by S. M. Dapelo
“Hmm, like when I was trying to give you that vitamin shot, but you got past both me and Ethan,” Tanner looked to the side.
“I watched a bunch of movies on the tablet when Sam was sleeping,” Ethan walked into the room carrying another tray. “She might have picked it up subconsciously.” He looked at me, “Ready to go back upstairs?”
I sighed and nodded, “Yeah, I guess so.” I got up and walked over to him.
“Dude, do me a favor,” Tanner threw out at Ethan. “Next time you bring Sam down here, make sure she has a bra on. It’s tough to have a discussion with someone you can’t look at.”
“Yep,” nodded Xavier. “I might be gay, but boobs still catch my attention.”
“Fine,” sighed Ethan. “I happen to like her without a bra.” He led me out of the room.
When we started up the stairs, I asked Ethan, “Why did Xavier tell us he’s happy?”
“Happy? What do you mean …” he stopped a second the snorted, “Oh, he’s gay? Got it. The way he’s using it doesn’t mean happy. It means something different. I’ll explain when we get upstairs,” and continued in the direction we were headed.
Chapter 24
It had been three days, and Ethan was still making me stay in the room for most of the day. I wasn’t arguing as much and went back to sleeping more. He insisted on feeding me. No, I don’t mean making sure I eat, I mean giving me my food with his fingers. He declared it would build trust. I let him give me pieces of grilled cheese or whatever solid food that was made, but I drew the line at the soup. Some stuff you just feed yourself.
We finally watched the movie we had started on the night before the alarm went off. He gave me a fantastic foot massage while we were viewing it, that ended with him kissing me senseless. I’m still not sure what the little yellow things did by the end of the movie, but I didn’t care either. I did have the feeling I was going to need to read those books Lyssa gave me though. I’d been putting them off, reading classics and books about strategy and body language.
I knew that Ethan had been leaving in the nights while I slept, but when I woke in the mornings he had his arms wrapped around me. That morning his eyes popped open when I started to get up. “Good morning,” he smiled at me, kissing me hard enough to steal my breath. “Are you feeling better today?”
“I was fine last night,” I protested.
“We both know that’s not true, Sugar,” he stroked my cheek.
“The ring’s bothering me,” I admitted, “and the fact that I never realized how those red dots in my palms got there. Were they bleeding when you found me?”
“You had so many cuts and scrapes, I just thought they were from the accident,” Ethan said, “Until I saw that video, I had no idea.”
“Berto said something to Tanner when I ran from the injections. What was it?” I asked.
“We didn’t think it was the needles, per se. Berto was yelling at Tanner if he’d read your medical history. Apparently, a year before we met you, you had a high-density vitamin shot and had an awful reaction to it. Berto thought that’s why you were freaking out.”
“Oh, okay.” A few questions came to mind, but I chose not to ask them. When I glanced back at him, Ethan had a brow up, “No other questions?”
“Not right now,” I gave a small smile.
He sighed, “Sugar, you’re starting to worry me. It’s okay to ask things.”
“I have a lot of questions,” I argued. “But I have a lot of books to read through first since you limit how many I can ask in a day.”
Ethan rolled to his side and propped his head up with his hand, “What books? More classics?” he asked.
I shook my head, “Lyssa downloaded all these books onto the tablet for me to read. She said something about answering a bunch of my questions. I thought I’d start with them. That way I don’t bug you as much,” I reached over to the nightstand, grabbed the tablet and handed it to him. Ethan smiled and sat up, leaning against the headboard, then turned it on. He glanced the tablet for a moment, swiping through pages, then pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh.
“Okay, let’s take this one at a time. This book,” he pointed to one title, “is for someone much younger than you.”
“Are you calling me old?” I frowned.
“No,” he smiled, “but it’s written for a ten maybe twelve-year-old girl. I understand what it’s trying to tell you. But I should be able to find the information you need,” he started tapping, then handed me the tablet, “Read this, do not start surfing the web.”
