by L. Ann Marie
He smiles. “I have years Brother.” We climb in the chopper and he does his preflight.
On the way home I wonder where Lily is. I pull my phone and find her on tracking. She’s at the salon. I text her. ‘I hope they’re pink to match the pink room.’
She sends me back her pink toes.
Dakota drops me at Security. I meet with him, Darren and Jessie then get some paperwork done. Just after five I’m done and hitting the door. I need to see my girl.
She’s sound asleep on the couch with papers all over the place. I stand watching her for a while. When I realize what I’m doing, I shake it off and move to the kitchen to start dinner. Today has been unusually warm so I make a salad like the Deli does but use grilled chicken. Her arms go around me while I’m pulling the chicken off the grill top and I smile. “Hi Little Mamma. I didn’t want to wake you up.” I shut the grill off and turn bending to kiss her. “How was your day?”
She gives me a smile. “Tiring. Nancy’s is so much easier.”
“She’s sending you some clothes, they should be here tomorrow or the next day.”
She laughs. “I should have just went with you. I got two skirts and three shirts. Thank you for talking to Nancy. I did get my pink toes even if I can’t see them.”
I sit her on the counter and make a show of inspecting her toes. “They are beautiful like you my Little Mamma.”
She giggles making me smile. “I bought you something.” I put her down and she goes to the end of the counter for the bag Dakota said was for Lily. He must have dropped it off for her. She pulls a shirt out and I laugh. “Little Mamma’s baby daddy. It’s like it was made just for you.” She turns it and I crack up. The Princes logo is on the back. “Okay so Penny made it just for you but it’s perfect. How did she know you call me Little Mamma?”
“Maybe she asked Tess. I love it babe thank you.”
“I just asked her for a shirt for you and she said she had a good idea for one.”
“Love it. I’ll wear it tomorrow.”
She laughs. “They’re going to boot me out of the old ladies if you show for work in that. It’s not Badass enough for work.”
“Aren’t you like head princess or something? You can’t get booted out.” I keep the smile off my face and get the chicken cut up.
She makes that snort noise and I laugh. “I think I’m honorary. They help me more than I help them.”
“Every old lady is the same. You went to visit Hyde’s girl when she had her baby and made sure she had some help while he was at work. You take care of all the little shit I tell you about like the kids at the shop, the homeless houses and researching the little kids’ docks for the Activity Center. You even got the lunch thing handled for the summer.” I fill her plate and sit her down.
She waves it away. Fuckin’ old ladies never see what they do. She works full time on top of everything else she does. She reminds me of my mom. I think that’s a good thing so I just smile at her. “Thanks for making dinner.”
I nod. “What’s with all the paper? I thought Anita was taking care of your overflow.”
“She is, that’s for a kids’ program. Tess sent me the paperwork for Little Sisters.”
I laugh. “We don’t have enough kids for a program yet.”
She nods. “Yeah. I was just trying to have it ready for when we do. I loved growing up in it and want to make sure it’s ready when we are. Most of the activities we did are already in place here. Jess is going to help me come up with new ones.”
I don’t point it out, but she’s a perfect old lady. We eat and she cleans up using her, ‘I cooked, she cleans’ shit. Since she walked all over today we pick a movie. All I want to do is talk to her. I don’t even have anything to say really, I just feel like I need to be close. I shake it off and ask about the baby names while the movie starts.
We spend ten minutes throwing out names but she finds one that works. “I like Teller for one but don’t know about the second.”
Teller. Teller Knight. “I like Teller.” I get her smile. “Do you want to see this tonight?” She shakes her head no. I shut it off and lift her up carrying her to the bedroom. “I need to be in you babe.”
“I like this better than the movie.”
Me too, but I’m not doing the goggles tonight. I want just her. I get us undressed and lay her down loving her until she comes. “Love to see my pretty Little Mamma come for me.” She’s still dazed when I lift her up and slide her on me. I angle her out and fuck if it isn’t perfect with her eyes watching mine. I jump wanting that connection to last and she moans. “Just us Little Mamma, feel us in the wind. The whole world is around us while we’re one.”
