by L. Ann Marie
She lifts her head and kisses me. My dick jumps and she pulls away laughing. Okay I’m pissed. I pull out and look for something to wipe her up. Her tank is close so I grab it and she pulls it away. What the fuck? I look at her and she’s watching me. At least she’s not laughing. “We’re like a cyclone. As soon as we’re kissing I need you in me, it lasts until I lose my mind and my body is toast.”
I smile. “For me too.” I guess she wasn’t laughing at me, but us.
“I’m sorry for laughing.”
I take the tank and clean her up. “I don’t always get everything, it’s not you.” I lift her feeling like a dick for getting pissed. “Let me clean you right or your scent will drive me crazy.”
She stands still and lifts my face so I’m looking at her. She’s just looking at me then bends and kisses my lips. She runs her thumb across my bottom lip and I’m hard again. “I like your kind of crazy. It makes me wonder if I should shower or see where this one ends up. I like the floor.”
I laugh and stand up. “Maybe you’ll like the shower.” I pull her to the bathroom and we both like the shower.
Chapter Five
One week
Eliza
Taylor calls me from the doorway. “You’re out today. Meet VP in front. Sheila will catch you up tomorrow.” I nod and go to the locker room for my backpack wondering why I’m out.
When I push through the stairwell door Darren is coming out of Ops with a smile. “I love to see that smile.” He lifts me up and kisses me. Shit.
He puts me down quick and steps back. “No time or I’d take you to the supply closet.”
“There’s a supply closet?” I want to go.
He laughs and pulls me out the door. “We need to get to Mass. Fuck!” He stops. “I’ll be right back.” He runs back into the building. Whatever we’re doing is making him happy so I stand here smiling. Like my floor isn’t all the way up on that elevator. I stop smiling like an idiot and wait.
The Ramsey guy pulls up, he’s the guy that makes fun of Darren at the Club. Brantley said Darren sees it in Surveillance, but never says anything. He’s smiling at me like he’s God’s gift to women and I’m waiting for him to bless me. As he climbs the steps he’s eyeing me, making me want a shower. He points to his crotch. “Ready to ride little lady?”
Eeww! “Does that ever work?”
He grabs himself. “Your tits got me ready. Let’s ride.” His other hand moves toward me.
I step back. “The difference between a man and a woman is my balls are where everyone can see them. Right from the start I see they’re bigger than yours.” I hold the banister and kick up catching him under his chin with each foot. He’s dazed and steps back just as Darren walks out the door. I stand straight and he looks at Ramsey.
His elbow lifts and I hear the crack as he connects to Ramsey’s head. Damn that’s going to hurt. “Sorry Brother, didn’t see you there.” He steps over him and takes my hand moving me away from the sleazeball.
“Can you hold this to the hangar?” I nod and take the bag. “No peeking,” he says tipping his bike for me. I nod smiling. How the hell would I look while holding onto him?
At the hangar Jared waits until we’re in then lifts off. Damn, I’m not even sitting. Darren sits me in the back and buckles me in. I smile because he’s always doing shit like this. He was right, I know he’s focused on me and it feels good.
He takes the bag and unzips it. It’s loud as hell, I lean closer to hear what he’s saying. “This cut is for when we’re out. This means I’m all in Eliza. No out, no leaving, no going back. We look forward and keep moving. I’ll work every day to make that good for us. I’d be honored for you to wear my cut Eliza. Will you wear it showing everyone you’re my old lady?”
I look from the cut to his eyes. He’s all in. No leaving? He wants me for real? This is like forever. I feel the tears. He knows and wants me to wear his cut. He kisses me. Thank God I’m buckled in. When he tries to pull me forward he feels the belt and swears pulling away.
I smile knowing tears are running down my face. “Are you sure? With everything I’ve done...”
He covers my lips with his fingers. “We look forward and keep moving. I only know you. I’m all in with the woman I know. Don’t give a fuck about anyone else.” He holds the cut out and helps me put it on. It has the same HS patch as his.
He notices me looking at it. “Sunday you get your Club cut. Prez had that one put on a little early.”
“Thank you.” I’m glad he can’t hear me; I sound like a frog.
