by Ml Rodriguez
“Rylee says she saw him. When Dean was hurting her, she saw Jake,” I say abruptly, interrupting Zeke. I don’t mention my conversation with Jake, that’s something that will remain private and a treasured memory.
“JAKE! JAKE!” Duke yells out loud, making us all jump. “Jake, man, if you are here, give us a sign.”
I can’t help but laugh at Duke’s goofiness.
Suddenly Duke yells, “Ouch!”
We see some of his hair land on the table. Mouths wide open, we just stare.
“What the fuck, man, really?! You had to mess with the hair,” Duke says out loud, making us all laugh; we know his hair is his source of vanity and most prized possession. I hear another “Ouch!” from Duke and then I feel a caress on my face.
I close my eyes and I feel Jake’s hands on my face and his lips on mine for the barest touch.
“Bye, my love,” I hear whispered before he leaves.
“Holy fuckin’ shit!” I hear from the guys and I open my eyes.
“He was just here,” Gunner says. “Well, that settles it, Zane’s in,” he tells us, pointing to the table. On the middle of the table is a purple rose—my favorite.
A couple hours later, I let myself into the house, trying not to make too much noise, I don’t want to wake Rylee up if she’s asleep. As I close the door, Zane meets me with a desperate kiss.
“You’re not gonna believe what happened while you were gone,” he tells me in a loud whisper, looking around the house as if searching for something, all the while holding me close.
“What happened, honey?” I ask him, knowing it has something to do with what happened at the office.
“It’s gonna sound crazy, but I swear I felt a gust of wind go through the house and then flowers appeared in the bedrooms—outta thin fuckin’ air! A purple rose on your pillow, a pink sunflower-lookin’ flower on Skylar’s, and a blue exotic-lookin’ flower next to Rylee,” he says. “Babe, I’m a little spooked here. Is it Jake? I hope it’s him because I think he thanked me—he spoke to me, Faith! I heard a ‘thank you’ and I felt a pat on my back. Please, tell me it’s him or we’re gonna have problems. I’m not good with ghosts—you know, the spiritual kind—unless they’re someone I know. Even then, ghosts tend to, um … scare me.” His voice almost dwindles away on the last sentence.
“It is him, honey,” I reply, smiling. My big alpha male is scared of the unknown. “He was at the office too. He left me a rose.” I pull the rose out of my pink Louis Vuitton handbag. “He pulled Duke’s precious hair, givin’ us a laugh. There’s something goin’ on here we can’t explain, but I know he’s here and he helped our girl get away. He’s watchin’ over us. It’s okay, baby, I’ll protect you.”
“You better,” he tells me seriously. “I can handle a lot of shit: spiders, snakes, rats, men shootin’ at me, fire, and anything that scares y’all, but I’m a baby when it comes to ghosts. I was traumatized by a movie Jackie let me watch when I was younger and ever since then, shit like this gives me the heebie-jeebies.”
“We got you,” I tell him, smiling. “The girls and I’ll always protect you.”
I bring his head down for a kiss before letting him go, and he gathers me in a tight hug. As we’re holding each other, we feel a gust of wind swirl around us. I feel Zane tense up and then shiver as he pushes his face into my neck. I just smile. As I look to my right, I swear I can see a transparent Jake looking at us with a smile on his face. He blows me a kiss before disappearing, and my smile gets even bigger.
Jake’s watching over us. Everything is going to be just fine.
A week goes by. Zane is at the station. He’s been scheduled to work the last few days almost nonstop, since there’s a shortage of firefighters due to a crappy virus making the rounds at the firehouse. He wasn’t happy about having to work, but I’ve kept him satisfied with constant phone updates.
Now, Julia’s over, since the guys and I are in the kitchen making our plans for tonight. Yes, I still haven’t told Zane about us, but with everything that’s gone on, there’s been no opportunity—I lie to myself.
Tonight, that boy and his father are getting their due.
Julia walks into the kitchen. “Make sure that little fucker pays for what he’s done to our baby girl. I got plenty of money in savings so I can post bail for y’all if y’all end up in the pen-hole.”
