by L. Ann Marie
“We did Brother. I was the one that caused this to happen now. I needed to fix that. Nothing is altered by Beth knowing. I could not allow this relationship to change because of my mistake. It would not have allowed what is meant to be.” He looks sorry and I need to change that for him.
“I’m good Dakota. I planned to tell her everything anyway.” He relaxes then she does. I must have been a dick.
He asks me to step out and I smile. I sit on the porch with a beer and Jeremy comes out right behind me. “Thanks for blocking today. Christian asked me about it.”
He looks away making me wonder what that’s all about. “He says he’ll get it soon,” Jacob says coming up the steps. “I came to walk the dog. I’m on in a little while.”
I get up and call the dog, he runs right to Jacob and they walk away. “I know this isn’t going away. If you can shield enough to keep the worst of it off Christian, that would be good. He’s just getting to happy.”
“Yeah. I will.” He sits beside me.
Dakota and Beth come out. She remembered the monitor making me realize I forgot it. Jeremy looks at her. “I’ll help later.”
She smiles and hugs him. He laughs walking back in the house. “He doesn’t talk much.”
Dakota laughs. “Not out loud. I will be here if you need me. Beth knows what to do and Jeremy will be here when you need him.” I nod, but I’m nervous about going to sleep. “It will be fine. Prez is aware, Jeremy is here and Beth understands.”
I nod. He’s been here every time I needed him. “Yeah. You won’t let anything happen to her.” I watch his eyes.
He smiles. “No. Or you.”
He walks away and I’m not sure what to say. I pull her over and sit her on my lap. “Thank you for jumping into freaky with both feet. I was waiting until we were sure, but I guess there always has to be a first.” She kisses my lips. “Do you have questions for me? Out of everyone, you are the one that deserves the answers.”
She looks in my eyes. “Can you teach me Mohegan?”
I laugh. “Yeah Precious Beth. I’ll teach you.”
“Thank God. Mucimi is already ahead of me and your grandmother said I need to learn.”
“She only speaks to us in Mohegan. If she wants you to learn that means you’re staying.” I wait, but she doesn’t say anything.
The dog comes up the steps and Jacob yells from the side. “You got him Taylor?”
“Yeah have a good night Jacob.”
“You too Brother. Jeremy will call if he needs me.”
“Thanks.”
She laughs softly. “They’re very protective of you.”
“I guess we all are. With Jeremy and Christian we’ve always protected them, it comes naturally. My dad taught us the ways of the warriors. It’s not much different than the MC or Princes. ‘We take care of our own’ means something to us.”
She lays her head on my shoulder. “I like that. I really like your family. I see how ingrained that is in each one of you. Thank you for the note the other day. I saw it and smiled. I was dreaming about you and woke up to see the note. It was a nice surprise.”
I kiss her head. “I missed you. I couldn’t go to Mass without seeing you first.”
“What did you do up there?”
I smile. “Told my mom and dad about the PTSD. It was bad for a while there. My Brothers stepped in and handled what they could for me. I broke Jax’s wrist and ended up with a gun. They showed to get me through it.”
“I don’t want to know now. I would like you to tell me all that happened, but not tonight. Tonight, I want to sit here for as long as we can and just be content with that.”
She’s going to be easy. “I can do that.”
When she yawns, I stand and carry her in. I get Mucimi fed and she changes him. In Brantley’s room, I turn her to me. “I have strict orders to make sure you’re dressed.”
She laughs. “I was told too. I think it embarrassed Dakota so Jeremy told me to keep clothes on. In my freakin’ head!”
I laugh. “Freaky kid shit, get used to it. Mucimi is almost as bad as him.”
I kiss her and step back. “As much as I want you right now, I can’t have you exhausted tonight. You already sleep through everything.”
She smiles. “Not with you. I woke up the first time you had the bad memory and talked to you.”
“You did?”
“Yep. I didn’t know it, but I’m supposed to do the same thing tonight.” She’s pulling on shorts and I want to pull them off her. I grab my clothes and change without looking at her. She woke up the first time and never questioned it. She lays down sighing, making me smile.
