by L. Ann Marie
“Dakota does this embarrass you?”
He looks at me. “It is not embarrassing, but knowing you will have to live everyday with the problems and visions that I bring to us does not feel good Brother.” I’m shocked.
Jess looks at me then him. “This is the equal. We have to be equal and we didn’t show that to you. I’m sorry Dakota I’ll do better. You should know we don’t see what you do as a problem. We didn’t work at your part of us and this is what you feel because of that. I acted like a child not being honest with you. I’m ashamed of my behavior and have definitely learned from it. Knowing you see these things will remind me to work at giving you that equal Dakota. You’ve given it to us from the start.”
“You have Brother. I wasn’t looking or listening either. We can’t work without putting the effort into understanding each other. I’ll do that better for both of you.”
“I do not know what to say. I have not had support like this. It feels like the Brotherhood, but different. What do I do?”
Me and Jess laugh. “Brother just be you. Let me and Jess figure out how to work with that while you keep doing Dakota. You work at everything you do without it looking like work. Do that.”
He nods smiling. “I can do that.” Fuckin’ Brother.
I lean over and hug him. “I’ll work for us like you do Brother.”
Jess hugs us both. “I will too.”
“Thank fuck that’s done. Do we need to talk about anything else?”
“Yes. Today when you called, just hearing your voice, I knew I was wrong. I shouldn’t have left like I did. I never gave you the chance to fix anything and you’re still hurt, working and trying to make things better. I need you to know it won’t happen again. You don’t have to say anything because it’s already been said. Just know that it won’t happen again.” She looks from me to Dakota. He nods so I do too.
Dakota takes a breath. “We may want to talk to Brantley about texting the Club with our personal business. Everyone knowing when we mess up will be a problem for me.”
Since he’s not saying anymore I think it may be a big problem. “I’ll talk to Brantley and make sure this was the last text he sends about us.” They both nod.
“We’re done! Time to show you all in baby angel.” We get her and us undressed while telling her how beautiful she is. I love seeing his darker hand slide up her body and tell her. I look up and see the track and bar. I want to laugh, but just shake my head. He works every day for us.
I pull her against me and tell her to watch him make her come for us. He slides down her talking in Mohegan and I’m reminded I need to learn it. I love to see him so gentle with her and hear her moans when he gets it right. “Come for him baby angel, while we watch his tongue get it right, let me hear how he makes you feel,” I say against her ear. I pinch and pull her nipples and she gets louder. Fuck I’m fighting to control myself and talking to her is going to make me lose it. She cries out and I pull her mouth to me catching that beautiful sound. Her body shakes with little tremors and Dakota is talking in Mohegan again moving up. He takes her nipple as I hold her for his mouth. Fuck I’m ready. With a kiss to her lips he moves and goes to the nightstand.
I get us up thinking of the edge of the bed. He sits on the edge and takes her from me sliding her right down on him. I moan with them then pull the bar so it’s right above her. I love this position. She holds the bar, but doesn’t move while I stretch her and get her ready. Fuck everything is pushing me closer and I think of Ops trying to get some control back. Her arms are up and the lines of her body are too much. This look does something for me like no other, but I have no idea why. As soon as she starts moving on my hand I slide in slow. Fuck it’s tight, but I make it past the ring and push in. We all moan. With that heat pulling from the bar to my balls I count to keep it together. Fuck.
Dakota starts moving her, he’s still talking, but I have no fuckin’ clue what he’s saying. I put one hand on her nipple and one on her stomach and move with them.
My girl is getting loud and asks for harder. He starts pulling her down harder getting her yelling ‘yes’ and I lose it. I’m slamming into her and don’t stop until she screams. Holyfuckinshit. I grab the bar and she falls onto him.
When I’m breathing again I kiss her back and thank her. Always beautiful. Fuck. I get rid of the condom and get a towel to clean her. She hasn’t moved and Dakota looks happy right there. I smile at the picture they make.
I have some things to think about, I’m not losing them out of stupidity, but I put it aside because that’s not happening tonight. Jess pushes against his chest and thanks him. I lift her off and finish cleaning her up. We flop on the bed with us both holding her and fall asleep never moving.
