by L. Ann Marie
I laugh. “He is not a reader.”
“I’m glad I got to meet you, I’m looking forward to dinners and holidays and all that, but we’re getting married in about twenty minutes.” He looks at me. “We need to get downstairs; Jess will be pissed if we’re late.”
I look at my father and want to laugh, but know better. “I will see you downstairs?” He nods, but does not say anything. I walk away feeling like I disappointed him.
In the elevator Jessie turns to me. “This is right Dakota, you don’t need his approval. Besides, my dad loves you enough for both of them and we have my other dad, Uncle Danny.” I smile. “I wish Prez was here. It doesn’t feel right that he’s not here for the biggest day of my life. I’m glad the ‘rents showed.”
I am not sure I am glad my parents showed, but I am happy for the surprise waiting for us. It does not feel right to get married without my closest Brothers either. We walk to the chapel and a cheer goes up as we open the doors.
“Holyfuckinshit!” He looks at me and I smile.
“It did not feel right to me either.” He hugs me and goes to Prez, Darren and Ricky. Chevy, Sebastian and Josiah come to me and fist bump. I laugh. “Did Tiny tell you he would squash your heads like a grape?”
Chevy laughs. “Yes. I’m glad he’s protecting you, but he’s a little scary.”
“Dakota!”
I hug them surprising every one of them. “I am so glad you are here Brothers, but I need to get up there before he starts shooting.” They laugh, but I am serious.
Jeremy stops me. I hug him and kiss his head. “I am glad you are here Little Ninja.”
“Be happy Dakota. It’s good,” he says and lets me go.
Jessie calls me again and I make it to his side just as the doors are opening. My father and Mother are at the back watching. As soon as Jessica steps in I see only her. I thank the ancestors for guiding me to her and Jessie.
“Me too Brother. Fuck she’s beautiful isn’t she?”
I laugh. “Yes Brother, she is.” She is wearing a white dress with the same color as her ring around the edges. She is very beautiful, smiling with her eyes shining. She did not want us in anything, but our cuts and white shirts. She said it looks real and that made Jessie happy. Since by tradition I would not be wearing much I am happy too.
Kevin puts her hand in Jessie’s and Jamie puts the other in mine. They both kiss her cheek and she laughs. I look at Jessie and he smiles. We do the same thing.
The man does the dedication and we each say our parts. She puts a ring on my finger and I look at it not believing what I see. A chopper in an eye. It is beautiful and I kiss her saying thank you. Everyone laughs. When she puts the ring on Jessie he is stunned and kisses her too. The man does not get angry he just waits then waits for the laughing to stop. When she kisses one then the other a cheer goes up and I laugh, they will cheer for anything. Prez is first to hug all of us then Kate, Danny and Pres. They have special words just for us and I am touched to be included in their family. Mitch is crying, but hugs us. Jamie hugs me telling me to take care of his baby girl, but Kevin does not hug Jessie. I laugh at him and he gives me a look making me laugh more. My Mother comes up and hugs me telling me she is proud I chose well. She hugs Jessica and even Jessie surprising me, this is not their way.
We get to the room to eat and dance and more Brothers are here. Jessie asks me if I knew, but I did not. We dance and talk to the Brothers, but mostly my new families. Jessica is having a good time. She is so beautiful smiling at everyone. We do not let her go. I am proud today and tell her the ancestors are smiling for us. My parents did not stay and I am relieved. They would not enjoy this and I would have felt obligated to spend the time with them.
Jessica has had enough and tells us she is ready to go. We thank and say goodbye to everyone. Danny, Tiny and Jake are staying, but everyone else is going home on a Baxter plane. Jessie wishes them a safe journey in Mohegan and I laugh. He is getting better.
Before we go the wall behind our table turns to a picture. VP in the MC Ops room and Driscoll in his office are in it. They wish us well and give congratulations. Then VP tells them to get back. We laugh and he smiles. The MC room cheers. Prez is laughing he didn’t know they would do this.
Danny tells us the first game is tomorrow at six and hands me the casino name. He will meet me there. Jessica is excited to win some money.
