by Carol Dawn
“Because you’re not thinking them, darlin’, you’re asking them out loud. Now, open your eyes and let me make sure that you’re really awake. Then I’ll call that man of yours to get his ass back here.”
Focusing my attention on my body, I slowly open my eyes. It feels like I’ve been asleep for weeks. Not in the, I’m completely rested, type of way. More like the, I’ve been woken up in the middle of the night, and my eyes are held down by weights, type of way.
Looking up, I see a giant figure hovering over my body. It takes a moment for my eyes to clear, but when they do, I give the man a small smile.
“Brick,” I say. “What are you doing here? Wait, where is here? Oh no, Brendon.”
I gather up all the strength I have and try to sit up only to be stopped by the fire I feel on the right side of my chest.
“Woah, easy darlin’. You won’t be moving that fast for a while yet. You don’t have a thing to worry about. You’re at the hospital. It was touch and go for a while, but you’re going to be just fine now.
We got Brendon back before the Miller’s had a chance to take him away, and you never have to worry about Marco again. You both are safe.”
“What happened?” I ask.
“Well,” he sighs. “We found you shot and near death in that barn. You came to long enough to give us the information we needed to get your boy back. The Miller’s had already left the hotel and were about to board a plane when Hawk and Chains caught up with them.
Once you were on your way to the hospital, the rest of us went to deal with Marco.”
“Deal with?”
I have a vague idea of what he means, and I don’t feel the least bit sympathetic.
“Just know that he won’t bother you anymore.”
Just then, the hospital room door swings open and my wonderful, sexy man barges in.
“Thank fuck!” he sighs, rushing toward me. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when you woke, little one. I had to pack Brendon a bag from the house and drop him off at Ma’s.”
“Oh, she doesn’t need to do that,” I tell him. “I should be well enough to leave here soon and can take him back home.”
“Ma wasn’t giving him a choice,” Bear says from near the door. “She put her foot down, and that was that.”
“He’s fine, baby.” Mason leans down and places a gentle and loving kiss on my forehead. “I’m so fucking glad you’re okay. I’m also pissed that you thought you needed to leave our home. But I do understand why you did. I’m so sorry that you thought for even a second that you were anything less than my everything.
I should have talked to you about the shit I knew. You would have been better prepared.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, tears clouding my vision. “It’s all my fault. As soon as I got to the Book Bin, I knew that I had made a mistake. If I had just stayed put as you told me to, then none of this would have happened.”
“None of that, little one. Not a single part of this is your fault. I should have told you when I found out Marco was the one who hired that goon to attack you. I should have given you every drop of information I had. The mistake is mine, and I’ll always hold that in my heart. I can only hope that you will one day forgive me.”
Mason’s eyes swim with regret and anger. I lift my hand up and cup his cheek. “There’s nothing to forgive, daddy. I love you.”
Someone has a coughing fit, which causes Mason to laugh.
“That’s right, fuckers,” he says to the room. “Thea’s my babygirl, and don’t you ever forget it.”
With a room full of masculine laughter, I let my eyes close and fall back to sleep with a smile on my face and peace in my heart.
Chapter Thirty-One
Trigger
Thea was only out for a couple of days before she finally woke up. The bullet was lodged in her chest, missing her heart by less than an inch. The second she arrived at the hospital they took her back for emergency surgery to remove the bullet.
They said it was a miracle she survived. She did have some internal bleeding, but they were able to stop it before closing her back up.
She’ll be at the hospital for a couple of weeks before I can bring her home. She’s not very happy right now because the staff won’t let me bring Brendon in to see her. They said he’s too young and susceptible to illnesses. So, Thea won’t be able to see him until they move her to a different floor.
Brick usually stays at the hospital with Thea while I’m away. They’ve become good friends. Strangely, it doesn’t bother me.
Brick got a call a few hours ago and said he had to go. He looked relieved at whatever the caller had to say and rushed out.
Hawk is staying with Thea until I get finished with some shit. She’s not in danger anymore, but I still don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.
As for me, I have a schedule to keep. I don’t want Marco to think I’ve forgotten about him.
I’m working my way through the clubhouse when Prez stops me.
“We’ve been giving him sips of water every six hours to make sure he doesn’t die,” he tells me. “Wouldn’t want to deprive you of your fun.”
Nodding my head, I pat his shoulder and head to the basement. Ink is standing beside Marco with his head tilted to the side.
“I can’t tell if he’s dead or faking it,” he says.
Marco is still hung from the ceiling by his wrists. He looks exhausted but alive.
“He’s fine.”
“Listen, warn me if you plan to scoop out his eye with a spoon,” he says, a shiver going over his body. “I’m all for watching this dick suffer, but that is just nasty.”
I’ve had two days to plan out the fun I’m about to have.
“I was thinking of starting out with something small,” I say. “A simple slice down his face in the exact same spot as Thea’s. What do you say, Marco? Does that sound good to you?”
Marco moans around the ball in his mouth, causing Ink to laugh.
“I found this ball gag in a box in my closet,” he tells me. “I thought of Breaker here and decided that I would gift it to him.”
