Leader: Book Three (Princes of Prophecy 3)

by L. Ann Marie

  Dakota: “Missiles away!” Fuck.

  Me: “Air One to Eagle Eye, am I clearing the building?”

  Dakota: “Negative Air One.” He shoots and the missile explodes. “Debris on the compound Air One.”

  Me: “Roger Eagle Eye.” I turn. “Chevy call the guard shack. Get Security to help them and tell them to stay alert for fires.”

  Dakota: “Air One I have a lock on the Activity Center.”

  What the fuck? The plane exploded.

  Me: “Roger Eagle Eye. Can you clear it?” I look at Chevy. “Make sure it’s empty, we have fuckin’ seconds.” I see Brantley. “Lock the women down to the houses. Safe rooms wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

  Dakota: “Roger Prez the debris will fall to the outer compound.”

  Me: “Hit it Eagle Eye.”

  Dakota: “Roger Prez.”

  He’s shooting and I hope to fuck Brantley got to everyone in time. Jeremy comes running to me. “Home now!”

  Oh fuck. Nothing is written flies through my head. Darren comes in.

  Me: “Air One to Eagle Eye, control is switching to VP.”

  Dakota: “Roger Prez. Hurry.”

  I hand the headset to Darren and run. I hear the explosion from the lot. Jeremy rides like a fuckin’ maniac and I’m happy today isn’t any different. The gate is open for us and he rides straight to the Activity Center.

  “Here Little Ben! We have to help!” Alex yells.

  The building is intact, but a blade from a wind turbine is on the ground. “NO!” I run past him. Fuck no. “Lily, I’m here Little Mamma.” Jeremy has his hands on her stomach. I call an ambulance. Her head is bleeding and she’s unconscious. Alex tells me a truck is here. “Cancel the ambulance, let’s go.” I look at Jeremy and get a nod, he hasn’t let her go and moves with me.

  Jessie’s driving and it registers, but I don’t ask. He flies through the streets and pulls to emergency. Chet meets us with a doctor and a gurney. The doctor is ordering shit while we move through the hall. He tells me I have to wait outside.

  “Not fuckin’ likely.” I keep my hand on her with Jeremy moving in front of me still holding her stomach.

  When he calls for Security, Chet pulls his gun. I look the doctor in the eye. “You fix her with us in the room or I’ll have our Security take over the fuckin’ hospital.” The doctor puts his phone down and talks to the nurses.

  When they put a belt thing around her Jeremy moves his hands. Beeping goes off, when he puts his hands back it stops. The doctor looks at me. “He heals,” I tell him. He nods and looks at her head telling the nurse to do something. Everyone has hands moving on her and I’m fuckin’ helpless here. I put my hand on Jeremy’s back and ask the ancestors for strength and help holding onto her.

  “Yeah,” Jeremy says. I close my eyes and feel my boys. Something is wrong. “Now. She needs to have them now.” The nurse looks at Jeremy then tells the doctor something else and they start moving fast.

  “I need to get her into surgery. She’s in labor.”

  I look at Chet. “Take her chart. Stay in the hall, but her chart goes to you when they’re ready to move her. Don’t leave her Brother.” He throws me chin.

  “Jeremy. They need to take her.”

  “No. With me.” He moves his hands and everything is going off. He puts them back and we have one beeping sound. I have no clue what to do. Can he go in surgery?

  “He goes with us,” the doctor says taking that from me. I nod and let him go.

  I follow until the doors. “I can’t take everyone.” The doctor looks nervous.

  “I’ll be right here.” He pushes her through with Chet on the side of her and Jeremy holding her stomach. Before the doors close Jeremy yells ‘Jump!’ in my head. My hands hit my knees and I breathe deep. Nothing is written.

  “I’m right here. Go Brother,” Jessie says.

  I lean against the wall and slide down. I jump. I can feel it’s still wrong. They’re too early. I need help to hold onto them. “I am here my great leader. We can hold them with Jeremy.” I picture all of us holding them. We fly the reservation and back, over and over. Something stops me and I feel like I’m fighting to hold on and breathe.

  ‘Again Little Ben,’ Jeremy says and laughs.

  ‘Whatever it takes Little Brother.’ I turn and go again.

