by L. Ann Marie
“Ops,” Jeremy says and nothing else.
“Let me get to the computer.” I pull on basketball shorts and move to the office flipping on the computer. “Someone with you, Jeremy?”
“Yes.”
Opening the OC, I see Jeremy and Christian. This is not a good sign. “You’ll be tested again. It’s not the big one, but it’s bad. Keep the women safe and your second accounts up. They’ll try shutting you down, but you have the backups.” Christian looks worried.
“When?”
“This week. The MC will get hit too. Jeremy thinks they’re trying for Aiyana. Dakota knows.” How are they getting this information?
Jeremy is watching me. “A reader.”
“What else do I need here?”
Christian looks at Jeremy. “Jeremy needs to be there, but there’s a threat to the MC and he doesn’t want to leave.”
I nod running through possibilities. “If we keep Aubrey on the compound and warn the MC will that work?” Jeremy’s face doesn’t change expressions. “Will giving this to Mitch help?”
His face softens. “With VP.”
I nod. “I’ll get Mitch and VP updated tomorrow morning and set transport for you Jeremy. Dakota will help get Aiyana covered.” Jeremy is nodding. “Is our concern Aiyana and Aubrey?”
“Women, keep them safe too,” he says surprising me. Something with Mitch knowing helps here. I need to get this to her. “Yes.”
I hear Lily behind me and the boys smile. “Anything else I need here?”
Jeremy is still smiling. “No.”
I give them a couple of seconds. “Thanks Brothers. I’ll see you soon.” I shut the OC down and turn my chair. “I love seeing my shirt on you. I can’t ever say it’s something I’ve imagined, but I love it.” She smiles and I pull her to my lap. “I think we’ll have a lot of these moments, the firsts. I’m going to love every one of them.”
She kisses my chest. “Me too.” She looks at the computer. “Should I be worried?” She pulls the tie from my hair.
“Always. We will do what we do to keep everyone safe, but the women make it easier for us sticking with their Security and following what they’re told.”
Her eyes snap to mine. “Following what we’re told?”
“If the threat is to the women we’ll double up on Security. We’ll tell you to stay in the yard, maybe at your jobs, until it’s safe to be back on the roads.”
She looks relieved. “I can do that. Sheila and Eliza are with me?”
I shake my head no. “When we have a problem they run HS teams. You’ll have HS, but Sheila and Eliza are leads for two of the HS Ops Teams. Jessie and Taylor are the other two.”
She’s surprised. “I didn’t know they were right up there with Jessie and Taylor. Why the hell are they Security for the Women’s Center?”
I laugh. “That’s where they want to be. Eliza could go to any PD, but she wanted to work for women. She wants to keep women safe. Sheila likes being her partner and loves Deirdre. She’s also got a soft spot for women that need help. If you say it came out of my mouth, I’ll deny it.”
“Your secret is safe with me my Badass Prince.” She kisses my chest again and I’m thinking of being buried in her tight pussy.
“How are you feeling?”
She looks at me red faced. “If I say fine do I get a repeat?”
I want to say yes here, but I don’t want her in pain. “If it’s true. If not, we can work around it and give you relief another way.”
I get a shy look on her red face. “I’m a little sore, but like the way you make me feel.”
I stand up with her in my arms. “I think we can work with that.” At the door she shuts the light off making me smile. I like that she’s not wasteful and shake my head at the thought. In the room I sit her on the bed and lay down. “We’re playing a game of numbers. I’ll start.” I lift her over me and sit her down on my chest.
She likes the numbers game and I love her fuckin’ hands and mouth on me.
Chapter Two
Little Ben
“Pres. I got a call from the boys last night, Christian and Jeremy. They see us getting hit together this week. The warning is for the women, Aubrey, and Aiyana. Jeremy feels the need to be here, but was nervous about leaving. When I gave him Mitch being made aware he told me VP too. Something they both do threw relief on him enough to leave Aubrey’s side. He also feels Aiyana needs to be covered. I’ll handle that side. We’ll be tested again according to Christian, but this isn’t the big one. He says it’s bad. You need your backup systems ready. The information is getting to them through a reader.” I wait for him to get all that.