I took it from him and started reading. And was stunned, “This is gross,” I stated.
Ethan sighed, “It’s just a normal part of female biology. It explains why.”
“It happens every month!” I yelled, turning to stare at him.
“Until you get pregnant.” He looked at me, “That’s starting to look more appealing, isn’t it? Now give me the tablet again and let’s see what else she loaded.”
He started swiping, “You might want to remember that this was also written for a younger girl just hitting puberty. I’m not entirely sure if you need it.”
“What’s puberty?”
“You need it,” he said. Then paused, “And the rest of these are either about sex or are dirty girl books.”
“What’s a dirty girl book?”
“A book about sex, but it’s written as a story, not an instruction manual.” He smiled, “They’re something we should read together.”
I took the tablet back, examining it. “What should I read first?”
“Well, it depends on what you’re interested about. What …” he started when there was a knock at the door. He sighed and got up. I admired his form, loving the look of the tattoo on his back, but I noticed something else.
He pushed some buttons and opened the door, “Hey,” Tanner walked in, “We need you at the barn. They broke.”
Ethan ran a hand through his hair and nodded, “I’ll grab Sam’s breakfast, then head there. They can stew for a bit. Make sure you grab something too. I have no idea how long this will take.”
“Where are your clothes,” Tanner crossed his arms and glared at Ethan.
“It’s my room. I can be buck naked if I want to. Be happy I have underwear on,” Ethan walked over and threw on jeans and a shirt. “Sam I’ll be right back with breakfast. Why don’t you start on the book about puberty and I’ll answer any questions when I get back.”
Tanner looked at Ethan with his mouth open, “Are you kidding me? You’re letting her read that crap.”
“It’s stuff she needs to know,” Ethan shrugged. “I have no problem with the woman I’m married to understanding how her body works or how much fun sex can be.”
“Dude, she’s my sister,” whined Tanner. “She’s never had sex as far as I’m concerned.”
“I’ve been married for three years. I’m fairly sure I have,” I stared at him.
“Ohh,” Ethan reached over and grabbed the tablet, “If this thing in the barn takes longer than it should, start on this one after the first. The title’s so bad, I’ve got to know if it’s any good.” He hit a few more things on the tablet, “And now you’re locked out of the web. I don’t want you finding any weird things without me.” He winked as he grabbed his shoes and followed Tanner out, who was groaning.
I jumped up, put some comfortable clothes on and sat back down on the bed starting the tablet. The door opened a few minutes later with Tanner walking through with a tray. “Where’s Ethan?” I asked.
“On the phone with Senator Jenkins. He’s trying to get an update on the chip; seeing if anyone’s found a pattern of deaths or even a signature that’ll tell us who made it,” Tanner sat in the chair and grabbed a piece of my toast.
“Ethan thought you might have some questions. And I’m warning you now, if they’re about sex, I’m not answering them,” Tanner poured a cup of coffee, then handed it to me. I took a sip, then made a face. He sighed, “Give it here,” he grabbe
d it back and added milk and sugar to it, “Now try it.” I took a bit more then smiled at him.
I sat back against the headboard for a moment, “What was on Ethan’s back?”
“The tattoo?” he raised a brow.
“No, I know what a tattoo is somehow. There were three of them, lower on his back,” Tanner crossed his arms and nodded.
“You mean his scars?” he asked.
“I guess,” I shrugged. “Do you know how he got them?”
Tanner nodded, “Yeah. He was shot when we were overseas.”
“What? By who?” I sat up, sloshing coffee on me. I cursed and put the cup on the nightstand. Tanner got up and grabbed a towel from the master bath and handed it to me.
“Kid, we all have scars of some sort. Even you, now,” he lightly touched the side of my head, “It’s not uncommon.”
“Do you have any?” I looked up after wiping off my shirt.
“Especially me. You can’t do what we do without being scared. Sometimes it’s from the job, sometimes not. But we all have them,” he swiped another piece of toast, shoved it in his mouth, then turned. He pulled the back of his shirt up. His back was a mess of jagged crisscrossed scars. Ethan’s were small in comparison.
