MC: LaPonte

by L. Ann Marie

  “Good to hear Brother.” Pres says, I whip my head around sucking in a breath from the pain of skin stretching. I put my hand on my face then take it down. He came up on my blind side. Fuck I moved too fast. “I didn’t remember, Danny. I’ll remember next time.” He’s smiling. I nod; glad he didn’t make a big deal of it. “You told me you were thinking of selling your company. Did you and Kate make a decision yet?”

  I lean closer to him, “I’d have to learn how to do everything over, depth and distance aren’t easy yet. Kate agrees that I should step back to being architect since I don’t have the same problems on the computer.” I tell him in a low voice trying to keep it between us.

  “I have a job I hope you're interested in. See me after church.” He squeezes my shoulder and moves out of my field of vision. Fuck. A new job with a new handicap really isn’t something I’m looking for.

  When I turn I notice Tiny and Petey standing to my right at the bar. Fuck, I need to remember to stand the other way. “Tiny, Petey.” I nod to them.

  “We’ve been here since you walked in Brother. I didn’t want to do what Pres did, but fuck, someone’s had your ear since you got here. I just wanted to know how the mirrors are working.” Petey asks. I hold my face and laugh, then tell them about my driving experience so far. I almost took out my bike. They laugh at that. I give them my new driving theory and thank them for putting the mirrors on, telling them they help.

  “Hey we got the perfect track for you to practice on.” Tiny says.

  “Where’s it at?” I’m more than willing to practice. I want back on my fuckin bike.

  "The old police station. Pres is looking at buying it. It has a training course already set up. I can arrange for a new lock in the meantime. I’ll get you a key when it’s on.”

  “That’ll work. I’ll have to stop by surveillance and see when the traffic’s light so I can drive there. Thanks Brothers."

  Everyone starts moving to the meeting room. The club's grown bigger than Pres expected and Brothers are standing along the walls. This works for me, I stay on the right so I can see everyone without being surprised from the blind side.

  Just as Tiny said, Pres is buying the old police station. Security will move there once the building is done. He's also buying the old bread building. Fuck. Jess must be playing the market again. Most of the business is the same. I'm glad I haven't missed much. They're looking for an officer to replace Dave. They want names to consider by the next meeting. Church is dismissed but I stay where I am and wait until Pres is free.

  Steve comes over to me, "Jess is wanting you to get married next month." He doesn't like that idea by the sound of his voice.

  "I already told her we're waiting for the baby first. She's doing good on the meds, I know she'll try and do too much. Once the baby is born we'll tell her the date. Kate's got Tracy and Peg to help keep the load off her; almost everything is decided and settled. Kate has a couple of things for Jess to do but its calls and checking lists. Just don't tell her." I love my sister but she's too fuckin stubborn sometimes.

  He nods. "Thanks Brother. Didn't want to bring it up yesterday. Not into fightin my wife over this."

  "Kate isn't budging on this so she has no one to fight with, we all agree."

  He nods, "Little Ben says you’re helpin him with a shed for his bikes."

  "Yeah, he talked to me yesterday about it." I'm going to need some help with this. Fuck, I hate to ask.

  "Wouldn't mind makin it a Brothers project like the truck with Rich." His way of asking me, that was easy. He wasn't spending time around me; I'm glad that's changing I was starting to feel like a fuckin leper.

  "Thank fuck, I was just thinking I'm going to need help." I look over his shoulder and lower my voice. "I'm not so sure about using saws right now."

  "Could do the cuttin. Not sure about layin it out though. Could ask Pres."

  I hold my face and smile. "I can lay it out, I'm pretty sure if I'm building a shed for Little Ben, Jessie will need one too. We might as well schedule the three of us to do both."

  "I'll work it out with Pres and get times." He looks behind him.

  Pres comes up on the side of him. "I'm glad you waited Brother. I have a problem keeping up with the fuckin buildings. We're buying more that will need work on top of the roof on transport and a new furnace at the daycare before winter. With more members, more buildings, more businesses, I can't keep up. What I need is someone to take care of all the building needs. The emergencies, the preventative maintenance, the new construction. Fuck, everything, it's all piling up on me. I have no fuckin experience in how to take care of this shit before it’s a problem. Are you interested in a Building Supervisor job?"

