by Lake, Rae B.
“Under the tree.” Mack finishes clearly.
It feels like every one of the syllables coming out of his mouth slams right into my gut. Under the tree? Prez is dead?
“He’s gone? Dead?” I lean over, trying to keep from throwing up. When I look at Mack, and he nods his head in confirmation, I break down.
Tears I’ve been holding in roll down my face. I expected to be unwanted by my family, but I didn’t expect my family not to be here.
“Who else?”
“Mikki,” Clean continues, “my son.” His voice cracks on the last word.
My eyes pop up to his, and I fall to my knees. The pain of hearing he had lost a baby is almost fucking unbearable.
What the hell have I missed? I should’ve been here to help them grieve. I should have been here to help them fight. The guilt is eating me up.
“Wire and Ryder both went nomad. Keeley left Wire. Devin is with the Boys of Djinn. Nothing is like it used to be. We no longer are crossed over with the Spawns, and Eve’s Fury are only associates.” Clean brings me up to date. I know that no matter what I tell them, it would never be enough to have them trust me. That is why Clean looks how he looks. There is no way for me to come back.
Clean got all the information he could from me about what was going on with my brother. I was as detailed as I could be. I told him what his plan was and what we had come across on the long journey to get here. He seemed to accept what I said but didn’t say anything about what he was going to do with me as a traitor until it was time for everyone to sleep.
“The Juric people will be here in two days. At least, that’s what Sven told me. We don’t have the same connections with them now Keeley is no longer with us. You are not to leave the property for any reason.”
I glare at Clean, “What the fuck does that mean? Am I your prisoner or some shit?”
He is almost deadly calm. “Yes, if you try to take one fucking step out of this compound, I will shoot you like a dog. If you walk around without an escort, I will shoot you like a dog. If you do anything, I don’t fucking like. You’re, dead, like a dog.”
I almost smile for a second when I realize he’s serious. Clean would shoot me if I moved the wrong way. He didn't let me come here to make amends; he let me come here because he wanted to catch an enemy. I could respect it, though. At least I know what is what.
"So, what happens when the Spawns or Vale show up because you know they will?”
"I hope so." He grins and turns to go back into church, where his room is.
"I wish it were better news for you, but we just can't trust you and anyone we can't trust is a fucking enemy." Ink says, and then he walks up to me and puts cuffs on my wrists.
"This is bullshit. What the fuck is wrong with you people? He did everything you wanted him to do. You don't know what family is. You think you do, but you're nothing more than a bunch of men claiming to be something you're not. I've seen murderous gangs with a better idea of what a family is." She screams at Ink, and Mack holds her back so that she can't strike out at him.
"Fuck you. You don't know shit about our family or us."
I turn my head to the voice and watch as Mack takes a step in that direction, putting one hand up and letting Duo go in the process.
"You're right. I know nothing about your family, but the fact is this man is probably the best of it, and you’re treating him like he is a fucking criminal.”
Maven walks quickly into my line of vision and right up into Duo's face.
"Maven!" Clean comes from out of the back room and calls for his woman, a woman I don't recognize.
Her hair is brown. All her piercings are gone. Her eyes are dull, and her body is frail as if she hasn't eaten in weeks. This isn't the same woman I'd known all my life. My cousin is broken. They broke her while I was away, and it looks like she hasn't been able to find her way back yet.
"You think you know anything about what we’ve been through? About what his brother put us through?"
"Yes, I think I have a fucking idea." Duo stares my cousin down. The woman isn't afraid of confrontation.
"Storm is a traitor. He went against his family in a time we needed him the most."
Duo moves closer to Maven, the both of them just inches from being chest to chest. "And all of you chased him down like he was an enemy of the state when he needed you most. Do you know what he's been going through? Do you know what he's been trying to keep from happening while you’ve all been here wallowing in your self-pity and hatred?'
