Hunger of the Heart

by Trinity Blacio

  She was stiff, at first. It had been a long time since Kizzy had danced for an audience, and tonight she really wanted to impress one man. Her bells added to the melody. The four women moved around the fire like fireflies, each giving her own performance.

  Swaying her feet, hands, and hips, the words she sang following her body movements, Kizzy let it all out. Her family echoed her song, which drifted to the stars and moon above. Showing her love for the night, she wound herself around Running Wolf, touching him.

  From the heated expression on Rose’s face, she and her husband wouldn’t be staying long. As the music reached its peak, pain exploded in her shoulder. She stumbled and dropped to the ground.

  “Dark Horse!” Running Wolf yelled.

  “We’re on it!”

  Running Wolf lifted her from the dirt and carried her toward the house.

  “Remind me to curse the person who did this,” Kizzy grumbled. “We didn’t get to finish our song.”

  When he set her on the kitchen table, she noticed blood dripping onto her outfit. “I’ll freaking kill them. Give me that towel before it ruins my skirt.”

  “Put her on the sofa, Running Wolf, and get her a towel so we can cover her up while I work on her,” Red Hawk ordered, moving her hand away from the wound. “Running Wolf will buy you a new outfit.”

  “My mother made it for me.” Her voice cracked, and tears filled her eyes.

  “Not to worry, Little Butterfly. Your aunt Nella will clean it. You know she can get anything out of clothes.” Stephan patted her shoulder.

  “But can she fix the hole?” Kizzy slumped, unconscious.

  “What hole? Did she get shot twice?” Running Wolf handed Red Hawk the towel as he stripped her top off and started to work on her.

  “Yes,” Red Hawk, said digging in his bag. “Be grateful she has passed out because this is going to hurt. Hold her shoulders down, Running Wolf. I don’t need her moving around.”

  Running Wolf held onto his woman as his friend dug the bullets out and cleaned the wounds on her shoulder and upper chest. There were no words to describe the feelings he had right now. He had never been so angry.

  If Dark Horse found the person who did this, there would be nothing left of them. When she was bandaged and ready, Running Wolf carefully lifted, Kizzy and carried her to her room, tucking the blanket around her. Tonight, he would sleep with his woman. No one would touch what was his again.

  “You, my Little Gypsy, are not going to like the guards on you, but until we leave this place, you will not be alone again.” He placed a kiss on her lips. “Rest and know I’m here for you.”

  One of her cousins, he couldn’t remember her name, followed them in and laid a hand on his arm. “Please allow us to get her out of her dress so we can fix it for her.”

  “Just don’t move her upper body.” He took advantage of the free moment to return to the living area and check in with his men.

  “In the morning, I will bring an herbal tea to help with the pain and keep infection away. Try and keep her in bed tomorrow,” Red Hawk said.

  “Good luck with that,” her brother said.

  “She will listen to me, or I’ll spank her cute little butt.” Running Wolf shook Red Hawk’s hand. “Thank you for everything. Go rest. I know you did more than you were supposed to.”

  “It had to be done or she would have had to be taken to the hospital, and I know how much you hate them,” Red Hawk explained.

  Dark Horse stood in the open doorway, holding a woman by the arm and holding a black ops tactical weapon. “Here is your shooter.”

  “What are you doing with my wife?” Ares moved toward the woman, but Running Wolf stepped in front of him.

  “She’s the one who shot Kizzy.”

  “What? Are you out of your mind? Betsy would never….” Ares peeked around him. “Tell him Betsy.”

  “Tell him what? I did it, and if I hadn’t gotten bitten by a damn bug as I fired, she would be dead. She should have died with her parents, but, no, the bitch had to take off on a trip.” The woman struggled then subsided. “Do you know how much control that bitch and her family had over us? Any word her father said was law, and you followed like a puppy. Not to mention the whole family babied that bitch in there. You put her up on a pedestal and treated our kids like dirt. If you’d let that pervert take her, half of the problem would have been solved.”

  The bedroom door opened to reveal Kizzy, supported by two of her cousins, tears running down her cheeks.

