The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Well to be honest . . .” Frank ran his hand over his head to the back of his neck. “George and I haven’t been seeing eye to eye. He doesn’t want me running security. He wants me out.”

  “You aren’t stepping down are you?”

  “Fuck no. But let’s just not rule out the possibility that he’ll request that of me. I want to be prepared. Have all bases covered. The protection of this community is vital. No matter what George thinks.”

  “You really think something is going to happen, don’t you?”

  “Let’s put it this way.” Frank said. “I know something is going to happen.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Tight lipped wasn’t just a figure of speech, it was an expression predominantly on Ellen’s face. She sat in Joe’s room, posture perfect. Her hands tapping on her knees as she stared at Joe in bed.

  Joe was proud. He knew she gave it her best effort, even though she was obvious.

  “Something wrong with your lip.” George pointed at it.

  Ellen shook her head.

  “You aren’t talking to me. I asked you three times about the progress of the passwords.”

  Ellen shook her head.

  “What?”

  “I can’t. I’ve been asked not to.”

  “By who?” George questioned with a chuckle. “Frank?” He watched her shake her head. “Dean.” He received a wide eyed look. “Why doesn’t Dean want you to tell me?”

  “I want to tell you why, George. I can’t tell you why. It’s too good to keep inside. Order me as leader.”

  Joe grunted, unheard, but he did. Christ Ellen. Don’t say anything.

  “I order you.”

  Ellen exhaled. “Thanks. O.K., I’m not allowed to tell you because Dean is a big superstitious freak.” She rattled fast. “He yelled at me. Yelled at me. Seems he thinks I’ll jinx us. He doesn’t want me to tell you that I am on the letter ‘I’ in the passwords. Haven’t uncovered anything yet, but I’m trying. Really how can I jinx us? You want us to open them. He should have bases covered. After all, he has stored somewhere about a thousand rabbit feet. I bet those rabbits he has zonked, that looked dead but aren’t, are only there for him to mutilate for Frank and his men. Whoops, wasn’t supposed to tell you about that either. Not the superstitious kill the bunnies for the feet thing. The sleep medication that he’s working on.”

  Joe wanted to kill her.

  George walked behind her. “You, Ellen, are a remarkable woman.” He laid his hands on her shoulders. “But tense,” He started to rub them keeping his eyes in a taunting manner on Joe.

  “I’m tense because with the exception of my father, the men in my life treat me like I’m nothing.. He can’t treat me like that because eye can’t talk. Dean’s working on that though, I think.” Ellen squirmed when she felt George’s massage intensify. “Oh, that felt good.”

  “You know, Ellen. I always thought you to be not just the most attractive woman in Beginnings but also the most intelligent.”

  Ellen giggled. “Thanks.”

  Joe wanted to scream. He listened to Ellen ramble. He watched George so obviously hit on her while she was ignorant to the fact. Ellen, wise up, come on.

  “Ellen. Why don’t you and I just spend the evening together? Let’s have dinner, maybe get a drink at the hall. Let me show you true appreciation and you can ramble all you want to me.”

  “O.K.” Ellen shrugged. “I’m hungry and in the mood for talking.” She stood up and walked to Joe. “I’ll stop back.” She kissed him. “Let’s go, George.” Bubbly, Ellen moved to the door.

  George began to step put, but stop, seeing Ellen move a ways down the hall, he poked his head back in the room. He winked with a snide whisper. “I’ll take good care of her for you, Joe.”

  ^^^^

  Dean paced in his living room then looked at his watch. It was a Henry routine he called it, but one none-the-less he couldn’t help but doing. The knock shot him to the door like a cannon. He flung it open. “Hap, thank you so much for coming over.”

  Hap, an elderly man, tall and fit stepped into the house. “Never mind watching the kids for . . .” Before Hap could finish his sentence, Dean was out the door.

  The first place Dean looked was the cryo-lab, hoping and praying he would find Ellen down there consumed with the puzzle of breaking the codes. But nothing. It was dark. He moved fast, never slowing in his pace. He ran to containment then to the clinic. Hoping she was still visiting Joe, Dean flew into his room. He heaved a relief breath when he saw Frank sitting in the chair. “Thank God you’re here.”

