by A. L Inman
Jaxon drives us back towards the warehouse and pulls us into the garage. Abby is wound tight. I know she is going to have a panic attack if she doesn’t let some of that steam out.
Jax must notice too; I’m more than a little confused when he grabs her by the shoulders shoving my old pair of boxing gloves into her chest.
“You get fifteen minutes, Abby girl. Same rules as last time. Put your all into hitting that bag for fifteen minutes and then let it go.
Hit the bag, come up with Ash when you're done. Take a shower and go to bed. The spare room or wherever you want to sleep.
You leave all of your hurt and anger and thoughts at the bag, because tomorrow we have to train to get you ready for Emilio’s and I need you ready. Got it?”
Abby shakes her head in understanding like they do this all the time. I’m a little confused until the other guys file upstairs and I sit watching her in amazement.
Abby hits, kicks and throws her whole self into those fifteen minutes. She cries, hard. I have to physically restrain myself from holding her because she needs to do this. She needs to work through her feelings.
Jax has always made us leave our feelings at the bag. When our mom and dad died we all nearly spent weeks hitting the bag. Weeks of exhaustion and hurt. When it was time to go, we left the hurt at the bag.
Don’t get me wrong, I still miss my parents and I think it’s tragic that they were taken from us in that car accident, but I don’t always hurt now.
I’ll never forgive the drunk driver that killed them, but now I don’t spend every day wishing I could kill him.
Abby cusses her dad, cries for her mom- yells about Nick needing a dad and about her needing a dad, she thanks God for having custody of Nick.
She pours her heart and soul into the bag and when the buzzer goes off she drops to the floor exhaustion.
I take tentative steps, kneeling down beside of her. When she looks up with her blonde hair being messy and sticking to her forehead from sweat, her eyes smile at me.
She graces me with the biggest, loudest, laugh and lunges at me- knocking me flat on my back.
She kisses me with so much passionate heat, I think that right then and there will be the end of our virgin Abby.
I pull back though because I promised I'd respect her boundaries and I’ll be damned if her first time is on some nasty workout mat.
She sends me a sweet smile that lets me know everything today was beyond worth it to her.
“Thank you for helping me get Nick. Thank you for everything.” I smiled back at her, kissing her cheek.
She hops up before holding a hand out to help me up. I take it just to make her feel better. In reality I doubt she'd be able to pull me up by herself.
Guiding her upstairs, I show her the bathroom so she can shower this hellaious day off of her.
“Abs, there are two doors on the end. The one on the left is the guest room and the one on the right is mine. No pressure, you sleep in whatever room makes you comfortable but both rooms are open to you.”
“Nick is a few doors up the hall in the room with the blue door. Jax sent me a text that he already showered and went to bed. I'll see you in the morning. Or in a minute. Whatever you decide Abby. Like I said, no pressure.”
Kissing her cheek, I hand her a bag that has toiletries and some clothes that Jax had left hanging from the bathroom door.
She smiles a grateful smile at me before shutting the door. I hope she will crawl into my bed when she’s done, but I’d understand if she doesn't.
Just in case I go into my room and quickly change the bed to fresh sheets. I pick up the dirty clothes on the floor, too. I'm not a pig but I do have a problem finding the laundry basket sometimes.
Shutting off the light, I turn on the bedside lamp before pulling the covers up to my shoulders.
I start to close my eyes, convinced she would chose the guest room. I realize I’m exhausted from the day.
Ten minutes later I feel the bed dip, which makes me smile knowing she decided to come in with me.
I roll towards her pulling her into my chest and I hear her breathe a relaxing breath like she is at home. Which I guess now she was.
“Is this okay Abby? Is it okay if I hold you?” I question not wanting to push her. She shakes her head before snuggling closer into me.
“Tomorrow we will go to the mall and get you and Nick some new clothes and stuff okay?”
I know she won’t be awake for much longer. Kissing her hair, I breathe in my shampoo in her hair I feel my chest expand with pride.