***
Jessie
“I am so glad everyone was here. It didn’t feel right without Prez.”
Jess kisses my cheek before I open the door. “I told you my mother would handle it. She said she’d get them here even if she had to get Rayne to tie them up and drag them on the plane.”
I nod and hold the door while Dakota lifts her up and walks in. He kisses her then puts her down and turns her to me. “I could see him doing that.” She nods so serious and Dakota laughs. I picture the asshole Brother with the net around him and his bike while Rayne steps on his face and Dakota stops laughing. I kiss our girl.
Dakota told me we have to jump again. Since we won’t be needed until six I’m all for it. We haven’t jumped since the first time. I don’t think he does when I’m not around. ‘No, it is for us together.’ He answers and I yell at him to get the fuck out of my head.
I start undressing Jess and he does something in the bedroom. I’m kissing her walking her back as her dress falls. I lift her over it and keep going. In the room Dakota stands beside me. Fuck she’s beautiful in her stockings and panties, but they will not make it. He tells her to turn and she does. Holy fuck it’s a thong, her ass has just the clips running down to the stockings on it. I want to slap it and rip her panties off. They are definitely not making it.
“Slow Brother we have the list.”
“Fuck that and the reasonable Indian thing. Patches isn’t seeing what we are.”
Jess smiles. “Hard and fast. We can do slow too, but first hard and fast.”
Our clothes are off, her panties are torn and I’m stretching her while Dakota kisses and talks to her. As soon as she’s ready I lift her onto him and slide in. Our girl moans. “Fuckin’ sexy baby angel.” He starts lifting her and I’m there. Holy shit I’m there.
“We are not going to last Jessica, put your finger on your pussy and help us,” he tells her then his eyes follow her hand.
I feel his dick jerk and the reaction has me jerking and fighting for control harder than I was. Fuck. We hit her hard and she’s saying ‘yes’ when I lose it. She screams and I feel her convulsing and squeezing him. Jesus. I hold her up and he’s gone. I love that look on his face and feel Jess still squeezing him. I lay her down on him and give us a minute. When everyone stops jerking I slide out and grab the towel Dakota put out. I shake my head he’s always working for us. I clean Jess and lift her off him cleaning the rest of her. He seems to need a little time after he comes and I wonder if he is away, but have never asked. I smile. While he’s still reeling I can think alone all I want.
With Jess clean and laying on the mat he put down—I smile—she’s coming at me sliding her hands across my chest. I kiss her and my dick jumps and hits her hip. She moans. Jesus. Dakota lifts her while we’re still kissing and I’m fuckin’ hard as a rock. He has her turned and I slide down her body getting to her pussy. The first time I did they were shocked. I don’t give a fuck if his come is in her, I slide my tongue on her and she jumps so I get comfortable. He lifts her legs over my shoulder telling her that’s fuckin’ hot. Well, in his words. Since I agree I get lost in making her come again. Dakota is following the list kissing and talking to her about how he loves every bit of her. I need to do that too, but that is not tonight. Tonight I make her come yelling our names. I wipe my face on her loving the smell of all of us on her body.
As soon as he moves I have her up and sliding onto me. She’s still squeezing as tremors run through her body. Dakota sets our legs then slides closer lifting her up and sliding her down. “It’s never better than right here just like th
is,” I tell them.
“I wish they had a bar,” Jess says on a moan. I look at Dakota and smile. Our girl loves naughty and I can’t wait to teach her more.
He moves her and I feel the pull then the dizzy. He doesn’t stop, but it feels better here. “I introduce my wife and partner to the ancestors. His voice is strained I let him go and move Jess on us. It’s an incredible feeling when his hands hit my back and I start to pull Jess down harder trying to prolong it. He tells me to let it happen and I slow us down. He’s talking in Mohegan again, but I can’t get past how good it feels. My mouth finds hers and he’s talking to us at her ear, I can’t do anything, but keep moving and kissing her. Everything explodes and I’m gone.
