I feel like I’ve got a personable personality, once people give me a chance, I’m easy to get along with…usually. Not always, I have had some female rivals throughout my lifetime. Mostly the girls who think they’re too good for everyone else, but that’s at every school and chick clique. I’m quite enjoying being included in this particular group. I’ve always had friends, but they were friends approved by my father. This always made me question if they were truly my friends or only because our families approved of each other.
As we pull up to the clubhouse and unload some of our purchases from some shops we visited, I am excited to see Justice. I know I’ve only been away for a few short hours, but I missed him desperately. I’m glad the girls can’t read my thoughts and realize how needy I am in actuality. We walk through the door and the main room is filled to capacity, with some men and women I recognize and some I don’t. As if Justice feels me enter the room, his head swivels my way and a smile graces his face. He gets up and walks up to me, he leans down and gives me a possessive kiss. I know he’s marking me in front of the newcomers and I enjoy every second of it.
“Hey, beautiful. Did you have fun with the girls today?” he huskily asks me.
As soon as I catch my breath I respond with a, “Uh-huh.” His smile widens as if he knows the kind of effect he has on me and my traitorous body. I could never get away with telling him I’m not interested. Every time he touches me my body reacts; my nipples harden and my pussy aches.
“C’mere, beautiful, and meet some of my buddies that I served with. They’re goin’ to be staying with us for a while.” I look over and a big man, and when I say big I mean huge, winks in my direction. I stand tall with my shoulders back and head held high as to not show that he’s intimidating me in the least. Justice grabs my hand and pulls me over towards the group he was sitting with when I arrived. “The man who’s trying to be slick and flirt with ya is Riptide Monroe.”
“How ya doing darlin’? It’s nice to meet ‘cha,” he sticks out his hand. I reach forward to shake it showing my manners, he grabs my hand and turns it over laying a kiss upon the top.
“Keep your dirty mitts off my Ol’ lady,” Justice barks. Riptide throws his hands up in the air, but a troublesome smirk goes across his face. I can see this one here likes to make currents with his friends. “Moving on, this here is Jackson Romero, to his left is Julius Walker. These are men I’d trust the most with my life next to my brothers.”
“It’s nice to meet you all,” I state, standing slightly behind Justice, not wanting any mishaps with these two.
“What are you doing with that loser?” the one he called Julius asks me. “You could do so much better than him.”
“Fuck off, Walker! She’s mine and she’s not goin’ anywhere…ever.”
“Never,” I reply to him, earning myself another panty-melting kiss.
“C’mon, let’s sit and spend some time with the loser patrol.” I laugh at his statement, because wouldn’t that include him as well? I follow him like an obedient puppy and am anxious to get to know the men he served with. This is a part of him that I don’t know, and would like to learn everything about him through their eyes and stories. The next few hours are spent with shots, beer and conversation. I find that I truly admire and like Justice’s friends.
I must’ve fallen asleep because I awake to being carried up the stairs. “I can walk,” I mumble.
“I’ve got you, sleep, beautiful.” I lay my head on his shoulder and everything turns black. I trust him with everything within me, even in my sleep.
Thirteen
Justice
I’m sitting in our meeting and my thoughts are not with my brothers. I keep thinking about last night and how well Lizzie got along with not only my brothers, but my team too. She had them cracking up, and they even joked with her that if she got tired of my ass they’d be waiting in the shadows to stake a claim. I normally would get pissed at that comment, but I decided to just go with the flow last night since she was eating it up.
“So, this is the plan,” I take notice of what Kid says, and rejoin them in the present time. “Justice has already scouted their perimeter, we’ve got an idea of how they operate and their coming’s and going’s. We still don’t know who their financial backer is, but we have a few ideas. Justice, do you have your notes to share?”
“Yeah,” I pull out the folder that I had sitting in my lap and pass out the stapled packet with everything I’ve been able to find and see for myself. “In here is all of the information Kid has told you about and more. I have known associates from other states, and countries. They are small time, but with a big backer, which means they’re fixing to grow by leaps and bounds if we don’t put a stop to them. I have all the confidence in the world that we can end them before they grow in power and strength.”
My men are in this meeting with us, we took a vote and agreed that if they’re going to assist us, we need there to not be any secrets or unshared plans. Riptide is studying the paperwork as if it’s a puzzle that needs to be solved. This is what he does, what he was specially trained for outside of interrogation.
“There’s something missing,” he mutters as he continuously scans.
“He’s right, this is too much of a coincidence to have this many players in one field. Something’s off, they’re either playing these groups against each other, or these one-time enemies have joined forces, but my gut is telling me they don’t know about one another,” Walker adds.
“I’ll get a hold of Cardozo and see what he knows. He may want to meet in person, would you like me to set it up?” I question Kid.
“Yes, but include Ryder and me in that meeting, I don’t want to get any information second-hand from this point on. I want to be in on any meetings or scouting that happens moving forward.”
“You got it,” I answer. He nods his head in acknowledgement. We continue on with the meeting and do some planning. We need more intel before we just jump in, this is where Cardozo and his men are going to come into play. I just hope bringing Lizzie’s dad in on this isn’t a mistake. I don’t want my brothers owing my father-in-law a damn thing. I also don’t want him to hold anything over my wife’s head, like he’s done to her for her entire life.
