Sniper: Book Six (Princes of Prophecy)

by L. Ann Marie

  I tell him Mucimi is okay and he looks at me. I’m relieved, but he isn’t letting it go. I lean over and cover his arm with the towel Cade has. Prez stops him from moving the arm then tells him to bring Mucimi over.

  Brantley loses it as soon as he hears him cry. He’s trying to move, but Prez holds him in place. Nick stops when Mucimi lets out a blood curdling wail. Holy fuck, he’s hurt. Holly takes him and brings him to Brantley. As soon as Brantley has him the screaming stops. Jesus. Holly calms Brantley and Brantley calms Mucimi. I look at Prez and he’s smiling.

  The ambulance shows and starts giving shit about keeping Mucimi with Brantley. I pull my gun and ride with them. Prez says he’ll make sure we’re with them and he’ll follow. In the ambulance, Holly leans on me while holding Brantley’s hand over Mucimi’s back. He’s out again. “We have to keep them together Taylor.”

  “Yeah.” She looks up at me with her tear stained face and I know she wants a guarantee from me. “Prez said he would and Nick is with us. If that doesn’t work, I have my gun to make sure it will happen.” I see the relief cross her face and kiss her head. I need to make it happen now.

  We follow the gurney into a big room with machines everywhere. Nick talks to the doctors and comes back to us saying they get it.

  The doctor for Brantley says he’s lucky his arm broke this way. Since I see bone, I don’t think that’s lucky at all. Everyone is moving fast all at once and I feel helpless just standing here. They give him a shot and move his shoulder. I hear the fuckin’ pop and wince. Mucimi’s head lifts and he whimpers sounding hurt. The doctor says he needs X-rays and Holly helps with that, but Mucimi is screaming again. Brantley yells to move him so Mucimi can see him, but no one listens. I pull my gun and they help me move him the three fuckin’ feet so Mucimi can see his face. As soon as he does he quiets right down.

  Another doctor, a pediatrician, comes in and starts working on his arm. I watch Mucimi and Holly. Whatever they’re doing hurts Brantley and Mucimi cries out here and there, but it’s not the sound like he’s being hurt. I’m relieved when they start putting Brantley back together.

  Mucimi gets a little cast without ever seeing what they’re doing to him. Even when Brantley is out, Mucimi’s eyes stay on him. It’s weird as hell, but Jeremy is our brother so weird is fairly normal to us. It takes four hours, but they’re almost done. Holly puts Mucimi back on Brantley and his eyes open. The doctor does something with a strap for his collarbone and Brantley is ready to go. I just smile. He won’t listen to what is wrong with him and interrupts the doctor to ask about Mucimi.

  Nick explains and Brantley is sitting up. The crazy fucker is going to leave. The doctors are shocked and I help him walk out. The first one we see is Prez, then the Brothers and old ladies. Prez is shocked to see him then smiles shaking his head. We get to the SUV and I help get him in feeling so fuckin’ happy I get to do this.

  The gate is clear and I follow the SUV to Brantley’s helping him in. He hasn’t said a word about his arm and I wonder if he knows all they did. “Nick said he’ll be here later. Take some time Brother. I’ll keep the Brothers away, but your fuckin’ family is going to show no matter what I say.” Prez makes me laugh.

  Brantley looks around. “My phone?” I hand him mine and watch him scroll and hit a number. “Mucimi has a broken arm, he’ll be okay. I don’t know what’s wrong with my arm and shoulder or collarbone, but I need to sleep and that isn’t happening if all the fuckin’ family and Brothers show. Can you keep them away for a day?” I crack up. Holly watches with a smile. “Thanks Dad. I’ll see you tomorrow. Tell mom we don’t need food.” He hangs up and hands me the phone. “We got a day.”

  “I need food,” I tell him, and he rolls his eyes at me.

  Prez laughs. “Later Brothers. Glad you’re good Brantley. Another fuckin’ Brother that just won’t quit.” He looks at me and throws chin. Fuckin’ Prez. “I’ll call Nick and have a Prospect drop you something for the pain.”

  “Thanks Prez.” His eyes close and I take Mucimi off his chest and sit him on the couch beside him.

  Prez stops at the door. “I’ll have Aaron cover your shift.”

