Corps Security: The Series

by Harper Sloan

  “Holy shit, what happened to you?” I praise. At least it should have sounded like a praise, but it came out more like a weak whimper.

  He gives a soft laugh, which just makes all those lickable muscles clench. I want to lick them so badly. “You talking about the ink or the body? Hit a growth spell, grew a little. Work out hard. My body is my protection so I can’t slack. Nothing much has changed.”

  He has got to be joking, “Nothing much has changed?” I echo him. “You look like you gained fifty or more pounds of solid muscle, maybe a few inches, because I do not remember you looking like that. And yeah, well . . . the tattoos are definitely new.”

  “Things change when you go from a kid to a man, Izzy. I’m still me.”

  “I don’t know about that. And you’re right. Things change. You might be you, but I am damn sure not the me I was.” I dig deep to collect my thoughts—and my brain off the floor. “I don’t have anything to wear and I would like to get ready to go home now.” There, that should close the conversation up real quick.

  “Yeah, avoid. Got it. Dresser—grab some sweats and a new tee. I’ll meet you downstairs.” He is so quick that I don’t have a second to turn as he whips the sheet off, displaying his body completely and rendering me even more speechless.

  Not much changed, my ass. Looks like his few inches weren’t just in his height. With heavy steps and a tense body, he walks into his closet and slams the door. I run to the dresser and then enter the bathroom to get dressed.

  Thirty minutes later, I make my way down the long hall and stairs, searching for the kitchen. It shouldn’t be too difficult, but this house is huge, and judging by the smells, breakfast is cooking. I make a few wrong turns and only find more empty space. He must have just moved in last weekend; there is absolutely nothing here.

  Rounding the corner, I finally walk into the kitchen. Axel is standing next to the island stove flipping some bacon. The eggs are already dished off to the side and some orange juice fills in a cup next to the stool.

  “Sit and eat. Greg and the gang should be here within the hour.” He leaves no room for argument, just gives me a cold stare and throws some bacon on my plate before fixing himself some food, and leaning his hip against the island, and digging in.

  We sit like that, in silence, while we finish up. He doesn’t even look at me. Not one time does he even glance my way. I should be comforted by this but I would be lying if I said it doesn’t bother me that he is able to turn everything off. Try as I might, having him this close to me again is messing with my mind. I just want to run into his arms and let everything just wash away, forget the world.

  Clearing my throat, I break the silence. “So, what happens now? I would really like to go home.”

  “Told you last night, we would discuss where to go with everyone else. You will go home when we figure out what happens next. Don’t take this lightly, Iz. We might not know why he sent that, but it was for a reason. My job is to find out why and what kind of threat, if any, it holds on you.”

  “Hmph . . .” I’m beyond frustrated. All I want to do is go home and hide from my problems—and from Axel. The last thing I want is for him to be a permanent fixture in my life. I just have to hope Greg and Dee can keep quiet about everything else they know that Axel doesn’t.

  I am still silently stressing over what would happen if Axel finds out everything else when a door slams and heavy steps echo throughout the house. If Axel’s relaxed body language hadn’t stayed the same, I might be concerned. This must be the cavalry arriving.

  “Yo, Reid. Where you at?” voice one booms through the house.

  “I’m fucking starved, Coop. Reid better have some food this time,” voice two says.

  “Too early for this shit. My head is still swimming from being up all night buried balls deep in Jasmine. Or was it Jane? Judy?” voice three grumbles.

  “Shut up, asshole.” Greg—I’d know that voice anywhere. I look up when Axel slams his plate into the sink and gives a hard look to the open doorway.

  It is the soft giggling after Greg’s voice that has me snapping my head up and staring right along with him. Dee? What is she doing here?

  Dee pushes through first and immediately rushes over to wrap her slim arms around me. “You okay?”

  “I will be. I just want to leave.”

  “Soon, Iz. You have to trust these guys. I know that won’t be easy but they know what they’re doing,” she whispers in my ear.

  “How are you even here? Didn’t Greg take you home last night?”