I won’t allow him to continue to plague her life with his controlling ways. “You set up a meeting for as soon as possible, for now this meeting is adjourned but be ready at a moment’s notice if we need to call another.” Kid bangs his hand on the table dismissing us. Kid and Ryder stay in the room with Malibu. I walk out with the others and see Kassi, Kaci, Skylar, Sadie and my woman sitting around laughing.
I’m entranced by the breathtaking vision of her head thrown back, her profile is just as exquisite as everything else about her is. When she tilts her head back down, she turns, and our eyes connect. She shyly smiles in my direction, and I briskly walk in her direction. I hear the whip sound from behind me and shoot the finger over my shoulder and keep moving forward towards my intended destination…my entire world.
“Hey, baby.” Her voice comes out gruff and charms me straightaway. She’s like a siren who’s enchanted me to her. I lean down and kiss her, not caring who’s witnessing my display of affection. “Love you,” she sighs, causing bumps to develop on my skin.
“Love you too, my beautiful, sexy wife.”
“There’s that golden tongue again.” When she says this all the women break down in laughter.
“Girl, we all know about that, don’t we ladies?” Skylar asks the group.
“Sure do,” Kaci affirms.
“Hmmm…these men know just want to say to get inside your panties,” Kassi declares.
“Isn’t that the damn truth,” Sadie acknowledges.
“Whatever ladies, I’ve got a call to make, just wanted to see my woman first.” I lean down kissing her forehead. “See you in a bit.” I start walking away, as I do I hear Skylar’s smart-assed mouth running.
“See ya later, luv bug,” I don’t know how Ryd
er deals with her. She keeps him running in circles never knowing which direction is the correct one. He reminds me of a dog, always chasing his tail.
“Cardozo,” Lizzie’s father answers the call.
“It’s Justice, need to talk to you. Can we set up a meet?”
“If it isn’t my wayward son-in-law, no pleasantries before we get down to business?”
“This is important, I don’t have time for how are you’s.” This man gets on my fucking last nerve. I’m still sore at the things I’ve learned from Lizzie and his treatment of her.
“Fine, bring my daughter, her mother misses her. See you at five pm this evening, plan on staying for dinner.” He disconnects the call. I hate being given orders by him and expected to follow like he’s snapping his fingers and I’m to obey his every command. Fuck him! I’ll give my woman the option and she can make the final decision on if she wants to come and sit at the same table as that asshole.
I walk in and search for Kid. He’s still in the meeting room and the door is shut so I knock on it. “Kid, got a meeting set up with Cardozo,” I announce.
“C’mon in,” he hollers back. I walk in the door and see several rolls of blue prints laid out on the table. “These were dropped off at my place last night by the chief.”
“What are they?” I inquire.
“Blue prints to their warehouses and compound,” he answers my question.
“It’s good to have friends in high places,” I comment.
“That it is,” Ryder agrees.
“Cardozo has agreed to meet tonight at five pm. He expects me and Lizzie to stay for dinner.”
“Summoned by the in-laws?” Malibu inquires.
“Seems that way,” I respond, “but it’s ultimately up to Lizzie. I won’t force her to be in their company if she doesn’t want to.”
“She’s close to her mom and sisters, she’ll wanna go,” Kid reminds me.
“Unfortunately,” I reply, “not really lookin’ forward to sittin’ across from him and pretending I like him.”
“Maybe not, but we need him in this so do your best,” Ryder states in amusement.
“I know we need him,” I mutter under my breath. “Doesn’t mean I’ll like it.”
“Understandable, but we all do what we gotta do for the club,” Kid proclaims.
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it, guys. But you all owe me one, or twenty.”
Lizzie
Justice has been behind closed doors for a while now. I decide to run upstairs and jump into the shower. When I get to my room, I see my phone on the nightstand and realize it’s lit up. I walk over and swipe the screen to see what notification I have received.
Father: Your young man needs a meeting tonight. We expect the two of you to join us for dinner. Your mother and sisters miss you.
I sigh, I miss my mother and sisters, but having to deal with him is not my top priority. But, if that’s the only way I can peacefully visit my family, I’ll do what I have to do. I take a deep breath and reply to his text message.
Me: I will be there, father.
I know I have to take my father with a grain of salt. Now, I need to mentally prepare myself to deal with him and pray that Justice doesn’t leap across the table and strangle him to death. I’ve only shared tid-bits with Justice about my childhood.
I fear for my family if he is to learn about the basement and how it was used to put me in my place when I disobeyed or spoke out of turn. He knows that I was a foreign concept in my home. My opinions and feelings didn’t matter…still don’t, and that I was controlled in every aspect of my life.
The things he doesn’t know as of yet, need to stay as far away from him as possible. One, I don’t want him looking at me with any pity. Two, I want him to get to know my mother and sisters without the judgement of them sitting back and not standing up for me. He’d never understand why they couldn’t.