  "Fuck yeah. I was hoping it wasn't something I'd have to relearn." Thank God.

  "I asked Jess for a report on our properties for you. She said I couldn't just give you a report. She told me about your dyslexia and the color coded spreadsheets. Just give her a call and let her know you're in. She can't get you running until Wednesday. She's redoing the Prospect sheets for Tiny; he's new to the sheets so she's working with him Tuesday. Once she gets you the sheets, she said you can add to them yourself, yeah?"

  Fuck I didn't know Tiny was dyslexic. "Yeah, I've been using them for years. Wednesday is fine. I need to settle a few jobs and run plans for a house in Bristol."

  He smiles, "Thanks Brother, I don't think I can take another fuckin phone call from these people. They know less than I do."

  I hold my face and smile. "I'll take care of it Pres."

  "You still have pain?" He asks.

  "Yeah, smiling and laughing still pulls. Can't eat a bag of chips yet either." I smile. "It will ease in time." I hope. Geek calls for him.

  "Good, thanks for taking this Brother. I'll get you set up with Jake at HR, just stop by there sometime this week." He turns and is gone. Wow, the perfect job just fell in my lap. I look at Steve.

  "Guess the shed talk will hold til he's not so busy." He says with a smile.

  "Yeah." We walk out together.

  Chapter Sixteen

  One month...

  "She's beautiful Jess. I don't know how you get anything done. I'd want to sit and stare at her all day."

  She laughs. "You learn to get your stuff done while they sleep. When she's awake I spend my time loving everything about her."

  Little Ben runs in ducking in the bathroom. Jess laughs. I wonder what she's laughing about. He runs back out and over to me. Putting his hand on Elizabeth's head, he bends and kisses her cheek, "love you my little baby girl." I laugh with Jess when he runs out the door.

  "That is the freakin cutest thing I have ever seen." I'm still laughing.

  "In about ten minutes Jessie will come in and do the same thing. I'll never have to worry about her with those two." She's so happy she glows.

  "I'm so happy for you my almost sister." She deserves to be happy.

  "Any news on the date yet? I can't wait until you have a baby I can spoil."

  "Actually we were thinking next month." I can't help my smile, I'm so damn excited.

  She jumps up and grabs paper and a pen. I laugh. "What's the date? I need to get everything set up."

  "Nope. It's a reception at the community center, with the same caterer and photographer as you. All you need to do is get me a cake. I don't want a house though." I laugh. "Traditional cake with light pink flowers. Whatever you think is best. Peg and Tracy are decorating the tables. I'll need you at the ceremony though. Rich is Danny's best man." I smile.

  She looks devastated. With Tracy's help we got it all set up so she wouldn't get run down. Her arthritis has been kept in check with the new meds but if we don't watch out for her, she goes overboard and pushes until she's exhausted. "That's it, the cake?" She is not a happy camper.

  "Well, we need someone to perform the ceremony too." I put on my best acting skills and look thoughtful.

  "I can take care of that. I got your cake and the judge." She smiles.

&
nbsp; "I am so excited." I kiss Elizabeth's head.

  "Me too, you'll finally be legally mine."

  I crack up. "Your brother says the same thing."

  "Where's the ceremony?"

  "The gazebo at Danny's house."

  "That will be beautiful Kate, I'm happy for you and so glad you brought my brother back. I love you both so much. Was he pissed that I told Ben about his dyslexia? He didn't say anything to me." She looks nervous.

  "Not at all. Ben told him about Tiny. I think when he heard, he realized how many people have learning disabilities. It just wasn't a big deal anymore."

  "Thank God. Ben wanted me to run a report for him but I knew he wouldn't get through it like that. I didn't really have a choice. Nobody would even care, he's proven himself with all he can do despite dyslexia. I'm sorry they couldn't save his eye but I'm so happy the club needed him just when he needed them. Like it was meant to be." We both look at the door as it opens.

  I crack up. Jessie runs in, goes in the bathroom to wash his hands and runs over. He smiles at me, I move Elizabeth to my lap. He holds her hand. "It's me, Jessie. You're already growing baby girl." He bends and kisses her forehead. "Love you." He runs out the door.