  I throw him chin and sit. Holly plops down on the chair. “Thanks for keeping them together. I’m glad you only needed your gun once.”

  I laugh. “They’re used to us. Brantley did it when you were in the hospital and I heard Chet did when Lily was in. The hospital is well acquainted with our guns.”

  She laughs holding her mouth. I haven’t seen her do that in a week or so. “If you have somewhere to be, I have Mucimi.”

  I shake my head no. “Not until later. Did they give him something for pain?”

  She nods pulling her purse on her lap. “Nick got it while we were waiting for them to do whatever they were doing. He said Jeremy may help more than the medicine. Ben said he’d send Dakota over later.”

  This is good. I hang out with Mucimi while Holly works in the office. When Jacob comes in we start cooking. Mucimi cracks us up dropping potatoes in the pan of water. “Mucimi would make an awesome name for a chef,” Jacob says cracking Holly up.

  “That’s something we don’t have yet. A chef would be a good addition to the family.”

  I nod at her thinking of Beth. I texted her earlier telling her I won’t be too late.

  Christian walks in looking like hell and picks Mucimi up holding onto him all through dinner. Mucimi doesn’t seem to mind. We all know he saw what would happen, but don’t say anything. I wonder if it’s good or bad that we don’t talk about it, but I don’t want to ask him here.

  Brantley isn’t saying much, but he eats with us. Holly is awesome keeping everyone calm and talking while Brantley stays quiet. When Joey and Sebastian show, I stand to leave taking Mucimi from Christian and giving my little man a hug and kiss. Brantley still isn’t smiling or talking much, but he thanks me.

  I hug Christian. “Do you want to stay at my house?”

  He looks at Brantley. “You can stay here Christian,” Holly says looking at me. I nod. He may want to stay closer to Mucimi.

  He watches Brantley. “I would have told you if I could.” He has tears in his eyes and we all look around the dining room giving him a minute.

  “You can stay here Christian. Take the patio or Jeremy’s room,” Brantley says walking out the back door. Fuck.

  “My door is open if you want to stay there.”

  “Mine too Christian,” Jacob says. I throw him chin.

  He takes Mucimi and nods. “Thanks. I’ll stay here. I know he’s pissed, but it was worse with a warning. That’s why Jeremy didn’t show. Even Dakota stayed away.” He’s right. I haven’t seen Dakota all day.

  He holds Mucimi tight and starts walking toward his room. “I’ll get him ready for bed.”

  Holly watches him. When she looks at me, she has tears in her eyes. “What do I do?”

  I look at Jacob and Joey. “Love him,” Jacob says. “Jeremy told me he’s alone. Everyone is right with Jeremy, but Christian is alone seeing everything. He doesn’t have the outlet Jeremy and Aubrey have. I tried to take from him when we were younger, but he doesn’t let anything go.” Holly hugs him then Joey does. Sebastian goes out the back with Brantley.

  “If you figure out a way to help him, let me know.” They nod at me.

  On my bike, I think about Christian. He’s always been away from us. Brantley worries about him, but hasn’t said anything lately. With Mucimi and Holly he’s been busy, but Christian is hiding out on the reservation with Nunánuk. I know it’s so he’s away from people, but he’s not any better off there.

  I pull up to Beth’s no closer to an answer than I was. I tried to convince myself that seeing her is a mistake. Since I’m here, it didn’t work. When I get to her door she’s smiling and everything feels right again. Her smile makes me believe there’s hope for me yet. “It’s been a hell of a day. I’m happy to see you smiling.” I kiss her before she can say anything and she pulls me in closing the door wit
h our mouths still connected.

  When I straighten up she’s smiling. “I don’t want to put a damper on your life, but I hope you have a hell of a day tomorrow too.”

  I laugh. She’s fuckin’ cute. “Mucimi’s grandmother tried to run him and Brantley down today. I think one day in a lifetime is enough.”

  She steps back shocked. Fuck. “What? You’re serious?”

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said it so nonchalantly. Mucimi has a broken arm and Brantley a broken arm, collarbone, wrist and fingers. They’re home and both doing okay. Nick, our doctor, should be at the house right about now.”

  She’s still shocked, but nods. “If there’s anything I can do let me know. Why would his grandmother try to run him down? He’s a baby.”