  I feel Dakota touch my arm and open my eyes. “The doctor is coming Prez.” I keep hold, but stand asking Jeremy to hold on to them.

  “The babies are being moved to the NICU. One is four pounds two ounces the other is four pounds even, but is not breathing on his own. We lost him and your friend helped, he won’t let him go. He’s got permission to stay with them. Your wife has swelling and pressure around her brain. They’re draining it right now. We’ll know more after some tests.” A nurse comes up beside him. “This is to identify you as the babies’ father.” The nurse puts ID bands on me. The doctor gives my shoulder a squeeze and I’m blinking my eyes reading what he thinks. Nothing is written.

  I look at Dakota. “Stay with Lily so I can see my boys. I’ll be back down soon. Don’t let her go Dakota.”

  He nods, but doesn’t say anything. Fuck. Walking away is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m holding her right now, but don’t know how long this can last.

  I feel my boys before I get to them. I’m told to put shit on and tie my hair back and do, then stand beside Jeremy. He’s got his hand on my boys. “They’re so small.” I look at them holding hands with their tiny fingers. I put my hand on his and feel his energy running through them. One has a tube and they both have wires on their feet. I hope the energy is healing them, they’re so fuckin’ small.

  “Yes. It’s good.”

  Tess comes in. “I’m here. Go Little Ben. I’ll stay with Jeremy.”

  “Don’t let them go Tess.” She hugs me and puts her hand on mine. I slide mine out and watch my small boys. One breathing with a tube. I ask for strength again and walk out.

  I pull my phone and call Dakota. He’s in a room with Lily and Jessie outside the NICU doors. It’s actually down the hall, but I find them easily. He’s holding her arm and Jessie has her leg. I’m shocked to see the bandage on her head. She’s got a tube down her throat too. I blink and lift her up getting her on my lap. I jump and talk to her, telling her about her boys, so small with dark hair and their tiny fingers holding hands.

  My dad touches my hand on hers and I open my eyes. “See your boys. I got Lily.”

  I move her as gently as I can and stand stretching. Dakota is still holding her arm. I call Darren on my way to NICU. Everything is calm and Cleanup is handling the Compound. He tells me to take care of my family, he’s got the rest and will call if he needs something.

  I get my band checked and I’m told to tie my hair again then go in. The nurse tells me she’ll have the doctor come and talk to me. I’m surprised to see Cloud. I don’t ask how he got in when I get checked before they will even open the door. Jeremy still has his hand on my boys, but the tube is gone. “He’s breathing on his own.”

  Cloud smiles. “Yeah.”

  “Phoenix,” Jeremy says.

  I smile. We lost him, but Jeremy didn’t let go, now he’s breathing on his own. “Phoenix it is Jeremy.” Phoenix Knight. Somehow I think Lily will like his name. Phoenix. I need to hold her like he held Phoenix.

  I put my hand on Jeremy’s and feel that energy again. A doctor comes in, but I don’t know him. He isn’t the doctor from earlier, he tells me about the boys and Phoenix breathing. He watches Jeremy chant while he talks. “Is this Reiki?” he asks before he’s finished telling me what the hell is happening.

  “Indian healing chant. I guess it is similar. My boys?” He’s keeping them together because they get distressed when they’re apart and Jeremy said no. They’ll stay in NICU so they can be monitored. If Phoenix continues to be stable they will move to the nursery. I almost laugh at Jeremy saying no, but keep it together. He fills the paperwork out for the names and puts cards on t
he glass thing they’re in. He looks at Jeremy as if asking permission. Jeremy moves for him and he lifts my little fighter out handing him to me. Jeremy’s hand goes right back on him.

  I get an incredible feeling just holding him. I sit in the rocker and Jeremy sits beside me. The doctor puts Teller on my other arm. “My boys.”

  Jeremy laughs. “Yeah.”

  A nurse brings me bottles and shows me how to feed them. She puts a blanket on my lap then hands me the boys. Jeremy holds Phoenix as I feed and burp Teller. He’s so tiny, I tap his back afraid of hurting him, she tells me to rub it and he burps. I like rubbing better. I put him on my leg while I feed and burp Phoenix. Jeremy never lets him go. “They don’t cry.”

  The nurse laughs. “They have someone with them all the time. Whatever he’s doing is keeping them calm and happy.” Jeremy has the biggest smile on his face.