  "There is not one single person I can tell this to that would believe me. They are freakin unbelievable. How did you get them to wash up before they touch her?"

  She shrugs, "Steve told them the first time they held her that they had to wash up so she didn't pick up germs that her little body couldn't fight off, they've been doing it ever since. They take it very seriously." She sighs. "They take everything very seriously, who am I kidding." She looks confused.

  "You still think they're reincarnated old men that were best friends?" I laugh. She nods, making me laugh more. I notice the clock. "Damn. I have to get to the shelter." I kiss sweet little Elizabeth on her head and stand. I get her in the bassinet and hug Jess. "I'm so happy for you Jess, I'll see you Friday."

  I walk to the back of the garage; the shed is coming along quickly. The boys are nailing shingles with help from Rob while the guys are putting up siding. I kiss Danny and wave bye to the guys.

  I get to the house ten minutes before I'm scheduled. Walking in I check to make sure everything is set up and ready for the woman and her two kids. Mary took care of everything. I love that the old ladies volunteer for us; they always go above and beyond whatever I ask. I hear a car pull up and walk out to the porch.

  Len and Karen get out. Len stays with the car while Karen ushers the family in. Once we get the paperwork in order Karen leaves and I show them around. The Brothers set the garage up so kids can play without being seen. They stay and play while I finish showing the house to the mom. I tell her about the CNA that will change her bandages and promise to pick her up in the morning for court. We go over the alarm and how to call surveillance in case of emergency. I let her know I am five minutes away and security will pick me up on their way. With a wave, I leave her to start the healing process and head home.

  This is our fourth high security client but I have a bad feeling about this one. I call Digs and let him know she's in and he can start monitoring. I call Steve and tell him my thoughts about this client. Her husband is a cop in Rhode Island. Steve says he shouldn't be able to find her here in Massachusetts but he'll have someone watching just in case.

  I sit on the couch and open my laptop when Digs calls me. Someone's on their way. Holy shit! I've been home maybe ten minutes. I stuff my phone in my pocket and run out the door.

  I hear the bikes before I see them fly down to the main road. Casper picks me up in his truck. "Buckle up and call Len. Black suburban, male, six foot, dark hair, kicked the door in, took the mom. Mary is with the boys, Tracy is on her way. Dave is in the house with them. No police."

  I call Len and relay the information. He's heading to the house since the boys know him.

  A Ducati flies by us. "Shit he's going fast." Casper doesn't comment. We catch up to the bikers. They let Casper pass and spread out in the lanes behind us. I turn and watch them slow down. They're not letting the cars through. Casper speeds up. Holy shit he's pushing a hundred. I watch in front of us and keep still. There's another group of bikes up ahead. They let Casper pass but stay with us. We pull alongside Jared's truck, I see Geek on his computer in the passenger seat. Casper keeps pace with him. Fuck

  "Need you to be calm Kate. We'll be taking mom to another location." The suburban slows to a stop but doesn't pull to the side of the road. I guess it doesn't matter with no traffic behind us. The Ducati stops at the driver’s door. The guy opens the door and yanks the driver out slamming him against the door. Casper stops directly behind the SUV and runs to the passenger door. He lifts my client out and carries her to my door. I jump out so he can put her in. He reaches under the seat and hands me a first aid kit. I rummage through hunting for something to stop the bleeding. Holding gauze to her head I clean her face and keep talking to her softly. She moans but doesn't open her eyes. He drives us to the divider and crosses the highway heading back. Jared and half the bikers follow. Geek isn't with him.

  I look back and see the husband on the ground. The Ducati driver is climbing on the bike while Geek is talking to him. "Don't look back Kate. Take care of our girl." I do what I'm told. Casper drives us to the clinic, Doc is waiting for us. I jump out so Casper can carry her in. I follow without looking back at the bikes I hear. While I'm waiting, I call Len letting him know we have our client back and are at the clinic. He tells me guys came in and found a tracking device in the client’s purse. Shit. Fuckin technology. Danny took the boys with a bodyguard so he's headed back to the office.