“What the hell happened?” I was up in a second crossing to him. He dropped the shirt and grabbed my arms.
“It’s from the past Sam. I got them long before I joined this team,” he stared into my eyes.
“How?” I demanded, getting angrier.
He sighed, “Dad took a belt to me when I tried to get between him and Mom. A week later I left for the Army, made a call, and had you and Lyssa taken from them. That’s why you didn’t talk to me for years.”
I sat down, “I was mad because you protected us?”
“You were mad because you thought if you’d been there, Mom would still be alive.” He looked at the floor. “A few days after you were removed from the home, Dad beat her to death. He died in prison a few years later.”
“Is this why every time Ethan mentions kids, my stomach bottoms out?” I looked at him, he merely shrugged.
“I shouldn’t have laid this on you yet.” He was still staring down at the floor, then looked at me, “Just remember, we have all scars in this business. Some are visible, and some aren't.”
Ethan walked in the door then and looked between us, “Please say you didn’t tell her about work?”
“It would have been easier,” replied Tanner, “I told her about our parents.”
Ethan took a breath, “That had to be hard on you,” he patted Tanner’s shoulder, “I know you don’t like to talk about it.”
“I had to explain my scars,” he shrugged.
Ethan’s brows came together, “Why?”
“Because she asked about yours,” he looked at him.
Ethan closed his eyes for a minute, “Sugar, why didn’t you ask me?”
I shrugged, “I was going to when you came back, but Tanner made it here first.”
Ethan turned to Tanner, “You told her about Peterson shooting me in the back?”
“What?” I screeched while Tanner ran a hand over his forehead.
“No,” Tanner groaned, “I told her about mine instead.”
“Brock Peterson shot you in the back?” I yelled.
Ethan turned to me, “No one’s sure. It was during a firefight in Afghanistan.”
“I’m sure,” growled Tanner heading to the door. “I’ll be right back. I have something to keep Sam busy.”
“I gave Sam something to keep her busy,” Ethan said after him.
“Yay, homework,” I leaned forward and went to grab my fork.
Ethan grabbed my hand, “Next time ask me. I don’t like Tanner going down the rabbit hole.”
I frowned at him, “I didn’t know where it was going to go. I didn’t even know what they were, so I asked him. Did Brock shoot you?”
“Your brother believes so, and he was behind us when the shots were fired. But officially,” he shrugged, “it was decided it was friendly fire caused by the chaos around us.”
“That’s why Tanner hates him?” I asked.
“Tanner believes he’s a coward, a blowhard, and useless. I agree. However, I don’t know that he purposely tried to kill me,” he reached over and grabbed a piece of my bacon. “I’m wondering what Tanner got you to keep you busy.”
“Not really keep her busy,” Tanner said as he walked back into the room, “More like to keep her company.” A pudgy short-legged dog waddled in behind him.
“What the hell?” growled Ethan.
“It’s less than a year old, a boy, and overweight,” Tanner said to me as he ignored Ethan’s outburst. “The rescue said he needs special food and exercise. Here’s a book about them. Xavier knows where the dog food is.” He tossed the book on the bed.
“Why?” asked Ethan.
“Because she won the bet, honestly. I pay my debts. She also needs to know she can care for another living being if you ever want kids. Plus, with what we’re working on, she’s going to be alone a lot. Now she has company,” Tanner crossed his arms.
“Why?” Ethan asked again.
“It’s a family dog. When you two are squirreled up here alone, I’ll take it,” he shrugged.
“Why?” Ethan asked for a third time.
“Cause I fucking want a dog too,” Tanner finally yelled. “I got it from a rescue, but they were training him as a comfort dog. Sam’s been through hell and needs comfort. Blitz is perfect for her.”
“Blitz?” I looked up from the floor where I’d joined the dog, “I’m naming him Newton.”
“Too late, he has already been named. He responds to Blitz. It’s short for Blitzkrieg.”
