by L. Ann Marie
Fuck this sucks. I’m so fuckin’ glad I have my Brothers. Money has never been our motivation. I watch Gene and see he doesn’t even know what he lost here. Even Jeremy understands trust and respect. Our fathers did a good job showing us what’s important. I need to call my dad. Dakota sees he’s not getting an answer here. Pussy won’t even acknowledge he is wrong.
“Since you have nothing to say, you may take what is yours and leave town now. I will have your family moved tomorrow. You are not allowed on the compound or in town. They will need a home Gene. Go find that for them.”
The pussy stands staring Dakota down. Lifting his arm Dakota is behind him with his neck in a choke hold keeping him in his place. Fuck he is fast. “You will leave town willingly or you will never have the chance to see your children grow. Dishonor is what you take with you. A night alone with that will serve as your reminder to treat people as you want to be treated. Are you leaving town or am I planning a funeral for your family?”
“I’ll go. Get your fuckin’ hands off me.”
Nope he isn’t thinking about dishonor. I see Dakota’s arm swell and Genes face turn red. I want him to do it. The pussy doesn’t get it. He lets him go and takes a step back, Gene falls holding his throat. “You have ten minutes to collect your things. Leave your badge and keys or I will come collect what is mine. You will not be breathing the next time I leave you.”
When he stands he looks at Dakota and I swear his head snaps back and I didn’t see Dakota move. He’s doubled over and Dakota takes him by the collar and walks him out. Pushing him from behind. “Ten minutes my new enemy. There will be a time that I come for you and it does not end this well.” He closes the door and I smile. Fuckin’ Badass as it gets.
He takes a sip of his coffee. “I find I am ashamed that I brought you problems when I should have known he was not motivated by the cause, but money. I am sorry my Brothers. I will look closer at the people I have brought here and ask for help through Jeremy, Aponi and Chevy.”
Prez waves it away. “We didn’t pick it up either Dakota. It’s not a mark against you. We’ve had the same issue with ours. We learn and grow together. He is a loss you will feel for a long time. Is there anything we can do for you?”
Dakota just watches him. He doesn’t understand. I tell him, “Brotherhood above all Dakota. Your loss is our loss. The betrayal will be felt by all of your Brothers because we were all in for him just as you were.”
He smiles at me. “I see that and it takes a minute to understand, but I do see it.”
Prez stands. “I need to get the move set up. What can we do for you Brother?”
He’s shocked. “You are setting the move up?”
Prez laughs. “Yeah, getting people in and out is my job. Since you need something to do get the flooring company to put new carpet in here too. You fuckin’ Brothers are killing me with the blood stains.”
I bust out laughing. “Come on Brother I’ll show you the book with the room specs so he can have the same color.”
I leave him to get the carpet ordered and go to the training room for the first PD class. We have some non-believers talking shit so I take them right to pop ups and stand them at the board to watch. I run through and check my time. Fuck. Dakota is still ahead of me. I need to step the fuck up. The men are quiet when I come into the front room. Strapper takes them one by one and has them run through. I make a leaderboard and set it to the side of the feed so they can see their standing. When the last is running Sheila comes in. Perfect. She runs as I explain the leaderboard to the men, but they’re watching her so I wait. No one is talking shit, they’re not even talking. I smile at Strapper. When she’s done she walks in and asks if we’re done.
“Yep.”
“Thank God! I need to make better time. Fuckin’ Dakota and Chevy are killing me.”
I nod and she goes back to it. She’s just below me on the board and I decide to leave her there. “Let’s get to the range, you need to work on aim.” They follow quietly. This will be eye opening too. The kids practice in the morning and I know they’re better shots than the PD. There will be no more shit talking in my classes. We’ll be able to focus on getting them trained. I’m glad they learned this one quick.
***
Eagle Eye
On the way to the reservation I think about Gene. He’s made comments, but I never picked up negative from him. I wonder at my ability to see then shake it off. The ancestors give me what I need. I must need the lesson of betrayal and loss. I hope this is the only lesson I need on it. Jessie is right, this sucks. Our fathers taught us better, we learned our lessons and apply them daily, Gene did not get his.