  I'm in the reception area when I hear the woman's scream. I run through the door seeing my client cowering in the corner. "Natalie, it’s me Kate." I walk slowly toward her. "Your husband had a tracking device in your purse. Our surveillance team followed and got you back." Bending down I sit by her. "Your boys are safe. Doc here is a friend." I move my hand onto her head and move her hair back so she can see me. "You passed out. Doc just needs to fix you up so we can get you back with your boys." I see the second she recognizes me. She starts crying so I pull her to me and hold on. When she calms I relax my hold on her.

  "He stuck me with a needle Kate. He's going to get my boys; he said I won't pass a drug test. I can't let my boys go back to him. Please help me." She's hysterical. Doc moves closer, I hold my hand up stopping him.

  "He can try to get them, but he won't. He tracked you to a safe house. Drugged you and took you out leaving your boys behind. No judge is going to see that as the sign of good father. The house is monitored. Everything is on video feeds. He blew it big time today Natalie. Let's get you fixed up so we can collect your boys and get you safe." I stand pulling her with me. "The tracking device was found. He can't track you anymore." We get to the table and she willingly sits down on it. "This is my good friend Doc. Doc's going to come over and check you out. I'm going to stay right here." I look at Doc and smile at him. She holds my hand squeezing as he gets closer.

  "Hi Natalie, I'm sorry I scared you. Your head is bleeding. I'm going to see what I'm dealing with so I can get you fixed up and out of here. We need to get you back to your boys." He's moving her hair and blotting with gauze while he talks to her. I hold her hand and stay quiet. "You'll need some stitches. I'll be right back." He moves to the drawers against the wall. She loosens her hold on my hand.

  "We'll need pictures for court. Do you have a camera?" I ask him. He looks at me confused for a second.

  "I don't, you can take them on your phone." He says as he pulls a tray table over. I get pictures of her head before the stitches. Doc takes care of her head, checks the bruise on her face, her split lip and checks her ribs. I get more pictures. He checks her eyes and pulse trying to figure what she was given. She tells him she's a little fuzzy but that's it. "At a guess I'm going to says mild sedative. I wouldn't be too concerned; you don't seem to have any lasting effects from it. I'll keep watch. We need
to take blood and run tests." She agrees. She wants to get out of here quickly.

  When he deems her fit to leave Ben walks in. Natalie stands behind me. "Hi Ben, thanks for getting Natalie back for me. She's anxious to see her boys." I smile at him. Natalie relaxes her grip on my arm.

  "That's good because they're anxious to see her. Danny has our boys and Natalie's boys at the ice cream shop. Jared is waiting to escort Natalie and her boys to a safe house. I just came by to apologize for not keeping someone in the house with her and her boys."

  "You couldn't have known about the tracking device." Natalie surprises me by speaking, even if she's not looking at him.

  "Then I'll apologize for you having to be our lesson. It's a lesson we won't have to learn again." He says gently but determined.

  Natalie moves to my side looking right at him. Good for her. I'm mentally jumping up and down. "Thank you for caring for my boys and getting me away from him."

  I smile. Ben says, "We have another house for you and your boys. I refuse to give anyone but Kate and Jared your location. Are you ok with that?"

  She grabs my hand again; I look her in the eye, "I trust these men with my life. You can too. They're big and scary looking but they pulled out all stops to get your boys safe and you away from your husband. They wouldn't have done that if they were going to hurt you."

  Looking over at Ben she nods, "OK. Can I see my boys now?" I can hear the fear in her voice but she's going to push through it for her boys. I smile, I'm so proud of her.

  "Absolutely. I'll even give you a ride." Ben takes us to the ice cream shop. Natalie laughs when she sees it’s actually a big ice cream cone shaped building. After she hugs her boys I introduce her to Danny, Jared, Little Ben and Jessie. The boys play at the playground while Ben tells us he wants Natalie in my house. It has surveillance all the way around and it’s furnished. Since my personal things are at Danny's, I think this is a great idea. Jared will be staying with her since my house doesn't have cameras in it. I promise to see her tomorrow and once again wave goodbye. Danny takes me home. What a freakin day.