  She pulls back and looks away, but not before I catch the blush that dances across her skin. What the hell is that about?

  “You two done with your female shit? We need to talk.”

  I look up to Axel’s stormy green eyes and frown. “Remember this little tea party was your idea. Don’t get a stick up your ass because you got your demands answered.”

  The group behind me lets out a few manly grunts, either in humor or shock that I would snap at the bear. I look over at this testosterone-driven group, avoiding Greg’s face but not missing the small upturn of his lips. Coop and Beck are doing their best to not laugh while Locke looks like he has better things to do, but I don’t miss the mirth dancing in his dark eyes.

  “Shut up, Izzy. This isn’t a fucking game. Locke, you find out where the ex is?”

  “Yeah, California, business convention or some shit. The chippie secretary told me he left out Wednesday afternoon with his new girlfriend. Doesn’t seem to have a care in the world.”

  “What?” I ask, “Really, he can’t sign the divorce papers but he can keep his bed warm?” No one answers me, but then again, an answer isn’t really needed.

  “Coop, background check back?” Axel continues.

  “Clean. Few parking tickets but nothing serious. Looks like he had some issues with fighting in high school but wasn’t anything past college. Credit card debt sitting at a nice 65K.” He looks over at me with sympathy before continuing. “Escorts, there was some small gambling, but most of it is racked up in escorts and some local strip joints.”

  That throws me for a loop. As much of an asshole Brandon was, he was always there and always controlling. How did I not even know about this side of him?

  “Beck, anything?” Axel asks, his tone harsher than before.

  “Not much. Talked to a few people who will do more digging for me locally. If it’s there, I will find it.”

  What? “What are you talking about?” I direct my question to Beck, figuring my luck for an answer would be better with him.

  “Nothing, sugar. Nothing for you to worry about.” He has a smile on his face, but it isn’t masking the seriousness in his posture.

  “Ah, no. This is my life and I don’t want to be kept in the dark. Do not expect me to be okay with you just brushing me off.” My temper is starting to rise, and even though I know these men mean well, I can’t stand not knowing and not having just a little control.

  “Izzy, look at me,” Axel says. “Trust me to take care of this and not burden you with the unnecessary issues. I promise not to keep important information from you.”

  “NO, Axel. You want me to just let you play this white knight role with no issues? What the fuck ever. Too late for that shit. The only reason I’m here right now is because YOU wouldn’t take me home last night. I’m not stupid, and I recognize that you are the best to figure out this situation, but I won’t go at it blind. Every damn step, I want to know everything or I will go at it alone.” I’m right up in his space, jamming my finger in his chest with as much strength as I can throw into that small jab.

  Rubbing his chest and stepping away, he says, “Jesus Christ, you are a pain in my ass. Beck is checking with some local cops to see what they know about Brandon. Nothing for you to worry about. Pulling a few favors and asking some locals to keep an eye on his goings.”

  “And what are you expecting to find?” I ask, not sure I like where this is going.

  “Not sure
yet. With the money and the women, my guess would be drugs or at least something like that. I want every play I have in my hands before I go chat with this fucker.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? Why would you go talk to him?”

  Dee reaches over and grabs my hand. For the first time since this conversation started, I remember she is there.

  “You want a divorce and you want him to leave you alone, right?” he asks.

  “I think that would be pretty obvious.”

  “Well, I talk and get you your divorce and also ensure he leaves you alone. Pretty simple.”

  “I don’t think so. I go through my lawyers for that, not you.” The last thing I want is for Brandon and Axel to be around each other. I had a few pictures of Axel when Brandon and I first started dating. He might look different now, but it wouldn’t take Brandon much to realize who he was, and that would not end well.

  “We’ll see, Izzy. Leave it alone for now.” He gives me another hard look before brushing me off and looking back over to the group standing in the kitchen. “Greg, tell me about the set-up at her house.”

  “Full system with every upgrade. There is no getting into her house without her wanting you there . . . when she sets the damn thing.” The last part is said with its usual frustration over me never remembering to set the alarm when I am home.