I wrap around her pulling her closer to me. “I love you Precious Beth.”
“Love you too Taylor.” She turns putting her head at the crook of my arm and she’s out in minutes. I smile. I could have lost her. I push it away and think about her smile.
Chapter Sixteen
Beth
I feel him move and my eyes open. I smile because we did it. I talked to him and Jeremy touched his head. He went right back to sleep and Jeremy kissed my cheek saying, ‘It’s good’.
“You’re smiling, so I either slept right through or you got me through it.”
I look at his smiling face. “Me and Jeremy did it. It was awesome.”
He stops smiling. “This isn’t going away Beth. It’s a lifetime thing.”
He’s worried. I guess I would too. “I know you’re right, but Dakota said it will ease and be manageable. I’m so happy it worked last night because it was no effort and it means I can sleep next to you without you being nervous. That means at some point I can lose the clothes and naked always leads to a knock-my-socks-off orgasm.”
He busts out laughing. “We have some time. Let’s get to knocking those socks off. But first, thank you for being here.”
As I’m pulling clothes off I smile at him. “You’re welcome.” My shirt flies off the bed and I’m kissing him.
“Fuck!” He pulls away from me. “I don’t have a condom. I didn’t have a need while I’ve been away from you.”
“I’m glad to hear that and I get the shot to keep me regular.” I kiss his neck.
“You need to know I’m clean. We get regular checks.”
I stop and look at him. “It is good to know, but if you aren’t in me soon Mucimi will be up and it won’t matter.”
He smiles and sits me right down on him. “My impatient, Precious Beth. I love you.”
I moan sliding all the way down. “I love you too.” He feels so good right there.
“Fuck that feels good baby.” He lifts me and I grind into him when he slides me back down. I let him move me because it’s always good his way. “I missed this too. Show me what I missed Precious.” I take one hand out of his hair and squeeze my nipple knowing he’ll go right for it. He does and I roll the other moaning. He’s moving faster and my body likes the pace. His hand moves to my pussy and I cry out, feeling like I’m scattered in the wind. Holy shit. “Beautiful baby.” I’m turned and flipped and he’s right back at the same frantic pace. “Put your fingers on your pussy baby. Come again for me.” Moving my hands, I roll my nipple and circle my clit. Oh my God his ring is scraping in me and I blow apart.
* * *
“Fuckin’ perfect.” I fall forward catching my weight on my arms. Kissing her back, I moan while she’s gripping me from inside. “I love my treasure map Precious Beth.”
She moans making me smile. “Let me clean you up baby.” I get another moan, but pull out and lift her up. I take her against the shower wall then wash her. She never says a word.
Once she’s dry she gets some of Holly’s clothes on and walks with me to get Mucimi. He’s smiling as we get close. He throws a picture of Brantley and Holly at me making me laugh. “They’ll be back little man. They went away for a week, but we can call them later.” He signs ‘yes’ and Beth cracks up.
Jeremy and Jacob are here making breakfast. “Morning guys,” Beth
says smiling away, not at all bothered by them being here. I put Mucimi down by his walker and he goes right for the dog. “What’s the dog’s name?”
“Don’t know,” Jacob says. “Uncle Steve brought him yesterday. I don’t think Holly even knows they have a dog. Jeremy said that last night was good.” He looks at me.
Beth laughs while I get a cup for Mucimi. “Is she going to get mad about the dog?”
“No. She’s easy with all the crazy shit that happens. Last night?” Jacob isn’t letting it go, but I didn’t wake up so I stay quiet.
“It was good, I talked and Jeremy touched his head. It was ten minutes—tops. He was shaking, but Jeremy said it was better. I took it to mean less than last time.” She’s setting the table with me as she talks.
“Fuckin’ nice! I’m glad it’s working Taylor. That last time scared the shit out of me and the cell sucked.”
“Stop!” Jeremy yells.
The slider opens and Christian and Hawk come in. Christian’s body freezes, looking around at us, he stops on Beth. I see right when he gets it and move to grab him. “It’s getting better Christian. Better than it has ever been.” I hug him and he grabs onto my back.