"Duo, no." I try to keep her from pressing the issue any further. I know my cousin, and she isn't afraid to cut a bitch. The way she is looking at Duo, I'm almost sure the knife will come out soon.
"You don't know what we’ve been through." Maven repeats.
"You're right, sweetheart, but what did you expect Storm to do? Honestly. Would you sit back and let them blow your brother’s head off? Would you just stand by? Would you pull the trigger?
"That’s completely different." Maven looks over to Mack. Everyone here knows the truth. There’s no way she would do something like that. Mack was her life before all of this.
"How? You put him up against his twin brother. The same man who fed him when he was starving. Helped him up when he skinned his knees. Probably the one who helped him with his first girlfriend."
"Negative," I whisper under my breath, and she swings her hand to hit me in the shoulder without turning around to look at me. I was always a ladies’ man. There was nothing Vale could ever teach me.
"You gave him an impossible choice and then got upset when he chose his family. What the fuck is wrong with you?" Duo steps back from Maven, her point made. There was no other option for me the second they told me I would have to kill my brother.
Maven looks at her again and then back to her brother. She must be thinking about what’s going to happen later, not that it would change anything. If she doesn't want to add her two cents in, then she won't. There is nothing anyone could say that would change her mind.
"Let's go." Ink pulls me away from the scene, and Duo runs along right behind me.
"No, you can stay in a separate room." Ink tries to push her away.
"Fuck that. There’s no way I'm staying anywhere that isn't with Storm. You motherfuckers are crazy and stupid to boot. I need to be with someone who has some sense." She grabs hold of my hand, and Mack just nods his head at Ink, giving him the ok. It is a novel feeling seeing the quiet one becoming someone in a seat of power.
They shove me into my old room and take the cuffs off. Though it's been a while since I've been here, I'm so fucking grateful.
"There will be someone outside this door no matter what time of day it is. Don't do anything stupid, Storm. I promise you won't fucking survive, you understand?" He warns and slams the door in my face before I have a chance to answer.
There’s no place like home, I guess, even if everyone in the place wants to kill you.
Silence fills the room as I come to grips with the fact that it’s going to take a lot for my brothers to see me as anything more than an enemy. At least we are safe. At least she’s safe.
Duo looks at me for a second before she goes to the corner and just sits down. You would never fucking guess that a few hours ago, we were slammed against a dirty trailer screwing the hell out of each other. Instead, she’s acting like we are strangers.
"So, what do you think will happen when Vale gets here?"
Filler conversation. I’m trying not to talk about that shit. Next, she is going to start talking about the fucking weather.
"I don't really care. You going to act as if nothing happened between us?" I ask. I may not have a lot of time left on this planet, and I'll be fucking damned if I start holding my tongue now.
"What are you talking about? Nothing happened."
Now it's my turn for my eyebrows to go up to my hairline, "Oh, no, really? Well, I must have fucking imagined it when your cunt clamped like a fucking bear trap on my dick."
"Yeah, it happened, and I want to know why you’re acting like it didn't." I move closer to her. Now we are safe and aren't running or looking over our shoulders every fifteen seconds, searching for enemies, I can focus on the woman who forced me to see my brother is the real enemy.
"Duo, this shit is happening whether you want to admit it or not. I personally don't think I'm going to let you deny it, though." I take another step in her direction.
"What are you going to do, force me to be your woman? That is not how this shit works, Storm. You fucking kidnapped me. I should hate your fucking guts." She snarls at me.
"Oh my little, dewdrop, if you want to hate me, please do that. It'll only make things that much hotter when I feel you around me again." I play with her and push her against the wall letting my hands trail down the sides of her tight nipples, feeling the way she squirms against me.
"What the fuck did you just call me?" One of her eyebrows rises high, and she stares at me, waiting for me to answer.
I think back on the words. I wasn't expecting to give her a nickname, but it makes sense, "Dewdrop," I quickly push my hand against her pussy, and even through the material of her leggings, I can feel how damp she is. "You’re always just a little bit wet for me."