Shaking my head, I grab the knife in my boot.
“I would hold still if I were you,” I warn. “Wouldn’t want this to go too deep.”
With anticipation thrumming through my veins, I point the knife right under his eye, press hard, and slide it down. Marco’s scream is music to my ear.
With every second that passes, I remember the day of Thea’s attack. I remember her painful cries. I remember her doubting her beauty because of a scar she calls ugly.
The anger that floods my body may have caused me to push a bit too hard as the knife slides like butter down Marco’s face.
“No need to worry about a scar,” Ink tells him. “I don’t think Trig is going to allow it enough time to even scab over.”
I had planned an entire day of fun activities but remembering Thea’s fear about being attacked, remembering her pale face when I thought she was going to die, and knowing that he’s responsible for both of those and kidnapping and selling my son, my plans change.
“Just one more thing before the real torment begins,” I say, pulling out my Glock. “I was going to shoot you in the chest, but I don’t want you to die just yet,” I tell him. “So, I’m thinking one shot in each foot. Ink?”
“I would shoot him sideways in the ass,” he says in a series tone. “Less likely to die that way and would hurt like a bitch.”
I shake my head, walk to the side of Marco, and aim my weapon at his ass. With a smile on my face, I pull the trigger.
Taking one last look at Marco, tears rolling down his face and acceptance in his eyes, I follow Ink out of the basement.
“What’s the plan?” he asks as we enter Bear’s office.
“I want him alive as long as possible,” I begin. “A small drink of water every three days. No food at all. And I want random noises to be played non-stop as loud as we can possibly get it.”
“Trig
shot him in the ass,” he tells Bear. “He needs to be bandaged up, so he doesn’t bleed to death before his time.”
Bear chuckles and sends a text to someone.
“I’ll have Slim come and set up a sound system down there,” he tells us. “Thank fuck we soundproofed that whole room.”
Knowing that Bear will get shit done, I change the subject.
“How’s Rose and Daisy?” I ask.
Bear’s face widens in a happy smile. “They’re good. Finally settled in at home and resting.”
“Your kids are only five months apart,” Ink says. “Maybe one day they’ll get married.”
Bear grabs the closest object on his desk and throws it at Ink. “Shut the fuck up, Ink. My daughter will never get married.”
“Damn, Prez,” Ink laughs. “No need to throw a stapler at my head.”
Idiot.
Bear’s phone dings, causing him to look down. After reading the message, he chuckles.
“Ma wants all her grandbabies at her house for a pool party in a few weeks,” he says. “And she says, all of them better be there.”
“She does know that two of the three are tiny babies, right?” Ink asks.
“We’ll be there,” I tell Bear. “Gonna head out.”
“Do you plan to make any more trips down to the basement?” he asks.
“Not until he draws his last breath, and I check to make sure the fucker is dead.”
I head to the door and look back. “Thea doesn’t need to know about any of it,” I warn.
With a nod of Bear and Ink’s head, I leave to go back to my woman.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Thea
It’s been a week since I was released from the hospital. I still feel pain in my chest, but it’s nowhere near as bad as it was. I still can’t hold Brendon, and that breaks my heart, but every day I get stronger.
Bear and Rose are watching Brendon for us today because Mason wants to take me somewhere. He won’t tell me where, but he does look extremely worried. He’s more silent than normal as we sit in his truck on our way to, destination unknown.
I’ve tried asking questions about random things, but my only responses have been grunts. So, I’ve been sitting here in silence for almost an hour. Finally, the truck slows down, and we pull up to a booth outside of a closed gate.
“Hello, Mr. Granger,” the man in the booth greets. “It’s been a little while since we’ve seen you.”
“Been busy,” he says.
“I just need you and your lovely lady here to sign in.”
He hands Mason a clipboard, and we sign our names in the visitor box next to the name Bryson Smith.
The gates open and we drive in.
“Whose Bryson Smith?” I ask, not really expecting an answer.
“Childhood friend,” he says.
I’m momentarily shocked at his answer and almost miss the sign with the name of the building.
“Lebanon’s psychiatric institute,” I read. “Why is your friend here?”
Mason exits the truck and comes to my side, opening the door.
“Come on, little one.”
He helps me down, and we walk into the building. Mason seems really familiar with these halls as we make turn after turn and he never once falters.
“Hello, Miss Tiffany,” Mason greets a lady behind a desk. “Is he ready for visitors?”
“Mr. Granger, we’ve been expecting you. Yes, he’s ready and in a very good mood today.”
With a nod of his head, he guides me down the hall with his hand on my back. We walk until we reach room seven-seventeen. Mason knocks twice and opens the door.
“Hey buddy,” Mason says, causing a man to turn around.
He’s about as tall as Mason but with a slim build. He has thick curly black hair and green eyes and looks to be about the same age. That is, until his eyes light up, his smile grows wide, and he runs right in our direction.
Mason simply laughs, gently shoves me behind him, and opens his arms wide. The man, Bryson, slams into Mason’s arms and hugs him like he hasn’t seen him in years.