After all this time, for once in my life, I’m convinced I’m going to get the girl.
ABBY- Chapter 14
I wake up with sunlight on my face. It’s the first time in eight years I’ve felt any other emotion then dread when I wake up.
I instantly panic, forgetting where I am until I feel an arm tighten around my midsection. Then everything that happened in the past two days come flooding back to me.
Running into the thugs in the park, my dad beating me, coming to the warehouse and having a bomb dropped of how my life was going to be flipped upside down, getting custody of Nick.
Thank God, I have custody of Nick! I feel an unusual sensation of a smile spread wide across my face.
“Good morning beautiful,” a voice rough with sleep speaks in my ear. It is the most comforting voice in the world. It reminds me that all of what happened yesterday isn’t a dream- this was my new reality.
I give a shy smile to Asher fully aware that I went to bed with a wet head and that probably has made my hair look like a distressed poodle.
I normally have stick straight hair, but first thing in the morning it took usually a shower to calm it down or a whole bottle of detangle spray.
Sensing my apprehension to face him in my current state Asher flips me over towards him and presses a kiss to my forehead, nose, and then lips.
“You are gorgeous” he reiterates.
Just as I start to melt into him further a loud knock sounds on the door and I about jump through the roof.
Within two seconds the door is flying open and a blur of men in boxers come out of nowhere flying on top of Asher and me.
Once I realize that we had been dog piled by Nick and Brayden who are laughing uncontrollably I couldn’t contain my laughter. When was the last time I heard my brother laugh like that?
“Oomph. Get off of us with your fat ass!” Asher voice is muffled by bodies and he is trying to push Brayden off of him.
“And put some damn clothes on, we sure as shit don’t want to see what you’ve got hidden under your pants.”
Brayden shoots up off the bed putting his hands behind his head and rolling his hips in a hula fashion sending me a wink.
“What’s wrong baby brother, you worried your lady is going to want to hula into my bed instead of yours.”
My cheeks turn an unnatural shade of red as I pull the cover over my head in embarrassment.
The sound of pillows flying towards Brayden has me peeking out just in time to see him pelted and for Asher and Nick to start scolding him.
Nick starts with, “That’s my sister you freak!” at the same time Asher says, “Don’t talk to my girl like that”.
I was really going to have to get use to all this testosterone in one house for sure and this protective streak.
Brayden being good natured starts laughing at the mischief he caused before reciting what I’m sure is Jaxon’s itinerary for the day with his own flair.
“Wake up love birds at 8am. Shopping for clothes for Abby with Brayden- including attire for Emilio’s Cinco de Mayo party tomorrow night. Abby must look smoking hot.”
“Train at the gun range for Abby with Archer at 11 Am. Tell Abby not to shoot Archer if he’s an asshole. Because, let’s face it… he’s going to be an ass.”
“Hand to hand combat for Abby with Jax downstairs at 2 pm. Tell Abby to kick Jax’s ass, because he needs to be notched down a peg or two.”
&n
bsp; “Debrief with Jaxon and Archer regarding Emilio’s at 4 pm.”
“Date with Asher at 7pm.” He loudly whispers, “He put that in there because he knew Asher was too much of a bitch to ask you himself.”
That got a laugh out of all of us, except Asher who was still sneering at his almost naked brother.
I’m taken aback about how my entire day is obviously planned, but more so that I would be spending time alone with each boy for a period of the day.
I’m extremely nervous about the gun range with Archer since I’m not sure he cares for me. Maybe I should be worried about him shooting me, not the other way around.
Then I comprehend the part where at 7pm I’m going to be having apparently my first date with Asher Badd. A whole new wave of panic hit me.
Asher must have noticed my panic and he grabs my hand before speaking lowly to me.
“The date is to make sure we connect and seem real to Emilio, if you don't want it to be a real date I understand but I was hoping you would consider it real.” He gives me a shy grin.
