Corps Security: The Series

by Harper Sloan

  Heavy’s is packed by the time we get there. Saturday is normally a big night for them, but tonight they are slammed. Maddox and Greg got here before us and held a table. We talked Emmy into joining us, so by the time everyone arrives, we are already getting loud and rowdy.

  We are sitting in the back corner, all eight of us squished around a small table. Food and beer are littering every surface. We have been laughing and having a good time for the last two hours. Once dinner is over, Axel pulls me into his lap and starts whispering all sorts of naughty things he plans to do to me later in my ear. I am trying to pay attention to the friends around us, but the only thing I can think of is getting back to the house.

  “What the fuck?” I hear Dee gasp over the rock music pumping through the bar.

  I have to work at clearing my mind. Between Axel lust and the beer, I wasn’t following her sudden change of mood.

  She is staring across the room, where Beck and Coop are at the bar getting the newest pitchers of beer. Coop is flirting with the bartender, but Beck currently has his tongue shoved down the mouth of what we liked to call a Heavy Slut. Bar regular and downright trash. This wasn’t normal Beck-style either. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this is about getting under Dee’s skin.

  “That stupid little fucker. I hope his dick rots off!” she yells in my ear. Axel starts shaking with laughter before I elbow him in the ribs. I give him a hard look before studying Dee. Now that the alcohol has loosened her up, I can see that, under the anger, there is hurt. Something happened between her and Beck.

  Before I can open my mouth and ask her what is going on, she is on her feet and across the bar.

  “Uh oh, looks like drama is about to start flying!” Greg yells across the table from his corner next to Maddox and Emmy, who is wide eyed and a little intimidated by our rambunctious group. “What’s her issue, Iz?” he asks.

  “No clue. She wouldn’t talk about it. I thought they had been spending time together?”

  “Not since last weekend. I don’t know the details, but he showed up at my place pissed as fuck and itching for a fight.”

  We all watch as Dee walks up to the bar and grabs the Heavy Slut by the roots of her badly dyed blonde hair, pulling her from Beck’s hold. I can’t hear the words but her face looks horrible. I don’t think I have ever seen hatred like that coming from my little ball of joy.

  What the fuck?

  I make a move to get off Axel’s lap and go help but he tightens his arms around my waist.

  “No.”

  One word but no bend. He isn’t going to let me wade in.

  “Ax, I have to.”

  “No. Not your fight. They need to work this shit out themselves.”

  We watch for a few more seconds. To my fascination, Dee throws all her strength into a move that would make any badass proud. She pulls her hand out farther and literally throws this woman across the room. I think everyone at the table is shocked, but then she jumps in Beck’s face, giving a few stabs of her finger to his chest and a lot of words before he gives her a feral smile. She cocks her head to the side and shrieks loudly when he jumps forward and throws her over his shoulder.

  Before anyone can blink, they are out the door.

  “What the hell just happened?” I ask.

  “Oh my God!” Emmy gasps.

  Maddox is silent, but Greg barks out a loud laugh.

  “Princess, that’s what happens when shit festers and bitches act like bitches.” I turn on Axel and give him a hard glare. He pulls both his arms from my body and holds them up in surrender.

  “Shut up. Is she going to be okay?” I ask, all joking aside.

  “Yeah, baby. My guess is she will just be well fucked in the morning.”

  “I’ll second that,” Coop says when he slides into the seat Dee left. “That was some crazy shit. Who knew that little Miss Cheerleader had it in her!”

  All the guys laugh, but I can’t help my worry that Dee might be in over her head with Beck.

  The night continues with more beer, great food, and a lot of laughter. Even Emmy starts to come out of her shell a little, yet with one look at Maddox, she is right back in there. Axel started rubbing his hands up my legs thirty minutes ago, and I am about to come out of my skin.

  “You almost ready, Princess?” he ask against my neck, biting the skin softly before letting me turn my head. “If you say no, I can’t be held responsible for my actions. I’m so fucking hard right now I’m ready to throw you down on the table and take you in front of everyone.”

