Coder: Book Five (Princes of Prophecy)

by L. Ann Marie

  “What was that website?” Lily hits my arm. They pull their phones and I tell them.

  Dakota drops us at the hangar and CJ hugs me like she hasn’t seen me in months. I love this family. Everyone is at Nancy’s when we get there. Holy crap! Joey and Ally sit in chairs while they all hug me. Since all the old ladies are here that takes a while and I want to sit too.

  Tess laughs and hands me a margarita. “There are a lot of us. I thought you might need this.”

  I take it and Nancy asks about my tattoo. They all want to see. Crap, crap, crap. Since Tess and Penny showed me theirs I guess this is what they do. Tess brings me to the dressing room and says there are too many cameras for me to show them out there. Holy crap! I’m glad she thought of that. Brantley will be pissed if guys jerk off to that picture. I undress and they all love it. Amanda tells them about the color she’ll be adding and Nancy hands me two dresses.

  “How do you get away with Captain America?” Kate asks and I laugh. Jess tells her about the throwaway panties and they all start talking about getting their favorite characters.

  Lily helps me with the first dress and steps back. “It’s beautiful Holly.” She has tears in her eyes.

  I hug her and walk out so I can see it in the mirrors. It is beautiful. Everyone stops talking so I turn looking at them. “I love it.”

  CJ hugs me. “It’s perfect Holly. Just like you.” I love this woman.

  I am not going to cry; I’m not going to cry. Crap, crap, crap! I cry in my beautiful white dress with the satin pink piping. Everyone loves it. When I find Nancy I tell her this is the one. She nods and Joey and Ally clap.

  “Let’s go to dinner!” Tess says and everyone agrees.

  “Wait a minute. I had to try on a fuckin’ shit load of dresses!” Sheila yells. I crack up.

  “She said it’s the one. Look at her. It’s the one,” Kate tells her.

  Sheila looks at me then smiles. “It is.” She looks back at them when they laugh. “What-the-fuck-ever.”

  We laugh getting picked up in three SUVs. Bob is smiling. “Congratulations Holly.”

  I’m surprised he talks. “Thanks Bob.”

  CJ laughs. “Someday he’ll give you a full paragraph.”

  Amanda laughs getting in beside me. Bob bends looking in. “That might not be today.” He closes the door and I crack up.

  “That’s what he always says.”

  We eat at the Diner laughing and talking about everything from the kids to my books. Kate wants to know how to fund the neighborhoods directly. I tell her about Amazon and Joey explains ways for other businesses to fund without a go between. MC Jess agrees and they talk together about that. I just watch. Every one of them are special in their own way.

  “Chopper is here.” Everyone stands up. We thank the waiter and the woman behind the counter, Lana, and file out to the SUVs. Everyone hugs again like we aren’t seeing each other in a few days.

  “I’m so glad I landed with you,” I tell my new sisters when we’re flying home.

  Eliza nods. “I feel the same way. I don’t think they realize what it’s like to fall into their world.” I nod. It means everything.

  We’re all quiet the rest of the way. I hug them all when we get out of the SUV and everyone tells me they’re glad I’m here with them. Even Sheila. Brantley’s waiting on the porch with Mucimi when I get to the house.

  “By the smile on your face I’d say you had fun.” He’s smiling and I think I’m damn lucky it’s for me.

  I kiss them both. “Yep. It was an awesome night.”

  “Here too.” He puts his hand on my back and puts Mucimi down right inside the door. He’s so cute – his walker is parked right there.

  On the couch I tell him about his family. He smiles the whole time nodding and laughing about my Captain America. “The Brothers are the same. They all showed today, even Pres. Tiny grilled enough food for an army. Let me get little dude in bed and I’ll show you what we got done.”

  I missed them, so I follow and watch,then kiss mylittle happy boy. He signs, ‘I love you,’ and I give it back with tears in my eyes.

  What an emotional day this has been. In the patio I’m stunned. Cabinets are along the side wall and I can see where his kitchen would be. It looks bigger than it did before. Brantley told me the people that built it used it to entertain, but it didn’t seem this big before. “It’s huge.”

  He points to the wall. “I used the back for storage. It was a fold away wall. We had all our skis, bikes and two jet skis in here with a ton of other shit.” I nod, wondering where it all went.

