by A. L Inman
Abby: mushrooms. Ily Nick-Knack
NICK: LY2 Abby bear. C u @ 3. Not a min l8r.
I smile at his protectiveness and slide my phone into my back pocket. As soon as it is in I have a pair of red gloves shoved in to my chest.
I grab them to me before looking up into Jaxon's deep brown eyes.
“These will be a little big. If you stay we will get you some that fit better. Hit the bag. You have fifteen minutes. You put your anger, your sadness, your fear and your uncertainty in those 15 minutes, then you come sit your ass down and listen to me.”
I’m so shocked that I do exactly what he says to do. I hit that bag and hit it until my arms are sore. I hit it until I’m sweating and crying and yelling.
I yell about my mom dying, my dad drinking and hitting us, losing my friends and being responsible for my brother since I was 10. I cry for myself… my childhood self who died eight years ago.
After fifteen minutes I’m on my knees crying and out of breath, but I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. I only snap out of my trance when I feel someone rub my shoulder.
I look up in Jaxon's, kind eyes and he signals towards a couch on the far end of the mat. I drag myself over to sit down waiting as he passes me a bottle of water.
“First, let’s talk about my brother. That guy has been desperately wanting to be a part of your life since we moved here. He thinks you’re beautiful and smart but he knows you’re completely unapproachable.
You’re unapproachable because he would never take your heart and jeopardize breaking it. We could literally be called off at any time. Not to mention what we do isn’t safe. He would never purposefully put you in danger.”
I’m once again stunned. Asher Badd likes… me?
Jaxon continues, “When you walked in on their meeting with Emilio’s boys last night he acted fast, just like any of us would have to protect an innocent bystander. His methods may seem unconventional, maybe a little selfish, but those men would’ve watched which way you headed home alone.
They would have snuck up on you in the dark and drug you into the bushes. They would’ve raped, beat, and left you to die. And then who would look after Nick?”
I grab for the trash bin beside the couch, throwing up all of my morning pop tart.
“This situation isn't ideal. We have limited time to train you and our whole investigation falls on if you can make this believable. We're at risk, you're at risk.
You’re mad, I get it. But really, this is the best thing for you and Nick. You will be set. We will use our lawyer and company funds to fight for custody of Nick. And we'll win. You and Nick will move in and you will get a monthly salary.
If college and a different career is what you choose, you will be able to pursue that, after the assignment closes. That could be next week or months away. Regardless, we can and will protect you and Nick from any and all things to the best of our abilities.
We have to get Nick from school in an hour and I’m sorry for rushing this decision but we need to know. Now.
We also need to address your father’s issues sooner rather than later because regardless what you decide, my little brother, nor I, am okay with sending you guys back to get beaten.”
I look at him absolutely in shock. Seriously, what could I say? Asher Badd, and all of the Badd brothers are protecting us.
They’re going to get me out from under my dad’s thumb, put their selves on the line, and they can protect Nick. I’d be stupid not to agree. So, I do just that- I agree.
“I’m in.”
Jaxon gives me a rare smile before putting his arm around me, squeezing me to him.
“Okay Abby girl, let’s go make up with Ash, what do you say? He looks like a kicked puppy. Then we can go get Nick from school and I’ll have our lawyer meet us at your dad’s. We'll do this now.”
ASHER- Chapter 9
I physically feel sick.
Every word Abby spoke to me earlier had been true. I thought I was protecting her last night but then again, did I do more harm than good?
Brayden slaps my shoulder with brotherly love. “It’s alright Ash, she will come around".
I knew she was handed a whole lot of information in the past 12 hours, nonetheless, after seeing the marks her dad left, no way in hell was I even considering letting her or Nick go back.
I run my hand through my hair resting it on the back of my neck. I hear footsteps on the steps which causes my head shoots up- in hopes that it’s Abby coming.
I’m slightly disappointed when Jaxon appears but quickly feel relieved when I see Abby peeking around him to give me a small wave.
I stand up but I don’t know what to do. Should I go to her or leave her alone?
I don’t have to debate long because Jaxon puts his hand lightly on her back. The gesture causes me to feel a rush of jealousy until I realize he is urging her to come to me.
She walks timidly in front of me and I have to ball my fists so I don’t reach out and touch her- I’m not sure where her head is at so I don’t want to push her.
She carefully raises her hand to my face. I swear I quit breathing. Pulling my head towards hers she rests her forehead against mine gently.
“I’m so sorry for what I said Asher. I’d be honored to be your girlfriend on this assignment until I can prove to you that I’m worthy enough to be your real girlfriend. I want to stay and help you guys.”
I swear the Angels are singing when I take both of my hands to place them on her cheeks and pulling her mouth to mine. I give her a chastising kiss full of promises before pulling back to look into her green eyes.
I whisper for only her ears, “Baby, I’m not going to push you… but I very much want this to be real.”
She smiles when a throat clears behind us. “Well, keep this up and it won't take much to convince Emilio you guys are a couple. Now if you don't mind, we need to pick Nick up and take care of daddy issues ASAP… that is unless you want to keep giving us a show. I’m not opposed.”