“Of course, I want it to be real!” I all but shout, which takes him by surprise. “I have nothing to wear!”
Brayden chuckles, “That my dear Abbykins is where I come into place. Introduce yourself to Brayden Badd, shopper extraordinaire.”
“I know all the best places to go. They have the best teams to get your dressed for your date, Emilio’s party and your everyday attire.”
He stage whispers to me, “Plus, I have Ash’s black card in my wallet. He’s told me to buy anything that lights up your eyes.”
“Now get up! We have breakfast bars and fruit on the table to grab on the way out and we have to take dear Nicholas to school this morning.” He finishes his sentence with his best English accent.
Nick grumbles loudly about having to go to school while I have all the fun.
The boys file out of the room to go get dressed and I stand up, thankful they didn't wait around, considering I’m just in one of Asher’s shirts that hit me mid-thigh and a pair of underwear.
Going over to my bag I pull out a pair of jean shorts that are a little too frayed on the ends and a plain black tank top to go with my black converse.
I hate to admit it, because I really am not a girly girl, but I’m so excited to go shopping with Brayden. I’ve never really went. Dad brought us to Goodwill whenever we needed to upsize and we were allowed five outfits in our new size.
Last time I went shopping at a department store was a few months before mom died. She took Nick and me to buy us each a closet full of new clothes.
I wonder if deep down she knew she was leaving us with a man who could care less about the wellbeing of her children.
Some days I wonder why she married him, but then I remember at one time he was a good dad. Or at least I think he was. In my mind I’ve always built him up being this great dad but maybe he never was.
Maybe mom shielded us from him.
I pulled on my clothes and start working on brushing my hair out and then braiding it over my shoulder. I catch a glimpse in the mirror of Asher.
Asher Badd is the most gorgeous human being I’ve ever seen. He has a broad chest that is solid leading to his muscular arms and defined abs.
Across his chest were tattoos that swirled in a tribal pattern. In the center of his chest was what I think is his family crest and over his heart he had the name of his brothers and his Uncle Max.
On the other side he had two sets of angel wings that had the names Julia and Mark in them and I assume they were for their parents.
The deep Navy blanket is pulled up to his waist, giving a nice contrast against his tanned skin. I have to make sure I’m not drooling at all of his deliciousness.
His hair is mused from sleep and he wears a lazy smile on his face handsome face.
What has me shocked though is his eyes. Those crystal blue eyes looking at me like I’ve hung the moon and all the stars.
I’ve never been looked at like that before in my life. I’m not sure when it happened, but I know that I want to spend the rest of my days having Asher Badd look at me like I am the most important person in his life.
He holds his arms open indicating he wants me to fall into them and it doesn’t take long before I start gliding across the plush carpeted floor and doing just that.
Resting my head on his chest his arms encircle me, giving me a soft kiss in my hair.
“I can’t wait for our date tonight, I have been planning this in my head for 3 years.” I grin into his chest at that.
“Give me your phone so I can put our numbers in it okay?” I hand it over but not before noticing it doesn’t have any service. Dad must have had them cut off already.
Asher notices the same that I do, causing him to sigh in aggravation,
“Okay, I’ll have Bray to get you and Nick phones on our plans before you go clothes shopping. I want to be able to find you if something were to happen ok?”
It’s a strange feeling to be cared for, but it isn’t unwelcome. It’s even stranger for him to assume something is going to happen to me. That kind of puts me on edge, making me realize the severity of our situation.
One last glance over my shoulder at him I head down stairs to find all the rest of the Badd brothers and Nick sitting at the table.
They are laughing and joking around with one another. The smile that radiates off Nick’s face fills my heart with overwhelming joy.
When he realizes I’ve entered the room he jumps up coming to pull me into a hug and handing me a pack of chocolate pop tarts.
He knows those are my weakness and it’s no surprise to me that after I devoured the pack yesterday morning at the meeting a whole new box is sitting on the table. Jumbo size.