“Yes.”
It’s an incredible feeling magnifying everything. I feel her heart, my boys, the wind. “Don’t let go baby.” I move her faster and she digs her nails in my arms. I’m not going to make it. “Come baby. With us as one come with me.” I feel her tightening.
“Little Ben,” she whispers, then moans squeezing me so fuckin’ hard. We spiral out of control as I come with her. Everything passes so fast, my thoughts, the wind, I feel it all. It’s love, like Jeremy says so easily. I flow with it.
Holy fuck. I tighten my hold on her and open my eyes kissing her head. I’m still on my knees and smile wondering how long we’ve been here. I move her slowly to the bed and try out my legs. Last time it took a while to move. I stretch them out smiling, the whole time thinking tampons will start falling any minute. With the jump our connection feels more somehow. I feel more settled and get us cleaned up. Kissing her head, I tell her I’ll be at the patio. She doesn’t open her eyes but grunts. I open her nightstand drawer and pull my note out. It tells her where I am and that I love her. I use the same one all the time.
I come in the back and see Jessie’s here watching the water. “Prez.”
“Hey Brother. Everything okay?” I see he’s worried.
“Dakota isn’t back yet.”
I look for him. ‘Brother,’ I call to him in my head.
‘On my way.’ He doesn’t give me anything else.
An uneasy feeling hits me. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I will need to see Nick, but I will be fine.’
I stand up and pace. ‘Where are you?’
‘Just off the exit. I need to stop. I will go see Nick.’ I motion to Jessie and walk out.
‘I’m coming to get you; stay there.’ I call Nick and tell him to get to his office; I’m bringing Dakota to him. We get to the overpass and I feel he’s hurt. Jessie hasn’t said a word, but is out of the truck before I put it in park.
“Jesus-fuckin’-Christ! Give me your shirt Brother.” I hand him my shirt and grab Dakota’s hand.
“I will be fine Jessie. I will just need some stitches.”
I lift him up and carry him to the truck. Jessie is trying to keep up holding my shirt to his back. He’s a solid six foot and heavy as fuck and Jessie isn’t helping. “Let him go,” I tell him so I can put Dakota down without dropping him.
I get him in and he lays down on the back seat. Jessie gets in bitching about him calling for help. I smile. Dakota is right he just needs stitches, but he lost a lot of blood. I start driving and Jessie is quiet. “What happened Brother?”
“I did not block the camera coming out. A guard was shooting as I was riding away.” Fuck. “They were completely covered. Trip wires, cameras, alarms. I should have been blocking when I left. There is another planned attack. I was not thinking clearly. I will remember this lesson.”
I stop and we get him inside. Nick starts working on him and he’s quiet. Another attack. He’s throwing shit at me as I pace. They don’t get all the plans, but they have enough that I can see it will be bad. I watch him end them and walk out pulling my phone.
Pres will call Jamie and my father for a meeting and move the schedule up. I’ll get a call back when they have definite plans. I call into Security and get Dakota’s bike picked up, the women on HS, and add to Surveillanc
e to watch the highway feeds. I call Darren to check the alternates in case they got into the second satellite.
Mitch calls asking about Dakota and I smile. She’s worried, but didn’t want to worry Jess. I tell her he’s getting stitches and will be fine and she laughs. He always says he will be fine.
Jeremy calls, but doesn’t say anything. I tell him the same thing and he says, “Yeah.”
Something feels off and I look at my phone to find him on tracking. He’s on the fuckin’ highway. “Tell me you have Security with you.”
“Yeah.”
“Give the phone to your Security.” I hear a muffled sound.
“Chet here.”
“It’s Little Ben, Chet. What the fuck is he doing out of the yard. He just went home today and I didn’t get a call.”
“I’ve been calling in, but don’t get anything back. I wasn’t stopping. My phone isn’t working to make a fuckin’ call. I don’t know how his is. He just stopped and called you.”
Fuck. A list forms in my head and I run through it. “Get him here. I’m sending Security to get you here safe. I’ll let Pres and Bob know what the fuck is going on. Jesus.”