“I knew, but it wasn’t that bad,” he says against my shoulder.
“Something triggered it and it got bad, but it’s better than it was before. Dakota and the Officers are helping and we’re here on the Compound where help is just a house away.”
He lets me go and steps back. “I’m happy it’s better. Tell me what to do so I can help.”
I am so fuckin’ relieved he’s not pulling away, but stepping up. Jeremy laughs and Jacob slaps his back. “I’ll fill you in Christian, but we have to get to Church.”
“I came to stay with Jeremy, Beth and Mucimi.”
“If Taylor thinks it’s okay, I can fill you in,” Beth says moving food to the table.
I smile at her. “Yeah. We work best when we work together.” She smiles and lifts up kissing my lips.
“The dog needs a name, what’s your dog’s name Christian?” She sits then we all do.
“Hawk. He’s a service dog too.”
We talk about normal shit and I can’t help smiling. While I’m getting eggs into Mucimi they tell her about Church and the Club. We clean the kitchen and I look at Beth. “I’ll bring you to get clothes when I get back. We have leftover clam boil for dinner or we can order in and eat the leftovers tomorrow.” She nods.
“Christian have you been here long enough to know Mucimi’s schedule?”
He laughs. “He throws me pictures for everything, but yeah. We’re good and Jeremy is here. They just stare at each other anyway.”
I laugh because they do. “I’ll be back soon.” I kiss Beth and Mucimi and throw chin to my brothers. In the garage, Jacob hands me my guns and knife. “Thanks.”
“Is it really better?”
I pull him to me. “Yeah. I don’t remember waking up and Beth was excited she and Jeremy helped.” He nods.
At church, everything is pretty much the same. Dakota man hugs me, surprising the Officers. Prez tells me he saw everything play out right last night and Jax makes jokes about his wrist. I shake my head smiling. It was a good night, so everything looks good today.
Everyone comes to get Beth’s clothes. I show her around my house and move her clothes into my room, then we go fishing. Mucimi cracks us up with pictures and his laughing at everything. Christian is still smiling and Jeremy and Jacob walk the beach talking and laughing. Well, Jacob’s hands move around, but I know they’re talking. Beth watches everything, but doesn’t ask a single question.
We order dinner out and get our schedules set for the week. With the plan, we have Mucimi covered and the dog taken care of. It’s been a perfect fuckin’ day with my girl, my brothers and Mucimi.
Chapter Seventeen
One week
Taylor
She’s happy to hang with my brothers and Holly. I take a beer to the deck and stand looking out. “You okay Taylor?”
I smile. “Yeah Brant. It’s been a good week. I’m glad yours was too. Holly is happy.”
“Yeah. You’re sleeping again.”
I look at him. He was worried. “I am. They still take my guns, but the last few nights I didn’t wake up at all. Beth didn’t need Jeremy the night before that.”
He slaps my back. “Is it over now? Dakota said a couple of weeks right?”
I look out at the trees. “No Brant. It’s never over, but he thinks the danger to me and everyone else is less. I haven’t tried to get a gun in over a week. It’s been good.”
“Jesus. How do we make them gone?”
I laugh. “Mitch said they get dulled. Every time she’s hit it’s not as bad as the last. Not everybody has it like that. I’m so fuckin’ glad I’m one of the lucky ones. With Dakota, Jeremy and Prez, I have help most people don’t get.”
He’s thinking. “What can I do to help you Taylor?”
I smile. I remember my dad asking him that same question. “Just be you. If they get bad again, I’ll tell you.”
He nods. “You need to drop your guns every day. You do that here. I’ll put a safe in for you.”
I man hug him. “That will be good. Thanks.”
“Beth staying?”
“Yeah. Dakota said I’m safest here with help close. She says I’m stuck with her.”
He laughs. “I really like her. Did you get her cut ordered?”
I look at him. “It’s been like a week since I got her back.”
He pushes my arm. “You never lost her Brother. Order her cut.”
I laugh. “I did.”