  Frank shifted his eyes around the room. “Are you talking to me?”

  “Yes. Tell me you know where Ellen is.”

  “No. You don’t?”

  “No.” Dean paced into the room. “She should have been home. She never showed up.”

  Joe closed his eyes. He couldn’t believe Ellen still wasn’t around. How long had it been?

  Frank stood up from his chair. “Should we worry? I mean, really, it’s Ellen. She probably is off talking to someone.”

  Melissa’s soft voice sang into the room as she walked in. “She is. She and George are having a date.” She giggled.

  At the same time, with the same expression, Dean and Frank swung their views to Melissa. “A what?”

  “Jealous?” Melissa walked to the bed. “I saw her going into George’s house. We spoke. They were having dinner, maybe a drink at the hall. She didn’t call it a date.” Melissa made a notation in Joe’s chart. “But sounds like one to me. And, in my opinion, she needed it.”

  Dean looked to Frank. “We have to find them.”

  “Yeah.” Frank nodded. “I don’t want El messing with him. I fuckin hate him. And . . . he’s old, Dean.”

  “How about we both go look?” Dean suggested.

  “Sounds good.”

  At that instant they both left the room. Together they ran down the hall and separated as they emerged from the clinic. Dean headed straight to the living section, Frank in another direction.

  Even though Dean knew he and Frank were both searching out Ellen for different fears, he was at glad they were both searching her out.

  ^^^^

  George’s house was empty when Dean got there. And being so close to his home, Dean headed back there, hoping against hope, that he and Ellen just crossed paths. And he was right.

  He couldn’t have looked anymore grateful if he tried. The moment Dean stepped into the living room and saw Ellen, his arms dropped and he stepped exhaustedly towards her. “El.” His hands went to her face. “God, I was worried.” He kissed her.

  “Why?” Ellen asked. “I was just . . .” Her words were cut by another kiss. “Hanging out . . .” She was kissed again. She snickered and pulled away. “Dean. Stop. You hate me. Well, maybe not hate, but you definitely don’t want me.”

  “El, I was so worried. Please don’t do that again. Let me know where you’re gonna be.”

  Ellen laughed. “Dean, you are really acting strange. I was with George. And really, what could happen to me while I’m with him?”

  Dean stared at Ellen as she walked away toward the kitchen. He wanted to tell her all that could happen to her, but he didn’t. He just couldn’t. Not yet. He could only be glad that she was home and she was all right.

  ^^^^

  An arrogant sniff came from George as he leaned into the bar. He brought his drink to his lips and looked at his right to John Matoose. “I know he’s your friend and all.” George stated.

  John just lifted his hand. “Frank and Ellen aren’t together. So . . .” He left out a breath. “Possibilities?”

  “Very much. We had . . . we had a wonderful romantic time.” George winked. He caught an ear shot of a clearing throat and he looked over John to Len, another security man. “What.”

  Len motioned his head to behind George.

  Turning back to John and Len, George was face to almost face with Frank.

  Frank raised on
e eyebrow. “Where’s my wife?” He asked strong.

  “Home.” George said innocently. “Probably . . . tired, Frank.”

  “Stay away from her.”

  “She’s not your wife, Frank. She’s moving on.” George stated calmly sounding so sincere. “We had a great evening. Maybe that’s what she needed. I know it’s what I needed.” knowing he wasn’t seen by anyone but Frank, George mouthed the word ‘gulp.’

  Frank glared. Eye daggers first then he leaped forth for George and hands grabbed his shirt.

  “Frank!” John Matoose, still behind George reached around. “You have to get a grip. All right?” He pulled Frank’s hand from George. “I know Ellen’s your wife, but you guys aren’t together anymore. You can’t be getting mad because someone else is with her.”

  George let out a breath and moved back from Frank despite the stare Frank kept on him. “Thank you, John.” George straightened his shirt. “But I’m not worried. Frank doesn’t really care. Ellen said so. He just likes to look the part. Obviously, I mean Dean is still standing.”

