“Jet, how about I get those keys to you later,” as I headed out of the kitchen with Jet close behind. Evidently he didn’t want to be a party to Fin’s murder any more than I did.
“Was going to tell you congrats and you are one lucky bastard. But, man, from the fire shooting out her eyes, I should probably be giving condolences,” Jet said, stepping out the door when I opened it.
“She will see it our way. It may just take some convincing.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that when you are laying in the burn unit from getting scorched,” Jet laughed and I closed the door in his face, not a minute too soon if the raising of voices was a sign.
Fin
When I turned around from pouring my coffee, it was to see Tony walking out with Jet close behind, then I looked toward Brook and understood why. The look on her face was one of a pure pissed off woman with me the focus of her fury. What for I have no idea.
“What?” I asked.
“What? I cannot believe you ordered me to give over my keys to Jet. You spoke to me as if I was a child and couldn’t do things for myself.” With her arms crossed over her chest she glared at me, she was so cute mad. But I do know better than to say that out loud. However, I wasn’t smart enough to keep my eyes from wandering to watch her chest push up with every breath she took.
“Oh, after last night, you being a child will never enter my mind, sweetheart,” I said, finally bring my eyes back up to her face to see her still staring at me but with her lips pushed out and together. My baby was not happy.
“Ugh, you are both Neanderthals, why have I never noticed this?” She huffed and turned to the sink just as Tony walked back in.
“Hey, I didn’t say anything. Why am I getting included in his shit?” Tony frowned at her and when she spoke, she turned back around, leaning on the counter.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you didn’t say a word but sure did clear out of the room quick enough.” I smiled and Tony glared at me. Nice to know I’m not in this alone.
“Didn’t think you would appreciate Jet being present while we have a discussion about how you question one of us in front of others,” Tony moved to stand in front of Brook. “We expect you to listen to us, especially when it deals with your safety. You don’t need to be in the city, we’ve told you that. No reason the guys can’t pick up some things from your apartment and swing by your work.” Tony was right, she’d learn we would give her leeway in a lot of things, but her safety would never be one of them.
“You can be mad at us all you want, but there are going to be times we will not compromise and this is one of them,” proud I was able to keep my voice calm.
“Fine, I will call the office and have one of the receptionists have my computer ready to be picked up. And make a list of things I need from my apartment and where they are. But I will be buying new personal things because no way am I letting your guys go through my lingerie drawer and pick out my panties,” she huffed and pushed off the counter, going to the fridge and opening it.
Tony and I smiled at each other, crisis avoided it seemed.
Brooklyn
We moved in unison cleaning up the kitchen. A part of me still couldn’t believe I was with them. Well, except when I moved a certain way and my lower region reminded me. But I could admit to myself it was a pleasant reminder.
“What brought that smile to your face, baby girl?” Tony asked as though I would reveal that. Not a chance. They were already cocky enough, no doubt thinking since I gave in so easy earlier that dealing with me was going to be easy.
“Just happy my mom is getting released today,” I answered, putting the last of the dishes away and wiping the sink out.
“Yeah, we probably should get a move on it if we are going to get to the hospital before the doctor signs her release papers,” Fin said.
“Sure, I can shower in the guest bathroom while you use yours. It will save time and I already had my personal items in there,” I said while reaching up to put the last glass in the cabinet.
“No,” Fin said as his arms settled around me, pulling me back into his chest, then Tony stepped in front of me.
“No? Do one of you want to use that bathroom?” I said breathlessly as Fin’s lips traveled down my neck. Now my lady parts where tingling for another reason. First purchase, panties.
“We were interrupted earlier when Jet stopped by and I for one will settle for some watersports. How about you, Fin?” Tony said and then took my mouth, nibbling on my bottom lip until I let him gain access and I melted into him. Lost in their kisses and touches, it verily registered that I was being lifted.
When Tony’s mouth released mine, I opened my eyes to see we were halfway up the stairs and Fin was behind us. Tony didn’t stop and set me on my feet until we reached the bathroom in Fin’s bedroom.
“Need us to help you strip, sweetheart?” Fin said and turned the water on in the shower.
“Um…I said I can shower in the guest bath,” as I stood watching as he and Tony pulled their shirts over their heads. Though I’d seen them without clothes already, the sight of them still took my breath away. I figured if we did last forever, I would never grow tired of looking at them.
“Not likely. I could say it’s efficient to shower together, but considering what we are going to be doing in the shower—to you—conserving water is not tops on the list,” Fin said, kicking his pants to the side and stepping in the stall.
“You next, baby.” Tony stepped closer, waiting for me. And considering my mother didn’t raise any fools, I quickly removed my clothes and stepped in with Tony right behind me.
Watersports could turn out to be my favorite form of exercise.
Chapter Twenty
Tony
“Really, Ma, you couldn’t have called us?” I said into my phone as we stood in the hall outside of Ms. Maddie’s room.
“We didn’t want to disturb you all, so we handled it. Mike and Reese came by and they helped. You can just bring Brooklyn by Olivia’s. Madeline is all settled in her room.” I felt my patience fading, but didn’t want to upset Brooklyn any more than she was when we first got here and her mom was gone.