Chapter Twenty-One
Eagle Eye
I kiss Jess’ head and smile. She is on my pillow and Jessie is on her back. I put my hand on his head and throw what I can to him hoping today is less than yesterday.
Walking out I am smiling. Poor Brantley. I decide to leave it as it is and get to the hangar. Jake is waiting when I climb through to get the paperwork. “Congratulations Brother. Jess is a special woman.”
I smile, she took her wrong and owned it. “She is. Thank you.”
“You have a date yet?” I laugh, but do not answer him and continue with the artillery check. “I have our artillery set.”
I nod and finish. “You will not always be here. If I do not check there may be a day that I assume someone else already checked and do not have what I need for the job. It is for that reason and not disrespect that I do this.”
He throws me chin. He is like VP for the Baxters I do not need him thinking I disrespected him. I go on with my panel checks and let Brantley know I am on the side. The flight crews are starting to show and do their own checks. I get coffee and watch. The Brothers are excited, Cloud has Baxter International and they think he is a legend. I smile, I do too. He outshoots me and is faster to lock on than I am. The machine serves as an extension of him. I think of the commercial from years ago and laugh, I want to be like Cloud.
He has the pilots gather and we go over the plan again. He is happy with how it worked yesterday, but we have a fourth chopper and it can get confusing. He wants that addressed before we start. He calls the crews in and gives us the rank order and I am surprised and happy to be directly under him. We do not have a leaderboard for Air Ops so this is a surprise to the other Brothers. A gunner is not happy and tells Cloud he does not want to be on his assigned crew. I see he is afraid.
Oh shit Cloud is mad. “He’s a better gunner than you. Training and experience is tracked everywhere in Air Ops.” The Brother is pissed and still wants to change. “You should know by now not to judge anyone from the MC. Go back to Security. I’m not taking a pissed off gunner on my Op. Last Brother that pulled this shit was shot in the foot. Get the fuck out.” He pulls his radio. “Blackhawk to Air One I need a gunner that isn’t afraid to work with Eagle Eye.”
Shit he was on my crew? I step away. I do not usually have problems with partners. It has been good with the Brothers since I have been here.
“Dakota don’t take one more step!” He is pissed, but it cannot be at me. I stop and wait. “Jake tell them why Dakota is under me.”
I watch Jake. “He is directly under you Cloud in aim and speed. He outshot you as gunner and he has never had a miss.” He smiles. “Ever.”
Cloud looks at me. “You earned that seat, it wasn’t given to you. We will never put someone in a position unless they work and earn it. You know this. Take your spot with confidence Brother. They are older, but you are better.”
“Yes sir. I am not accustomed to people being afraid to work with me.”
He nods and we all look at the entrance. Bikes are speeding up the road and turn in driving crazy. The Brothers stop directly in front of us sending dirt and gravel flying causing all of us to step away from them. They are nuts pushing each other back. It amazes me they do not drop their bikes. What ar
e they doing?
Tiny gets to Cloud and I laugh. “I can be a gunner.” The Brothers are pushing and shoving each other trying to get to Cloud. The crews are watching amused.
Cloud looks at me. “You want to pick a gunner fighting for the chance to fly with you?”
I shake my head no, but I am smiling. “I do not know who has experience.”
Danny pushes Tiny away. “I can shoot. He’s too fuckin’ heavy when you need lean and aim.”
Cloud is laughing holding his ear. “Little Ben says HS better fuckin’ report to Security you are not changing his Ops.”
Rayne rides in and is laughing before he gets off his bike. “I’m your gunner Eagle Eye I just need to change.” He pulls a flight suit out of his saddlebag and the Brothers are pissed kicking dirt and swearing at him as he walks to the hangar laughing. I do not even know some of these people and am honored they would fly with me.
“Can I still ride with him? I don’t have an Op today,” Tiny says and Danny yells he is too heavy. Tiny starts throwing tampons at him and the crew is doubled over laughing. Cloud yells at them to get to Security and away from his crews.
I throw them chin and thank them for their support. Danny laughs. “You forgot to talk again Brother.” Shit! I tell them and they all laugh.