We turn in and the gate is open for us. I smile and thank the ancestor for our tribe and home. Riding through the gate with Prez by my side feels symbolic. He has seen the power of the ancestors and is better for it. I wonder if he feels them here as I do. We park at the Shaman’s and go around to the teepee in the clearing. Jeremy and Cloud are here with Nunánuk and Co. His name is Jericho, but he has always been Co to us. We sit with them in their circle, Little Ben is between me and Jeremy.
“You are bound my princes,” Nunánuk says smiling.
I laugh, she is a great Shaman blessed with the ancestors’ insight. Co explains what we are doing and what is expected of us while Nunánuk holds Jeremy’s hand.
“Cloud is a powerful warrior. He will help guide you when it is needed. You will pull strength from each other, trust in your spirit guides, ancestors and yourselves as one. As one you will learn your strength my princes.” He speaks only in Mohegan and we all nod. I am proud to be here and thank the ancestors for our lesson then we begin.
We follow Cloud to my tree and wait for Jeremy to begin. The ancestors, Co and Nunánuk give him encouragement then step back. ‘You can do this Little Ninja. Gather your energy and release it forward. You have the ancestors to keep them safe if they should need it.’ Cloud says. I am slammed and feel the power pushing me back. Little Ben holds on turning me so we fly with the force instead of against it. We are pulled up and brought back by Cloud and wait for what is next. Jeremy is getting guidance and I look at Little Ben. He is smiling, then he is gone, I fly feeling the force, it is more focused. I pull Little Ben as he did me, but we make it up and away without Cloud.
It stops being fun after the fourth time. We are feeling the energy like a bolt of lightning.
“Use your shield princes. Use what you have to guard against the force.”
Little Ben thinks this can be fun so we start playing and deflecting Jeremy’s energy. When he laughs we make it fun for him hiding and deflecting. He hits me and I am pissed. Cloud sets me straight and I deflect the next right back at him. He yells then laughs as Nunánuk catches him.
“Again Eagle Eye. Jeremy shield.” Co tells us. I fly to another tree and just get set as he throws again. When I hit it back he sends it to Little Ben. We play for a while then are called to thank the ancestors.
The wind picks up and we soar through their praise. Jeremy laughs when Cloud lifts him. It is a good day with my people sharing their wisdom. We jump together feeling our strength as one. Everyone is smiling. Nunánuk hugs Jeremy telling him how proud she is. It brings me tears to see him so free and getting that love from her.
“When I see the effect that acceptance has on you I feel we did not teach you all you should know.” Co says holding my hand.
I shake my head no. “I am learning the lessons my Shaman. I am learning them through Jeremy and Little Ben, my warriors and Brothers are guiding me in that knowledge.”
He nods and kisses my head. “Go young ones, take care with your gifts and keep your lessons. They will serve you when they are needed.”
On the way home Prez stops. We get coffee and watch the water. “You are a strong warrior like Cloud. I’m worried that the abilities will hurt the wrong person if we don’t guard against that.”
I think about that and see it can happen. Jeremy is young to have this ability.
“It is true, but Jeremy is a healer above anything else. He would not use that ability to harm without cause.”
He looks at me and nods. “And you?” Me? “You can throw, you have that ability and more. Will you be stopped from using it wrong because you can heal?”
He is right, but wrong. “I can heal, but it is not my purpose. I am a leader Prez, same as you, but with different purposes. We were bound for a reason. I cannot know what the ancestors do, but I believe that purpose is to shield you when it is needed.”
He looks at the water again. “I believed the same. I am to shield for you. If you get angry will you throw like Jeremy did?”
I smile. “I was shown the power as you were, with knowledge is responsibility, I have other abilities and the knowledge keeps me from misusing them. I have never used an ability in anger.”
He hugs me. “Thank you Brother. It puts my mind at ease knowing you have my back even in freaky high plain shit.”
I laugh.
