Con only told me to get my things and I followed him out to his bike? I didn’t want to ride behind him, but Rebel and Shine explained they had ol’ ladies and no other bitches could ride behind them on their bikes. I knew this but thought I could talk my way around it. I should take offense to being thrown in with the name bitch, but I don’t. I understand it all. Katie and Gracie explained it all and I understand that it shows respect to their women, and I would never disrespect Katie and Gracie, but it infuriates me that Con always gets his way.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy having my arms around Con and riding behind him. Having my body so close to Con’s was torture but I just tried to block out how his body felt to my touch. The ride may have taken a shorter time than walking, but my body was not tortured near as much. Con was his normal stiff bodied self. He would like me to believe that his body does not react to me, but his breathing is a dead giveaway. I may not know a lot about being with a man, but the attraction was undeniable and every time we went through the small towns and stopped at stop signs and red lights he would grab my leg in a caress. Did I mention this ride was torture on my body, I also didn’t miss the looks that Shine and Rebel, were giving Con.

I thought we would be going to Tyler, but we stopped outside the bunker in Winnsboro. It seems like forever since I snuck out the window here. That brings my thoughts back to everything I heard this morning. It’s like I shut it out until this very minute. I just can’t wrap my mind around it. I need to talk to Charity. I know the two of us together can decide what is true and what is not. First, I need to find out from Brody how Charity is and what I need to share with her. I know Charity will be mad if I don’t share everything, but Charity and the baby’s health comes first. I will not fall back into the habit of letting Charity take care of me. I don’t want anyone taking care of me. I will learn to stand on my own two feet and help others along the way.

I take the helmet off that Con had given me to wear before the ride and hand it back to Con and then I get off the bike. My legs feel like rubber and my body is still alive with the warm feeling that comes from being so close to Con. Con gets off the bike with an ease that I am jealous of. I wish I had the enjoyment of being on the back of a bike more often.

Shine and Rebel get off their bikes and walk over to us. I have a million things that I could ask questions about, but I know they would not be welcome questions right now, so I hold my tongue. Con is standing looking at me and Shine and Rebel are staring at him.

“It’s time, Con. Take care of it before Charity and Brody contact Faith. That’s going to be a cry fest and you do not want to be in the middle of it. I am positive there will be wedding plans added to that. We have work to do and I am calling church for tonight, but we need to talk to Cap before then and discuss how to handle Zig Zag and hear him out. Get it settled right the first time.” Shine says with little emotion. Sometimes I wonder if Shine even sees other women. Women are talked about by him, never to, unless it is Lil or Katie. Seems strange but kinda sweet all rolled into one. I don’t think I am a favorite person of his. I still think Katie is a lucky woman to have a man so devoted to her and their unborn child. Brody is the same way with Charity, and even Rebel as rough around the edges that he can be is a big softy when he looks at Gracie. I hope to have that one day. Someday.

“Faith, you and I are going to my room to settle this shit between us. I am going to talk, and you are going to listen, and then you are going to do as you are told, and don’t think I have forgotten that I am going to redden your ass for taking off like you did.” Con is in full asshole mode. I can’t believe this man pushes me to the edge of my control. Sometimes I just want to get an ice pick and stab him in the eye and watch him squirm. He is talking to the wrong woman. I will not let any man control me. I start to turn and huff off like a pouting child but Con catches me and lifts me over his shoulder and smacks my ass. I jerk in surprise, but it is not pain I feel. I feel my face turning red and my panties getting wet. I hear Rebel and Shine laughing as Con jerks the door open and walks us through the bunker. He stops in front of Lil, Cap, Chief, and Katie. “Where’s my room this time?” That’s when I start yelling.

“Let me the hell down, now. You can’t boss me around and tell me what to do. I am not your woman. I don’t even like you.” Chief and Cap keep eyeing each other and then I see Lil’s face and it seems sad. The spark is gone from her eyes. I need to give her a hug. “I promise I will have the talk in your room if you just let me down, so I can talk for a minute.”

“Don’t lie to me Faith, or the consequences will be severe.” I have so much to say to that but right now Lil is more important and then I see Katie’s face and her face is tight and she has worry in her eyes. This is the first time I have ever seen Katie without at least a smile on her face. Something is wrong, big time. I hope I did not worry them. Con sets me on my feet and I get my balance and I go to Lil and stand in front of her and open my arms and take a small step towards her and then she comes into my arms. I hug her with everything that I am. I open my arm up wider and Katie joins us in our hug. “I don’t know what it is, but it will be alright. We can work through it together.” I whisper in Lil’s ear and she starts softly crying. Katie and I fold our arms around Lil and send her the love we have for her through a hug. It’s only a minute before Cap steps up to us.

“Ladies, I need my woman, it’s time for a talk that is way overdue.” Both Katie and I move back, and I see that Chief has gone to another table across the room. Cap takes Lil by the hand and they walk out of the main room and towards the private rooms. I look at Katie and she just shakes her head no, so I don’t ask. I turn back towards Con.

“Let’s get this talk done.” I don’t want to do this, but it looks like it is happening none the less.

“How did you know?” Con asks me.

“Lil’s eyes tell the story of her heart and I don’t know what is wrong, I just know Lil is hurting and I wanted her to know we love her.” Yes, I have come to love these people. Lil is like the ma I wished I had growing up. The ma I would want for my sisters. She has a big heart full of love to give and I wish it was us she had given it to because she has plenty to share with everyone. I want to take that pain out of her eyes and replace it with the happiness she shares with everyone every day.

“Thank you, she needed to see someone cared and I wish I could be there for her. We’ve always had a close bond, but this is something that Cap and Lil, are going to need to work on alone. It’s no one’s place to interfere, it’s not that I don’t care, but just like you are mine, Lil is Cap’s and they will get through it. Now let’s get our shit squared away because this place will be running over by night time.” Con looks around and then straight at Katie.

“Am I in the same room?” Con ask her.

“Yes, and everything is cleaned already. We are going to start on dinner soon, so if when you are finished talking, would you like to help, Faith? It looks like Lil may be gone a while and I need to let Shine know what I found out at my doctor appointment today.” Katie has a happy look, no, an elated look in her eyes. She is going to share good news with Shine and it is about time someone has some good news.

“I will be out,” that’s as far as I get.

“Katie, this may take a while but expect to hear smacks on her ass.” Katie bursts out laughing and then she looks at me sheepishly.

“I’m sorry Faith, but I can’t wait for Shine to get to rub it in Con’s face that you are carrying Con’s balls around in your purse. It’s all I heard for the first six months we were married. In fact, I still hear it from time to time.” I smile at Katie, but she has the wrong idea, and I start to correct her but Con once again shows what an ass he can be.

“No one owns my balls but me Katie, but I will be sure and let Shine know you are thinking about the welfare of my balls.” That stops Katie from smiling. Shine walks up behind Katie and puts his arms around her growing belly bump.

“Don’t worry Katie Bug, I know the only man’s balls you are worried about are mine. That’s why it is my name that I hear you moaning when I am cock deep inside of you.” Katie turns three shades of red, but she turns and takes Shine into a hug and then gives him a lingering kiss that Shine fully takes advantage of.

“You two get a room, I don’t want to see you suck face with my new sister-in-law.” Con laughs as he says it. He has a real love for these two and this is the side of him I like to see, when he lets his guard down and shows his emotions. “Come on Faith.” Con takes my hand in his and leads the way. I don’t say a word. I am too shocked by this small sign of Con being nice to me. I am staring at our hands entwined and I like the feeling it gives me. I am getting dizzy from Con’s change in moods. I never know where I stand with this man.