Jake watches them leave then looks at Cloud. “I wouldn’t mind working with Danny, but the other Brothers might shoot one of us down.” The crews laugh and Cloud gets back to the plan. Rayne stands and listens. “I’ll fill in the ‘before the crazy fuckin’ Brothers’ inflight.” Rayne nods and we get in our assigned choppers. I have worked with one of the Brothers on the last crew. I thank them and wish them well in Mohegan. Their call names are listed for me on my monitor. This is like the hologram boards set with my information for the Op. I am glad to see it and send a thanks to Josiah, who is on control, through the Office Chat. I am glad he is the one on control, he knows how I work and will have the information show when I need it.
Jamie runs Air One again and I follow the lead getting us over water to our coordinates. He gives Cloud permission to engage and Cloud passes it to me and the international pilot, Bumps. The ship we are looking for is in international waters and off loads to smaller vessels spidering out along the coastline. This is how they keep the supplies running. Cloud is hunting for a freighter further away and that shipment is destined to a warehouse. Geek pulled information of the ship names and the Kids Club supplied the details.
Air1: “Eagle Eye you should have visual at two o’clock within one.”
Me: “Roger Air One. MD visual within one.”
Jake: “Roger Eagle Eye.” He orders guns readied and I hear the doors and adjust for the pull.
Me: “Eagle Eye with a visual on the target.” It looks like a huge old fashioned sailboat. It is a shame we have to blow it up.
As we get closer, Jake talks on the loud speaker. I watch and see a gun turn toward us. Before I adjust Rayne shoots from the side. Jake calls for the crew on deck again then shoots the man in the wheelhouse. Men come through and lay flat on the deck. I lower and four rappel. I get Jake’s orders to them, but don’t hear their responses. I hear Air One directing Cloud in a fight with the freighter. Bumps is with him acknowledging every order. I wonder how Jamie keeps it all straight. Seeing a man moving up the bow, I shoot and he falls.
Jake laughs. “Just like Cloud with the guns. Nice shot Eagle Eye.” He tells me two more are rappelling. I hold steady until they reach the deck then I turn so Rayne can cover. Shots are fired from the deck and the Brothers respond. I cannot tell who is shooting who from this angle, but see men coming up a stairway. I fire into it and a Brother runs through clearing it. Fuck that could have been bad. Jake is answering then tells me we cannot take the load as planned.
Me: “Eagle Eye to Air One.”
Jamie: “Go ahead Eagle Eye.”
Me: “We are not able to take the weight of the load Air One.”
Jamie: “Give me a minute Eagle Eye.” I let Jake know and wait. Josiah switches me to VP on the information board so when he speaks I am not surprised.
VP: “Eagle Eye your crew lead on?”
Me: “Affirmative VP.”
VP: “MD the package split with two choppers?”
Jake: “Negative VP. Would take at least four twice.” Fuck that is a lot.
VP: “Need a minute.”
Jake: “Roger VP.” He tells the men to secure the prisoners and scour the ship. When I look back he has a machine gun standing next to Rayne at the mounted. I want to laugh because it is so small and will not do much from here, but I guess the noise is enough.
VP: “Prince stand ready. Coast Guard is on the way. Clear the ship of weapons only.”
Me: “Roger VP Prince standing ready.” I look back. “MD ready the crate to transport weapons. Coast Guard is on the way.” My command switches back to Jamie.
Jake: “Roger Eagle Eye.” He pulls the crate, which is really a net with pole sides in the shape of a square. He has it together in no time and tells me it is lowering.
The crew runs guns to the net while Rayne and two others point their guns at the prisoners. I have never done an Op with prisoners, it is an interesting experience.
Jamie: “Eagle Eye you have a boat and a ship on its way. The boat will detain the prisoners, the ship will clear the packages. You are leaving four to bring the ship to port.”
Me: “Roger Air One. Standing ready. MD I need four to stay when the Coast Guard arrives to bring the ship to port.” He swears and I look back. His mic is open to Ops. Jamie does not yell at him so I guess it is okay.
Jake: “Roger Eagle Eye. We have two and a crate to extract.”