“Don’t get her pregnant without a ring. Dad’s getting fuckin’ crazy with the talks. Mase said he’s heard it three times already.”
I crack up. “Christian is doing good. He loves working at the school.”
“Yeah. Holly says he’s good too. He gets more than she does about the freaky shit and teaches them crazy shit.”
I look at him. “What do you mean?”
“He was teaching Justice about force—inertia, velocity and impact. Holly was shocked.”
I laugh. “Does she know he has degrees?”
“I do now,” she says from behind me.
I put my arm out and Beth comes right to me. “I told Holly why we couldn’t name the dog.”
I laugh. Brantley’s looking from Beth to me. “Mucimi kept throwing pictures of mac and cheese. We tried every day and he threw mac and cheese every day.”
Holly and Beth laugh, but Brantley is thinking. He goes in the house and brings Mucimi out. “You want your dog’s name to be Mack?”
Mucimi signs, ‘yes’.
We’re all laughing. Fuckin’ kid. Jeremy is watching with a smile. “You knew?” He laughs nodding. “All week and you couldn’t have told us?”
He shrugs. “Was fun.”
Mucimi signs, ‘yes’.
“Fuckin’ brothers.” They laugh. “Later.”
I pull Beth down the stairs and walk her home. I like that, home. “We have no food. We can shop or go for a ride.”
“Food’s overrated.”
“Ride it is.” I smile. She’s so easy.
She picked a helmet to match my bike. I put it on her then give her a kiss. “Thank you. You probably had shit to do today, but stayed anyway.”
She’s shaking her head no. “Your family is important to you and I like them. I’m glad we didn’t run out as soon as they got home. They got to know me better and me them.”
“Yeah.” I kiss her again then we ride. We stop to eat a late dinner then at the store to get bagels for breakfast.
When I shut the bike off she’s laughing. “My legs feel like Jello.”
She worked extra hours yesterday and had a meeting this morning while I was at Church. “You tired?” I lift her up and carry her in.
She laughs. “No, but I like you thinking I am.”
I throw the bag in the fridge when I walk by and take her to
the room. “If you want anything changed in here tell me or change it.”
She’s smiling. “I love your room.”
“I love you. I want you to move in here. I want all of your things here with mine making this house ours.”
She’s surprised. “Wow. This is fast, we just got together last week. What if you hate me for shopping at midnight or fishing at lunch?”
I laugh. “I don’t give a fuck when we shop or fish.”
“You say that, but you planned a whole week last Sunday.”
I look at her. “I planned Mucimi’s schedule. With five of us getting him to daycare and home, the dog walked and his meals, I needed to know he wasn’t going to get dropped. We really just needed me and Christian but Jeremy, Jacob and even you wanted to be a part of that schedule. I didn’t plan for me and I didn’t plan for fishing or the park or anything we did, just his pickups and the food so he ate right.”
Her eyes scrunch up. “You’re a very good brother and boyfriend planning to include us. Thank you.”
“So now that I didn’t plan your every move, what day am I getting a truck to your house?” Since I told Lee tomorrow I need her to agree to that.
“You really want to do this not knowing if I’m a slob, or a witch when I’m PMSing, or a shoe freak spending thousands on shoes? You don’t know it, but I have a purse that cost two hundred bucks. It’s a knock off too. The real one is twelve hundred.”
This is fuckin’ serious, but she keeps making me laugh. “I don’t give a fuck about your purse and shoes. If you like them, I’ll have Nancy send them for you tomorrow. You’re not a slob, but the cleaners clean up and you’re definitely not a witch. I was with you for the PMSing—all you did was eat chocolate. I’ll fuckin’ stock it for you. What day do I need a truck at your house? The Prospects will move you so you don’t even have to be there.”
“They will? They just move people without anyone home?”
I sit on the bed and pull my boot off. “This is too fuckin’ hard. Tomorrow the Prospects will move you in here. Make a list of what furniture you want here. When you get home, it will be done. Everything you don’t want can go to storage or the shelters. Now you can ask me every fuckin’ question you want.”