The whole scene brings tears to my eyes.
“Hey buddy, I brought someone for you to meet,” Mason says, still hugging Bryson.
“Can we hug a widdle wonger firs?” Bryson asks.
His voice and words are both more childlike then I expected.
“Absolutely,” Mason tightens his arms around his friend and holds him until Bryson eventually pushes away.
“Who’s your fwiend?” Bryson asks. “She’s pwetty.”
“Yes, she is. Bry, this is Thea, my woman. Thea, meet my best friend, Bryson.”
I take a step forward and hold out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Bryson.”
Bryson laughs and hops up and down before engulfing me in his arms.
“Will you be my fwiend, too?” He asks, rubbing my hair. “Such soft hair.”
Trying to hold back my tears, I say, “Of course. I would love to be your friend. But only if you’ll be mine as well.”
Bryson pulls back and claps his hands.
“Now, she’s my woman too, Mase.”
Mason laughs and guides me to a nearby table. We sit there for a couple of hours, just talking, laughing, and playing games. Bryson asked me to read him some of his favorite book, The Universal truth of creation.
Which is exactly what I do for the next hour.
Just as I’m finishing up a chapter, Bryson starts making weird sounds. I look beside me in the bed where he was laying and see him flopping around.
“Oh God, Mason, get help, he’s having a seizure.”
Mason rushes from the room and quickly returns with a nurse.
“It’s okay, Bryson,” the woman says. “You’re okay.”
I go to Mason’s side, and he tucks me under his arm while we watch his best friend fight through the seizure. Once it’s over and the nurse tells us that he’s going to be just fine, we say our goodbyes and leave.
I don’t say anything for the first half-hour into our trip home.
But now, I need answers.
“Will you talk to me now?” I ask.
Mason seems to be working through some internal battle before he finally takes a deep breath and starts talking.
“When I was ten years old, I asked my dad if Bryson could come and spend the weekend with me. I wasn’t expecting a yes, but surprisingly, he said it. We had a great time that first day.
But that night a noise woke me up. I couldn’t find Bryson anywhere. He wasn’t in my room, the bathroom, or the kitchen. But I did find him. In my father’s room.
My father had spent hours raping and beating him. He never noticed me standing there, so I ran out of the room and called the police. I remember jumping on my father's back and hitting him as hard as my little fists could. I never stopped until a police officer pulled me off of him.
Bryson was never the same. His body grew into that of a man, but his mind is still that ten-year-old little boy. He sustained brain injury and now has multiple seizures a day.”
Oh my god!
“It’s my biggest mistake,” he continues. “I’m mad at myself for not listening to my gut about my sister’s boyfriend, but this is my biggest mistake. Because of me, my father had the opportunity to hurt my friend.”
“Oh honey, you know that wasn’t your fault, right?”
“I’m not the one who hurt him, but it was my fault. He was there because of me. I’ve learned to accept that fact over the years. I pay for Bryson’s stay at the facility. I pay for his treatments or anything that he needs. I just wanted you to know about this part of my life. I don’t want to hide anything else from you.”
I rest my hand on Mason’s leg. “Thank you for sharing him with me,” I say, tears streaming down my face. “I hope you’ll let me come along when you go visit him from now on.”
Mason smiles. “He did like you, didn’t he? You should have seen his face when you motioned for him to lay beside you while you
read his book. I’ve never seen him happier.”
“Does he have a family?”
He shakes his head. “They gave up on him long ago. We’re his family now.”
I smile, wipe my face, and rest my head against Mason’s shoulder.
“I think we should see if we can have him come to Ma’s with us for the party,” I say. “Maybe a nurse can come along in case he has another seizure. Plus, I bet everyone would love to meet him. He’s such a wonderful kind soul.”
Mason kisses the top of my head. “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea, little one.”
The rest of the trip home is a peaceful one. We stop at Bear’s to pick up Brendon and spend an hour visiting before heading home.
I can’t believe this is my life. Five months ago, I thought for sure I was going to be alone for the rest of my years. But now, not only do I have a beautiful son, who we plan to adopt in the next year, but I have a sexy man and a new amazing family.
I reach in my bag and pull out the small squared fabric. This used to be the only thing that gave me comfort. It made me feel safe and reminded me of the love my parents had for me before they died.
But now, all I have to do is look into Mason’s eyes and am flooded with love and acceptance.
I rub the small fabric against my cheek and smile when I feel the small raise of scarred skin.
I want to thank Marco most days. If it wasn’t for him and his attacks against me, I never would have met the man I love.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Trigger
It took Marco two weeks to die. I was hoping for at least four weeks, but I guess two isn’t so bad. Bear had the body taken care of, and Slim took care of the legal shit.
Apparently, Marco took a vacation to Mexico and hasn’t been seen since. It also doesn’t appear like anyone even cares.
I take a swig of my beer and watch my woman, son, and best friend play in the kiddie pool at Ma’s.
“You fought for her,” Ma says, reminding me of the conversation we had months ago. “You fought for her, and you won. Now look at that family, Mason. Look at what you fought for. It’s beautiful isn’t it?”