He won’t understand that they did help me in the only ways they knew how without becoming the brunt of my father’s punishments. Just because they didn’t get as much punishment as I did, doesn’t mean they weren’t under the lens of his microscope as much as I was.
It was just different, their punishments weren’t the same as mine, Father was always imaginative when it came to showing his displeasure in us. He knew that I couldn’t handle solitude, which is why the basement became my form of torture.
The more creative he was, the happier he became. I don’t know why he hates us as much as he does, but he at least pretends we matter in the public eye. We always looked forward to having company, it’s the only time we felt human—wanted. Our family dynamics are so much different from those I’ve witnessed here, but it’s all I’ve ever known. I need to take notice of how everyone here works, and try to insert that bond into mine and Justice’s relationship. I don’t want him to ever feel left out, or wishing he had what everyone else does.
I hop in the shower, I shave, wash and condition my hair and exfoliate my face and skin. I’m not sure how long I’ve been in here for, but when I get out, dry off and wrap a towel around my hair and one that’s fastened around my chest. I’m not paying attention to the bedroom as I walk over to the closet to look for what I’m going to wear this evening.
“I take it you’ve heard from one of your parents?” I jump and scream.
“Shit, you scared the ever-loving crud out of me,” I state, with my hand over my chest.
“Is that right?” he snickers. “Crud, are we getting prepared for no cussing already?”
“I guess so, I didn’t even realize I was doing it. You know how my parents feel about inappropriate language, especially at the dinner table.”
“You do know your father cusses like a sailor, right?”
“Never in the house, at least not in front of us or our mother,” I state as I shrug my shoulders.
“What would happen to one of you if you were to slip?”
“I’m not sure about now that we’re grown and married, but none of us have ever felt courageous enough to try and see what would happen, Justice. But, you be yourself, I like you just the way you are, and my family will just have to deal.”
“That’s good, because I won’t change anything about myself for anyone. Ever. So, it’s a damn good thing you like me just the way I am.”
“I love you, Justice. I enjoy your filthy mouth, your devotion, shit, I appreciate everything about you. You wouldn’t be the man I’ve fallen in love with if not. Keep doing you, and who cares what anyone else thinks. Judgmental people can kiss our asses. We just need to keep being ourselves and if someone else can’t stand beside us, understand us, or not want to talk their shit about us, that’s on them and something they’ll be called out on eventually.”
“You sound like you’ve had practice,” I can hear the curiosity in his tone.
“I know when you were in school you witnessed the mean girls club?”
“Sure, I saw how catty bitches can be.”
“Exactly,” I state nonchalantly.
“Does it ever get better for you women the older you get?”
“It can, depends on someone’s maturity level and if they’re willing to not follow a leader and have a mind and thoughts of their own.”
“Followers are pussies, it’s crazy to not like someone because someone else doesn’t. That’s childish and they need to go back to kindergarten and relearn respect and manners.”
“Some don’t have backbones and have to hide behind others. I actually feel sorry for them, it means they have no self-esteem and weren’t taught to appreciate themselves.”
“You’re too good, beautiful. I don’t see hair pulling in your future.”
“You’d be surprised what I’m capable of. Especially if I’m pushed into a corner. I may look naïve and skittish. But I have been known to scratch an eye out.”
“I’ve seen a feisty side of you,” he teases me.
“I can be feisty outside of the bedroom, don’t doubt my mad skills, Justice.�
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“Never,” he says, getting up and walking over to me where I’ve stayed stationary by the bedroom closet as we’ve had this conversation.
“Good,” I whisper as he closes in on me.
“Give me those lips, beautiful. I’ve gotta get in the shower and shave and shit.”
“Literally shit, or other things you need to do?” I inquire, don’t ask me why I wanna know this. I couldn’t honestly answer that question.
“Shit, shower, shave…same routine as always. Lips.” I lift up on the tip of my toes and pucker out my lips. He pulls the towel off of my head and throws it on the ground. He grabs a hold of the back of my neck and fists my hair. He’s talented that way. “Lips,” he growls as he leans down and slams his down on mine. When he pulls back, I’m breathless. “I’m not dressing up in somethin’ stupid,” he avows as he walks towards the bathroom door.
“Yourself, Justice. Just be yourself…I personally prefer the tight jeans that snug your luscious ass.” He wiggles his hips at me before he shuts the door.
I like it when my man is in a playful mood.
Fourteen
Lizzie
As we head towards my parents’ house, I bite the inside of my cheek. I know I should be excited, especially getting to see my sisters, but I’m always hesitant when it comes to being in the same place as my father. I sound like a broken record, even to myself, but I can’t help the things that go through my mind.
I feel Justice as he places his hand on my knee as we’re stopped at a stop light. He gently taps it letting me know he feels my tension. I’m not trying to upset him in any way, shape or form, but I can’t help the tightness of my body and chest. I place my head between his shoulder blades and squeeze his waist. Kid, Ryder and Malibu are with us which makes me feel better. I know they’ll be able to hold Justice back if Father pisses him off. At the same time, I grasp that they will not be there at dinner and it will all lay on my shoulders to keep him feeling balanced and in control of his emotions.
Faithfully Devoted: Rage Ryders Templeton Page 11