  “He has that effect on people,” I tell her and he laughs.

  Cloud comes in with Aubrey and I’m surprised again. The nurse doesn’t say a word. “These are my nephews. I came to help Jeremy so they can go home like they should,” she tells the nurse. I thank her and watch her hand so gentle on Phoenix. “He’s going to be strong like Jeremy.” I think about that and think I would be honored to have a son like Jeremy. He throws me chin making me smile.

  Smiling right now feels good. I have Lily on my mind and think she’d love all this. Aubrey kisses Phoenix’s head and I’m blinking back tears hoping Lily gets to see her boys and kiss their heads. Jeremy grabs my arm, but doesn’t look at me or say anything. I get a bad feeling. “I want them moved with my wife.”

  The nurse is surprised. “They should stay in NICU then they’ll be brought to the nursery.”

  “No. I want them with my wife.” Everyone that has kids has them in their rooms. I want my boys with Lily. No matter what happens she should feel them with her.

  She doesn’t answer right away. “Your wife’s condition is unstable. It would be better for them and her if they were in the nursery.” She doesn’t think Lily will make it.

  I put Teller on my shoulder then hand Phoenix to Jeremy. I pull my phone and hit the numbers. “Pres I want the boys moved with Lily. How do I get that?” He says he’ll get it straight and call me back. “Get them ready to move to my wife’s room or a room we will all fit comfortably.”

  She’s not so happy anymore, I notice, as she walks out. Aubrey looks at me. “It’s right.” That’s enough for me. Nothing is written. I’m going to do everything I can to help write what should be.

  Jeremy laughs and kisses Phoenix’s head. “Don’t let go.”

  I nod. “I’m not Brother.”

  An hour later I’m holding Teller, Jeremy has Phoenix, and we’re walking to our new room. Dakota is still holding onto Lily. The nurses follow us in with bassinets and put them beside Lily’s bed. I thank them and put Teller on Lily’s shoulder with my hand on his back. Jeremy goes around the other side and moves her arm putting Phoenix against her. His hand goes to Lily’s arm. He looks at Dakota and smiles.

  I can feel the energy. My dad stands beside me with his hand on my back. I jump holding us all together and soar over the reservation.

  “Little Ben.”

  I open my eyes. My hand is still on Teller. Jeremy is holding Phoenix and Lily is still sleeping. I turn toward Uncle Danny he has two bottles in his hand. “The boys need to eat.” I nod and lift Teller. I put him in the bassinet and take the bottles. I change him then tell Jeremy to put Phoenix in so I can change him. Once that’s done I wash my hands and give Jeremy a bottle and Phoenix. I pick up Teller and feed him.

  “Is Phoenix okay now Jeremy?”

  He smiles. “Yeah, he’s good.”

  Dakota helps Aubrey onto the bed and she lays her head on Lily’s shoulder. My dad and Uncle Danny leave and Brenda comes in crying. Marty is right behind her, she gives me a hug and goes to Lily and Aubrey.

  I look at Brenda. “This is Teller and Jeremy has Phoenix. He named him Phoenix because we lost him, but Jeremy wouldn’t let him go. He held him and now the little guy is doing okay.” I have no fuckin’ clue how to give her what she needs, but talking to her seems to help.

  She comes closer and kisses Teller’s head. “They’re okay?”

  “They’re good,” Jeremy says.

  She takes a deep breath. “And Lily?” Jeremy looks at Phoenix.

  I clear my throat. “They were waiting on some tests.”

  She looks away and nods. Aubrey calls her over to the bed and I breathe easier. Jesus. I look at Jeremy and know he won’t answer so I don’t ask. I’m not letting her go.

  No one asks to hold the boys. Everyone pops in and leaves, but doesn’t even try for them until my mom comes in. She takes Teller right out of my arms and kisses his head then mine. “Who is this?”

  “Teller. Jeremy has Phoenix.” I’m so fuckin’ relieved she’s holding him. I don’t feel so alone right at this moment.

  “I guess I have Phoenix.” Kate does the same thing to Jeremy kissing Phoenix then him.

  “The doctor talked to Danny. He can tell you what’s going on while he takes you for dinner. Your father is waiting outside.” I look at Aubrey sleeping on the bed.