  “Damn it, look at me, Izzy.” I look back into his eyes. “I’m going to let that slide, for now, and only because this shit just started, but from now on, you set it. When you leave, when you come, when you are there, it is fully armed. No questions.”

  “Whatever . . .” I mumble. I know he’s right. Doesn’t mean I have to be nice about it.

  The conversation continues around me. Axel dishes out more duties and they talk about the next step in getting Brandon out of my life. It seems to be agreed upon that I need to push stronger on the divorce and see if that can’t end the connection. I have been pushing as strongly as I can, so that gets tossed out quickly. Finally, Axel says that someone needs to personally go talk to Brandon about signing.

  “No, not happening,” I say, cutting off Beck, who is about to reply to Axel. “Let the lawyers handle this. I’m not asking for anything. The only thing I need is for him to sign.”

  “Baby girl, he hasn’t signed in six months. What makes you think he will just automatically wake up in the morning and sign?” Greg asks.

  “Shut up, Greg,” I spit back at him.

  He flinches but recovers quickly.

  “I’m serious, Axel. You are not going to talk to him.” I hold his eyes until he breaks contact and looks over at Maddox.

  “Fine,” he spits out before looking over at Maddox. “Book a flight and go visit this asshole. Get the fucking signature. Whatever you need to do, and take Coop with you.” He looks back at me and, with an arrogant tone, asks, “Is that okay with you, Princess?”

  “I hate you,” I spit back at him, earning me a laugh.

  God, this is going to be a nightmare.

  I look over at Dee and motion her over. Time to find out why she is here.

  “Well . . . spill,” I whisper in her ear.

  “Nothing to spill,” she says with a bright blush sparkling her cheeks. “Beck and I had some fun last night. No big deal.”

  I knew it! “Oh, we will be talking about this later. I can’t believe you, Dee! Do you even know anything about him?”

  “Come on, Iz. It was just some fun—not going to happen again. He is one of those anti-relationship men. Fine by me. I was just looking to let out some stress anyway. And you need to let up on these guys. They aren’t the enemy, Izzy. Please let them do their jobs.” She lets out a huff of exasperation before walking back over to the group and throwing in some suggestions.

  What in the hell is going on?

  CHAPTER 12

  It’s been a little over two months since Axel barged in on me at the tattoo parlor. Two months of his constant hovering and throwing his demanding bullshit in my face. I am sick of it; he’s been annoying me every single day. Nothing else has happened with Brandon, and the biggest shock of all was getting a call Friday morning telling me that he signed. I am officially a divorced woman.

  Finally.

  Maddox and Zeke, or ‘Locke and Coop’ if you ask the men, went back to visit Brandon Monday. They came back and said that they had no issues and Brandon seemed nice enough, agreeing he needed to sign the papers. Agreeing? What a joke. I don’t know what they did to push this along, but I am thrilled it is over.

  Maddox and Beck have become pretty permanent fixtures at Dee’s and my house. Beck is there for obvious reasons, and they all start and end with Dee. Little hussy. Maddox and I have struck up an odd friendship. I can tell he doesn’t let people in often, but for some reason he chose to let me past his stoic exterior. For whatever reason, he seems to need the friendship as much as I do. I am starting to learn all his moods, and he can tell right when I need a good calm-down. Bottom line, he is a good friend and a wonderful distraction. Plus, having him around as the ‘protector’ is the perfect excuse for why I don’t need Axel around.

  Greg and I haven’t spoken much since his role in the ‘Axel abduction.’ I miss him but I can’t seem to be in the same room without flipping my shit all over him. He, out of everyone, knew why I was avoiding Axel but decided to take matters into his own hands. Deep down I know he meant well, but I’m not ready to forget how easy he turned on me. Having Maddox around has another plus when it comes to Greg; Maddox doesn’t play well with others, even his ‘brothers.’ If I get upset, Maddox turns into a grizzly. I have been so used to only having Dee and Greg that it is almost refreshing to have another person I can trust in my life.