  John saw it and it warranted another interception from him. “Frank.” He warned. “Go back to work.”

  “Fine.” Frank stepped back. “Stay away from her George. Go near her again, I’ll kill you.”

  “Frank.” George spoke pacifying. “Stop. I don’t want any more hostility between us all right.” Drink straw in mouth, George faced him, “It’s innocent. And there’s nothing wrong with two people getting together. Ellen came to me. I enjoyed her . . . company.” He winked.

  Though Frank was the only one to see George’s fast, oral sex insinuation with that straw, it was enough to drive Frank over the edge. Bodily he dove onto George, blasting the older man back into the bar. John Matoose, Len, Mark, and three other security guys dove up right away, breaking up the confrontation before it got too far.

  John blocked Frank from George. “Go, Go back to work.”

  George caught his breath and stood upright. He laid his hand on John’s back. “Let it go. A man’s jealousy is always his downfall. But don’t go after me again.”

  “Don’t fuckin threaten me.” Frank told him.

  “This is not a threat. Go.” George stated as strong, yet as low volume as he could.

  Frank gave up. In disgust he shook his head and walked from the social hall. He would deal with Ellen as soon as he saw her in the morning.

  George got it together at the bar, instructed everyone to go back to having a good time, and he himself indulged in his drink again. It tasted better to him, sweeter. Perhaps it was the sympathy he got and questions about how he was after the confrontation with Frank. There was something about looking the victim that George just loved. Especially when he was far from being that part.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  It was something Ellen hated to do, pack the school lunch thing. She just couldn’t wake up enough in the morning to deal with who wanted what in their lunches. So she was grateful Dean did. But more so than making the lunches, Ellen hated when the twins forgot them. That meant taking it to them at the school. That meant seeing Jenny Matoose.

  Jenny sat behind her teacher’s desk. She knew first thing in the morning Ellen would be by moments after the lunch bell to bring the twins their food. Jam sandwich spread open, eyes peeled to the door, Jenny waited on Ellen. She could still hear John and George’s morning conversation in her living room and how frightened George sounded of Frank. Even though George refused Jenny’s offer of speaking to Ellen about doing something with Frank, Jenny, out of concern wanted to talk to Ellen anyhow. It was the least she could do. George, as leader, didn’t need the stress of Frank.

  Jenny watched Ellen walk in, give Billy and Alexandra their weak lunches, then try to make a quick escape.

  “Not so fast.” Jenny followed her to the door. “I need to speak to you.”

  “No, Jenny you cannot steal my children’s lunches. You have enough.”

  Jenny gasped at her. “How dare you insult me? This is serious.”

  “And I’m in a rush.” Ellen tried to leave.

  “Like always. Darting here and there. This has nothing to do about you. This has to do with Frank.”

  Ellen stopped cold and turned around. “I do not discuss Frank with you.”

  “Fine.” Jenny snipped. “But either you will convince him to modify his behavior or I will.”

  Ellen snickered. “How Frank acts is his business. And go on. You wanna try to get him to modify his behavior, you try. Better yet,” Ellen smiled. “Why don’t you try to convince him by exposing yourself to him again? Fire out one of those big floppy breasts at him.”

  Jenny looked so offended when Ellen walked away. She then turned back into the school room and the snickering of the children silenced. All except Alexandra who continued to giggle.

  Billy leaned over the lunch table. “Alex. Stop.”

  A snorting snicker came from the little girl and she wiped her jam covered mouth to erase the smile. “Sorry. Mommy’s funny.”

  ^^^^

  People could be so predictable, George thought as he stepped into Melissa’s living room. He’d talked to her the past couple days, watching her as she walked from her house, hair still wet from showering, for her noon start at the clinic. Such a pleasant woman, but such a pattern person. He listened, as he moved to the steps, holding on to the railing, and peering upward. He listened until he heard it. The bathroom door shut and the water turning on. Giving her a minute, he began to ascend the steps. She and her shower would help him out more than she knew. Knowing the houses as well as he did, George walked to the smaller bedroom. Just as he anticipated, Marcus was there. His growing little body was asleep in the caged crib. “Hello.” George spoke in a gruff whisper. The child did not respond. His raspy, growling breaths were still so loud and rhythmic. “You, little guy, are going to help out your Uncle George.” With his forefinger and thumb, he flicked forward into the babies ear, causing the sleeping child to awaken with a startled lifting of the head. “Hello.” George wiggled his fingers in a wave and stood up straight. He reached forward turning the latch on the door to the caged crib, opened it slightly, and stepped back. “Bye now. Have fun.”