Chapter Twelve
Two weeks
Jessie
I pick Jess up from the Lab and get to the Club. Chris has a band set up in the back and they rock! I love everything old rock and they play it all. I see Prez come out of the whore’s entrance with Dakota right behind him and I’m fuckin’ pissed. I turn Jess and dance her to the other side. There are women everywhere trying to catch a Brother. When I see Brantley alone I bring Jess to him telling him I need to talk to Prez. He throws chin and asks Jess what she’s been up to.
Walking away I’m scanning for Prez and Dakota. I see Prez at the bar and tell him I need a minute. In the hall I pace getting my temper under control. “Why are you so pissed?”
“I just saw you and Dakota coming out of the whores’ rooms.”
I see he’s confused, but I’m still pissed. “Why is that pissing you off Brother?”
I stop and look at him. Seriously? “We’ve been dating for the last two fuckin’ weeks, now he’s with whores?” He fuckin’ laughs. This is not helping my fuckin’ temper. I hit the wall.
“Jessie, he didn’t see the whores. He’s strung tight and I took him to Shelly. She’s just here for the night.” Because that fuckin’ helps. Jesus! I hit the wall a-fuckin’-gain! “Brother does he know you’re dating? And you need to pick your fuckin’ words better if you don’t want me to laugh.”
What? I turn around and lean on the wall. “We’ve been every fuckin’ where. They’re getting closer. Uncle Danny said to do normal shit so we have been doing that.”
“Does he know what you’re doing?”
“He always knows fuckin’ everything. He knows Jess is drawn to him.” Fuck how couldn’t he know?
He smiles. “He can’t read you when you’re so close, he’ll get extreme emotions, but not what you’re thinking.”
“He can’t? I talk to him in my head all the time.”
“If you’re working yeah. It’s not clouded by his heart. You need to talk to him. He has no idea of a future with you, he doesn’t see him just like Jeremy. They don’t see their own.”
Fuckin’ hell! I was hoping we’d be together tonight. “That throws fuckin’ ice water on my plans for tonight.”
He laughs. “He isn’t interested in anything. I took him to Shelly and told her the only thing to touch him was her mouth. I’m pretty sure the relief he got is short lived.”
Shit. “How’s this going to work if he can’t touch her or her him?”
“Fuck you’re slow tonight. He isn’t interested in anyone, but Jess. He won’t move on that because you mean something to him. Go fuckin’ talk to him Brother. He needs to know what the fuck is going on.”
He’s right, I walk out and scan for him. He’s by Jess and Brantley. I’m not leaving Jess again so I guess we’re talking together. She has her hand on his arm telling him something that makes him laugh. She doesn’t affect him or he’s used to her touching him. I’m smiling before I get to them. Brantley throws me chin and pulls a woman away from a Brother walking the other way. The Brother laughs. That’s different.
They both look at me with smiles on. Dakota does look more relaxed. “We need to talk.” I look around and decide on the tree he’s always sitting under. I hold Jess’ hand walking over to it. Dakota looks like he’s facing a firing squad. “Relax Brother. It’s all good.” He nods and sits. We’re in a circle and I find it amusing. The three. “Prez just told me I need to talk to you because you don’t read me when we’re so close.” I stop and think how do I do this without fuckin’ anyone’s life by changing a vision?
“I do not see as I should. I am starting to think something is wrong,” Dakota says looking away.
Jess holds my hand and nods. I’ve talked to her already it’s just Dakota that isn’t seeing it.
“Prez says you can’t see because it’s clouded by your heart. Does that sound right?”
His eyes snap to mine. He doesn’t say anything for a couple of seconds. “Brotherhood is very new to me. I will not lose what I feel building. I am supposed to be right here.”
“But you don’t see your own future. You can’t, just like Christian and Jeremy. You didn’t answer. Brother. I’m asking for honesty.”
He looks everywhere, but at me. When his shoulders relax I know he feels something here. “He is right. I do not want to lose you Jessie. You are an important part of my life here.” Fuck he looks miserable. Jess squeezes my hand.
