head, and all he wanted was Lucky. Then an idea hit him, would Lucky still want him when Lucky discovered this was all his fault? The tears flowing down his cheeks sped up, and misery swamped him as the what ifs tortured him.
17 THAT MOTHERFUCKER TRIED TO KILL HIM
The investigators in charge of his crash came by to tell him they found evidence it was a possible hit and run. It wasn’t all that surprising. People don’t pay enough attention to motorcycles, one sideswipe, and a panicked driver equals them fleeing the scene. They asked him too many questions he couldn’t answer. He still didn’t remember much after he’d left Elijah’s house. He hadn’t thought much of the visit or the accident that had brought the cops to his room until the phone call that followed.
That was why Priest curled into his side. His pretty Bear’s eyes are swollen and red from crying. Lou and Linus dropped off a devastated Priest an hour ago. They’d left with a promise one of them would be back in the morning to get him. Priest was too upset to relay what happened, but Elijah called while Tank and Scary angrily growled in the background.
He’d known most of the story, not the details and to be honest, he could’ve done without those. That sadistic fucker had tried to grab his Priest from the grocery store. If Linus hadn’t been there—he didn’t want to think about what would’ve happened.
That motherfucker had tried to kill him, and now his man was blaming himself. That wasn’t going to fly, and he’d tell Priest as soon as he woke up. He tensed as the door opened, then relaxed as Twitch walked inside.
“Hey, mind a few visitors?”
Twitch was pretty and femme, sweetest guy, but he could get annoying quick.
It was one of the things he liked about the man.
“I brought some dinner. Scary found out Priest didn’t eat and it was my turn to cook. I had plenty of leftovers.”
“Thanks, who came with you?”
Twitch groaned as rolled his eyes as he looked over his shoulder as the door opened. A blond behemoth walked in, and his huge boots echoed off the walls. Crave couldn’t be quiet to save his fucking life.
The young man set the soft cooler on the chair nearest the door.
“Tiptoe, motherfucker, my bear is sleeping,” He hissed quietly through clenched teeth.
“I see head trauma didn’t improve your disposition. Shame,” Crave flopped into a chair beside the bed, and it creaked under his weight.
The man was huge like a bodybuilder. “Dude, you need to lay off the ‘roids. I heard it shrivels your dick. Rumor is it’s almost an innie now.”
Twitch giggled quietly as he gently hoisted himself onto the bed. If it weren't for the man’s beautiful looks, he’d swear Twitch tried to make himself as invisible as possible. Unless he was tending bar, he wore clothes that hung on his slim frame and left his long hair loose to hide his face.
“Fuck you, man, I’m rocking ten inches of prime dick.”
“I could’ve gone without that information,” Twitch made gagging noises.
“I hear that a lot,” Crave smirked.
“Pig,” Twitch whispered with disgust.
“Don’t matter the inches if ya can’t use it.”
“I know exactly how to use it. I’ve got the men lined up—”
“Shut up, we don’t need to hear about your deviant behavior.” Twitch reached out and rubbed Lucky’s leg in a soothing rhythm.
He was sure it was more for Twitch’s benefit than his. The young man was a very tactile person. If Twitch didn’t focus, he tended to use people as security blankets, stroking their arm or hand as he tried to ground himself. It got him in trouble more times than Lucky could count. Crave was in constant fights on nights Twitch felt insecure or overwhelmed. He didn’t mind so he let the man do it. Twitch had some of the same coping mechanisms Priest did. So, he felt protective of Twitch.
“Could you not rub on everyone you see, fuck, he’s taken,” Crave rumbled and anger filled his voice.
Twitch seemed to recoil and moved his hands to his lap.
“Come here,” Lucky motioned for Twitch with his good hand and scooted over, opening a bit of space between him and Priest.
“What’s wrong,” Priest asked in a sleepy voice.
“Twitch needs some TLC,” It was all he needed to say because Priest lifted his head. They’d discussed Twitch a time or two after nights at Brawlers. Priest saw some of himself in the younger man.
“You’re tiny enough to fit in the space.”
“The fuck he is,” Crave surged to his feet.
“Shut up,” Lucky hissed.
Twitch hesitated, but Priest leaned up enough to grab his wrist to bring him close to tuck him between them.