Me: “Roger MD. Visual on Coast Guard vessel.” As the boat draws near shots are fired from the stern. “Moving stern side MD.” I swing around and lock firing at the pussy. Fuckin’ dealers. Always shooting. I turn. “Air One Coast Guard is clear to approach.”
Jamie: “Roger Eagle Eye, I’m in radio contact. The Captain thanks you.” They pull alongside the ship and request permission to board. Jake is talking to his lead on the ship as the weapons make it to my deck. Jamie is talking to Cloud and Bumps and it sounds like they are ready to shoot missiles at the freighter. One of the concerns was the large amount of drugs hitting the water and polluting the coastline with dead and deformed sea life. Blowing it up would not be good for anyone. Jake tells me the crate and crew are onboard.
Me: “Air One the Coast Guard has boarded the vessel. A crew of four is standing ready to bring her to port. Prince is disengaging, loaded and standing ready.”
Jamie: “Follow coordinates to Blackhawk.”
Me: “Roger Air One. MD, secure and ready for flight. We have a detour, ready the artillery.”
Jake: “Roger Eagle Eye.” The guns are pulled in and doors closed. I turn a tip for the vessel. The men onboard wave making Rayne laugh. I check instruments, but know I am okay. Josiah would have highlighted it if something was off.
Jamie is still guiding the first teams and Cloud yells for Bumps to jump. Fuck! What the hell is going on? As I get a visual I tell Jake to ready the guns, the pull slows me down, but we move forward ready. Cloud runs right across the deck firing the whole way.
Bumps: “I’ve got a lock on me Blackhawk.”
Cloud: “Eagle Eye hit the guns!”
Me: “Roger Blackhawk. MD fire at will!” I get us over the deck and hold. Firing in a circle, Rayne and Jake are hitting everything.
Bumps: “I’m clear.”
Cloud: “Roger Bumps. Eagle Eye cease fire.”
Me: “Roger Blackhawk. Cease fire MD.” He rogers me back and I move off the deck. Shit.
Bumps: “How the fuck did he hold it so low?” Cloud laughs, but doesn’t answer him.
Cloud: “Blackhawk to Air One, guns are disabled. I’m flying over with the feed on One. Eagle Eye decided he’d had enough and went video game on them.”
Jake laughs and does not seem to care that he is
on the radio. They laugh even during Ops.
Jamie: “Jesus.”
Cloud: “Yeah. Eagle Eye ready for flight.”
Me: “Roger Blackhawk. MD ready for flight.”
Jake: “Let me finish getting the pictures Eagle Eye.” What?
Me: “MD that was an order I was given. Ready for flight or I will tip you right the fuck out so you can get close ups.” Everyone is laughing. I do not know what to do here. I turn us and move away from the freighter. The doors close and I breathe easy.
Jake: “Prince readied for flight.”
Me: “Air One Prince ready for flight.” No one answers. “Air One, Prince ready for flight.”
VP: “Eagle Eye did good. Drop disrespectful fuck at Security. Got a gunner waitin’”
Jamie is still my command and I am nervous. Cloud said to ask if I had questions.
Me: “Blackhawk my command is the same?” He does not answer. “VP I am not sure what to do. My command is still One, this is not how I was trained.”
“Eagle Eye this is Prez. Josiah switched your command to me. Come into Security and set down at the back of the lot.”
I check my board. “Roger Prez.” Fuck! My heart is racing. I disobeyed VP, threatened Jake and didn’t control my crew. Maybe I should just set down in the reservation. I fly over it trying to calm my heart. The crew is not saying a word. I radio in and Prez clears me. I set us down and order Rayne to stay with the chopper. He nods. I am not even across the lot and VP is stalking toward me. Prez and Jamie are following. Fuck. VP is pissed. I stop, but he keeps going pulling Jake with him. I turn to follow.
“Stop Dakota,” Prez says and I stop. Can this get any worse?
“I have no excuse Prez,” I tell him and wait. Jamie laughs and Prez gives him a look. This was supposed to be my father-in-law and I am going to get dressed down then shot in front of him. Fuckin’ great.
“What do you think you did Dakota?” Prez asks.