“He’s leaving I gotta go.”
“Fuck!”
I call Pres. “You’re offline. Jeremy and Chet are on their way here. Chet couldn’t get through.”
“Fuckin’ kids. Tracking is down. Mitch is getting us back up. Let me know when you have him. Keep Chet there. Tess is concerned, but not talking.”
“I will Pres.”
I call into Security to get up the highway and bring him in. It was a good day for a while. I let Darren know what’s happening, but he’s watching the boards from home. I ask him to send Eliza to check on Lily and let her know I’m at Security.
“I’ll go.”
“No. It needs to be Eliza.” He’s pissed but doesn’t answer. “She is on my bed, bare assed – send Eliza.” Like I need to explain shit now.
“Roger Prez.”
I go back in with Dakota and Jessie. Nick is giving instructions on care and showering. Dakota stands up not listening, but Jessie is listening to every word. I want to laugh, but hold it in.
“Yes Prez, because I have never had stitches before. I will be healed in a day but will hear this for a year.” He’s smiling so I laugh.
“Let’s get you to Security. Chevy and Josiah will be there.”
Jessie’s pissed. “He should be home.”
“I am fine Jessie. Already healing and will be good by tomorrow,” Dakota says smiling at him.
“Fine.” Jessie throws his hands up then hands Nick the paper back. “Fuckin’ wonder boy is fine.” He walks out and we laugh.
Dakota is moving slow, but moving on his own. “It was the loss of blood. The drinks helped.” I nod closing my door. Jessie is quiet on the three-minute ride to Security.
I walk into Ops and everyone quiets down. I look for Jeremy first. He’s got four and Chet riding with him a couple of miles from the exit. I look at the boards then the sliding board of highways. Everything is clear. “Get me a second console with the alternate running the highways and towns.” Jason moves setting me up on the third HS console.
I look at Dakota. Chevy and Josiah have hands on him. I tell Jessie to take him home when they’re done and pick up his gear for a job. I know the first thing MC and Baxters will change. I pace watching the boards. Chet and Jeremy pull off at the exit and I breathe easier. This reaction makes me think Tess has cause for concern and I need to watch him. If I have to chain him to the fuckin’ house, I will.
‘No Security,’ he says in my head and I smile.
‘You stay with Prince Security and Chet or I will lock you down Jeremy.’
‘I will Prez.’
I call Pres and let him know I have Jeremy, he gets off the phone quick, they must have a shit storm going on up there.
Jeremy comes in and goes right to Jason’s console. He moves to cameras further out. Trucks get red tracking and he shows their route. “Fuck.”
I have Dakota down so I call Jared in. “They’re going to hit the MC.” I look at who is here. “Josiah get that feed up to the MC. Make sure Geek sees it.”
Jeremy looks at me. “Yeah, by ground.” He turns back and starts running the Aerial program. “Here by air and water.” He’s typing, but gets pissed and pushes the keyboard away. “Not yet.”
He’s throwing Dakota’s picture at me. They know it was us that took out the reader and Chin. It wouldn’t take much to jump there even without the pictures, so I just nod. They must know the MC gave us the address.
Dakota comes to me. “I cannot fly tonight with the loss of blood. I will be back in the morning. I will not tell you I can if I still feel that.” I nod. “Jeremy will come to me later and help.”
“Go get some sleep. We’re going to need you.” I put my hand on his shoulder.
“On it Prez.” He makes me smile.
Jessie walks out with him. He’s not pissed anymore and I know Dakota will have him laughing on the way home. He’s a good Brother.
Eliza calls in. “Lily went back to bed. Do you want me here with her?”
“No Eliza, but thank you. I just wanted you to give her the message that I was at Security.”
“Do I need to come in?” She’s a good Brother too.
“No. Get some sleep. I’ll call if anything happens, but we have nothing right now.”
“Roger Prez.” She takes orders literally like Dakota. I smile hanging up.
I can’t call a lockdown with no threat. I have added Security to the women and compound. I have extra eyes on Surveillance. We’re watching the feeds from two different sources and the reader and Chin are out. I need the call from the MC.