  And blast off.

  “Let’s go.”

  He smiles and we quickly say our goodbyes before heading home.

  We didn’t make it two steps into the house before he had me against the wall and screaming in pleasure.

  CHAPTER 19

  Oh God. I throw my head into the pillow and moan loudly. My stomach lurches when I feel Axel move next to me.

  “You okay?” he questions, rubbing his hand down my naked back.

  I shake my head. That does nothing but make my stomach protest.

  “You didn’t drink that much, baby. What’s got you upset?”

  “Stomach,” I croak.

  Oh shit. I jump out of bed, and run naked across the room, and slam myself onto the floor in front of the toilet. Everything from last night comes rushing up. I feel Axel come behind me and gather my hair before pressing a cold cloth to my neck.

  “Just let it out, Princess. I knew all that BBQ was going to bite you in the ass.”

  “Shut up,” I grumble before letting out a few more heaves. There is nothing left in my body but my stomach is still in knots. Just the thought of all the food I consumed last night causes more heaving to rush up the back of my throat.

  Axel stays with me until I feel well enough to get up. I brush my teeth and let Axel carry me back to bed.

  “Better?” he asks, the worry clearly dancing over his face.

  “Yeah, I’m okay. I guess stuffing the last two plates in my mouth last night wasn’t the wisest decision, huh?”

  He offers me a weak smile before kissing my forehead and standing from the bed. For the first time in months, the sight of his naked body doesn’t immediately make me want to jump him. No, not today.

  “Let’s try some toast, okay?” he asks. I can tell he is about to crawl out of his skin. He is so concerned something is wrong.

  “I’m okay, baby. Just ate something wrong last night. I’m good.” I offer him a weak smile before pressing my face into his pillow and pulling in his scent. My nerves calm instantly.

  He stands there next to the bed for a few minutes to make sure I’m okay before walking off. I hear him rummaging through the dresser, assumingly to get dress.

  “Be right back, Princess.”

  “Okay,” I mumble, already falling back to sleep.

  Axel returns after a couple minutes carrying a tray with dry toast and ginger ale. He smiles shyly at me when I look up at him.

  “God, I love you.” I say.

  “Love you too, Princess. How’s the stomach?”

  “Better. At least it isn’t protesting the sight of food.”

  We sit there for a while and I slowly eat the breakfast. Everything seems to be staying down and I see the concern start to leave Axel’s eyes.

  “What’s your plan for today?” he questions, clicking the channel over to the local news.

  “Not much. Just catching up on some clients that needed a few things.” I actually planned to finish wrapping up his presents, but he doesn’t need to know that.

  “I need to tell you something and I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”

  I don’t like the sound of that at all. I put the tray on the table next to the bed and shift to look at him.

  “Okay . . . I’m listening?” I can already tell I won’t be happy by the way he keeps looking at me with dread. “Axel?” I prompt.

  “Okay. So I want you to remember that everything I do is to protect you
. Got that?”

  I nod my head, narrowing my eyes.

  “Right. So I’ve had the guys keeping tabs on that fuckwad for a while now. So far, we haven’t had an inch to go on until last week when Locke finally found some irregularities in the company reports.” I go to interrupt him but he just shakes his head. “Do not ask me how we got those. You don’t need to know the particulars. Anyway, he’s been combing over those reports day and night and finally put it all together. Deep, baby. He’s been pulling thousands—I’m talking hundreds of thousands—right out from under the old man’s nose. Two days ago, Locke followed that trail right into Brandon’s pockets. Long story short, Locke sent a nice care package to dear old dad outlining and showcasing all the evidence. The last thing I heard from my inside guy was that old man went balls-to-the-fucking-wall mad. Police were called in and warrants sworn out for Brandon.” He studies my face, looking for any sign of displeasure with him for disregarding my wish to just let it all be. He won’t find any. As upset that I am at him for keeping his thumb on Brandon, I know why he did it—respect it even.