  On the right is a set of stairs that are new. We walk right up to another big room. “This will be his bedroom. There’s a full bath up here and half by the kitchen.”

  I turn to him. “I hope he loves it. I’m so excited for him. They are all amazing doing everything so fast for him. Did he get to see it?”

  He pulls me closer. “He loves it. He helped when he got home from the school. I think he was surprised they all showed for him. It meant something.”

  “It did.” We hear him on the stairs with Hawk’s nails clicking all the way up. “I wanted to check it out again before it was too late.”

  “You have your own entrance. You come and go as you please.” I smile hearing Brantley tell him this again.

  “I don’t want to wake Mucimi up.”

  Brantley lets me go and pulls Christian’s sleeve. “Uncle Danny showed you the boards right?” He points at pink stuff in between the wood. Christian nods. “Your floor and the whole wall against the house is insulated so your sound won’t travel to the main house. He knows you don’t sleep much and didn’t want you worrying.”

  “I didn’t know that’s what he meant. He did that for me?”

  I laugh when Brantley rolls his eyes. “Yeah Brother. Dad told him you don’t sleep and he found a way for you to be comfortable so you’re not worrying over every fuckin’ noise. Everyone wants to see you happy here Christian. That’s why they all showed. We’ll do anything to make that happen for you.”

  Christian moves so fast I step back. He’s holding on to Brantley like he’s a lifeline. When Brantley opens his eyes I sign for him to talk and I’ll be in our room. He nods.

  ***

  Christian talks for hours. I’ve never heard him say so much and I wish I could wipe most of his words away. He’s always been alone and has never had anyone to share any of this with. I say everything I can think of to reassure him we’re all here for him. I promise him I’ll do better for him and he promises to talk to me about things that are bothering him.

  “It is a good start Brothers.” I laugh as Dakota walks up the deck stairs. “It is time that we teach you how to use the ancestors Christian. Nunánuk believes that while you know the words, your heart is not open to them. We can fix that so the ancestors share with you the peace and healing you have been missing.”

  Christian looks at me. “He’s a prophet. He would know.” He nods, but doesn’t move. “This is where you let us in Christian. No one can help if you don’t let them. Trust in me, Brother. Let us help how we can. If it doesn’t work, you’ve lost nothing.” I stand and pull him up. “If it does, you get everything Christian and it’s fuckin’ sweet.”

  “Kuwômôyush.” He hugs me.

  “Mucimi Christian.”

  Dakota laughs. “The dogs need to run. We can speak of ancestors on the beach.”

  Holy shit it’s been a day. I check Holly and Mucimi and get a beer. They’re sleeping and I need the time to get the shit Christian sees out of my head.

  “Shooting back does trump tires Brother.” Taylor says softly.

  I pull the bottle away from my mouth. “I’m glad you showed. I was starting to think I’d have to drag you to my wedding.”

  “One fuckin’ Op and you think you’re invincible?”

  I laugh watching him walk in the house. He sits hard and looks at me. “I’m sorry Brant. I put you there. I thought he’d take Sheila or Aaro
n.”

  I nod holding his eyes. I can wait for the pain and let it hit him or let him know it’s coming. “I wish you were here fifteen minutes ago.”

  “I was here an hour ago. Dakota didn’t let on. Christian has a fuckin’ long hike back Brother. I hate that we couldn’t help sooner. I don’t want to wait that long.”

  I nod, so fuckin’ relieved. “Tell me what I need to know so I can pull you back Brother.”

  His therapy isn’t helping. He talks about what he saw. The jobs he did and people he hurt. The sun comes up and Taylor is drained. He won’t look at me, but I’m okay with that. When he stands to leave, I stand with him. “No matter what you think is so bad about you, you’re still my brother. Orders are orders. You did what you had to do. My brother may not have given those orders, but he was a fuckin’ good soldier because he followed them. That made you who you are here. The protector that keeps his family safe. I’m fuckin’ proud you’re mine Taylor.” I bump his shoulder and squeeze his neck.

  “What he said. ‘Cept the brother part. Put nephew.”

  I jump a fuckin’ foot in the air. “VP?”

  “Let’s go. Dog needs to walk.” Thank fuck he’s looking at Taylor.