  “You killed Momma and Papa?” Her lips trembled.

  Running Wolf clenched his fists. “Call in Tack. I won’t kill a woman, but she can sit behind bars for the rest of her life.”

  “There is no need. The Great Mother has taken it upon herself to call this one back,” Soaring Eagle said from behind Dark Horse.

  Running Wolf tried to get Kizzy back to bed, but she refused. “Sofa, please,” she begged.

  “As long as you don’t move around.” He settled her among the cushions, careful of her injured shoulder. “What do you mean there’s no need?” Then he knew. “The bug bite.”

  “Yes, she won’t last long. It would seem we have one of our signs. It has started,” Soaring Eagles confirmed.

  Red blisters appeared on Betsy’s face, arms, and hands.

  “I swear there is something moving in those bubbles.” Dark Horse backed up, shivering. “Spiders.”

  “Not to worry. They won’t touch us,” Soaring Eagle said. Ares stepped forward, but Soaring Eagle lifted his staff, blocking him. “You know in your heart she was never connected to you. She is getting what she deserves. Your children will need their father. But not to worry, another will come before the dark time and heal your heart.”

  “Uncle Ares?” Kizzy patted the sofa next to her as Betsy fell to the floor, clutching her throat.

  Ares knelt in front of Kizzy. “I’m so sorry, Little Butterfly, so sorry. My own brother. She killed my brother.”

  Kizzy ran her fingers through his hair. “I knew all of you kept an eye on me. I heard Papa talking to Stephan about how he worried about crazy people attacking me.” Kizzy rested her head on the back of the sofa and closed her eyes. “I hated knowing I was different. Even in school, poor Mason had to guard me. Maybe it would have been better if one of them had gotten me. At least you would have your brother.”

  “No! Do you know how hard they tried for you? Your momma wanted a girl so badly. She lost two babies before she conceived you.” Ares took her hand. “You were her world and ours. Our family had been torn apart for years before you were born. But we were all there for the birth of every child. When you were born, a peace settled over us. Whatever we were fighting about before seemed so petty. After that, we knew you were special and weren’t about to let anything happen to you.”

  “He’s right, you know,” Soaring Eagle said. “The group that will follow you will be the largest. With Running Wolf’s strength and your ability to calm those around him, you will be a major asset to our people and yours. Look at Dark Horse. The man hates spiders, but he still stands there, guarding the door without shaking. I could feel it the moment you arrived. You were born to be with Running Wolf, Kizzy. It’s your destiny.”

  “Well, this Little Gypsy is going to bed, and you will sleep. We don’t want to mess up all the healing work Red Hawk did.” Running Wolf lifted Kizzy carefully into his arms but paused, facing the door. “Dark Horse?”

  “She is gone. I’m going to have nightmares.”

  Kizzy shook her head. “You will not have dreams of spiders, but dreams of your new woman. Know her, Dark Horse, because she will need you.”

  She slumped in Running Wolf’s arms after her proclamation, and he shifted her higher. “Let’s go, Little Gypsy. No more helping. You need rest.”

  “Do you mind?” Her brother held out his hands. “I’d like to spend a little time with her. Plus, I believe you have some things you need to take care of?”

  “I’ll be in there
in a little bit.” Running Wolf placed a kiss on her head. “You will stay with her till I get back?”

  Mason nodded.

  Placing her into his arms was the hardest thing he had done, but they had things to do, and one of them was to start planning their trip north.

  Chapter Eight

  “Her anger is like that of a chili pepper, but so is her passion once he touches the fire of her.” Running, Wolf President White Buffalo MC

  Kizzy pulled the pillow over her head, sobbing as soon as her brother laid her on the bed and closed the door. The bed dipped as Mason lay down next to her.

  “Kizzy, you know this isn’t your fault. Uncle Ares always did have trouble with his wife. It’s not news she was bonkers.”

  “Momma and Papa would still be living if not for me.” She lifted the pillow off her face and stared up at him. “How can you stand to be in the same room with me? I took them away from you.”

