by L. Ann Marie
“Fuck. When you say it like that I don’t even want to give it to her now.”
He looks shocked. “You are not all in?”
Jesus! “You know I am. I mean before I have a fuckin’ ring for her. It would hurt her to think we weren’t all in.” He nods. Darren comes in and looks at each one of us. I know he’s gauging our moods.
“Now that that’s settled.” Prez is smiling at me. “Darren, Jessie is pissed thinking the outside jobs are a secret between us.”
Darren looks at me. “You said they didn’t go any further than the three of us.”
Fuck I did, but I didn’t know Dakota was doing them. “VP made sure that I understood that it’s kept close. I know he talked to you about them. When Dakota came on I should have been told. This isn’t something that should have been a secret from me. I can be trusted with that if I’m doing the fuckin’ jobs too.”
Prez smiles. “Brother you are trusted in everything. You set the rule for those discussions and we kept them. I can see where this is, and should be, a time for that to change. So, Dakota does jobs out of the country too. When they come in we’ll look at them together and have a discussion.”
Darren agrees. I look at Dakota and he nods. Why do I still feel like shit?
“You want details no one will give freely and you won’t ask. Dakota feels the same. From here on we will discuss it all together. There is no going back for either of you. Go find your girl a ring she will love and give her the cut so she knows what she means to both of you. I need to get my shit done so I can go home today.”
“Before you get back to your work. I bought the houses outside the gate. The last neighbor has two days to vacate the property. I thought we could use them for Security or Prospects. They would be close, but not on the compound. Do you have another or better use for them?”
I laugh. Darren and Prez are shocked. They look at me and I almost fall out of my chair. ‘You just bought them?’ Darren signs and I laugh harder. He signs when he’s overwhelmed.
“Yes, the guard told me two left, I made an offer on the third and he took it. The graffiti and yellow wall brought the value down and I got a good deal.” I fall out of the chair. He’s too fuckin’ funny.
“We did everything short of killing them to get them to sell. How the fuck did you get them to sell to you?” Prez asks him still shocked.
“I showed them the video from the buildings we leveled. It was on the news so I thought it would be okay. When they saw that the land on the side of us held no value they agreed.”
Oh my fuckin’ God I’m going to die laughing. He says it all so serious I don’t know how they aren’t laughing.
“Um, okay, get Joey the numbers and we’ll get your money back. Security and Prospects sounds like a good idea.”
Dakota looks at him. “I was not asking for the money just an okay on who to put there. I had hoped to get the Prospects to paint and get them ready to move in. The yellow is really too flashy.”
Darren starts laughing then is doubled over. It’s about fuckin’ time. I still can’t stop. Prez is clenching his jaw. Then he nods. “It is. I’ll get them painted this week. Thank you Dakota. Is there anything else?”
“No. I have a class I am late for. Let me know about the ring Jessie.” I lift my hand above the chair and wave.
“Ring?” Darren says.
Prez laughs. “They’re getting married.”
“They didn’t date long.”
Prez busts out laughing, “‘Bout a month now.”
I lay my head on the seat cushion. I’m going to die right here.
***
Eagle Eye
I leave Prez’s office and laugh all the way down to the range. I thought I was not going to make it out of the office without laughing. Jessie is not pissed anymore and he is focused on the ring for Jessica. She is already wondering if we will get married. I do not want her worried about stupid shit when we do the work we do. I know Jessie will marry her I just want her to know it is definitely going to happen.
Sheila is walking into the range with the trainee Jessie told her to shoot. I guess he shut up. We get through class and the loud mouthed trainee moved up three places. Sheila tells him he did a good job and she will meet him at ride and shoot tomorrow.
“Did he improve on the pop ups?” I ask as she walks by me toward the door.
She stops and turns. “He did, he moved up two. He slowed down and his aim is improving.” I throw her chin. “Too bad you’re spoken for Lightfoot. You’re cute.”
I laugh. “I am, as you say, spoken for.”
“Jessie has never been happier. He hasn’t shot anyone in weeks. Keep doing whatever you’re doing.” She walks away and I’m smiling.
I have never been happier either.
While my trainees are still shooting I call Danny to ask about the ring. Patches gave us a list, but I do not know him well enough to ask about a ring for Jessica. It should be special. He tells me of a jeweler that will send me pictures. He thinks something with her favorite color or schematic type etching will work best because it will mean something to her. He will have something sent to me tomorrow. With that done I pull the four highest officers on the leaderboard to the end of the range and set the targets to moving.
The loud mouth wants to move. I tell him no and walk by. He calls me back and steps closer telling me how good he is. This guy is a little too rogue. “If I pull my gun before you move you are out. You lose your job and walk away.” He starts to yell again and I shoot his foot.
I tell two officers to get him to the front door and leave him outside the building without getting blood on the carpet. Prez will be pissed. He whines all the way to the door drawing everyone’s attention. Since they are so unfocused there is no point in going further. I send them for a break and go to find Jason. Maybe he can take them early.
In Ops everyone cheers. “Do you people ever work?”
Brantley laughs. “Jessie is rubbing off on you, he hasn’t shot anyone for fuckin’ ever. We need some action from somewhere.”