  Chapter Twenty

  Brantley

  Two days

  I walk into the patio for the first time. Jessie and Chris are here. “Brothers.”

  Jessie gets up and hands me a beer. I throw him chin and sit. It’s been a fuckin’ week. I left Holly sleeping and walked over not wanting to be alone, but not wanting to talk either. Jessie and Chris talk about the Club and leave me to my thoughts. Darren and Uncle Danny come in. Chris gets them a beer.

  When Prez comes in I get him a beer. I guess this is how it’s done. He sits by me. “Christian is settled?”

  I smile. He loves his apartment. “Yeah. My dad brought the rest of his stuff tonight. They’re hanging pictures.”

  He nods. No one talks anymore and Jessie gets up. “Later.” I follow him out throwing chin.

  “You heard from Taylor?” he asks as we get to the road.

  “Yeah. He’s working through his shit. Jeremy scared the fuck out of him.”

  “He scared everyone Brother. I’m glad Taylor’s working for it. Fuckin’ Brother needs more than Mucimi for his happy.” He slaps my back and walks toward his house. I walk across the street smiling. They all knew. I love the fuckin’ Brotherhood.

  Jacob is on the porch with a beer. I shake my head. “Starting young.”

  “Dad just left. I earned it.”

  I sit with him. “What happened?”

  “I got the talk a-fuckin’-gain.” He’s disgusted and I crack up. “This is because of you. Fuckin’ Mase and Terry are going to hear it weekly. You owe them.”

  I can’t help laughing. “I’ll take care of them. What about Jeremy?”

  He rolls his eyes. “He’s waiting for Aubrey. I figure someone ought to know what the fuck they’re doing.”

  I put my hand up and he waits until I’m done laughing. “I don’t need the details Jay.”

  “I wasn’t giving them.” He’s quiet for a while. “Jeremy is excited for the wedding. He loves Holly.”

  “Yeah.” They all do. “She loves all of you. I think she’d be happy with everyone living right here.”

  “Why is she like that?”

  I think about it and hope she doesn’t get pissed about me telling him. “Her mom died when she was seven. She was hit by a car holding Holly’s hand. She had night terrors about it her whole life. Her dad didn’t handle it well. He drank and didn’t pay her much attention. When she was seventeen he drank himself to death. She spent her life alone afraid someone would find out. The night terrors stayed with her until she got here. Mucimi, Jeremy and Aubrey helped with that. She says she feels free for the first time in her life and likes having people around her.”

  “Fuckin’ old ladies. They go through more shit. I’m glad we’re all here now. I felt bad throwing more on her with her dealing with the lunatic that cut her and having Mucimi.”

  I shake my head. “She loves it here and all of us. Don’t feel bad for her Jay. Be happy she was strong enough to come out of it, our Holly.”

  “You have no problem sharing her with us?”

  I laugh. “None. She needs you guys just like we need her. I’m happy for all of us.”

  He shakes his head. “You’re a good brother Brantley.”

  I stand up and mess his hair. “Mucimi will be up soon. I need to feed him.”

  In his room my eyes are drawn to Trina’s letter. I take it down and read it. He knows a mother’s love now. I think I should hold this until he’s older. I want him to know about his mom and what she did for him to be here, but he can’t read it. I bring it to the office and put it in the file with his birth certificate. When I sit up I see the picture Amanda sent of him laughing with Holly. I take it and hang it in place of the letter. When I get to his bed he’s awake and looking at me. “So much love for you Mucimi Blackhawk. Just like she wanted.”

  He signs, ‘Yes. Love.’ I laugh. Fuckin’ kids.

  Epilogue

  What the fuck? I open my eyes. “This is the best fuckin’ dream I’ve ever had, but I don’t want you hurting today babe.” This is the first time she’s put her mouth on me taking me all in.

  She giggles and puts her mouth back on me. Fuckin’ hell. If it’s not hurting her, I’m not stopping her. “Fuck that feels good.” She takes more every time she goes down and pulls hard coming up. When she takes me all in, I know I’m not lasting here. I get my hands under her arms and flip her on her back putting my mouth on hers. She’s grinding into my leg and moaning in my mouth. I lick across her scar to her ear. “Best fuckin’ dream babe,” I whisper and feel her shiver.