  Making my feet move I kiss my boys then Lily. Walking out I think the only way to fix this is with as much information as I can get. The steps get easier. The waiting room is filled with MC and Princes. I thank everyone for coming and my dad hugs me. I don’t want to let him go, but I do. I need to do this as the man he raised me to be. I ask Chet to get Jeremy back to the Compound. Uncle Danny takes my arm and pulls me to the elevator.

  In the cafeteria he sits and says a Prospect is bringing food. I sit. “What did the doctor say?”

  “They’re doing another test in a few minutes. It’s to check the swelling around her brain. If she needs it, they will drain it again. She’s in a coma right now. It is not medically induced. With the swelling they can’t predict if there is any brain damage. She wasn’t breathing on her own when she came out of surgery. They will do a test to see if she’s able to breathe without the machine. They had to take the boys because she was in labor and the smaller boy...”

  “Phoenix. His name is Phoenix.” For some reason I feel it’s important for him to have a name.

  He nods. “Phoenix’s heart stopped. They didn’t expect both to make it.” I clench my jaw and take a deep breath. “Now I’m going to tell you what I think you need to know. Both boys made it and Phoenix is doing fine. You have Jeremy to make sure that everything possible and impossible is done for them. Doctors always give you worst case. Lily didn’t have any other damage to her other than the hit to the head. Alex said the blade bounced and hit her. It didn’t fall on her. That’s a lot less force. She can come out of the coma at any time. So many things might happen, but they might not. Focus on what you know and what you can do right now. You’ll drive yourself crazy with what might be. Stick with what you know and what you need to do. Plan and adjust.”

  I take that all in and go over it again. The Prospect shows and puts trays in front of us. I’m still going over what I know. He’s right I need to stick with what I know. The doctors don’t know what Jeremy, Tess, Aubrey and Dakota are capable of. I’ll do what I need to, plan for what is necessary and adjust to the new information as needed. I open the tray and breathe deep. Meatloaf. My dad laughs. “Knew it.”

  Uncle Danny looks at me. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. I’ll stick with what I know.” I start eating. He nods and devours his food. He must have come down before he ate.

  Back in the room Lily is gone. “Tests,” my mom says.

  I nod and take Teller. Jessie has Phoenix. “Did Chet come for Jeremy?” He nods.

  “Brenda and Racks took Marty and Aubrey back too. Visiting hours are over. We didn’t want to push too far.” My mom smiles at me.

  I laugh. “Cloud was walking around the NICU like he owned it. He brought Aubrey in. Jeremy was in surgery. I’m pretty sure w
e broke every fuckin’ rule they have.”

  Jessie laughs and Kate kisses his head. “We’ll be at the house if you need us.”

  She takes my mom’s hand and pulls her away. “Thanks Mom, Kate. I didn’t realize I was hungry until I saw the food.”

  My mom blows me a kiss and gets pulled out the door. I shake my head. “I hope we’re as good as they are.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I have them Brother, you’ve been going forever.”

  He shakes his head. “I slept earlier. I’m your Security. Pres through Darren has you covered until all the players are picked up. There’s some big money that’s pissed right now. All the reports aren’t in yet so we may have new shit brewing.”

  Fuck. Just what I need right now. “Lily?”

  “Jake is with her.” I breathe easier. “Your boys are like mine. No fussing unless they’re hungry.”

  I smile down at my little man. “Yeah.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Six days

  Little Ben

  “I’m not leaving her.” It’s taking everything in me to keep that hold on her and keep functioning normally. I’m not giving up and I’m not giving in.

  Brenda has tears in her eyes. “I can stay.”

  “You already do. You’re here in the day and I’m here at night. I’m not leaving her. I’ll get a nurse to stay with her at the house. I’ll stay here with the boys. I’ll do any fuckin’ thing but leave her.”

  “She needs hospital care. She still has pressure that’s being drained,” the doctor says.

  “Then I’m staying. I don’t need the nurses checking on the boys. I’ve done everything for them without help from the minute I held them. They’re healthy and strong. They can stay with me.”

  He walks out pissed. Brenda just looks at me. “I am not leaving her. She needs to know we’re here. She’s going to get that from me. I have no problem with you staying in the day, but I’ll be here until she’s ready to come home.”

  “She could have brain damage. They’re draining blood from her brain.” Tears are running down her face.