“If I knew you were—”
“You don’t want to finish that, Crave,” Priest threatened then laid back down to put his arm over both him and Twitch.
It took a lot to piss Priest off. Although he knew Priest was a little raw now and Twitch was a good buffer. Good thing he heard the chair strain under Crave’s weight again or he couldn’t guarantee what Priest would do.
“His locs are surprisingly soft.”
He heard Priest whisper to Twitch and Lucky smiled as he felt Priest pull one free from the tie to give to Twitch. He felt nothing but fond affection for Twitch, and he knew Priest understood that.
The three of them ignored Crave’s grumbling. Crave was sometimes a bastard when it came to Twitch, but he knew there was no way Crave had a thing for Twitch. Twitch was the opposite of Crave’s type. Yea, Crave liked them submissive, but he also liked them freaky. That wasn’t Twitch.
They all fell into silence as Twitch rolled Lucky’s dreadlock between his fingers. Priest’s breaths started evening out again. Lucky stared up at the ceiling. He didn’t know what he was going to do while he was laid up and unable to protect Priest.
“He needs a protection detail,” Crave whispered.
It sounded weird since Crave didn’t know how to be quiet.
“What do y’all know,” He asked.
“Only need to know information. A crazy ex who showed up in town. Eluded—”
“Eluding, do you even know what that means.”
Lucky snorted as Crave cursed under his breath. Twitch muffled his laugh against Lucky’s chest. The bed wasn’t wide enough for the three of them, but it was fine.
“Can I continue,” Crave asked and continued when Lucky grunted, “As I was saying, apparently, the bastard tried to kill you. Not that I don’t blame him you’re annoying enough to make someone want to murder you. I’ve thought about it a time or two.”
“So, did y’all go over the schedule?”
“Yea, Psycho is out, he’s self-appointed security for Elijah and Juvie. He sticks close to them. He’s to call Scary or text Tank with his plans. They’ll coordinate with us who’s available to send.”
“I appreciate this.”
“No problem, man, if it were one of our boyfriends or husbands, we’d want the same offer. I need coffee and I think the cafeteria is still open.” Crave pushed up from the chair and ended for the door; light flooded the room and then it went dark as Crave disappeared.
“I don’t want to be a bother, Lucky.”
“You’re no bother, and until I’m out of here, I want someone to watch you for me. Please do this for me. Andre is a crazy fucker. He ran me off the road and would’ve taken you if Linus hadn’t
shown.”
“Okay, but I’m here, at home or the shop. It seems an imposition—”
“It’s not, Scary and Tank wouldn’t have offered. Now get some sleep. Twitch is comfortable,” Lucky chuckled at Twitch’s soft snores.
Priest laid his head back down and buried his nose in Twitch’s long, curly hair. Lucky relaxed into the bed and closed his eyes. All the fucked-up scenarios played out in his head. Andre repeating with his friends what he’d done before. Priest needing him and him not being able to get to him. He wouldn’t survive losing Priest. He’d waited years to get Priest to accept him, to believe he loved him beyond being his best friend.
Everyone else had seen it, commented on it, maybe not in front of Priest, but at Lucky’s expense. His friends didn’t understand it stung like a motherfucker. They would’ve eventually gotten to this point, and he’d been willing to be patient. His bear needed tenderness and to be loved. He just wanted to love him, but first, he had to make sure Priest stayed safe for him.
He still had to show him the cottage where he’d made a home for them to live in even if it had only been as friends. It wasn’t much, but it would be theirs.
“I see they’re asleep,” Crave spoke quietly.
He opened his eyes and turned his head to the left. “Priest and Twitch don’t sleep a lot.”
“How the fuck would you know what Twitch does?”
“Priest and him play some online game, an RPG or something. It passes the time when they can’t sleep.”
“What else do you know,” Crave leaned forward and rested his thickly veined forearms on his knees.
“If you want to know something ask Twitch instead of being a dick. The guy has—feelings. I know strange fucking concept especially with the tricks you pick up.”
Crave hand shot out and almost touched his loc to remove it from Twitch’s hand.
“Don’t take his security. He’s fucking fine.”
“I have to watch his back at work. If he’s got shit going on—”
“Whatever he has going on is his business, you can leave. I’ll send him home with Priest in the morning.”
“Like that would ya, two men on your dick.”