  “And . . .” I add. “I know there is more, Axel, or you wouldn’t be sharing.” My tone is neutral but my body is wound tight.

  “I had a guy on him. Not one of our men, but one who I know and trust. Brandon, at this moment, is unaccounted for. Police are looking for him. The boys are looking for him. I’m looking for him. He won’t hide from me. Hear me now, baby, I will find that fucking shit. But I need you to be safe. Stick close this week, okay? I know you aren’t happy about this, but it needed to be done.”

  I reach out and grab his hand, giving him a small squeeze. “I understand. I’m not mad. A little upset maybe, but I understand where you’re coming from. If I’m honest, I don’t think I would feel safe knowing he was floating around there.” I give him a small smile, noticing that the worry lines have left his face.

  “I’ll find him.” A threat. There will be no mercy from this man if he gets his hands on Brandon.

  I snuggle into his side, and we spend the rest of the morning in our bed watching TV and just enjoying being together.

  The rest of the day passes uneventfully. Housework and catching up on some of the things I have put off throughout the week.

  I have been calling Dee all day but so far haven’t heard from her. Axel tells me to leave it be for the day. Chances are she isn’t able to come to the phone anyway. He tries to call Beck when I wouldn’t leave him alone but just gets voicemail. With a smile and a shrug of his shoulder, we go about the day. I decide to take his advice and just let her call me when she is ready.

  I am still not feeling back to normal, so the night ends with us watching movies in bed before drifting off to sleep.

  Monday morning starts off much like the morning before. Axel gives me a kiss before the sun is even up and tells me that he needs to go into the office for a few hours but will be back for lunch.

  Rolling over slowly, I try to calm my stomach but am unsuccessful and dashing off for the bathroom a few minutes later. I spend the next thirty minutes dry heaving into the toilet before I am able to crawl back to bed. I drift off to a restless sleep not long after my head hits the pillow.

  I jolt awake when a chill climbs up my spine. Throwing off the covers, I run down the hallway and stairs before crashing into the office. Pulling up my calendar, I start doing some math in my head. It doesn’t take me long before I am dropping heavily into my desk chair.

  Holy shit. It can’t be.

  I sit there staring out the window above my desk, watching the trees sway in the breeze and the water down by the lake ripple with the wind. It makes sense. That was been the week after the attack at my house. I remember taking my pill every day like clockwork but I was also been taking some heavy antibiotics.

  Holy shit. I drop my forehead on the desk for a few minutes and allow myself a few seconds to freak out.

  I pick up the phone on my desk and try calling Dee again but have no luck. It is still early, so I leave a message for her to call me as soon as possible. I disconnect the call before picking the phone up again and calling my doctor, making an appointment for a few hours from now.

  On shaking legs, I make the climb back up the stairs and quickly get ready. I don’t even bother with my hair or makeup. I just throw on some jeans and a sweatshirt before dashing out the door.

  I make it to the doctor by 9:30 and quickly sign in. I don’t have to wait long before my name is being called. I go through the motions with the nurse and then sit, wait, and silently freak out.

  An hour later, it’s confirmed.

  I’m pregnant.

  Holy shit, I’m pregnant.

  “When was your last menstrual cycle, Ms. West?” the older man asks.

  “Um . . . I don’t know. I think it was October, maybe early November?” I have no clue. I’m still in shock. “I don’t remember. I’m sorry,” I mumble lamely.

  “That’s all right, dear. Let’s go down to the ultrasound room and take a look, okay?”

  I don’t answer him. I just follow behind him as he guides me into a dimly lit room.

  “This is Jane. She is going to do your ultrasound, dear. We can talk when she finishes up.” He offers a kind smile before stepping out of the room.

  I turn my shocked gaze to Jane. She looks like Nurse Hatchet.

  “Undress from the waist down. Sheet goes over your legs. I’ll be right back.” And then she’s gone.