He hugs me knowing. I get my shit together and squeeze him. He moves back smiling. “I love my cut on you babe.” He sits directly across from me looking at it then me. I don’t hear what he says and he touches his ear. “Fuck.” I smile because I got that. He gets cans and pops them on my head then puts a pair on and adjusts the mic. “These work with the lead cans. Only the other crew and lead hear them.” I nod, but don’t understand because we’re the only ones here. “Ops, the lead’s cans are heard by the pilot and Air One. So we don’t hear the pilot or Air One from these.”
He’s telling me we can talk. I nod knowing he won’t hear me, but he can talk to me. “I’m proud of you Eliza. Taylor said you don’t need the class today, but he’ll get you caught up so you don’t feel cheated.”
I laugh. “Sheila will help me tomorrow.” He nods. I run my hand down the leather. I’m his old lady. When I look at him he’s watching with a serious look. I sign ‘thank you’ making him smile.
He watches out the window then turns back. “Nancy has the clothes I ordered. Tess and Penny will meet us then go to her shop with you. Before you get pissed I have no idea about women’s clothes. Nancy does that. When the men want to do something nice they order from Nancy and give that to their women. Since it’s the first time, Nancy said you need to pick what you like and she’ll know for next time.”
“I got out of training to shop?” He can’t be serious. Fuckin’ shopping took me away; the team will have a ball with this. I’m pissed and clench my jaw so I don’t scream at him.
His body freezes. “No, well not just to shop. I have a meeting at Security while you’re at Nancy’s. After that I meet Mitch. She found a way to make glasses that will show text of people talking. So when we walk on the beach again we can talk to each other. I wanted you to come with me.” He looks embarrassed and all the fight evaporates.
“She can do that like the boards on the sunglasses?” Holy shit so we can talk on the beach? That’s unbelievable. I smile big. He’ll get everything people are saying.
“Apparently she can and did. She’s incredible. She made my ears like Samantha’s and I heard sound for the first time, now I’ll get the words. I bet Samantha will have them too. She’s going to be so fuckin’ excited. You’ll love her; she’s a trip.”
I watch the smile light up his face and I smile, but not for Samantha. Who the hell is that? I can’t ask him if it’s an old girlfriend he just went through a whole forward thing. It dawns on me he knows my past, but I don’t know his. Maybe I don’t need to know this. I deflate like a popped balloon. He put his cut on me, I’m his old lady and he does everything to show that means something to him. I unbuckle and sit on his lap kissing his cheek then lay my head on his shoulder.
***
Darren
I hold her wondering if the smile was that she’s happy. It didn’t look happy. But what the fuck do I know. She’s happy to wear my cut. This is going to be an epic day. I think about dinner then push it away thinking about Patches’ list. I need to go slow, no fuckin’ fire burning, no cyclone. I’ve made it to slower, but not slow yet. I need to do that for her. Letting her know what she means to me every step of the way. She hasn’t said anything back, but she’s wearing my cut. Maybe she doesn’t get it. I can tell her when we do slow.
Jared sets down at the Club and tells me there’s a bike waiting for me in space two. I thank him, pulling Eliza to the hangar as he lifts off.
> Chet pulls up and Tess comes running. I just laugh. She’s so fuckin’ cute all you can do is laugh. “I knew it Eliza! I’m so happy for you!” She hugs Eliza and her eyes bug out making me wonder if she just isn’t used to getting hugged. The old ladies will change that for her. “You’re both so happy! I love the tiara it’s perfect! Penny is going to be so jealous, she’s the princess.”
Eliza smiles. “Okay. Does Penny not have a cut?”
Tess laughs that musical little sound. “She does, but it doesn’t have a tiara. Digs got her a princess patch but it’s not the same.”
Eliza laughs. I pull her away and kiss Tess’ cheek. “I need to get to Security. You’re the best Tess, thanks for being you.” She hugs me and I turn to Eliza, she’s still smiling. “I’ll pick you up at Nancy’s and take you to lunch. We’re meeting Mitch at one up at the lab. Samantha will meet us there.”
She hugs me then lifts her face for a kiss. “I can’t wait to see you hear and see the words.”