Brayden gives us a saucy wink and I almost leap to punch him for leering at Abby, even if it was a joke. Leave it to Brayden to break our moment.
I stop though when Abby puts her hand on my chest. Rolling my eyes, I grab Abby’s hand leading us to the stairs and down to the SUV.
First major problem would be solved shortly… operation get rid of dick dad.
ABBY- Chapter 10
I feel a weight removed off my chest, but I’m still anxious.
The concept sounds good. Getting Nick and I out from dads earlier than planned, spending time with Asher Badd who apparently has just a big of crush on me as I have on him and ending with being paid.
Ideally, it sounds perfect. But, what if it’s not.
Dad is still our dad though and at one time was our superman. I know though that we will never go back to that point in our life, too much has happened.
I also know when I tell him I want custody of Nick he is going to freak out.
Not because he wants the responsibility of Nick but ultimately, he only got a job after I turned 18 and he lost my social security from mom's death.
Losing Nick’s would put him in a tailspin for sure because he would lose Nick’s portion of the monthly money too. How would he afford his alcohol, right?
He'd have to choose between alcohol and having electricity. He's too selfish of a man to make that choice willingly.
What happens if we can't get Nick? Dad will band me from the house and Nick will be all alone.
I guess I didn’t realize I was starting to hyperventilate, again, until Asher slides his hand into mine and gives it a little squeeze.
I realize I completely blanked out in my own world from the garage at the warehouse to the point were at now; pulling into Nick’s school.
Asher puts his arm around me, squeezing me to his side, before putting a kiss on my temple. I send him a grateful smile even though I’m wondering how he is able to ground me so easily when I can barely ground myself.
I smile thinking about how innocent my brother is even after all we’ve been through. He doesn’t even see that he could have a harem of women if he wanted to.
I see the tension immediately fall off his body when he sees the SUV and I felt slightly guilty I didn’t text him back more throughout the day. I’ve had a lot thrown at me and it’s only fixing to get worse- I just didn’t have the time to process and keep checking in with him.
I slide over to the middle so he can open the door and get in. He instantly grabs me and looks me over before crushing me to his chest in a fierce hug.
“Nick. Cant. Breathe" I manage to get out.
He lets me go quickly. I guess he’s just now remembering I have some bruised ribs.
He lets me go so fast I flew back into Asher’s lap, triggering all the boys’ chuckle. For the first time since he entered the car it seems like Nick realizes we aren’t alone.
He gives a curt nod to the boys but quickly returns his attention to me.
“Abby. Are you okay? We have to get home. We have to get there and dinner and in bed before dad gets back.”
He turns to Jaxon who is driving, “Come on man… we got to go... Abby can't take...” and he immediately stops his sentence. His breathing is quick and shallow and I know he is on the verge of a panic attack like I had earlier.
“It's okay Nick, they know.” I whisper.
His voice dips low in response, “Ab why would you tell anyone... you know if social services get involved they’ll take me from you.”
Archer speaks up to comfort my brother, “We aren't going to call the state man. We’re here to help. We need Abby's help in an assignment. She's going to be playing Asher's girlfriend. In the meantime, she'll be protected and compensated well. She's going to be moving in with…”
He doesn’t even get to finish his sentence before Nick is flying over the third-row seat grabbing him by his shirt. I have never seen Nick so furious.
“You are NOT taking my sister from me. She is all I have.”
Asher turns in the seat to diffuse the situation. He places a hand on Nick’s chest, which makes Nick cuts his eyes to him. Asher doesn’t give him time to think before speaking,
“I told you I had y’all man. We aren’t leaving you. We're going to help Abby get custody of you. Chill and let go of my brother... Now.”
Nick lets go reluctantly before turning his curious eyes to me. I grab his hand flipping over his arm, running my fingers up and down the sensitive underside.
When dad use to come home a drunk mess Nick and I would get in the closet with our pillows and lock the door. He'd lay his head on my lap and the only way I could calm him enough to fall asleep was to run my fingers up his arm while humming.
Ever since then if I wanted to calm him down I would force him to give me his arm and I’d do the same thing. He says it doesn’t work but I immediately see the fight leave him.
“Nick, the boys have a plan. They say it's foolproof. But let’s you and I talk plans too as a backup because it’s always been you and I... and it always will be.”
I shoot Asher a meaningful look, telling him this is for Nick’s comfort. He nods showing he understands what I’m doing.
I am forever protecting Nick.
“Okay- if this doesn’t work out with getting dad to sign over custody and the boy’s plan of action falls flat this is our back up.
The DEA is willing to put me in witness protection but only I can go. I’ll have them set me up to leave but, in the meantime, Asher will come get you tonight at 11 PM. That should be before dad wakes up from his drunk stupor mad.
In the kitchen cabinet behind the cereal is a small jewelry box and it has two hundred dollars in it and mom's jewelry. Before Asher comes to get you grab that box.
He's going to take you to a train station and buy you a ticket to Southport in NC. Aunt Suzie lives there and I have her address also in the jewelry box also.