“I want the mixed HS for this. I’ll get with Mitch and VP. Is there anything else I need to know?”
“Yeah, I’m sending Dakota to pick up Jeremy on Sunday. I’ll get him home when it’s over.” I wait again.
“I’ll let Cloud know. Is there anything you need from us besides the fresh eyes?”
I smile so fuckin’ relieved I’m talking to him and not my dad. “No Pres. We’ll be ready and keep the reservation covered. Mitch knowing throws relief. If we get stuck I know we can call on her.”
“I’ll make sure she knows. How is Lily doing?”
I smile. My Lily. “Good. I gave her my cut last night. She likes the tiara.”
He laughs. “Fuckin’ kids are causing more problems getting the old ladies their own logo. Penny and Tess are trying for tiaras too.” I laugh. I knew Penny would. Digs calls her his princess. “Call me if you need us or get anything more from Dakota.”
“I will Pres.” I swipe off and turn around.
She’s got that shy smile on. “How do you know I’m here?”
I put my hand out. “I can feel you close to me. Good morning beautiful.” She makes that snort noise as I pull her onto my lap. “I have some work today then I need to go to the reservation. Do you want to come with me? It’s beautiful to walk or ride.”
“Yes. I want to go wherever you are.”
I like hearing that. “I need to talk to Dakota then I’ll shower you. I made coffee.”
She gives me a funny look, then kisses my lips. “Good morning.”
I call Dakota and make arrangements to meet with his Shaman, Co. When I get to the kitchen she’s looking out at the water. “It’s beautiful here. I like the windmills.”
“They’re powering the whole town. Even our factories.” I stand behind her putting my arms around her.
She turns and looks up at me. “I’m proud of you Little Ben; all the things we imagined life could be like, you made happen here.”
I’m surprised by her words and it feels good getting them. “I didn’t do it alone Lily. All the Brothers, the MC, the old ladies, all helped to make this what it is.”
She nods and pulls on my shoulders. “Thank you for your part.” I bend and she kisses me.
I lift her up. “Are you still sore?” She shakes her head no with a smile. I walk into the bathroom and set her down pulling my shirt off her in one fluid motion. “Do you want your hair wet?” This is one of the things on Patches’ lists. She shakes her head no and I’m glad I asked.
I put her hair in a clip and drop my shorts. “Always commando?” she asks making me smile.
“Yes.” She doesn’t know what to say and I laugh pulling her into the shower.
***
Lily
I need to call Brenda. Maybe when I can breathe. Sex against the wall is freakin’ awesome. She was right. He holds me on him until I’m breathing almost normal. With a kiss he lifts me off him and stands me up. He doesn’t let me go, but washes every bit of me. This is too sweet. When he’s done I help him get clean and he smiles at me like I gave him a gift. I hope it’s because he’s never had this before.
I’ve heard stories about the guys being really good in bed, but never gave it much time. Being younger than them I wasn’t ready when they started going to the Club. Luckily Little Ben wasn’t mentioned very often. Whe
n I was ready he was still treating me like a possession not a woman who would become his partner. I guess I was the one holding out then. I don’t regret it. What better way to say I’m all in.
“Babe?”
I shake my head. “Yeah. Sorry.”
He wraps a towel around his waist and dries me the same way he washed me. Touching every spot on my body. “Will you always do this?”
He looks up surprised. “If I’m here, yes. I will always show you what you mean to me through my actions. If I don’t show you or you’re not feeling it, tell me so I can fix it. It’s important to our future that I do this right and you feel my love more than you hear the words. Everything I do should show that to you.”
He’s so damn...perfect. “How do I show my love for you?”
He smiles and I want to kiss him. I bend and kiss his lips. “Just like that. If I’m doing it right, I’ll get that. I always want your smile and sweet back so I’ll work for it every day.” He’s serious.