She smiles and bites her lip, "You cocky son of a bitch." A look of disbelief crosses her face, and she relaxes a bit.
"I only speak the truth. You should know that by now. Tell me, you trying to say you’re not wet for me right now? That you don't want me to give you more of what I let you get a taste of before? Is that what you’re saying?"
"What makes you think I’d want a second helping of what you gave me before? That was all just fucking emotion and nerves. There’s no one trying to kidnap me this time." She raises her chin, trying to make it seem like she isn't as affected by me as I am her. I know it's bullshit. I can feel it, and I know this shit isn't one way.
I grab her neck and put a little pressure on it, not enough to scare her. Just enough to let her know even if I am this nice person she’s trying to make everyone see, there’s still a savage underneath it all who knows when something is his. I don't play well with others when it comes to what’s mine.
"I'm going to ask you again, you trying to tell me you don't want anymore?" My words are low, and the arrogant smile she wore drops off her face, and she tries to force her way up to my lip. I hold her just barely away.
"No, I don't think so. You tell me. Tell me you want this as much as I do. I wouldn't want to get this shit confused again."
"Fuck you, Storm, yes. I want it. I want you. I need it." She grinds against me, and I can't hold her back anymore. I may talk a big game, but I want her probably worse than she wants me.
I attack her mouth like a fucking animal and pull at her clothing. She’s the same way with me and strips me out of my shirt and pants as fast as she can. Our teeth crash together as we claw and scratch at each other. We fall to the small bed, and I’m finally able to worship her body. I take her shirt and leggings off and undo her bra. Her nipples are dark brown and pebbled like hard little rocks as her chest heaves up and down with each breath. I lean down and take one of them in my mouth and suck on it like it holds the elixir of life.
"Oh fuck, Storm." She sways her hips from side to side, trying to get lower and closer to my cock, already tenting the front of my boxer briefs. A small damp spot blooms where the head of my cock rests, precum dripping out of my slit. Fuck I’ve never wanted someone as intensely as I want her. I don't fucking know what it is about her. I just can't get enough.
She grabs a handful of my hair and yanks me up painfully.
"Ahh, fuck!" I bark and snatch her hands out of my hair. I lock them down to the bed with my hand and put a hand on her throat.
She gasps but doesn't move my hand. "Stop playing with me, fuck me, Storm. Fuck me." She stares at me, the hypnotic effect of her blue and hazel eyes almost fucking compelling me to do exactly what she wants. I want to do so much more with her, but I know she can't wait any longer. I kick my underwear off, and before they even fall to the floor, I'm pushing myself to the hilt in her. She moans a deep guttural sound, and her body twitches as I fill her up.
“My god. Oh my fucking god." She cries.
"It's ok?" I ask as I feel how tight she is around me. I know she may still be sore from what she went through earlier.
"Perfect. You're fucking perfect." She grabs my sides and latches on with her legs around my waist. I piston into her, and within a few minutes, I can feel her body growing taut.
"Storm, fuck yes!" She screams and slams her hands down on the bed as her knees lock against my waist, and she comes gloriously on my cock.
I growl like a fucking beast and push on the front of her stomach. My entire brain is only focused on one thing, and that is to release as far inside of her as I can.
She whimpers in bliss as her body starts to relax, coming down from the high of the orgasm I’d just gave her. It isn't enough. She deserves to be in a state of bliss at all times. I get a grip on my own needs and quickly pull my dick out of her cunt.
I flip her over to her stomach like she's a rag doll and Duo squeals at the sudden movement.
"Storm, what the fuck are you doing?" She laughs and tries to right herself, but I move too fast as I lift her legs so the front of her thighs are on my shoulders and her juicy pussy is in my face. She smells like me mixed with fucking candy. Sweet and so fucking irresistible. I hold her up, and my tongue dives into her pussy as she is forced to do a handstand on the bed.