  I push my hair back and stop that quick. I don’t want to start that habit. “She’s nuts. Her daughter died refusing treatment for a brain tumor. She came down once before trying to steal him away from Brantley, but this time she tried to kill them.”

  She pulls the door open and tries to pull me with her. “Go be with your family. I’m off tomorrow or I’ll see you when we’re both free.”

  I laugh, but don’t move. “They’re good. Some of my brothers and my sister are with them. They don’t need me too. Tomorrow the crazy Brothers and ‘rents will show with the rest of the family. I’m good for a couple of days.”

  She looks like she doesn’t believe me. “If you were in pain and had a fuck ton of people around 24/7, you’d be wishing for a minute of peace. They don’t need me there right now.”

  She puts her arms around me and holds on. I push the door closed and lift her up walking out of the kitchen. I’ve never been here so I’m scanning the room as I walk. In the living room, I sit on the couch. “I like your place.”

  “Me too.” She looks up at me. “I like you being in it.”

  I have no clue what to say to that, so I smile and kiss her again. “Did you eat?”

  She nods. “I’d ask if you want a drink, but I like being right here so it will have to wait.”

  I laugh. “I don’t need a drink and since I like you right here I’m not asking for anything.”

  Her hands slide around my neck and she pulls me down grabbing onto my hair. I turn her so she’s straddling me and get just what I hoped for. She’s grinding against my dick and I need more. “Where’s your room?”

  “Second on the right.” Her mouth is back on me and her hands are lifting my shirt. “Take me to bed Taylor.”

  I don’t need to be told twice. With my hand on her ass, I carry her to her room. Thank fuck it isn’t pink or purple. Standing her beside the bed, I hold her face and kiss her. I’ve never kissed a woman as much as I’ve kissed her, but something about her mouth fascinates me. I just can’t get enough. I’m pulling her clothes off her and she’s trying for mine, but I step back pulling my mouth away.

  “Fuckin’ beautiful.” She has ink on her, surprising the hell out of me. It’s good too. “Love the ink.” My finger follows the lines around her stomach and down her hip. It’s like one of Amanda’s designs only showing where her clothes would cover. When my hand follows to the side and back I turn her. Every flower is strategically placed so no matter what she wears the ink won’t show. I picture her in a bathing suit deciding it’s my new favorite outfit for her. Her panties are barely concealing the ink and I like the look of it peeking out and around them. My hands skim her ass then squeeze, turning her beautiful body to face me. Flowers are right under and on the sides of her tits and my hands cup her throwing relief because they’re beautiful, perfect and real. “Perfect.” She’s got relief in her eyes and I kiss it away. What the fuck is with the kissing? I lift her up and place her in the middle of her big bed. Pulling my shirt off she scans my body making my swollen dick ache with that look.

  “That’s beautiful.” Her eyes are following my ink. “Is it a tribal symbol?”

  “Yeah.” Half my chest and stomach are covered. I can’t wait to see her look for the opposite hip and leg. I pull her legs apart and position me in between. “You are so fuckin’ beautiful.” I catch her nipple in my teeth and swipe my tongue around the tip hearing a purr from deep in her chest. Sliding down I follow her ink, nipping where it ends then picks up again. “It’s like a treasure map for me to follow and explore. What treasures do you have hidden within your precious map for me?” My mouth makes it to her panties and I rub my chin down her. She’s still making that purring noise, keeping my dick hard as a rock. Her ink goes into her panties, teasing me. I rip them off her loving the sound that gets. My mouth is on her loving the musky scent. Opening her wider I see the flowers wrap around to her ass and moan. She had to be on a table like this for that ink to be here. Fuck that has me grinding against the bed and devouring her pussy. “So fuckin’ wet, precious Beth.” My fingers slide in and she bucks up grabbing my hair. “Stay still for me.” My mouth goes back, as my fingers keep pace with my heartbeat. Her body freezes gripping my hair while she comes. I smile sucking her in and rolling my tongue around the outside of her nub. She cries out and I put pressure on her with my tongue and still my hand letting her hold my fingers from deep inside.