  “You say that every day.” She moans when I suck her nipple in and roll it against my teeth.

  My fingers find her wet and I want it. I bend her knees and put her arm under them. “Hold this for me.”

  She moans and holds under her knees and I groan. Her pussy is tipped up on display for me. My mouth is on her and I don’t stop until I hear my name. I bite her thigh and kiss my way back up sliding in with her knees pinned between us. Taking her legs, I kneel up loving the liquid blue of her eyes. “My beautiful sweet girl. Tonight when I slide in, you’ll be my beautiful sweet wife.”

  “Yes. Harder Brantley.”

  “Anything.” I fuckin’ love harder and think about her with her mouth on me and smiling eyes. She’s gripping me and I watch her eyes. “Come with me Holly.” She screams and I drop her legs landing on my arms with my mouth on hers. Fuckin’ heaven. Licking across her cheek I whisper. “Love you Holly.”

  She grunts making me smile. I clean her up and cover her. Throwing on jeans I go out to get Mucimi’s bottle.

  Christian and Jacob are here pulling shit out of the fridge and Mucimi’s got a cup on his tray. “You’re here early.” They laugh. Jacob points to the clock. “Fuck.” I pick up my boy. “Sorry baby.” He laughs and holds on to my shoulders. I kiss his head and carry him into the room.

  Laying his head on the bed he strokes her face and watches her. She smiles and opens her eyes. “Morning mylittle happy boy.” He laughs then she does. He sits and signs, ‘food, Mom.’ She starts bawling. Fuck.

  “No crying today.” I lift her up and he climbs on her laying his head on her chest. “Everyone will be here soon.” She nods and sniffles and Mucimi laughs then she does. She’s so easy.

  I put Mucimi on the floor and carry her to the shower. When we get out Mucimi is sitting by the door waiting. He’s so fuckin’ patient with all this. He throws me a picture of me kissing Holly. Maybe I need to start changing what he sees. I shake my head and slide my jeans back on taking him out before he starts throwing pictures of her naked.

  “I’ll be right back babe.”

  “I’m good. I’ll be right behind you.”

  I turn him toward the door and watch her slide on Cat Woman panties. Jes
us. I walk out before I try to get them off her.

  We’re not even done with breakfast and everyone shows trying to kick me out. “Can I finish my food?” Christian and Jacob think this is fuckin’ funny.

  Sheila takes my plate and dumps it in the trash. “Done.” They’re all laughing.

  “Fuckin’ women.” I turn to the bedroom and get stopped by a wall of old ladies. “I’ve got nothing but these jeans on.” They don’t move. “The ring and her jewelry are in the room. I’ll leave when I get them and some clothes.”

  Sheila and Eliza move in front of me. Fuck they can both kick my ass. My pants are unbuttoned so I start to unzip them. “What the fuck are you doing?” Sheila yells.

  Since they both turned I push past them. “I’ll go bare ass if I have to but I’m going to my room.” The old ladies are all turned away and Jacob and Christian are falling all over themselves laughing so I peg them a finger as I go down the hall.

  In the room I grab my clothes and the bag with the jewelry. “Holly. I need to give this to you now. The old ladies are here and they’re like fuckin’ piranhas.” She laughs and I kiss her smiling face. I pull the box and open it. “My beautiful girl will you wear this for me while you become my beautiful wife?” She nods looking up at me with tears in her eyes. I kiss her lips and someone pounds on the door.

  She laughs. “Go! Your clothes are at the ‘rents. Hurry before they start biting. Thank you.” She kisses my chest and I pull my shirt down.

  I’m just getting shoes on when they bust in. “Fuckin’ women. I’m just getting shoes.” Tess starts telling Holly about them stopping me at the hall and I hurry out the door. “Nothing came off babe.” Shit. They laugh.

  At the ‘rents Uncle Danny and Tiny are making breakfast. I sit and a plate slides in front of me. “Thanks, Sheila dumped mine.”

  Jacob laughs. “He got her back. They wouldn’t let him in the hall.” He stops to take a breath and I hang my head. Fuckin’ brothers. “He put his hand on his zipper and threatened to drop his pants if they didn’t let him through.” They laugh.