“I’m not willing to lose you either Dakota. I’m asking you to become one with us, not leave.” My fuckin’ hand is being squeezed and the rings are grinding against bone. I look at Jess and smile hoping she’ll let up. Fuck!
He’s looking back and forth from her to me as if he’s not getting it. “Brother we’ve been doing everything together for a reason. Seeing what is normal for all of us is important. Knowing how we’re supposed to live is going to be hard and we’ll need all the help we can get.”
“What about Darren?”
I look at Jess. “We were never together. Since Jessie has been here I have been waiting for things to settle down. My family wouldn’t allow me to move while the drug war was going on and Jessie never asked if we were seeing each other.”
He watches me. I can see where thinking she just jumped from Darren to him would be difficult for a Brother to take. “Jess won’t ever lie to you Brother. That’s why it came from her and not me.”
“Is this as it should be? I cannot see me in the future. Has someone else seen this?”
Fuck. “Yes.”
He watches my eyes and I’m begging him not to ask. “There are so many questions that should not be answered. I have just one that is in the now. Will this make you both happy?”
“Thank Fuck! Yes. I can honestly say it makes me happy.”
He watches Jess. “It feels right Dakota. I know without the guarantee of a future it’s scary because you see everyone else’s, but I can see us growing old together. I feel like you fit right here with us. Please give us a chance to show you how it can be.” My girl is so damn smart. Our, I need to say our.
“Yes.”
She screeches and jumps on him. I laugh. Fuckin’ Jess. Oh my God. Shit! I pull her off him. “Sorry Brother. We need to explain this.”
He nods breathing heavy and looks like he’s in shock. “Do you need to jump Brother?”
“I’m sorry, what did I do?” Jess has tears. Fuck.
He puts his hand up. “I will be fine.”
I hold Jess while she watches him catch his breath. “Dakota is similar to Jeremy. Touch affects him. If he knows to expect it he’s fine. If he’s surprised he can’t get rid of the energy. Did I say that right Brother?” He nods.
“I can shield and I will not be as affected. I did not expect you to jump and did not shield for it.” He looks embarrassed.
“This is where you show trust to Jess. She has been around us forever so she understands more than you think. Let her ask her questions so she can be comfortable with you without the worry.”
He smiles. “Yes. When it is not new it will be easier. Your touch will not affect me like now. Shielding has kept me safe, but also weakened my ability to allow touch without the shield. I will learn with you Jessica and Jessie.”
She nods. “Can I hug you now?” He laughs nodding then she jumps on him.
She’s so fuckin’ cute. She kisses his lips and I’m surprised. He looks right at me. “If you could read you’d see I’m happy she’s there.” He throws me chin and I laugh. That’s new.
When he starts breathing faster Jess moves off him. “I can feel when it’s too much. I’ll watch for that. Thank you Dakota.” She leans over and kisses his lips without touching any other part of him. I kiss her head when she sits back. “I think I’d like to see how this works without the answers first. Well, I have one. What’s jump?”
I squeeze her. Dakota smiles. “Jumping to my spirit guide to gain strength from the ancestors.”
“Oh I like the sound of that. I reserve the right to ask more questions about spirit guides and ancestors, but I need to look it up and have more information first.” I laugh she’s too fuckin’ much.
“I will answer all I can when you are ready to ask,” he says smiling.
She turns and looks up at me. “Should we do the list now?”
Fuck No! He was just with a whore and I don’t care that it was Shelly giving him a blow job. She’s still a whore and Jess isn’t touching anything that the whore did. “I think maybe we should wait.” She looks at me, but doesn’t say anything. Fuck I hate fuckin’ secrets. I look at him. “Patches sent me a list of things to talk about before things happen. It has fuckin’ everything on it Brother. It’s like three pages long and is very detailed so we get shit straight before anyone feels less than the other. If we go through the list tonight we’re ending up in bed. You just got zapped and I’m sure you need some go-go juice before that happens. I’m telling you so you will be prepared.”