“Guys are pretty easy.” I smile at him. I can do this.
He laughs. “I have on-call hours and will be pulled away, a lot. It isn’t an easy life Lily. I know what you sacrifice being with me. I mean it when I say I will work every day to show you I get it.”
“I guess you always have to some extent.”
He’s surprised. “Why did you make me wait?”
I think back to how I felt. “I’ve always been yours, Little Ben. From the time I can remember, you’ve always told me I was. When you started dating, I was yours, but you were never mine. When I came back you did the same thing. I was yours again, but you didn’t do anything but tell me. I never felt like it was true until the last couple of months. You shared your life with me and it felt like I finally had the right to claim you as mine and mine alone. Your kisses helped too.” I smile at him. “They left me wanting more.” I laugh.
He watches me and I don’t look away. This is important for him to understand. “You’re right. I should have been showing you right along. Words don’t mean much without the actions backing them up.”
I’m glad he understands. “I’m happy I have them now.”
He kisses my head. “Me too.”
He turns me toward the door. “We need to get moving. I have to meet with Co.”
I laugh. He’s cute. “What am I dressing for?”
“Bike, horse if you want, or walking.”
I have the perfect outfit with boots and all. I love Nancy! While I’m putting on makeup he’s brushing out his hair. I love his hair. He swings it to his back and watches me. “Why did you wear so much makeup before? I like this.”
He’s too damn observant. “It was a way to hide the real me. Women tend to hide behind what they can when they aren’t feeling confident.” I watch him through the mirror. He’s not seeing me but thinking.
“Did I cause that?” His forehead wrinkles and I know he’s worried.
I put my hands down and look at him. “My mom, losing my dad, losing my friends, coming back as an adult. They all played a part in that. It felt like I was living someone else’s life and had no control of who I was. I can’t say you were part of it, no. It started when my dad died. If anything you helped me through it. Showing up, bringing me Aubrey, the house and car. I found who I was while holding your hand.”
He nods and pulls me to him. “I love who you are. I’m glad I didn’t cause it, but know I added to it. I’m glad you were strong enough to find your way out.”
I kiss him. “I’m never going to be ready if you don’t let me go.” He smiles dropping his hands.
“Love the boots babe,” he says walking out. I smile and put liner on my other eye. He doesn’t seem to care if I wear makeup or not. It’s a pain, but I don’t have much on today. I think I’ll do just the liner and gloss. With it on I feel good. I put a tie on my wrist so I can put my hair up for the ride. He’s waiting in the room with my cut. “I can’t wait for you to have my name on your back.”
I smile and put my arms out. “Perfect fit.”
He kisses me and my body wants more. I went from virgin to nympho in a day.
I smile as he walks me to his bike. “We have time for a quick breakfast.” I nod, happy to hear that; I’m starving.
***
Little Ben
I’m surprised to see Cloud and Nunánuk when we pull up to Co’s house. Nunánuk takes Lily from me and tells me she’ll show her around. I’m surprised and give her my thanks. She tells me it is an honor to keep Lily company and I’m reminded of how humble and grateful my heritage is.
Cloud follows me around back and into the tepee. While we talk, I suggest taking Aiyana to the Connecticut reservation. It is better equipped to deal with a threat and the average age is much younger. Co wants the ancestors’ blessing before he agrees. We jump and Cloud stays behind me. On Dakota’s tree, Co gets what he is looking for. The ancestors seem to be pleased we’re working together again. The colors look brighter. While I’m comfortable with Cloud and Co, I miss Dakota here today and wonder if I’m missing something without him. “You are wise my Prince. Your Prophet can help in ways the ancestors cannot,” Co says in Mohegan.
“Is there a reason Cloud stands behind me today?” I ask him and Cloud laughs.
Co looks at him and he stops. “The ancestors see you as a great leader my Prince. You are to be recognized by the Warriors as that leader.”