***
I realize Jess is on me and we’re on the bed, but Dakota isn’t here. He’s in the shower. I’m good to stay right here, I think and laugh. I don’t think I can move. When he comes out he tells me the tub is ready and he has breakfast coming in a half hour. He lifts her and I try to stand. My legs feel like lead, but I make them move and sit in the tub. “The hot water will help.”
I nod and take Jess, but he lowers her onto me, thank God, because my arms feel like lead. She kisses my chest and says she loves us, but her eyes aren’t even open. I smile at her then his words hit me. “Breakfast?”
He smiles. “It is after ten.”
After ten? “How long did we fuck in freaky high plain world?”
He cracks up. “All night. I warned you to go slow.” He walks away.
Jesus. No wonder my arms and legs feel like fuckin’ lead. I wash us and lean back. Jess is asking about the games and I’m happy to just sit and talk. I don’t think I could lift her again. Dakota pushes a cart with food right in the fuckin’ bathroom.
We’re all laughing. “I thought you would like to eat while soaking.” He puts the plates on the second shelf and sits on the edge of the tub letting water out and refilling it with hot. I’m glad he did because I can’t. He laughs and grabs a plate.
I can’t say I’ve ever had such a memorable bath. We’re eating, laughing, drinking coffee and talking while it feels like life is coming back to my sore muscles. He pushes the cart out of the way and holds our arms. Heat moves through me and I know Jess is feeling it. When he lets us go I close my eyes and thank God for me being right here right now.
I can move better and we get Jess up and dried. I love Patches and his lists. All dressed and ready to go we walk out and I see Dakota’s Dad and Mom. Jess kisses and hugs both surprising the shit out of them. I kiss his Mom and she kisses me back, progress.
“We wanted to spend some time with you before we leave.” His mom looks at us then Dakota.
‘I’m okay with it if Jess is,’ I tell him. He nods. “We would like that,” he tells her.
“You use abilities to talk?” His father asks and he’s not happy.
I laugh. “I don’t have abilities unless I’m working. Jess is the same.” He doesn’t even look at me, he’s too busy staring Dakota down.
Pamela takes Jess’ hand and they start walking to the elevator. I pull Dakota from the stare down and follow. BS stands in front of it until we make it to them then he stands aside and opens the door. Security is in here too. “Jess and Dakota are on High Security.”
Pamela nods. “I am happy they are guarded.”
I look right at her. “Always. They will always be guarded. It takes some adjustment, but you get used to it.”
Jess smiles saying it’s true then talks about the shops downstairs. Since it’s like the biggest fuckin’ mall in the world I’m happy to stay right here. We follow as they roam the first store then into the next before Dakota’s father says his first fuckin’ word and I’m pissed with what he comes up with.
“Your abilities were meant to better and protect our people.”
I open my mouth and Dakota holds my arm. Uncle Danny slaps my shoulder and says hi to Dakota’s father.
I pull my arm away. “No. I will not be calm and I will not shut the fuck up. Dakota’s abilities better and protect all people. When did you become God and decide your race is the only one worth saving. Look around. The world is going fuckin’ crazy and someone needs to stop it. If not us who? You want only your people safe from all this shit? I read about another man like that. His name was Hitler. I’m fuckin’ proud he stepped up and took a stand with us, for all of us. My Brother is wise beyond his years and knows better than the rest of us how to use his abilities to help more and promote more. If your idea for the day was to drag him down thinking he is wrong for all the good he does you can go now. I’m not letting that happen. If you want real conversation with your adult son that has saved countless lives, step the fuck back and look at him as that man. A man every fuckin’ Brother is proud to call his. We are sitting over there while you decide what the fuck you want out of life. We got our shit covered and will ask for opinions and advice when we want and need them.”
I pull Dakota over to a table and tell him to sit the fuck down. I look around and nod to Security to follow Jess. When I look back Uncle Danny is talking to Brody and he doesn’t look happy. If anyone can get the man to see sense it will be Uncle Danny.
“Thank you Jessie. My father is not an easy man. I would not have said all you did, but he needs to hear it.”