"Oh fuck!" She screams as I furiously lap at her clit. I want her to be speaking in fucking tongues when I'm done with her. Her legs flail at the sides of my head until I can lock them down with my arms. Her hips buck and move away from my mouth as I suck and bite her.
"Storm, fuck. What the hell?" Her cunt pulses and I shove the tip of my tongue deep into her pussy, licking at her walls until she explodes, and I have to swallow the cum that drips into my mouth. She is dragging in huge lungfuls of air, but I'm not done with her. I drop her legs from my shoulders, and she bounces on the bed. Before her body can settle, I grab her hips, pull her up and plunge my aching cock back into her still spasming pussy.
"Fuck!" She screams and shoves her face into the sheets on my bed. I love the way her heart-shaped ass ripples and bounces off my cock with every thrust. I raise my hand and smack one cheek hard enough to get her to turn around and growl at me. I love that shit. I want to see her savage too. I know she has it in her. It's probably what calls to me so deeply.
She pushes herself back on my cock, fucking me just as hard as I’m fucking her. Her tight pussy squeezes me and pulls everything I have out. My head falls forward as my body begins to clench with what feels like a huge cramp. I'm fucking her to exhaustion. I don't give a fuck if my muscles tear themselves from my bones. I want what's mine. Mine. She's all fucking mine.
"Storm, I love this so much. Oh god, I love it." She lets her head fall back down, and there is a deep arch in her back. That, along with the rippling of her ass and the way she is moaning my name, is more than I can bear. My thrusts stutter as I feel the first spark shoot through me, then pulse after pulse of pure fucking ecstasy rushes through me. I press into her hard. I’m pretty sure I'm bruising my pelvis, but I don’t give a fuck.
She collapses to the mattress, and I follow right behind her. My body jerks as the end of my orgasm rips through me.
I lay there for a second and feel the mess we made rolling down the side of my leg, but I don't care. When I roll to the side, Duo makes her way to my chest. I don't care about anything besides the woman in my arms and the things I’d do to make sure she is protected.
The Juric family is due to show up in one day. I have no idea what the plan is, but I know once they see her, they should call the hit off me. At least, I
hope so, or they could just open fire and kill me right there on the spot. You never know with these Croats.
Clean meant what he said. I’m not allowed to go anywhere on my own. When I go to the shower to wash my ass, someone is sitting outside the door making sure I don’t use up too much fucking water.
I sit at the bar. The only other person out of their room is Pope. He’s doing a few domestic things around the clubhouse. I don't understand what the fuck is going on. It’s as if everyone here is living out their jail term. Everyone is in complete solitary. Alone.
The family isn't on track at all, and I have no idea what I can do to get everyone back to where they need to be or if that’s even my job. I know they don't trust me as a brother, but does that mean they won't ever see me as a fucking friend again?
"Am I allowed to have a drink?" I ask the hefty man behind the bar. He isn't what I would call fat, but he is thicker around the waist than anyone in the club.
"Sure, man." He pulls out a beer and pushes it in my direction. "Looks like you've been all around lately." He says as he continues to wipe down the bar and the area around it.
"Yeah, unfortunately, it's not as glamorous as it sounds.” I take a swig of the brew and just relax in the conversation.
"I heard you made your way to Puerto Rico."
"Yeah, Vale thought Vado and his boys would give us asylum, and if you bastards weren't so fucking thorough in your search, shit would have been just fine. But no, you gotta go be perfect and shit." I knew they would find us. I just didn't think they would find us as quickly as they did in Puerto Rico.
"Well, you did abandon your patch. What did you expect us to do, just let you run around with the enemy?"
"No, of course not. I'm surprised you let me sit here in this clubhouse after all the shit Vale and I pulled. I was sure I’d be a dead man by now." I shrug and take another swallow.
"Don't think it won't happen. We just need you alive for a little while longer." Ink warns from behind me as he walks up to the bar and sits down with a stool separating us.