  He lowered his head until his nose was almost touching hers and glared at her. “No, you did not. That bitch out there did this. About a week before Momma and Papa were killed, Papa came to me. Seems Momma had one of her visions. They knew something was coming, and he made me promise to stay close to you. He asked this of his brothers, too. I think Momma knew about this dark time or whatever they are calling it.” Mason put a kiss on her cheek.

  Kizzy rolled onto her side and groaned, remembering her injury. “Fuck. I hate this. Mason, how can we choose who comes with us? Is it wrong? Do we warn others? What if no one believes us?” Kizzy twined her fingers with his. “So many questions. I have no idea where we would even start. Do we stay here or just start packing up to head to this place?”

  “We have time, and the rest of our family will be here in the next few days. I’ve sent for Rona and the kids. Did I tell you Storm lost his first tooth and Mae has been practicing her dancing? She says I have to help Aunt Kizzy.” He smiled and peeked at his sister. “You should see her move, Kizzy. She reminds me so much of you when you were smaller.”

  “I’ve missed the little munchkins.” She squeezed her brother’s hand. “Go on, now. I know you have things to do to help our uncles. I’ll be fine.” She wanted some time alone.

  “Only if you promise me you’ll call if you need me. We have to stick together now. I can’t lose you.” Her brother got off the bed, staring down at her. “I look at you sometimes and I see Momma. The way you laugh and dance. I’ll kill anyone that hurts you Kizzy. Even family.”

  Mason shut the door behind him. He would follow up on his promise, too, but it wasn’t right. Her family shouldn’t have to feel like they needed to protect her, or that she couldn’t be out there alone. Their concern always made her feel like a failure, as if she could do nothing right without help.

  Kizzy hugged her pillow, tears slowly running down her cheeks. “I’m sorry Momma, Papa.” She closed her eyes, all of a sudden so tired.

  Strange plants. Light shone down from above. Kizzy had no idea where it was coming from or where the hell she was. She did a complete circle, taking everything in around her. Was this a dream or a vision?

  She stood on some kind of ledge overlooking an underground forest. A river ran through it, and Kizzy could actually hear birds and animals. But then the picture changed. She was riding behind Running Wolf on his bike. Dark Horse, next to them, was followed by at least a hundred of Running Wolf’s men. They came upon a street sign: Entering Douglassville, Texas.

  Again, the vision changed, and Kizzy sucked in her breath. The woman had visited her visions before, but this time Kizzy recognized the threat. This biker gang was a nasty bunch. They were called the Irons, and when they visited a town, they trashed it, murdered people, and worse….

  The president of the club smiled right at her, grabbing his crotch.

  “No!” She jerked up, moaning at the pain in her shoulder.

  “Easy there, Little Gypsy.” Running Wolf wrapped his arms around her. “You’re soaking wet. What’s wrong?”

  A chill ran down her spine to her toes. Kizzy was so scared. She had witnessed some of the damage the Irons had done. Her family had always stayed away, but it would seem they were going right into the den of them.

  “Have you heard of the Irons?” She was almost afraid to say the name.

  Running Wolf stiffened. “I know of them, why?”

  “Because it would seem we’re going to be running into them real soon in Texas. I’ve seen pictures of the president of that club—talk about scary—but nothing in comparison to what I just dreamed.” She peeked at the clock. Seven o’clock in the morning and it felt as if she just had lain down. It was going to be a very long day, especially since it was obvious they all were going to be packing up soon. But, first, she needed a shower in the worst way.

  She flipped back the covers and started to inch toward the edge of the bed, but Running Wolf wrapped his arm around her waist.

  “Where are you going Little Gypsy?” He kissed the side of her neck. “It’s early, and I, for one, was hoping we could talk for a little while before being interrupted.” He nipped the top of her shoulder.

  “Are you sure you want to talk?” She giggled.

  His gaze met hers. “Unfortunately, you are not healed enough for our loving to take place yet, baby, but soon.” He carefully laid her back, towering over her. “But I would glimpse what is mine, if you would allow me?” His hand ran up her thigh until he came to the bottom of her shirt.