I sit and look at him. He loves his parents. It’s just different than what I know. “He raised you to be the man I chose as my partner. You are good because of what you learned from him, but it isn’t meant for just Indians. You’re giving your lessons to everyone same as us. Together we can be heard and make a difference. I’m not letting him paint that as wrong Brother and he’s fuckin’ lucky Prez is gone. He’d be pissed.”
Dakota smiles. “I think Danny is filling in for him.” I laugh. Jess and his mom come over excited over some jewelry. Dakota wants to see the woman selling it and goes back with them. I have all Security follow them.
“So, we’ve come to an understanding,” Uncle Danny says putting his hand on my shoulder.
They sit. “My son is not the only one wise beyond his years. You have opened my eyes and I will leave the lessons he learned to guide him with his ancestors and Brothers.”
I nod. It sucks as an apology, but it’s something. “Dakota means something to me. I will protect him from anything and everything that interferes with our happiness.”
He watches me then nods. “I understand. You are a protector.” Uncle Danny tells him I am. I just shrug. I just told him so I’m not fuckin’ repeating myself.
The women and Dakota come back and his mom wants to go to lunch. Uncle Danny is all over it and we’re in a fuckin’ restaurant before I know what hit me. I’m not even hungry. Jesus. We talk about the Brothers and Brody tells us of a pipeline they just stopped. Jess is interested in the damage so she talks about that with Pamela while Uncle Danny tells Brody about the casino tonight. I want to kick him, but he keeps going on about the known scamming casinos. Dakota looks like he wants to climb under the table. I hold him in place and tell Uncle Danny to explain what we’re doing with the money. Brody is interested now and wants to help. Dakota relaxes and Jess gets in to it all excited for more players. All I can do is laugh. She’s beautiful and excited about scamming the scammers.
We go to the room to change and meet everyone in the lobby. Dakota explains how it will work and we split up. Jess and Dakota have two guards each and Jess is with one of the men at all times. She doesn’t care as long as she gets to play.
I take her into the first casino the KC gave us. Jake and Uncle Danny are in a card game here. Everyone else just plays for fun. Dakota comes in and watches us play from across the table. Every roll hits money for her and she’s squealing. A crowd builds and Dakota moves to a kiosk close, Jess hits until she’s bored with it. He told us to move often. We move and someone brings her chips for us. We get drinks and play another game. Our plan is to move closer to the poker table. She loses three games then starts winning. Doubling her money, she wants to m
ove again. I crack up when she wants to play the slot machines. We do and the machine takes her money. Not ten minutes later she’s playing another machine and hits the jackpot. Dakota is smiling at her when she squeals again. Ten grand in ten minutes. He tells me she’s done here and I give her ten grand to play. She wins some, but loses two grand and isn’t willing to spend more. I play blackjack winning her the money back. We sit at the bar close to the poker table and Dakota sits a couple of seats away from us facing the bar not the table. His dad sits by him and talks. Dakota doesn’t answer and a cheer draws my attention. Jake won. Him and Uncle Danny cash out and leave the casino heading to the next one. Pamela wins big at craps and cashes out. Brody follows her. When I get Jess’ chips cashed out they try everything to get us to stay. Jess tells them we just got married and she wants to see a show. She gets tickets and tells them she’ll be back for the next show in two hours. We leave and two Security follow. I hear the jackpot on another slot and laugh.
We go to the same casino as Uncle Danny and Jake, but stay away from them. I see Dakota’s Security, but not him. Jess spots him in a mirror and I breathe easy. He’s playing roulette. I notice Brody watching cards and Uncle Danny wins. I wonder if Dakota is getting this from Brody. He says yes in my head and I laugh. Sonofabitch he’s good.
***
At the hotel we drag ourselves to the room. You don’t realize the time in the casino and we don’t make it back until four. I’m feeling my sore muscles, but I’m too tired to care. Jess is done, the excitement of the night has worn off and she crashed.
“Seven hundred grand is good Dakota. I’m not looking at another fuckin’ casino.”
If Jake would have stopped it would have been more and he’s pissed that he didn’t match Uncle Danny’s salary for their half. Uncle Danny doesn’t give a shit.
“Danny said it was good. I feel bad he will not have much to pay for the new center.”