I act shocked. “You bet?” I keep the smile off my face. My people bet on everything too. He looks behind me and turns to his computer. Prez is standing at the door. Shit. “I told them no blood on the carpet.”
He smiles. “Making me laugh a second time isn’t going to change what I’m going to say this time.”
He knows. “I thought he needed to relax. He has things to do and having things on your mind is not a good start to that.” I do not want to say ‘a job.’
“I get it Dakota, and it was good. It worked.” He waves me over. “The meeting with the task force is canceled. I need you to cover for Jessie. Darren has the hologram and needs to get it to your house.” I nod, but do not understand what I need to do.
“Cover for him?”
“Talk to the hologram when you see him.”
“I can do that.”
He goes out and I find Jason. He will take the trainees early. He has a date and does not want to be late. I want to tell him to be late, but think he needs to see for himself.
Jeremy comes in and jumps on my back making me laugh. He wants to jump and my meeting was canceled so we go to my office. This day has been crazy, time with the ancestors might be good, it may settle everyone down.
Co tells us to keep our ties tight. A warning that causes concern for Jeremy. This has me on alert. He saw a try for Prez and Jessie in a vision. He is not sharing and I cannot see what he has until he allows it. We practice throwing, he seems intent on throwing hard so I deflect without throwing it back at him. When he is happy we jump and see Prez sitting in the chair. I did not feel him come so close and wonder why.
“I was blocking so you could finish,” he says with a smile.
“You are getting very good with the shield,” I tell him and Jeremy laughs.
“I had the same thought as Jeremy.” He looks embarrassed. “Are you allowed to go back? I mean so soon.”
“Of course, the anc
estors do not have time limits.” I smile at him. I get serious. “Co gave a warning to keep our ties tight. Your need to gain peace from the ancestors tells me the ties will need their strength. Come sit and jump with me, get what you need to ease your mind, it will be a help for when you need it.” He moves and Jeremy gets up.
‘He needs the strength. Show him throw.’ He fills my head. I nod.
He jumps easily and I throw while he deflects. Co warns about our ties again, but says to strengthen and remember our people. On my branch I tell him of speaking with Chevy, Sebastian and Josiah. I will talk with Aponi alone. He agrees and we see the sun hit the water making a beautiful reflection. The ancestors are pleased we will remember our people. We go back to throwing and he gets it. He is not as strong as Jeremy, but he can throw. It will be enough to surprise and stun an opponent.
I get back to my work when he leaves and wonder about the hologram. I need to get to manufacturing then pick Jessica up from the Lab, she is working on the new HS bikes with Jared.
I go to Ops and see Darren with Jessie and Brantley. This is the hologram. He turns to me. “Nice shot Brother. Asshole deserved to be shot. I should have done it my fuckin’ self, but didn’t want to deal with the cleanup.”
I laugh. This machine is better than what I saw through Jeremy. “I had the trainees take him out, no cleanup and no blood on the carpet.”
He laughs and Darren relaxes. I read and see he needs a reason for the truck ride. I look at both of them. “I need to go to the plant then I will pick Jessica up at the Lab on my way home. Your bike is being maintained, is your truck around?”
“I got it Brother, we live on the same street,” Darren says looking relieved.
I nod. “I will call and check on the bike on the way.” I turn and start walking to the door.
They laugh then the Jessie machine yells, “What!” I turn and see he is pissed. How does the machine do that? I need to ask Jessica how all this works. “You called Uncle Danny! He’ll be taking bets for every fuckin’ thing you can imagine!”
I look at him choosing my words. “He will give to a worthy cause and we already agreed. Does it matter if he raises more and has fun doing it?”
The machine Jessie relaxes. “Get the fuck out of here with your reasonable Indian shit. You make me look bad.” The room laughs.
“I did shoot a man in the foot trying to take the pressure off you.” I keep a straight face.
It watches me. “See, I don’t know if you’re kidding or serious,” the machine Jessie says to me.
I smile and turn around hearing, “What the fuck ever, Brother. I’ll see you at home.”
I do not look back and laugh going out. The machine Jessie is very good at being him. I stop and wonder if I made sense. I call the garage and have them pick up Jessie’s bike for maintenance.
At the plant everything is running well and Tip tells me to stop mothering them. I tell her to call with problems or I will see her at the monthly meeting. “Thanks for checking on us, but we really are fine.” I kiss her head and pull tracking to find Aponi.
I hear yelling and run the hall to the end. I keep the smile off my face. Lex is pissed she did not call about a late delivery and she is pissed because he does not just kiss her.
“Lex, I need to speak with Aponi. Can you give me five minutes then kiss the shit out of her so she can concentrate on work and not how that will feel?” He is stunned and she laughs.
“Thank you Dakota. I didn’t know how to do that.” She kisses my cheek. Lex walks out the door.
“You just say it. With men we do not understand unless you tell us. Signals do not work we need the words.” She nods.
“Co gave a warning to keep our ties close then to strengthen and remember our people. The focus seems to be Prez and Jeremy, but I cannot get anything from Jeremy to confirm that. Let me know if you get anything that will be helpful.”