My eyes snap to Cloud. He nods and bows his head. Jesus. I wish Dakota was here. Something changed and I am missing it. ‘I am with you Brother. I will explain it all when you get back. Hopefully that will be after dinner as I am hiking right now,’ Dakota says in my head. I want to laugh, but clench my jaw.
Co smiles at me. He knows. “Go show your woman the beauty of the land and how we have been blessed by the ancestors and gods for so many years. I will accompany Aiyana. She will be safe my Prince.”
I throw him chin and thank the ancestors, Co, and Cloud for guiding me. I find Nunánuk and Lily by the stable petting a dog. “We need to find a dog for Jeremy. I am not sure this is the dog for him, but he is cute.”
“He is. I think Jeremy needs a big dog to keep up with him.” I smile thinking of my Little Brother and how he bounces from one place to another.
Nunánuk smiles at me. “You are right my Warrior Prince. A very active, big dog. I think CJ would not be happy, but Cloud might.”
I laugh. “You are right my wise Shaman.”
Lily squeezes my hand. “I need to learn the language.”
I tell her what we said and she smiles. She loves Jeremy and Jacob because they take care of Aubrey.
Nunánuk looks at me. “And you my Prince. It makes her happy that you have so many people to guide and care for you. Her love is true Little Ben.” Lily smiles and squeezes my hand.
“Thank you Grandmother, I will work to earn and keep that, showing her the same,” I say in Mohegan then English. Cloud comes for Nunánuk and guides her to the chopper.
“Why do you call her grandmother?”
I take her hand and start walking. “She is Cloud’s grandmother. She raised him and Aleena. When I met her with the kids she was called grandmother. That is what Nunánuk means. I didn’t know it at the time, but she really is my grandmother, with a great thrown in. My father is full blooded Mohegan, but was raised away from his people and culture. Until Cloud met CJ, I didn’t even know I was Indian.”
She looks at me and stops. “They are your cousins. And Dakota?”
“Also a cousin. He grew up here with the older tribesmen. They are a more traditional culture. He wasn’t mixed with Anglo or even the more relaxed Connecticut tribe until we knew about them.”
She starts walking again. “I always wondered about his speech, but I see him in Nunánuk. He has an older way of speaking.”
I laugh. “Yes. We didn’t always understand him and when we merged LB Security with Lightfoot to make Princes Security I fucked it up not understanding him. It took a weekend of ten of us to fix i
t and restructure Security. I’ve learned to ask Dakota questions. He’s literal in his speaking, which is different than what we’re used to. He’s also funny as hell.”
She stops again. “It’s beautiful here. Will our kids learn to speak Mohegan?”
I put my arm around her. Our kids. So long I’ve waited to hear that. “Yes. They will learn the culture and be proud of their heritage. It feels good to hear you talk of our kids.”
She giggles. “Until three months ago I never thought of them. You kissed me like I was a woman you wanted and all these thoughts flooded me. We talked about the compound, the job, the Club and people, but not anything of us. I think we just never made it that far. I’m happy to do that now, but I like learning together like this.”
She’s right. How do I keep screwing it up and not knowing it? Everything else comes so easy, but I don’t see shit when it comes to her. “I think learning us together sounds good. I keep making mistakes with you that don’t register until you say something. I don’t know why. Tell me when I’m fuckin’ it up.”
She laughs. “You’ve never lived with anyone either. I’ll tell you, if you tell me.”
“Deal.” I kiss her like she’s the woman I want and she moans. “I love your responses.”
I think about the wigs. “I am donating my hair again for the wigs.” She looks stricken and I laugh. “It will still be past my shoulders but the hair goes to wigs for kids with cancer. The first time I did it my mother stood right beside the woman and told her what was allowed.”
She laughs. “I love your mother. I love your hair, but understand the need is greater. Besides I’d hate you telling me I can’t cut my hair, so I could never say it to you. Would they take mine too?”
“There’s two things here that I want to say. I would hate you cutting your hair and you just gave me a way to keep it long. I won’t cut mine if you don’t cut yours. Second they make the wigs for Indians. Your blonde would not work here. Thank God.”