Avery still slept like the dead. Never once did she open her eyes or stir while I carried her to her own bed. Once I got her situated under the covers I sat in the chair in the corner of the room like I did the night before. I sat in the chair watching her sleep for the second night in a row. After a few hours I could feel my eyes growing heavy and I knew it was time for me to head over to the clubhouse to get some sleep but the words that left her mouth had me siting back down only on the edge of the bed.
“I love you Braxton. Please forgive me. I’ve missed you so much baby.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned over her. I wanted to see her eyes as I had her repeat that to me. I want those fucking words again and again. The only problem I had was she was still asleep. She must be dreaming or maybe I willed my imagination to hear those words. I had no fucking clue but I wanted to hang around in case she said them again. I pulled my boots off and laid my cut on the night stand. My intentions were to only curl up next to her for a minute. I just need to be close to her even if she didn’t know I was here. What I didn’t plan on was falling into the most peaceful sleep I’ve had in years.
I woke to little hands shoving my shoulder. Avery was still asleep thank god. I didn’t need her waking up to my morning wood poking her in the back. Something tells me she wouldn’t appreciate it at all. I rolled over placing my finger to my lips. “Sssshhh...We don’t want to wake momma buddy. Let’s go get breakfast kid.”
“O’tay daddy,” my son whispered.
I rolled out of bed carefully picking up my cut and my boots in one hand so my son could take the other. Together we walked to the kitchen for a bowl of apple jacks and a cup of o j.
Avery
I woke up to the sun streaming through the damn windows again. Frist thing I was doing was ordering a set of black out curtains for this room. I didn’t do well waking up to the bright lights of the sun. Years of sleeping in the dark quarters of the bunks in the tour bus have ruined me. Looking at the clock I found it was only eight am. Hunter must have had a big day yesterday with Axle if he was still sleeping. He’s normally waking me up at the crack of dawn looking for his daily fix of cereal. Maybe living a normal life for a change would have its advantages after all.
I needed to get my ass in gear. I had to run out to Athena’s truck to grab everything I bought yesterday. With the spectacle we came home too I totally forgot about my bags. I climbed out of bed with a nice big stretch and took off to check on Hunter without even glancing in the mirror. I could only imagine looking at the hot mess that would be reflected back at me. Stepping out into the second story hallway I could hear the voices carrying up from what was probably the kitchen. With it being Thursday I assumed everyone was up to get their work days started.
I opened the door to Hunter’s room finding his bed empty. Looks like my son has suckered someone into making his cereal for him. Hopefully one of the girls would remind him of his daily dose of vitamin c. I stopped by the bathroom to brush my teeth and run a comb thru my hair before heading downstairs to join the fun. The kitchen looked like grand central station this morning. Wall and Happy were sitting at the island bitching at Carrin because Octavia got the first dips on the pancakes she was cooking. Athena was pouring herself a cup of coffee while in a quiet conversation with a grumpy Madison and there at the table was my son. He was sitting with his father, Hawk, Zeus and a couple I haven’t met yet. The older man had a striking resemblance to Hawk. Then it clicked. The couple must be the Commander and his wife Rose.
I decided to help myself to a cup of coffee but I wasn’t sure where the mugs where in this gigantic kitchen. Athena stopped mid-sentence when I walked up. “I don’t mean to butt in but I need a mug and a gallon of my favorite caffeinated beverage.”
With a laugh Athena turned to the cupboard behind her to pull a mug out for me. “How’d you sleep? I hope our screaming match didn’t keep you up,” Madison apologized.
“Girl it was fine. I couldn’t hear anything from Hunter’s room. I didn’t even realize I had fallen asleep. I’m glad Hawk took pity on me last night and carried me to my bed at some point. If not, I would have had neck cramps from hell this morning. Remind me to thank him later.”
“I don’t know why you should be thanking him, unless he was here on some parallel universe last night. After he and Athena had their own little blow out he left. He ended up crashing at his parents’ house. The three of them just got here about twenty minutes ago,” Carrin piped in from the stove.