  “Am I yours, Running Wolf?” She closed her eyes as tears threatened to fall. “Last week I was wondering where my life was going. I was thinking of moving, needing something.” She opened her eyes. “Why do I feel like my life isn’t my own anymore?”

  He leaned down and kissed her lips softly. “Because it’s not. Our lives are now twined together. There is no you or me, just us. My soul, my heart will never be alone again.” Running Wolf unbuttoned her nightshirt and spread it open.

  The heat in his eyes was a relief. She released the breath she had been holding and reached up, running her finger down his check. “You amaze me. So many depend on you, yet you make sure I’m safe and well even though we just met.”

  “We might have just met, but I believe we were once joined. My connection to you is so deep it feels as if I’ve known you for a long, long time.”

  “I hear you in there.”

  “Kizzy, if you don’t want to be embarrassed, be out here in five minutes.” Her brother pounded on her bedroom door.

  “Back the fuck down.” Her face heated. “Sorry.”

  Running Wolf wanted to kill her brother, but he did understand the need to protect the woman under him. He jumped off the bed, adjusting his hard cock in his pants before helping Kizzy up off the bed.

  Her cute red cheeks only made him groan at how the pinkness had spread down her neck to the top of her full breasts. “I don’t suppose your brother would allow me to help you in the shower?”

  “No, he would not,” came the response through the door.

  Kizzy rested her head against his chest. “I’m afraid until we make it legal, my brother will make an ass out of himself.”

  “Damn right. You’re lucky he’s even in the same room with your right now. Just think what Papa would be doing to him now.”

  “There is need to make your sister ashamed,” Running Wolf snapped. “You know damn well she will be my wife.” He started toward the door, but she placed her hand on his arm.

  “He’s just speaking the truth. Don’t you think you should ask me before you start telling people we are getting married?” She patted his chest.

  Running Wolf grasped her hand, holding her in place. “You will marry me, Little Gypsy, because we were meant to be, but if you need the words….” Dropping to his knees, he rested his head against her bare belly.

  “I promise that your life will come before mine. There might be tough times ahead, but my love for you is deep and soul reaching. I might be possessive, demanding, but you, Little Gypsy will stand beside
me in this mess that comes our way. I will hold you when you need to cry. I will watch you dance at night under the stars and know that my woman is special. Be mine, Little Gypsy, and let me love you through the tough days ahead of us and to eternity.”

  “That was beautiful, but it wasn’t a question.” Kizzy traced his cheek. “Even I know I was meant to be by your side, and where you will be possessive, I will make sure your life is filled with light even when the dark times move in on us. You will be the music I dance to because I already hear the rhythm in my soul.” She leaned down to kiss the top of his head, but he stood and covered her mouth with his.

  She tried to move away, but he held her tight. “My Gypsy,” he whispered against her lips.

  “Yours, but don’t do that again till I brush my teeth. Yuck.” She ducked out of his arms, grabbed her robe from the door, and hurried to fling the door open before he could catch her.

  “Damn it, Kizzy. You’ll hurt yourself again.” Running Wolf went to step into the bathroom, but she closed the door and he heard water running.

  “I’m fine, and I’ll be out in a few minutes,” she yelled.

  “So I guess congrats are in order?” Mason slapped his back. “You are in luck. My uncle Santana is ordained and can perform the ceremony.” Mason dragged Running Wolf into the living room where his uncles all waited.

  “Welcome to the family, son. We should have the wedding before we pack up and leave this place, but not out there where there are so many negative vibes streaming in the air,” Stephan said.

  “I’m afraid the wedding will have to wait till we dispose of this other threat to her and her friends. I won’t have her special day ruined by another shooting,” Running Wolf said.

  Sun Bull leaned inside. “We need to speak.”

  “Excuse me, gentlemen.” Running Wolf headed toward the door but paused when Stephan and the others got up. “And you are following me because?”

  “Because this threat is to our niece, so get used to the idea of us there right next to you until it’s over,” Santana stated.