  It is Saturday morning, and November is in full Georgia force, and we have a nice cold, rainy day on our hands. I call Maddox to see if he wants to come over and watch some football, drink some beer, and celebrate my newfound singlehood. Dee has already been to the store and bought a cake, streamers, and freaking balloons. I think she might be more excited than I am. I haven’t heard from Axel since earlier in the week when he called to let me know he was going to be out of town and to let him know if anything happened. No chance in that.

  Maddox shows up early in the afternoon with one of his rare smiles in place. Dee lets him in and he wastes no time coming to congratulate me.

  “Hey, girl. Happy?” Leave it to him. All it takes is those three words for me to let the water works flow.

  “Oh. My. God.” I get out between broken sobs. “It’s over, Mad. Can you believe it? The last eight years of my life are done with just one signature. Freedom. Do you know how long I prayed to be free from Brandon?”

  “Yeah, I get you, girl. No more worries.” He wraps his strong arms around me and just lets me let it out. Tears of relief, joy, and maybe a whole lot of shock.

  I don’t know how long we just sit there. Words aren’t necessary because he just gets it. He knows I need to let this out in order to move on and completely let the pain of my marriage die. After I am done using his shoulder as a tissue, I look up and meet his normal blank face, expecting to find annoyance but instead get a smirk before he throws his head back and laughs. That is another Maddox moment that doesn’t happen often.

  “Girl, you look like a drowned raccoon. All that black shit you chicks use is all over your face. Go clean up before I’m forced to call animal control to come take your ass.”

  I throw a pillow off the couch in his face before leaving the living room and going to clean myself up. I hear him click the TV on and the game day broadcast takes over the silence. Walking into the hallway, I almost jump out of my skin when I nearly collide with a damp-faced Dee.

  “He really is a big softy under that ‘don’t touch me’ vibe, isn’t he?” she asks.

  “Don’t let him hear you say that, but yeah. He’s been great these last few weeks.”

  “I’m so happy this is over. I know I haven’t been around much, but you know I’m here
if you need me.” She looks so guilty, and even thought I know she means well, it breaks my heart.

  “Dee, don’t you dare feel bad about having a life. I’m good, really. I feel good and I haven’t been alone. Mad’s been around and Coop comes sometimes. Plus you’re here . . . even if it’s holed up in your room shaking the walls with Beck.” I walk away leaving her red faced but laughing.

  “Love you, you stupid bitch!” she yells after me.

  The alarm has beeped a few times while I was in the bathroom getting cleaned up, signaling that someone has opened and shut the front door a few times. Assuming that it is either Beck or Coop, I just brush it off and continue to get ready. I throw off my yoga pants and tank, switching them out for some worn jeans and my favorite University of Georgia tee—game day gear, a must for any Georgia fan. My face is clear of all black tracks under my eyes and down my cheeks from my crying fit earlier. I am just pulling up my long hair in a ponytail when a deep voice clears his throat behind me, causing me to jump about a mile out of my body.

  “Baby girl, can we please talk?”

  “Not if you plan on dragging me down, Greg. Today is not the day to do this. We’re celebrating.”

  “Izzy, you know how much it hurt to hear the asshole finally signed from Locke? He’s known you a few months and you tell him first? Every step of the way, Izzy, I’ve been here for everything and you didn’t even call me.”

  “Okay, you want to do this? Fine. I am pissed, Greg. You went behind my back and called him. You not only called him but you might as well have thrown a fucking bat signal into the air and beamed his ass right into the shop. How could you? How fucking could you?”

  He bows his head and lets out a long sigh. “Do you know what it’s like to sit back and watch someone you love turn into themself? You were headed back to that fucked-up hole you always push yourself in. Don’t think I did that lightly, Izzy. Not for one second. You avoided talking about shit to me and Dee and ran around God’s green earth to stay busy enough so you didn’t have to deal with the shit in your life. We were worried. Worried about that shit Brandon was pulling, but mostly worried about how you were handling Axel showing back up. Don’t think I didn’t know the real reason you ran. And you know as well as I do, if I hadn’t forced your hand, you would still be running today.”