I kiss her lips and move away. She laughs. “Me either babe. I’ll see you at Nancy’s.” Chet gets them in, shaking his head. Tess is a handful at the best of times, when she’s excited all you can do is try to keep up.
We get through the Security meeting and Baxters leave, so just MC is left.
Pres talks about Laconia and still wants us at the table, saying we’ve accomplished more than the long standing Chapters have. My dad and Geek agree. Tiny and VP don’t say anything. “All I can do is take it to Prez. I see why it would be inviting trouble. We’re looking at another factory, but it needs a lot of work. Dakota isn’t pushing to buy, so Prez tabled it.”
Geek brings up trouble with Hammer’s crew and I nod. “We already know and are prepared for it.” Pres looks surprised, then at VP. He nods and Pres goes on.
LB should have come up with me. Laconia is two weeks out and Pres isn’t letting it go. “Pres you keep coming back to the one thing I can’t answer. You want me to agree with you and I can’t. I see Prez’s point. With the trouble brewing on Hammer’s end, us ready for that, and Clubs trying to get their parts quicker by kissing ass, it’s going to be a shit storm. If we let VP handle it, we look bad and will take the shit for not standing up for ourselves. There is no easy ground and I’ll take Prez’s back knowing either way we’re going to have a fight on our hands. You need to talk to Prez to find out his decision.”
My dad laughs. “He just wants to know what he’s saying at the table in advance.” VP laughs nodding.
Pres looks at them. “It would be nice to know. I’m the one standing up there and I have no fuckin’ clue what he’s planning.”
I love Pres with everything in me, but sometimes he doesn’t see the forest for the trees. “Pick up the phone or go down and ask. Not a meeting with every fuckin’ Brother there–just you and him. He needs help deciding the lesser of two evils. Maybe you can give him something to make that easier. Whatever Dakota gave him hasn’t cleared a path for him.”
My dad and Tiny laugh. VP stands up. “Goin’ with you. Need to see Driscoll.”
Pres looks at them then me. “I guess I’m going to see Little Ben.” He smiles and throws chin.
“We got time for lunch,” my dad says.
Shit. “I’m picking up Eliza at Nancy’s.”
“Meet us at the cafeteria. The Lab has the best food around.”
Fuck. I didn’t know they invited people. “Who’s us?”
“Pres and VP are headed out, so Mom and the boys. They’re meeting us up there.” He looks at Tiny. “And Tiny.”
I nod. “We’ll see you up there.” I walk to my bike thinking I could have done this with just Eliza, but my family has done everything to make my life easier every day of it. They need to be there too.
At Nancy’s, she’s smiling when I walk in. “Tess is better than tracking.”
Nancy signs, ‘she’ll have the clothes brought to the chopper.’ I nod and kiss my girl then sign the receipt. Taking Eliza’s hand, we walk to the bike. “My family is meeting me up at the Lab. I didn’t know they planned on being there. We can eat at the cafeteria right in the building. It’s not what I had in mind, but I need to let them have this.”
She smiles. “I’m starving, let’s go do lunch with the family.”
Fuck that was easy. I tip for her and ride through the reservation to the Lab thinking about the glasses. My thumb opens the door, but Security meets us and takes Eliza’s picture and thumb print for a badge. We get to the cafeteria and Ally comes running. I hug her and she goes right to Eliza. I tell her to sit and get our food. At the table, everyone’s happy and smiling. Mom’s talking to Eliza about the Center and the boys are excited about Aaron’s new bike. Tiny and Dad have been helping them get it finished so he can ride it to Laconia. I can’t believe he’s going, but remember my first time there. Oh shit. I look at my dad and he laughs.
At ten of, I stand. I want to get this done. Dad looks at me and smiles. He knows and is excited too. I know the drill so we wait at the bathroom then walk toward the elevator. “She told me we’re on two,” I say and hit the button.
An ‘M’ is here. “Darren and family. It’s good to see you again. You’ll be on two, Mitch has two rooms open for you. Samantha was excited and has been pacing the hall for ten minutes.”
I smile. “Thanks M.”