  When she releases my hair, I follow the ink back up and kiss her lips. “The treasure map works for me precious girl.” I kiss her again and stand. She watches me, but doesn’t move other than to pull air in. This doesn’t work for me. “Come undress me.” She moves fast surprising me. I hold her face in my hand and kiss her lips. Her hands have my pants unbuttoned and unzipped quickly. When my dick springs out she moves back, but I take her hand and wrap it around the base then squeeze moving her hand up. She watches her hand then looks in my eyes. “I like your hands on me hard. Grabbing my hair, holding my dick, pulling my ring. All hard.” She nods and squeezes me harder, so I let her hand go. She keeps moving and uses her other hand to give my nipple ring a tug. It’s tentative and I moan liking the way it feels with my dick in her hand. With her hands on me I step out of my pants knowing this will move fast. “That feels fuckin’ good, but I need a condom.”

  Her hand slows and she bends picking my pants up. I like that she didn’t let my dick go and bend to kiss her while fishing the packet out of my wallet.

  “Let me.” She lets me go and takes the condom rolling it on.

  “Fuck that feels good.” She smiles stroking me until I stop her lifting her up. I turn and sit on the edge of the bed. “Put your knees on the bed.” She guides me in and sighs as I slide deeper. I’m thick and her pussy is squeezing me like her hand was.

  “That feels so good the ring is scraping inside me,” she says on a sigh.

  “Hold on to me precious and we’ll make that better.” She does and I pull her down hard. Her eyes show me only desire so I keep it up. She grips my hair at the back of my neck and I’m fighting for control. As she gets louder, I angle her out and watch her tits bounce with my movements. “So fuckin’ beautiful. Hold your tit for me.” She does and my mouth is on her, she’s pushing her knees on the bed trying for faster, but I keep my pace with her nipple in my mouth grazing my teeth against it. When my control starts slipping I let her nipple go and move faster.

  “Yes! Taylor, fuck me harder,” she cries out.

  I don’t need to be told twice. I set us at a frantic pace and keep pumping into her while pulling her down hard. She rotates her hips grinding into me every single time. “Come for me precious Beth. Put your fingers on your pussy so it’s good for you baby.” She’s loud and pulling my hair every time I slam her down then she screams and I’m gone. Jesus. “Fuckin’ amazing,” I breathe out holding her down so my dick is squeezed from deep. She falls against me and I put my arms around her liking the feel of emptying into her while she’s against my chest.

  * * *

  Beth

  “Did you fall asleep?”

  I moan. I’d like to sleep right here. “Not yet.”

  He chuckles. “Let me clean you up so you can sleep.”

  I moan again. I
don’t ever want to move from right here. He stands up and pulls out of me making me moan again. I liked being filled up with him. I like everything about him. If my brain were functioning, I’d tell him. I feel the cloth on me and smile. He’s sweet washing me up when I’m too tired to move. “Thank you,” I mumble. I feel the bed move and roll to him. It’s been so long since I felt content and a part of something. I fall right to sleep listening to his heartbeat.

  * * *

  I roll and feel behind me. The bed is empty. I lift my head. “Taylor?” It’s too quiet and I know he’s gone. Shit. He said he was off today. Checking the clock, I see it is today even if it is just three.

  I get up and walk to the door checking the lock then pad my way back to the room stopping at the bathroom on the way. When I move to the sink I see the note on the mirror. I laugh it’s stuck on with a small piece of duct tape. Men are funny. He’s helping Brantley until everyone shows. He’ll be back. That’s weird. Maybe Brantley called him. I yawn, reminding me it’s three in the morning and go back to bed remembering his hands and mouth on me. Taking care of that pent-up energy, I fall asleep again dreaming about a tattooed biker telling me he likes it hard.

  Chapter Five

  Beth

  I answer the door still half asleep not understanding why anyone would pound on my door so early.

  “You sleep like the dead,” my tattooed biker says as if that’s a reasonable excuse for the pounding.

  I turn around and walk back to bed. “I was up at three.”

  “Sorry.” He’s right behind me.

  “Some tattooed biker kept me awake. Once we fixed that, I fell back to sleep.” I flop on the bed and cover my head with a pillow.

  The pillow moves. “What?”

  I moan reaching for the pillow again. “It’s too early to talk. Can we do this later?”

  “Tell me about the biker that kept you awake then fixed that.” He sounds pissed.