“Really, Julia,” Gunner looks at her in astonishment. “If we get caught, then we’re in the wrong business.”
“Just lettin’ y’all know I got the money and I’m sure Zane would help after getting’ over the heart attack of having his woman in jail,” she says laughing. I give her a look and she laughs even harder. “Figured y’all needed a good laugh. I’ve done my job and now I’m headed up to my precious goddaughter’s room to watch Disney princesses fall in love with their Prince Charmings.”
She gives me a kiss on the cheek before leaving.
I turn to the guys. “Everything ready?”
At their “Yeahs” we gather our stuff and head out to the vehicles. Those monsters won’t know what hit them.
Yeah, I got my mean face on. I’m a mother on a warpath. As they say, “Vengeance is will be mine.”
I’m getting ready to take out the one and only guard on Vanderson’s payroll. I laugh to myself—Dean’s father thinks he’s so high and mighty that he needs protection; he’s even posted a guard on his house. Psshh, that man’s a fish in a little pond; he’s going to have a huge wake-up if he ever ventures out of this small town.
Tonight, he’s going to learn what’s it’s like to go up against one of Phoenix’s own. They’re both going to regret ever messing with my family. I may be as sweet as pie, but if anyone hurts my family, I turn into a psycho bitch on steroids. I’ll be your worst nightmare.
I quietly make my way to the guard where he’s sitting in a chair. I am about to put him in a sleeper hold when I notice he’s slumped over in his seat.
What in the world?!
“Gunner!” I say quietly but urgently into my mike. “The guard is out and it wasn’t me. Do y’all have anything?”
“Hold your position,” he tells me and I hear him communicate with the others on lookout. “Faith, no one has anything. We don’t see anything on our cameras. Proceed with caution.”
“Roger,” I reply.
“Faith—” Gunner catches my attention.
“Yes?”
“Be careful and keep the communication feed open to all of us. We want our heads attached to our bodies, and Zane will go ape-shit crazy if anything happens to you,” he informs me seriously.
“I will,” I reply, smiling.
I carefully and quietly make my way into the house. In the foyer, I see their dog, and he isn’t moving. I carefully check on him and notice that he’s breathing deeply and very slowly. He’s out. That’s strange, but I continue, going up the stairs. I go into the Vanderson’s room and notice his side of the bed is empty.
What the hell is going on? All our intel said he’d be here.
Not giving up, I head to Dean’s room. Outside his door I hear muffled sounds.
Quietly and carefully, I open the door and slide inside. Dean’s tied and gagged on his bed. His eyes open wide when he sees my head-to-toe-covered self in his room.
Well, this is going to be easy, I think to myself.
Then, I’m grabbed from behind. Before I can do any defensive maneuvers, I’m plastered face to foot against the wall, and I feel a hard body at my back. A hand covers my mouth—I can’t move or make a sound. Whoever got the drop on me is freaking good and I want him on my team.
“Who the fuck are you and what the fuck are you doin’ here?” I hear growled in my ear. “I’m gonna let you go. If you make a sound or try anything, I’ll fuckin’ gut you. Got me?”
I nod and wait for him to ease his hold before turning around. The man has on an outfit similar to mine—black tactical op gear with a mask, like the ones you see in those warfare video games—but his is wa
y better. He’s completely covered up—I can’t even see his eyes. He looks down at me and tilts his head slightly to the side. He suddenly jerks back and whispers quietly.
“Faith?”
I nod. I knew it was Zane from the moment he growled into my ear, so I relax and wait for the explosion that I know is to come. He surprises me with his next words.
“We’re takin’ him down to the basement. I’ll deal with you later, babe.”
I follow him as he throws a now blindfolded Dean over his shoulder and heads down the stairs. I keep back a bit and let Gunner know Zane’s in the house.
“The fuck you say!” Gunner exclaims. “We aren’t readin’ anybody other than you and the residents. How the fuck is he doin’ it? He’s like a fuckin’ ghost!”
“I don’t know how; I just know he’s here and we’re about to take care of business. He says he’ll deal with me later. Whatever that means.”
All I get in return is chuckles from all the guys.