“I will. I feel Jeremy getting stronger, should we be worried?”
She is worried he will hurt me again? “We are working together and our shields are deflecting anything he throws.”
She is surprised. “Little Ben has come to the ancestors?”
Why does she not know this? “Yes, the ancestors have blessed him with their comfort and acceptance.” I shield from deep sliding one after another so only now is open. She has never seen me, but she sees everyone else. I do not understand and cannot look at that now.
“I need to pick up Jessica. Let me know if you get anything.” She smiles with a nod, but does not acknowledge my words. I turn and Lex is by the door waiting. I smile encouragement at him walking out.
I stop and call Prez on the way. “Aponi did not know you have met with the ancestors; she does not see me, but has always seen you.” He does not say anything. “There is a reason the ancestors shield that knowledge from her Brother. It is a cause for concern in light of the warnings from Co and Jeremy.”
“I understand every word you said, but don’t understand the meaning behind them that’s causing you concern. She has been busy, maybe she doesn’t have time to see everything right now.” I hear him typing as he talks.
What? “Aponi is equal to Christian for you, but not as powerful. She does not have scheduled time for visions. It just is.” He knows this, why is he not concerned?
I wait for him, but I’m pissed wanting to tell him to put aside his work for five minutes. “Right now she is kissing Lex. She has things on her mind. I just told you I don’t understand. I have a Club, town, every fuckin’ Brother with a problem, the PD and the town we will be taking over. This doesn’t include the Little Brothers, Jeremy, you with ancestors and the fuckin’ ‘rents. If I say I don’t understand it’s because I need an explanation that makes sense. You’re pissed, but not telling me anything I can use. Your position is advisory. You’re not doing that. Get your shit together and meet with me at my house at seven.” Fuck, he is pissed.
“You are right Prez. I will meet you and explain why this is bad without the attitude and disrespect.”
He laughs. I do not know what to make of this. “Tonight at seven Dakota.”
I sit and think. He does not understand our ways and our people as he should and I am not doing a very good job explaining what is. We need someone to keep all the seers and readers straight for him. Just this week I have had to explain some. I need to step up. Deciding to be the one that will keep track and report that to him I continue to the Lab for Jessica.
She is excited about a wheel. I watch and do not understand how it is connected to the bike, there is no center to it. Jared tells me to take her home so he can work. He kisses her, thanking and telling her he loves her, making me smile. They are a happy family.
When she holds me on the bike I feel something is not right. At the gate I notice the neighbor houses are being painted. Prez works fast. Jessica points the new flags out laughing. She will miss Santa and the bunny.
“What is wrong Jessica?” I ask when we walk into the house.
“I started my period. I just need a couple of Tylenol.”
I stop her from walking away. “Let me help then maybe you can help me with a problem.”
She turns and kisses me. “Of course.”
I lead her to the bedroom and kneel with her facing away on my thighs. I speak in the old language and translate for her as I wrap my arms around her holding her stomach low and her shoulder high.
“Oh. That feels nice.”
“Relax into me Jessica.”
She does putting her head on my shoulder. I feel the heat running through her. She moans and I feel her desire. Once she is free from the ache I slide my hand down holding pressure on her swollen lips. She moves on my hand moaning softly.
“Dakota.”
“Just feel it Jessica. It is beautiful to see and hear you. It is enough.” I speak in the old language and she responds moving faster. I am hard and she is rubbing against me with every move she makes. I turn her head and kiss her as she comes and I feel her
release wash through me. Fuck. Pulling my mouth off hers I swear in Mohegan for my childish reaction. Telling her she is beautiful I lay her down. She thanks me and closes her eyes. I tell her to sleep needing time to shower without the embarrassment of her seeing me like this. Throwing commands has its perks I think as I shower and dress.
I leave her to wake naturally and start dinner. She is not a picky eater making dinner an easy job for me. I get chicken in the oven and the pans set for rice and vegetables. She comes out as I’m turning chicken and kisses my cheek. “I love your PMS cure.” I laugh and she helps finish our dinner. “Jessie said he’ll be in late.”
“Yes. Darren has the machine Jessie and will bring him soon.”
She laughs. “He’s JJ2. The second hologram made of him.” I nod, but do not understand. “His name is JJ2, that’s what we call him. We don’t ever call them machines, but it’s cute that you thought of him that way.”
I’m glad she did not say sweet, but I understand why she laughed. “I will call him that from now on. I did not know. He is the first hologram I have seen, he is incredible, his reactions are perfect.”
She smiles proud. “I did the input on this one, so I’m glad you think so. Darren loves working with him.”
She has no connection to Darren, but hearing her excited with his happiness sparks jealousy surprising the hell out of me. I am not a jealous person and wonder why I would start now.
We eat and she explains the holograms in more detail. I understand her excitement now, it takes a lot of time and hard work to have a hologram appear as more than the shell of a picture.
When we are finished cleaning up she sits at the table and asks what I need help with. Since she is here for our life I explain about Prez being pissed and the seers and readers all being different than what he has seen at the MC.