  I follow her instructions and sit gingerly on the edge of the exam table. My heart feels like it is going to pop right out of my chest. I have no idea how Axel is going to handle this. Besides the brief discussion by the docks that day, we haven’t discussed children. I knew he was still having issues with the loss of our first child, the child he didn’t know about until recently, but this is different.

  This is our fresh start. This is our new beginning. I place my hands over my stomach protectively.

  A baby. We are going to have a baby. I allow myself a small smile but slip my hands from my stomach when a brief knock sounds and Jane walks back in.

  She rolls a condom over the probe and asks me to spread my legs. I blanch but do as she asks. After one awkward, slow thrust, I look over at the monitor and stare in fascination as the tiny, grainy dot appears.

  “Well, there you go,” she says, and for the first time, she sounds almost sweet. “That dot there is the fetus. Looks like you are about five, almost six weeks along, which puts your due date at August 3rd.” She prints off a small picture of the baby blob and hands it over into my shocked fingers.

  I quickly get dressed, not once taking my eyes off the picture of our baby.

  Our baby. As I stand there in the middle of the ultrasound room, the biggest sense of peace settles around me. Axel and I are going to have a baby and I can’t wait to share the news. I am scared, but I know deep in my heart that he will be happy. Placing my hands back over my flat stomach, I promise to protect this little bean with everything I have.

  This baby is so loved already. The love is overflowing into my body and I am walking on cloud nine.

  Heaven. Absolute heaven. This is what it feels like to have the world.

  I get home a little before lunch, quickly hiding the ultrasound picture away until I find the perfect way to tell Axel. This has to be special. He wasn’t there the last time, never got to experience the shock and joy of learning that he was going to be a parent. I can’t wait to experience that with him this time. With only a week to go before Christmas, I know the perfect way to let him know.

  Axel gets home shortly after I do. We enjoy a nice lunch before he carries me upstairs for dessert.

  I love afternoon dessert with Axel.

  Luckily for me and my anticipation, the rest of the days before Christmas are spent with Axel trying unsuccessfully to locate Brandon. I am not focusing on that right now, because I know that tomorrow I will be sharing my news with Axel.

  It is Christmas Eve and we have decided to spend the
night in and watch old movies. I finally got ahold of Dee two days ago. She has basically disappeared since Beck carried her out of the bar. She was short and, I could tell, frustrated. We made tentative plans to exchange our gifts tomorrow, but that was all.

  I drift off to sleep with a smile on my face and butterflies in my belly. Tomorrow is the day I make one of our dreams come true.

  “Good morning, Princess, Merry Christmas,” I hear whispered lightly in my ear followed by a soft kiss behind my ear. “Time to get up. Breakfast and Santa,” he says with a smile.

  “If you’re playing Santa, can I sit on your lap first?” I reply, rolling over and rubbing my throbbing nipples against his chest.

  He lets out a groan before bringing his lips down to my own. He trails slow kisses and nips down my neck and across my collarbone and then drags his tongue across the swell of my breast before taking a painfully hard nipple into his mouth. He sucks deeply and flicks the tiny barbell with his tongue, bringing up his hand and pinching my other nipple between his fingers. I feel the sensation all over my body.

  “How ready for me are you, Princess? Is your sweet fucking pussy dripping for me yet? Begging for my dick?” He trails his hand down my stomach, and my oversensitive skin screams for the feelings only he can bring me. “Huh, Princess? Want me to make you fucking scream?

  “Oh yes, please, Axel, please . . . I need you so fucking bad,” I beg. My pussy is begging to be filled filled and fucked hard.

  “Jesus Christ, Izzy, you’re fucking soaked.” He brings his hand up and I can see my juices glistening on his fingers. He licks his fingers clean before taking his rigid flesh in his hand and rubbing it against my clit. The most exquisite shocks shoot up from my core. My womb clenches and I groan loud and shamelessly. “My girl wants my dick, doesn’t she?” he asks. I nod my head; speech is beyond me now. I can feel the claws of my climax climbing up my spine; every inch of my skin is on fire.

  I feel his broad head stretching my entrance before he gives a slow thrust, seating himself deep within me.