“Come on Abby bear, we have to get me to school. You’ll have to sign me in since I’m going to be missing first period.”
Great, first day of being Nick’s custodian and he’s late for school. This is going to be a long journey, but we’ll get it together.
Nick grabs an apple and his book bag before heading down the stairs to the garage with Brayden and me following.
When I realize we are going to be riding in the Lamborghini I may or may not have squealed with delight. I really like that car.
Brayden laughs at my excitement, hitting the key fob to activate the suicide doors and I almost faint right there.
Nick’s eyes light up like the fourth of July and I know he is just as excited as I am.
Getting in to the soft leather seats all I can think of is, what is this life I’ve been thrown into?
ASHER- Chapter 15
Abby has been gone all of fifteen minutes, but it’s felt like an eternity.
I walk into the kitchen Arch and Jax are sitting at the table with file folders spread out on it. I am greatly familiar with these folders, as they hold every aspect of our involvement with Emilio Esteban over the last 3 years.
We have successfully infiltrated Emilio’s team and trust over the last few years. We have product and money- really that’s all the street credit you need with the cartel.
Flash a big gun and bigger cojones every now and then gives you ultimate respect.
Jax and Bray were the first to make contact with Emilio a few years ago at one of his famous Cinco de Mayo parties.
Walking in like they didn’t give a shit who he was and wanting to do business was going to go one of two ways. They would end up shot or respected. Thank God for us it was the latter of the two.
I’ll never forget being in the undercover van outside listening to the conversation between my brothers and the sharpest knife in the Mexican Cartels box.
Emilio: Who let these gringos in to mi casa?
Jaxon: We walked in. We need to talk. Business.
Emilio: (cynical laugh) Oh, so you think you can walk into mi casa and demand to talk? Tus bolas son un Chico blanco grande. (Your balls are big white boy)
Brayden: Más grande en la habitación. (Biggest in the room- Bra
yden replied cockily)
Emilio: Ah, Spanish speaking white boy. Okay amigo, let’s talk business.
Jaxon: We want a cut in your operation. We can move more product than any of your boys and our quality is greater than what you can bring across the border.
Emilio: Is that so? You have it on you amigo? I’d like a sample.
Jaxon: If this shit doesn’t knock you on your ass within ten minutes giving you the best high of heroin you’ve ever received we’ll walk and you won’t see us again. If it does, we want to push East side. You can get 20 percent cut.
Emilio: (debating) Hmm, Okay- I’ll try your Bombita, if your H is shit you leave. If it’s good, you can push East side and I get 40 percent cut.
Brayden: 15 percent.
Emilio: (shocked) you went lower than your original negotiation.
Brayden: Then I guess you better take the 20 percent, amigo.
Emilio: (loud laughter) I like you boys. Here’s the new deal. I’ll try it. If it's good, I’ll let you push East side, 25 percent. If it's not, I’ll put a bullet in between your eyes. Usted lo consiguio? (You got it)
Jaxon: Try it.
Needless to say, the heroin the DEA provided was stellar and after forty-five minutes every man in the house was trying it. Just like that we had a deal with the cartel.
We don’t actually sell and we’ve helped clean up East side significantly.
If we still deal Emilio 25 percent of what he predicts as profit, sometimes a little more, to show we can move it better than his boys, he is none the wiser.
Arch and I just got involved in operation a little over a year ago and Emilio doesn’t trust us, which is why we were meeting with his boys in a public location the night Abby stumbled upon us.
We’ve questioned for a few months if Emilio is starting to realize our game due to comments he’s made to Jax but now that his goons have been pushing in on visiting East side more and them insisting Abby come to the party, I’m getting more nervous that they know what’s going on.
If they see the local dealers aren’t in East side and the buyers have been arrested or moved to different areas of town then they’ll realize what we’ve been doing- cleaning up town not supplying it.