At the bottom of the stairs I see two chairs and two bodies sitting on them. Both are tied and gagged. Dean is literally scared stiff and his father—well, that man is making a ruckus moving around in the chair. I feel like moving over there and tipping it over so he finally shuts up.
Zane moves to him and takes the gag off.
“Who are you? What do you want?” He asks after Zane warns him to be quiet. “Take anything you want; just don’t hurt us.” Tears are running down both their faces.
“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna hurt your wife,” Zane assures him. “I may be a killer, but I don’t hurt women. Y’all on the other hand … well, I’m gonna fuck y’all up real good. I might even carve a little reminder into your bodies—a reminder not to fuck, or hit, anything that says no.”
Vanderson and son look at me with pleading eyes. Ha—like I’m going to help them.
“You know what’s ironic?” Zane asks them. “I gave years of my life fightin’ and killin’ horrible people overseas for my country. A friend of mine lost his life on his way to help one of his men. He gave everything to his country to keep her safe. And y’all know what?—it’s here, at home, where his daughter is hurt so badly she’s hospitalized for days and is still unable to move comfortably without pain. The little fucker that hurts her gets off without punishment because Daddy wouldn’t let his reputation be ruined. Well, guess what? My girl may not be gettin’ her legal justice, but where I come from, we take care of our own. I’ve learned enough in my life that I’ll take care of this little problem. I’m gonna teach both of y’all a lesson today, one I hope you take to heart because I’ve no problem comin’ back and puttin’ an end to your miserable lives. When it comes to family, I will kill in cold blood without remorse. I’ll fuckin’ enjoy it.”
“Please don’t hurt us,” Vanderson pleads with Zane as he moves to remove Dean’s gag.
As soon as it’s off, Dean starts to cry louder. Wracking sobs come out of his body as he shakes in fear. I’m disgusted by both of them and instead of feeling bad for what’s about to happen, I only feel pleasure. It may make me a terrible person, but this boy hurt my daughter. He wanted to rape her. I can’t let that go.
“Y’all make me sick,” I say out loud. At the sound of my female voice, both quiet down. “The girl your son hurt was helpless as she begged him to stop. Did your son stop? No, he didn’t. He continued to hit her, kick her, he touched her, and made her bleed. My daughter will be scarred by your son’s deeds. He didn’t listen to her cries for mercy, just as I won’t listen to yours. I was gonna come here and deal with y’all without lettin’ y’all know my identity, but I’ve changed my mind. I want you to know I’m gonna take pleasure in your cries of pain—marvel as your blood flows from your face and body. Dean, you spilt my daughter’s blood and now I’m gonna watch as yours falls. This may make me a bad person, but I’ve learned one thing in my years. If you don’t take care of your family, then no one will. I wasn’t there to protect her when she needed my help, but I’ll make sure you pay. No one, and I mean no one fucks with my family and comes out unscathed.”
“You’re crazy!” Vanderson exclaims while his son continues to sob. “Sane people don’t go around tying other people up in their homes. You’re going to pay for this.”
“Now that’s where you’re wrong,” I say as I unsheathe my CRKT Ultima knife from my side. “Nothing is gonna happen to us when we leave here. After we get done with y’all, you’re gonna forget you ever knew us. If we hear anything, even the slightest whisper, of you tellin’ anyone about what will happen today, we’ll come back and kill you in the worst and most hurtful way imaginable. After tonight, y’all will leave my family alone. All ties will be severed.”
I move towards Dean’s father but Zane stops me.
“I got this, love. I don’t want you dirtyin’ your hands with these fuckers. I’m proud of you, but let me do this. I need to do this for Jake, for myself, and for Rylee.”
I understand where he’s coming from. I step back and watch him put the gag back on both Vandersons. And then, he starts administering justice for our Rylee. He’s setting the example—no one messes with our family without retribution.
Their muffled yells are music to my ears. Years ago, I never thought I’d be able to stomach watching two tied-up people get beaten within an inch of their lives, but now, I do. I watch and I feel a weight lift off my shoulders and a calmness spread through my body as their bones break and their blood spills.
Justice is served in my eyes.