“Chevy, call into Co, let him know we have a threat that hasn’t shown itself yet. The MC will be hit tonight. He should be alert and prepared.”
“Roger Prez.”
I pace. When I turn, Chet is standing off to the side. “Go to the down rooms and get some sleep. I have Jeremy. If he leaves I’ll call you.” He nods and walks out. I wonder when he started yesterday.
My dad calls. “Look at the picture.” He hangs up. Jesus.
I pull the picture he sent and nod at my phone. I look at tracking. Jessie is on his way back. I give him two minutes and walk out of Ops and out to the lot. He pulls up to me and I hand him my phone. He looks and hands it back saying, “It will take at least eight hours. I’ll take my bike.”
“Yeah. Be safe Brother.”
He throws me chin and pulls away. They’re not running the plan. My dad will meet Jessie in three hours. I don’t question whether he can do it, my dad doesn’t fail.
Back in Ops I see the MC feed running on one board. HS is running through the trucks dropping grenades. They’re fuckin’ nuts.
Jared comes in and I send him to the down rooms until I need him.
“Prez. The alternate feed is looped.” Jason motions me over. I see cars moving on both. “Watch the yellow Mustang.” I watch it fly by. Two minutes later it goes by again with the same green Chevy following it. Sonofabitch.
“Get someone in the Mobile Unit and get the second satellite up for them to compare. Track a couple of cars so they show moving up the highway.” He rogers me and calls a tech from Surveillance.
Chapter Ten
Five hours
Little Ben
“Prez.”
I open my eyes. “Yeah Chevy.”
“Jeremy tagged a plane coming our way. He’s got a ship that looks like it’s turning around tagged too.”
I wipe my hand down my face and pull the tie from my hair. “Get Jared and call into Dakota. I need Taylor ready to fly.”
“Dakota is with Jeremy and Josiah. He’s ready.” He closes the door and I wash my face and grab a bottle of water on my way out.
I’m in Ops two minutes later seeing the Aerial maps. “Get me the nautical too.” I scan the highways from both sources and look for the MC’s feed. Cleanu
p is working, but they look clear. “The reservation?”
“I’ve been calling every two hours. They’re still alert and prepared Co says,” Chevy tells me.
The water goes up and I look at the ship heading south. “Has Jessie called in?” The ship turning could be their loss of a backer.
“No Prez and his tracking dropped off at the highway last night. Bike, helmet and watch.” I nod, but don’t say anything. He can’t be tracked on a job. Jared has a manual override for him on the bike and helmet and Brantley has one on his watch. I don’t know if Dakota still tracks him.
“Always Prez,” he says standing on the side of me. “Our threat will soon be over.” He looks like he wants to say more, but doesn’t. “I am ready to fly.”
“We have a plane tagged. It’s close to two hours out. If it’s a threat, I need it gone.”
“Roger Prez.” He walks out making me smile.
I watch the boards. For forty-five minutes I watch the fuckin’ boards.
“Prez, Dakota is standing ready.”
Thank fuck. I take the headset. “Chevy get Brantley and Darren in.” I get roger’d and turn to my console. “Air One to Prince I need status.”
Dakota: “Prince and Halo standing ready Air One.”
Me: “Tagging shows forty-five minutes from the town line. Keep it to low populated areas. The ship is still heading south.”
Dakota: “Roger Prez. My boards are tracking.”
I get them up and they circle the town. At twenty minutes out Jessie calls in. “We’re clear.”
“Roger. I need you in Security.”
“Roger Prez.”
Dakota: “Air One I have a visual on the tagged craft.”
Me: “Roger Eagle Eye.” I hold the mic. “Does he feel a threat?”
Josiah types in the OC then stops. “We have a lock on the building Prez.”
Me: “Permission to engage Eagle Eye and B Squared. We have a lock on the building.” I get roger’d and Dakota tells Jared to run the same play. I smile. I don’t know where he gets his words from, but they work. Jared gets a lock on the plane and fires. Dakota rises and I watch the missile go right under him. Shit. He’s fuckin’ fearless.