“Yeah girl it couldn’t have been Hawk. When he decided to go all alpha male on me last night we had a hell of a fight and he took off. That mother fucker pulls all that listen to me bullshit, kisses me, takes off all night and then decides to come strolling in here this morning like nothing’s wrong,” Athena added bitterly.
Well, shit if it wasn’t Hawk again then who the hell moved me to my bed last night? I think I might have to have a conversation with the men of this house about boundaries. Not today though. Today I plan on going to see my sister and then to the shop to see my bestie. I just needed to find a car to steal for the day. “Hey Madison, what do you have planned today?”
“I’m actually headed to work. I haven’t been in since last Thursday and I can only imagine what the pricks have done. I’m sure shits just been thrown everywhere. I’ll probably be there all day just getting shit organized. Why what’s up babe?”
“I was going to ask to borrow your car. I haven’t seen my sister yet. I was going to swing by to see her then ride over to see Romy and Izzy. I’m sure they’ve got shit they’ve got to say to me too. I might as well get it over with.” I spun around to look at the person who addressed me next.
“Take my truck and I’ll just take the bike. I’ve already got one of those booster things in the back and I’ll have one of the prospects follow you in.” Axle says from the table. What the hell? Was he listening in on my conversation? What does he mean he already has one of those booster things? I’ve got to have an escort too? This is too much. Me and this asshole needed to talk and get a few things straight.
“Axle can I talk to you for a minute,” I said as nicely as I could muster.
“Nothing to talk about babe. If you’re going out you’ll drive my truck, which I know is safe, and you’ll have a prospect with you, to keep you and my boy safe. Too much shit going on right now for you to question me. Me and the boys will be around but there’s some irons in the fire that need our attention more than your visiting; can’t be worrying bout where the fuck you’re at or what the fuck you’re doing. You wanna go out that’s fine but, it’s on my terms. If not feel free to stay right here in this big ole house by your self today,” Axle laid the law down.
“FINE! Just tell me where is your truck and how long am I going to wait for my babysitter to show up,” I threw back at him.
“I’ll have the prospect bring it over within the hour. I’ll leave it here for you until we find you something else but, hear me when I say, you don’t leave this fucking house to go anywhere but the clubhouse without me knowing,” he told me then fell right back into the conversation with Hawk at the table.
When I turned back towards the girls they had put their heads down. I wanted to call them a bunch of traitorous bitches but I couldn’t. All three of them had probably heard worse last night from the men of the house while I escaped with Hunter to watch a movie. There was no need to cause a scene so I just put Athena on the spot. “Is your truck in the garage? I never brought my bags in last night and I need to get my ass ready if my escort’s coming to chauffeur me around all day.”
“I brought them in last night. I just put everything in the bottom of your closet. I figured you’d be up looking for shit this morning.” “If ya get back before I leave the range today you ought to stop by. I’m sure I’ll have a babysitter today too. Whoever it is can watch both of us,” Athena added with a wink.
“I just might do that. I haven’t shot anything in years,” I said turning my head to
meet Axle’s eyes quickly before turning to head towards the stairs. I saw the pupils in those big blue eyes change when I got a little sassy but I really don’t give a shit.
At some point while I was in the shower Hunter came up to get changed. He must have had some help from his aunt because the clothes weren’t scattered all over the place. From the looks of things, he would be in jeans and the navy blue long sleeve thermal Madison picked out yesterday. No doubt she was the one who helped him change. I reached in the bag from the electronics store to open the charger I got yesterday. My phone’s been dead since before we got here. I had to use Carrin’s tablet to email Layla about shipping my things. No one around here had the new iPhone so I couldn’t rob a charger from anyone. I hardly ever use the damn thing anyway but I wanted to check in with everyone. They should be in New York by now. I’d let my phone charge while I got myself ready and make some calls in between my visits today.