“Not disturb us, please, is that even possible where you are concerned?” Okay, maybe I had lost my patience.
“Watch how you talk to me. I am your mother.”
“Sorry, Ma, but damn it, a little heads-up would have been nice. We could have come by the house instead of showing up at the hospital to find that Ms. Maddie wasn’t there. It would have been less traumatic on all of us but no, we walk into a room expecting to see Ms. Maddie and get to see the new patient getting a sponge bath. There is not enough bleach in this world to wash out our eyes to get rid of the sight of a man who had to be eighty getting soaped up. Jesus, Ma.” I ran my hand over my face as Fin chuckled beside me, evidently over his mad from the experience.
“You’ll survive, Anthony. Are you bringing Brooklyn over now?”
“Yeah, as soon as we leave here. Going to check on Brant first. Later, Ma,” hanging up the phone as she said goodbye.
When I glanced at Brooklyn, her head was buried in Fin’s chest. “Ah, baby girl, your mom is fine. Ma said she was already settled in her room at Fin’s parents.”
“It’s not that…it’s…it’s.” And when she raised her head I expected to see red eyes from tears, but not our girl as she looked at us and smiled.
“It’s not what, sweetheart?” Fin asked.
“I heard Tony’s mom over the phone so I knew she was okay. I was just trying to concentrate on getting that picture out of my head.” We all laugh.
“Well, let’s go to Brant’s room and then we will take you to your mom,” Fin said, placing his hand on her back and leading to the elevators while I followed behind.
Fin
“Maybe you should go in first and make sure Brant is still in the room. My eyes can’t take another shot of someone getting a sponge bath,” Tony said as we reached Brant’s room. What we heard wh
en we pushed the door open left no doubt he was in there.
“I’m not going to a damn group home whether you find one or not!” Brant’s voice filled the room as he glared at the woman standing at the foot of his bed.
“What is going on in here?” I asked, looking between the two.
“She,” Brant pointed at the woman, “is from Social Services. They said I can’t go home so she would look into a group home for me. Fin, man, I’m not going to a group home,” Brant all but pleaded.
“Excuse me, but who are you gentlemen,” then the woman turned to Brooklyn, “and are you the mother?” she said with a hint of disgust in her tone, causing Brooklyn to open and shut her mouth in shock, wow this woman had some suppressed anger that needed to be dealt with.
“First, no she isn’t his mother,” I said and would have sworn I heard Brant say under his breath “I wish” before I continued, “Second, who are you? And Third, before you answer that question, get your attitude under check. We are not the bad guys, we are trying to help Brant get his life sorted.” Drawing her attention back to me.
“I’m Zoey Marshall from the Bronx County DSS (Department of Social Services). And you are?” Not changing her tone at all. Wow, she was a ball buster.
“Fin O’Malley. Now why is there talk about a group home?” The woman looked to Brant then back to us.
“My office was notified of his injures. The case was passed to me to investigate. I went by Brant’s home, but there is no sign of his mother. And yes, we have checked several times or I should say the police have. They even had the landlord unlock the place to check, stuffs there, well stuff is there just all broken up, anyway, there was no sign of his mother. As I was telling Brant, he cannot go back there since apparently the place has been trashed, and considering he turns eighteen tomorrow, I’m not sure how much we will be able to help. I could possibly find him a spot in a group home if one is available, at least for a few months until he finishes school. We have programs to help aging out youth, but they are more geared toward the ones coming out of foster care. He would of course be eligible for government assistance, which could help him with housing, utilities, and finding a job depending on how much he qualifies for. I really am trying to help you, Brant,” she said, looking toward him.
“Ms. Marshall, I’m Brooklyn Macaroy, you may know my mother, Madeline Macaroy from Southside Haven?” I watched the woman’s face softened at the mention of Ms. Maddie, it seemed she affected everyone she came in contact with.
“Yes, I do. And let me tell you I was sorry to hear that she was shot. How is she doing?” Suddenly her attitude was much better, surprise surprise.
“She was released today and is on the mend. I’m sure she will be back in no time. But back to Brant here. Would he be allowed to live on his own if he had a place to live and obtained employment? Employment at least part-time until he graduated?” Brook asked.
“I suppose, under the right circumstances. Did you have something in mind, Ms. Macaroy?” Tony and I both looked at Brook, her face giving away that she was in the thought process.
“Could be, but I will need to talk with my…” If she hadn’t been so serious and completing struggling in how to refer to me and Tony, I would have laughed.
“Ms. Marshall, what Brooklyn is trying to say is she will need to talk with her men. Us. Does this have to be answered today? Give us your card and we can call you if we come up with something.” Tony didn’t have a problem putting it out there and I watched Ms. Marshall when he referred to her men. The woman never lost composure or even blushed. Interesting. Unlike Brook, who was turning a nice shade of pink.
“So am I going to have to go to a group home or not?” Brant spoke.