Eliza squeezes my hand and I look down at her. “She’s a hologram.” She looks at M then me. “I’ll explain later.” She nods looking at M until the doors open.
Samantha is waiting and she’s wearing glasses. “They’re awesome. I’m so excited for you!” She hugs me and I let Eliza’s hand go.
“I can’t wait. Thanks for showing. Are they easy?” She steps back and I grab Eliza’s hand.
“They took a little getting used to, but she has voice recognition on them so new people get picked up and labeled. She had Jake and everyone at the compound already programmed.” She looks at Eliza. “I’m sorry. I’m so excited. You are Eliza and I am Sam. I got my glasses yesterday and can’t wait for Darren to get his.”
Eliza surprises the fuck out of me and hugs her. She says something and Samantha laughs. “Let’s go then!”
We follow her to the room and she has the family go to the viewing room. When Eliza turns she takes her hand. “You stay here, yours is the first he’ll get to see.” Eliza blinks back tears, but stays with her.
Mitch comes in smiling. The woman is forever smiling making everyone in the room smile. “Darren, I think you will love these. Because you’re used to looking at the hologram boards I set the text up a little higher and you can pick up more than one voice at a time. Each lens runs separate reading left then right.” I nod. She opens a box and there are two clear and one pair of sunglasses. “I matched the sunglasses I saw you wearing and used a straight clear lens on the others. While you see text, the lens is clear on the other side.” She calls Eliza closer and takes a clear set out. “Jess got me all the voices so you’re programmed for down there and up here. Anything new will be labeled like the tracking program. I sent it to your email so you can label the voices yourself. If it’s a voice that becomes common, that is.” She flips the wands down, adjusts the arms around my ears and shows me the chip. “You’re solar powered and this will snap in the USB stick Jess made.” She shows me how to snap it in the plug then she pulls it out. “This is the on button. When you’re ready, turn it on and Eliza will talk to you.” I nod and take the glasses. I look at Eliza and she smiles with tears in her eyes. Mitch signs, ‘They work Darren; you’ll have the words to match to your sound.’ I throw her chin afraid to say anything right now.
I take off my ears and put on the glasses switching them on. Mitch turns Eliza and I see what she’s saying. “I am so damn proud to be here giving you your first words.”
“Ha!” How fuckin’ cool is that? The lens logs laughing. I turn and see Sam laughing. ‘Claps’ show and I look at Mitch knowing it’s her.
“You’re getting it!”
&n
bsp; I laugh and pull Eliza into a hug. I know her sound. “Yeah. Fuckin’ perfect.”
I get clapping and laughing again and let Eliza go so I can thank Mitch. “I have no idea what to say. Thank you for giving me more.” I hug her then she steps back. “Everyone deserves...”
“A future.” I look at the door and my dad is smiling.
“Yeah Dad. Thank you Mitch.” She bounces and says she has to get to the third level. She’s gone that quick. Eliza laughs and I smile at her.
“I’m so fuckin’ happy for you Darren.” My dad hugs me. “The kids are dying to talk to you. All at once,” he says before he lets me go.
I laugh, telling him I can’t wait. Sam hugs me and says she has to get back to the Clinic. I thank her and the kids come in walking backwards making Eliza laugh. They all say, “Hi Darren,” and I see every one of them. Mom is crying and it shows ‘sniffs’. They laugh when I tell them. Once everyone gets their fill of talking to me, Dad says he needs to get back for a job. I hug him, thanking him for getting everyone here. The boys take off with him and we walk out with Ally, Brenna, Devan and Mom. She cries again at the SUV and Eliza hugs her. The kids do the hug thing and give kisses for Jessie and Little Ben.
When they pull out I’m looking at Eliza. “I hardly ever say ‘look at me’ to you. You’ve always given that to me without me having to ask. Fuck it feels good not having to ask though.”
“I bet. I can’t wait until Ramsey pulls his shit and you turn around and deck him.”
I crack up switching to the sunglasses. “Yeah.” I tip the bike for her and she holds me tight until we’re out the gate.
Jared comes into the hangar. “Fuckin’ awesome aren’t they?”
I laugh and turn around. “They are. Thanks for what you put into them. It feels incredible.”