At least I didn’t have to decide on an outfit for the day. I went sparingly on our shopping venture only buying two pairs of jeans and a hoodie with the exception I made in Victoria Secrets. With the help of my three companions and one hundred eighty dollars later, I was the owner a four new bra and panty sets. Let Axle put that in his pipe and smoke it. I’ll give him the money back when I get my wallet here but I’d pay money to see his face when he sees my favorite store pop up. Just as I finished getting dressed my phone rang on the night stand. I grabbed the phone to answer it on speaker phone so I could put some make up on to cover the bruises on my face.
“Hey handsome. How you feeling,” I asked Trevor without even saying hello.
“I feel like I’ve been shot sweet cheeks. How are you and my nephew? I’ve been worried to death. I’ve text you a hundred times in the last two days and haven’t heard back. I was getting ready to send a search party for your ass until Layla said you emailed her,” my best friend all but yelled back at me.
“I’m sorry dude. It wasn’t intentional, honest. Ask Layla if you don’t believe me. I didn’t have a charger for my phone until yesterday. I had to email her from Carrin’s tablet about shipping my stuff to me. I don’t even have my wallet or bank card. The only thing I had on me when we left after the show was my phone and ID. Hell If it wasn’t for Layla lending me some cash in my rush to leave I wouldn’t have even had enough money for gas to get here.”
“Sorry chick. Don’t mean to be an asshole but I’ve been worried. Layla wouldn’t let the bus leave until the hospital discharged me which resulted in Leonard being a prick. Demi must have threatened his life again because he’s been quiet since last night.”
“GOOD! I hope she rips that pricks balls off. Leonard is such a dick. Enough about that. What did the doctors say?”
“I was lucky it didn’t hit my dick! That asshole shot me in the thigh that damn my slong favors to lean towards,” Trevor tells me jokingly.
“Ok so your dick is safe but what about your leg asshole? Are you going to be able to walk? Will you walk with a limp and need a pimp stick to get around? Are they going to cut it off and put you in a wheel chair the rest of your life?”
“Jesus sweet cheeks, chill out for a second. The doctor has me on antibiotics to make sure I don’t get an infection and pain killers for the pain. The bullet went straight through leaving all nerves and arteries unscathed. Imma be alright woman. Hell if I knew getting shot would give me a permanent spot on Layla’s bus for the trip to New York I would have shot myself.”
“That’s not funny asshole. You got shot because of me and I can’t be there to take care of you,” I said honestly. I took a minute to take a deep breath I couldn’t let myself cry, I had mascara to put on yet.
“I’ll be fine babe. I’m worried about you. You left in a hurry after being attacked with someone possibly following you, to run back to your family with a son that no one knew about. That’s some serious Jerry Springer shit doll face. So I’ll ask you, how are you doing with all this?”
I was quiet for longer than I thought. I was trying to pull my thoughts together when Trevor began speaking again. “Avery, tell me what’s wrong babe. I’ll find a way to come get you hun. I’ll get Ben to hire the biggest fucking body guards to protect you and give me something to look at in the process.”
“I’m fine other than the men around here following me like a hawk. After the initial shock of Hunter everyone seems happy. I think the fact that he knew who everyone was helped a lot.”
I heard my bedroom door open as Trevor began to respond. “I’m not asking about everyone Avery. How did it go introducing Hunter to his daddy? How did Braxton take it,” Trevor was asking as Axle walked in to sit on the edge of the bed? I guess he was going to sit in and listen to my conversation.
“Trevor I have to call you back. Braxton just walked in. I love ya handsome.”
“Oh my! Have fun with that. You better call me back tonight or I’ll be forced to go all diva on your ass. Give Hunter a high five for me. Love ya sweet cheeks,” Trevor said hanging up the phone.
Before I could ask why the intrusion Axle beat me to it. “Sweet cheeks huh? That must be Trevor then. What did your friend have to say?”
“He was worried about how things would go. If things went according to schedule he would have been here with me and Hunter when we came to visit. That didn’t happen when I rushed here in the middle of the night leaving him bleeding in the parking lot because he took a bullet in the leg while trying to protect Madison and me. My phones been dead and this was the first time I got to talk to him since I left,” I said defensively.