After Zane stops, I move forward.
“Remember what I told y’all today. Y’all so much as breathe a word of this to anyone, includin’ your wife, y’all are dead. Don’t even think about it.” I point at Dean’s father. “I know everything you have ever done, and all of that will ruin you if it gets out. Before eliminatin’ y’all, I’ll make sure the world knows what scum of the Earth you are. The only reason y’all are breathin’ is because my daughter is now safe at home. Y’all are lucky she was able to get away. For that reason, y’all still exist—I do have a heart after all. Remember this night and learn from it.”
Zane takes them back upstairs and lays their bleeding and broken bodies on Dean’s bed. Our job here is finished. Zane takes my hand and together we walk out of the house and make our way home. Home to our girls.
“Somebody better fuckin’ explain to me why I just found my woman at that man’s house decked out in op gear. Right. Fuckin.’ Now!” Zane not-so-quietly yells in the living room of our house.
Wow—“our house”—I like how that sounds.
I come out of my musing to admire how delicious and hot Zane looks striding up and down the carpet. At the same time, I feel like a child; we’re all, meaning the guys and me, sitting in a line across the couches like troublemakers in the principal’s office.
Julia is sitting in one of the bean-bag chairs with a smirk on her face—that cow! She’s having tons of fun watching Zane lose his head at my expense. She decided to join us when Zane led our little group directly into the living room as soon as we arrived, after inquiring about the girls.
“Zane, man, don’t you think this is a conversation better had between the two of you? I’d feel more comfortable if y’all weren’t airing out the dirty laundry in front of me. So, if you don’t mind, I’m just gonna mosey on out of here.”
Duke’s announcement makes the others snicker as he stands up to make a quick escape, followed by Damon. I gasp at this betrayal while Julia laughs her ass off.
“Sit,” Zane commands and everyone promptly obeys.
“What the heck happened to ‘never leave a man behind’ and ‘we always have each other’s backs,’ huh?” I ask them.
“Well, let me put it this way,” Damon informs me. “I want to live to see my next lay. I don’t want to be torn limb from limb by this crazy fucker, so you’re on your own, my darlin.’”
“How dare y’all!” I gasp indignantly with a hand to my heart. “I would never—“
“Oh whatever, Faith,” Julia gets out between gusts of laughter. “You know you’d be the first one out in their case. The only reason I’m still here is because I’m your best friend and best friends are always there to watch their besties get their asses chewed out and then laugh at them.”
“You’re such a cow,” I tell her.
“I know, but you love me anyways,” she replies.
“ENOUGH!” Zane roars, nostrils flaring. “Somebody better start fuckin’ explainin’ why she was there by HERSELF!”
“Zane, baby—” I try to calm him down, but I fail.
“Don’t ‘baby’ me, Faith, not now. I’m fuckin’ pissed and I want an explanation. Right. Fuckin.’ Now! I don’t care who it’s from, I just want to know why the fuck my woman put herself in danger and why y’all”—he points at Gunner, Damon, Zeke, Jax, and Duke—“let her.”
“She did it for me, Zane,” we hear from the entrance of the living room and as one, we all turn to see Rylee leaning in the doorway.
“Rylee,” I say quickly, standing up to go to her, but Zane beats all of us to her. He picks her up and carries her to the couch, where Gunner gives up his seat to his goddaughter.
“What are you doin’ out of bed, Rylee?” Zane asks gently.
She just gives him a smile and starts to speak.
“Zane, I could hear you from my room and decided to come see what my Momma did now. Whatever she’s done, it was for me and to make sure I’m safe. Once she’s like that, there’s no changin’ her.” She turns to me and continues, “It’s what you do, Momma. It’s what you’ve done since Daddy died. Everyone gave up one thing or another to rally around us the day Daddy died.” She looks at everyone sitting on the couches before focusing on Zane. “Please don’t be angry, Zane.”
“I’m not angry, Rylee,” Zane tells her gently.
“Well, you could’ve fooled me with all the yellin’ that was comin’ out of your body.”
We all chuckle at her words, and send up a thankful prayer to the Lord that she still has her spirit intact.