She's wanted to be around us since mom died but dad couldn’t handle it. Says she looks too much like mom…” I was getting off track but Nick is hanging on to every word.
“Nick you go to Aunt Suzie. Tell her everything about dad and that I will be there to get you in one week and you need a place to stay. She'll let you. And I promise Nick, hell or high water I WILL be there to get you.”
Nick nods before asking curiously, “How long have you been planning something like this Abby? It’s extensive.”
I look around sheepishly before responding honestly, “Nick I’ve had this plan in my head for years but I would never execute it unless dad started hitting you like he does me. I can handle the beating but I refuse to let you. I had to have a backup plan.”
Nick jerks his arm from me violently. I’m stunned at his hostility.
“I’m not a baby anymore Abby! I can handle it! Don’t you think I know what you do? You wake up every night to go clean the drunken mess. If he wakes up he beats you, if it’s not clean, we both get whipped but you always get it worse.
Don’t you think I see that? Don’t think I don’t notice that my whippings are on my ass and yours are across your back or your face?
Quit trying to protect me from the evil Abby, I need to know who he truly is. I need to see it. I need to know monsters are real and not just in stories.
I need to feel Abby. You’ve never let me feel…” he whispers the last part.
I didn’t realize I had tears running off my cheeks until Brayden hands me a tissue from the front seat. “Nick, I just want you safe… that’s why I want you in the car when we go in to talk custody...”
“No Abby. I’ll be 16 in eight days. It’s not happening. I’m not letting my sister take my battles alone anymore. I’m going in and you won't stop me. I’ve sat on the sidelines all this time because you asked me to… I’m not doing it anymore.”
Before I could even consider protesting, Asher interjects, “Okay Nick. You can be in.”
I almost punched him in the nose because no, Nick isn’t going to be involved.
Asher quickly studies my fury before quickly adding, “If you want to protect your sister you can go in. But you will keep your mouth shut. You will stay and protect your sister while we deal with your dad. Understand?”
Nick knows this isn’t up for discussion so he agrees, but I can tell he isn’t happy about it.
He wants a piece of destroying the monster. He needs to know that even if the monsters are real, he can defeat them.
ASHER- Chapter 11
We pull into the driveway of Abby’s house and I immediately notice her and Nick both tensing.
I have to regulate my breathing when I start thinking about the marks that asshole put on Abby and the hell her and Nick have lived through.
I must've been wearing my emotions all over my face, because I jump when a tiny little hand that belongs to Abby Jacobs slips into my much larger hand. I look down at her and she gives me a nervous grin.
I know she can feel the heat radiating off me. I need to mellow out before her dad gets home or I'll surely kill him.
We get out of the car and I find it amusing myself and my brothers all follow the same check points before entering a situation.
Waistband gun in place, knife attached to calf, survey surroundings. It's been ingrained in us since we were 16 and able to join Badd incorporated- always expect the unexpected.
Even though we're assuming this will be relatively calm, considering their dad is a drunk, we can never be too careful.
We are all black belts with tempers towards men who hit women- it doesn’t hurt to be prepared in case things roll south.
It’s not to be prepared for ourselves, but to be prepared for each other that’s important.
Abby looks at me with
wide eyes when her eyes catch the butt of my gun in my waistband.
“It's only for protection baby, I'm not going to use it unless someone plans on doing harm to one of us.” I explain with a wink instigating a pink tint on her cheeks. I love that I do that to her.
“I'm not worried, I was just thinking how hot it looked,” she winks back, following up with a slap on my ass.
She throws her hair over her shoulder sauntering up the sidewalk into her house, leaving me standing there with my mouth wide open.
When I turn I see all of my brothers are wearing similar expressions of shock. Where did this little fireball come from?
Nick breaks the silence by busting out laughing so hard he is doubled over. He comes up behind me, slapping me on the shoulder.
“Good luck bro, she's feisty. Dads kept a hose on her flame for all these years and you've just given her ample opportunity to fire it back up. Better invest in fireproof clothing,” He shakes his head before following his feisty sister into the house.
My brothers and I follow suit, all of them snickering to themselves.
Me- I’m still in shock, but damn didn’t I love that exchange we just had. I want Abby to have fire. I’d never put it out. I want her to be herself and comfortable around me.
I've thought about this girl every day for the past three years and in 24 hours she has rocked my world. 24 hours feels like a lifetime.
When we walk into the house I look around at the empty living room. A few pictures are scattered and there is minimal furniture, but otherwise the place is bare.
Abby looks around embarrassed so I give her a warm smile. I can see her relaxing a little bit. Even though we are well off, I never look down on someone for having less.
Like our Uncle Max always says, “Everyone is just one circumstance short of being broke and homeless.”
A knock on the door startles both her and Nick, leaving Jaxon to explain that it was probably his friend, and Badd Incorporated's lawyer, Aleksander Vitale.
Alek is about 6 feet 5 inches of Italian muscle. His dad runs the upper east side of Manhattan and the Vitale family. Alek has an older brother Luca who will be taking his dad's role as Boss when the time comes, so Alek took a different approach on helping la Familia.