“We will work something out, Brant. Don’t worry, okay?”
“Sure, Fin. Thanks, man. Don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have you guys.” The boy was definitely turning into a man. And a good one considering the donor oven that conceived him.
“Well, I look forward to hearing from you. It will have to be before he is released. I was told upon arrival that would be tomorrow afternoon,” Zoey said, handed her card to me and said goodbye and left.
“We have to take Brooklyn to check on her mom. I’ll be back tomorrow before they check you out. And, Brant?”
“Yeah, Fin,” he asked with an unsure voice.
“Will figure it out by then and have you set up.”
“Owe you guys. Don’t know how I will ever repay you,” he said, eyes glistening. Even Brook had tears forming in her eyes.
“Keep just being you, Brant, you are on the right track. Even if you took a short detour,” I said and smiled. Brant smiled back and I knew everything with him would be alright. Now to get our woman to her mom.
“See you tomorrow, Brant,” I said and headed toward the door after shaking the kid’s hand. Tony followed suit and when he stood, our woman who was showing us she was going to be a constant surprise, leaned over and gave Brant a hug, telling him everything was going to work out.
We walked out holding hands and didn’t care how many people did a double take as we strolled out of the hospital.
Brooklyn
“Your ma is doing great, baby girl,” Tony said as he held the car door open.
“Yes, she seems to be. I think it is having her friends around her. She said your moms settled her right in. Even went to her house and brought some of her things over and had them already in the room. I don’t know how those two get so much done.” We pulled away from Fin’s parents’ house and were headed to the gym. Fin needed to check on things and Tony had some work to do at the security office. I was going along for the ride it seemed. I told them to drop me off at the house because I knew they had been letting things go sticking close to me. That was answered with a collective “NO” and then I got informed I wouldn’t be left alone anytime soon.
“What’s on your mind? I can hear those wheels turning, sweetheart,” Fin said, glancing over at me while he drove and Tony sat in the backseat.
“I was thinking I am only going to take this week off. My mom is doing great and since she doesn’t need me to take care of her there is no sense in me just hanging around with nothing to do but run in and check on her. I can do that in the evenings when I get off from work. I could even stay at my apartment too.”
“Not happening, baby girl.”
“What?” I turned in the seat so I could see Tony and Fin.
“Like Tony said, not happening,” Fin agreed.
“I have to go back to work. I can’t be off forever.” This was getting ridiculous. “You can’t keep me tied up.”
“First, don’t mention being tied up, ‘cause we could accommodate you there. And we don’t expect you not to work, but one of the guys will take you to work and pick you up. You will not leave the office during the day.”
“Tony, that is crazy. I can take care of myself. And besides, if I am back at my apartment and can easily get back and forth, it is only a few blocks away.” I sat back, no way was I going to let them push me around.
“Here is the second thing, sweetheart," Fin looked over at me, then back at the road, “you won’t be going back to your apartment, we just got together and we want you in our bed at night. Until everything is handled, you will be there. And I can see how you are holding yourself that you are going to argue, so don’t. We aren’t trying to control you, we want you safe. You are important to us, and we realized you always have been.” At that moment it hit me that I would give these men anything and if putting their mind at ease meant I had to put up with a little inconvenience, I would.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tony
We walked into the gym to find Jet sitting behind the desk, working. The place was loud and full of activity. When Fin had first made the suggestion about coming back and taking over this place and asked if I would be interested in moving my business here, I thought he had lost his mind. Then I thought I might have lost mine when I agreed. Mike had been a
slightly harder sell, but he caved and Fin’s other brothers followed. His plan all along. It had worked out beautifully. Because if he hadn’t made this plan, we wouldn’t have been here for Ms. Maddie, and we wouldn’t have connected with Brooklyn.
As I followed her and Fin in the direction of Jet, I watched her walk with more confidence than she had when we first went for her. She’d had no clue how she affected us, fuck, how she affected most men. She’d been pretty as a teen but as a full grown woman, she was gorgeous with her long brown hair, blue eyes, and she was tiny compared to Fin and I. But the woman didn’t know it as she saddled up to the desk that when she passed, every guys’ eyes in the gym cut to her. Fin and I were lucky bastards.
“Hey, how did you get stuck behind the desk?” I heard Fin ask, tuning me back in.
“I finished my workout and Sean asked if I could hang for a few, he had a client ask for him over at the shop. No big deal, man, I can work anywhere,” Jet said, gathering up the papers he had spread across the desk and shoving them in a folder.
“Wait!” Brook yelled and put her hand on the photo so Jet wouldn’t move it to the folder.
“What is it, baby?” I asked and looked down when she moved her hand to see the blow up photo of the tat on Ms. Maddie’s shooter.
“Whose tattoo is that?” She pointed at the photo.
“Not sure, we think it could be someone connected to the shooting at Southside Haven.” I looked at Fin and Jet and shook my head. No way were we going to tell her this guy was the one to shoot her mom and had been by the house to deliver a message.
Vengeance: MMA/Ink Romance (KO Ink Book 1) Page 16