Ethan stared at the pudgy pooch, “Because he’s so fast?” he asked sarcastically.
“His parents were supposed to be champions with those agility courses they run.” Tanner looked down at Blitz, “He has no interest in them. Or running in general. I’m not even sure if he likes to walk.”
“He’s perfect,” I hugged him as his stubby tail wagged and he licked my face.
“I need Sam to read those books,” Ethan grumbled.
“Luckily for you, this guy does like to sleep,” smiled Tanner. “He’s so fat he exhausts quickly.”
“How long have you had him hidden in your room?” Ethan growled.
“A few days,” stated Tanner. “I was gonna give him to her a couple of days ago, but …” he shrugged. “Xavier’s been helping me keep him a surprise. We were worried you might have spotted him under the end table on my side the other night when you came into the library.”
Ethan sighed, “Whatever, let’s get this over with.” He leaned down and kissed me, glared at the Blitz, and grabbed my last piece of bacon. “I’ll be back one way or another around lunch. We’ll have it downstairs, along with a discussion on pets and how I don’t want any more in the house.”
“Right,” Tanner headed out the door. “You might want to know that Lyssa has a kitten in her room. Berto has three corn snakes, and Xavier has two ferrets, that he’s threating to feed the corn snakes to.”
Ethan’s mouth dropped open as he followed, “Son-of-a …”
I looked at Blitz who smiled back at me, “Well aren't we just a big happy family?” I cooed at him. He barked happily in reply.
Chapter 25
As Tanner predicted, Blitz fell asleep right after exploring the whole room, bathroom, attached sitting room, and both walk-in closets. I quickly went through the first book Ethan suggested, I had discovered I was a speed reader when I read Berto’s insulting computer book. Then I started on the second. Halfway through I was putting down the tablet trying to make sense of what I read. That’s what Ethan wanted to do? It sounded fun, but was that realistic? The first book had illustrations of the differences, but … I was confused. The books were using different words.
Instead of starting on another book, I started up a movie and watched it. Near the end of it, Blitz
stirred as Ethan walked in looking frazzled. “Let me take a shower and then we’ll have lunch,” he announced and headed straight to the bathroom not glancing in any direction. “Xavier, take the dog for a walk,” he commanded as he shut the door. Tanner and Xavier both stood at the entrance to our room.
“What’s going on?” I glanced at them as Xavier hooked a leash to Blitz.
Tanner shook his head, “We’ll meet you in the dining room with the dog when he’s done. Ethan can tell you. I already offered enough information up today.”
“Yeah, thanks for that,” grumbled Xavier. “He kept calling Pic and Pock rats. They’re related to weasels, not rodents.” He tugged on the leash and Blitz happily followed him out.
“Sam, he’s scared. Talk to him, maybe you can bring him down. Cause if you can’t,” Tanner shrugged. “Well, if you thought he was controlling before, you ain’t seen nothing yet.” He turned and shut the door. I heard the lock engage.
I thought for a moment and then headed to the bathroom. I heard the shower going from the door and opened it, walking in. “Ethan, what happened?”
“Work,” he growled. I bit my bottom lip. I could see him through the frosted glass of the door, nothing in detail, but after that book my imagination was kind of going wild.
“Ethan, I need to know why you’re freaking out. I can’t help if I don’t know,” I leaned against the wall.
“It’s work, Samantha. We’re not discussing it,” he said back.
I sighed in exasperation, trying to figure out what to do. Finally, I growled, forced my way into the shower and jabbed a finger in his chest, “If you don’t tell me, I’ll just go and bug Tanner or Xavier until they do. And they’ll probably tell me way too much. You know that.”
“You’re getting soaked,” he said, his pupils dilating.
“Who’s fault is that?” I wiped my hair back from my face. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not getting into it, Sam. It’s work, I’ll take care of it,” he huffed.
“I was under the impression that we’re married. That means we’re supposed to talk to each other, according to that stupid movie I just watched,” I kept eye contact with him.