“I get that. I’ve never met the guy but I give him much respect. I will forever be in his debt for being there for you and Hunter when I wasn’t, not to mention the bullet he took for you and my sister. How is he doing? Does he remember anything about the guys that jumped you”?
“Well we didn’t get into that. He was more worried about how I was. He was just as scared for me coming home as I was. He wanted to make sure Hunter and I were okay”.
“Are you okay Avery? Are you happy being here”?
“I’m not unhappy if that makes sense. I’m glad that Hunter is getting time with you and everyone else. I’ve missed everyone and it’s been great to see them plus, meeting Athena and Hawk. It feels nice to curl up in a bed and not have to worry about falling out of it because the driver turned too sharp or had to hit the brakes. I’m happy that Hunter gets to learn how to ride a bike and play in a yard. I just don’t know if I can be happy here for the long haul. I miss my friends, the sights and the music. I don’t like being told what to do or how I’m going to do it. I’m not feeling my freedom here and that’s bothering me”.
“Well, I can understand where you’re coming from but, know that you being here is for your own good. I don’t want you to feel like a prisoner here but yours and Hunter’s safety are a priority for me and if pissing you off is what I’ve got to do to keep you safe then so be it. I won’t apologize for that. When we get this shit sorted out with the club you and I will sit down and figure out something. I won’t make you stay but, I will be in my son’s life. That’s a discussion for another day. I just came to tell you that the prospect is taking Madison to the shop while pops is there. On the way back he’s going to pick Hyde, Romy and Izzy up to come back here and spend the day with you. It kills four birds with one stone. If I have all of you under one roof, then that frees some of the guys up to run down some leads we have. Carrin will be here with you too until we feel it’s safe for her to go back to work. You’re going to find that it isn’t just you that will have to make adjustments until shit dies down. Trust me when I say it’s not about taking your freedom, it’s about keeping your sexy ass safe”.
What the hell do I say to that? I wanted to be snarky with a sassy remark but I couldn’t. As much as I hate to admit it, he was doing this for me. “Okay Braxton, but we still have to have a talk. You and I have several things that need to get worked the fuck out”.
“I know and we will but
for right now play smart. Do as your told and take no unnecessary risks. It might not seem like a big deal but it is. Not long ago Carrin had a run in with one of those Grizzlie fucks in broad day light while on a ride. Their watching babe. I’m sure their watching everything we’re doing waiting to swoop in again. Those assholes have managed to have a good man killed, two girls of this family kidnapped, one of my brother’s shot and rough you and Madison up while your friend took a bullet. This is serious shit girl. This isn’t a god damn TV show.”
I moved over to place a kiss on Axle’s cheek. He closed his eyes as my lips touched his flesh like he was savoring the simple touch. It lasted only a second but after wards I stepped back to look at him while I spoke my next words. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for every fucking thing that’s happened. I promise to be careful and not rip your balls off when you’re being a prick about our safety.”
“Thank fuck for that. Now be a good girl and stay put. I don’t mind if you girls go up to the range with Athena. The commander will be there keeping an eye on things but you girls watch for anything out of the way,” He said as he stood and walked over to the door to leave. Stopping in the doorway without turning to look at me I got a question I wasn’t expecting. “Is he a friend or is he a “friend? I got to know what I’m up against.”
“If it’s Trevor you’re referring to then, yes he’s my friend, my very gay best friend. To look at him you would never believe it but sadly he would be more inclined to climb you than me”. He probably wouldn’t believe it if he saw the hot ass man but, it was the truth. The fact that he’s worried about competition warms my heart. I found myself relishing in the fact that Axle asked about having competition. Hopefully this means there’s still hope for us yet.
“There are small miracles in this world,” he said with a chuckle, “I’ll see you tonight babe.” Then he was gone leaving me with my thoughts.
Coming Home: Dominant Devils Book 2 Page 13