  Knowing what the child would do and knowing what he had to do while that was happening, George snuck back out of Melissa’s house and prepared.

  ^^^^

  Almost as a hover, Ellen leaned over her paperwork as she sat at her desk. Her pencil move frantically. Her knuckles were white from the tight grip she held as she wrote. Every few words she would do it. She’d look up through the tops of her eyes only to Frank who sat in a chair across from her. He did that Frank-thing. Balancing on the hind legs of his chair, legs spread outward, head resting in the cupped hands he held behind him. He watched Ellen quietly… he watched.

  “Frank.” She shook her head slightly, looking at him again. “You’ve been sitting here twenty minutes.”

  “I know.” He spoke monotone. “I’m still in that wake up phase. I’ll talk in a second.”

  “Well, here’s something that will wake you up.” Ellen set down her pencil. “Get ready because Jenny is gonna show you her breasts again.”

  “Uh!” Frank shrieked then laughed as he settled his chair to all four legs. “Why is she seducing me again? Aside from the fact that I’m hot.”

  Ellen laughed. “Don’t know. She’s says it’s your behavior.”

  “Probably fuckin George has her brainwashed. And . . .” Frank leaned forward. “Speaking of George. What exactly did you two do last night?”

  “Ate dinner. Had a drink? Why.”

  “No, El. What exactly did you two do last night?”

  “Ate dinner. Had a drink. Again, why?” Ellen asked calmly.

  “El!” Frank raised his voice. “What exactly did you to do last night!”

  “God!” Ellen slammed her hand on the desk. “Ate dinner and had a drink? What do you want me to tell you Frank? I blew him?”

  Frank screamed
and jumped up. “No! Oh! You did!”

  “What!” Ellen could barely stand up to follow him she was laughing so hard. “Where are you going? You know I didn’t do that.”

  Frank stopped and stared at the door. He let out a loud exhale, probably more dramatic than he should have. Then he acted the emotionally injured part. “I don’t know . . . if I . . . I should believe you. George is… he is highly attractive.”

  Again Ellen laughed and grabbed his hand. “Sit back down and pester me. There is something wrong with you.”

  The moment Frank felt her hand on his, his heart dropped. He became silent and his head lowered and eyes peeled to her touch of him.

  “Frank?” Ellen asked.

  “Oh, my God.” The whispering words slipped out with emotions. “This is the first time you’ve touched me in a really long time.” He saw her fingers begin to slip. “Don’t. Please.” He laid his hand over her and his eyes closed as his fingers clenched tightly over hers.

  “Frank.” Ellen tugged at her hand. “Can you let go?”

  “No, El.” He seemed so consumed.

  “Well, how do you propose you’re gonna hug me, if you keep squeezing the hell out of my fingers. Hold me, Frank.”

  Frank huffed a small breath. “I don’t think I can let go of your hand.”

  “I’d rather you not let go of me.”

  Frank knew as soon as their bodies would touch, that wouldn’t even be a question. Not wanting to, he released her hands and stepped into her. As soon as his chest touched her, his hands slid up her arms to her back and he brought Ellen to him, wrapping his arms tightly around her. He held her with his body and soul, closing his eyes, letting his senses feels every area of their met bodies.

  He breathed heavily and slowly, swaying his body slightly in the embrace. Legs against legs, chest against chest. His face against her face. His hands extended, reaching upward under her hair and letting it fall on his hand. He slid the palm of his hand to her face. Blindly with his eyes closed, his cheek brushed against hers, his mouth parted, and in almost starvation, he brought his mouth to hers and stopped before they touched.