I FIND EVERYONE in the kitchen. Harrison is rooting through the fridge, complaining that there’s nothing in it, when Max walks in. He has his right-hand man with him and Brody on his left. I move to Jared’s left, and Howard moves to his right while everyone else hovers around us. Max isn’t old, but he’s way older than anyone in this room. Probably easily double my age. He’s greying in the sides of his dark hair, and his beard is more grey than black. In all that though, he still looks a fearsome motherfucker, and would probably be quite a handy guy in a fight. He’s built, like most wolves, but he’s about a head shorter than me. So when he curls his lip and asks what the fuck was so important that he had to rush over, I fold my arms and tilt my head to take in the cheeky shit. But Jared doesn’t miss a beat.
‘I didn’t fly half my fucking pack here to get comfy in your guesthouse. I want this done and fucking dusted so I can take my pack and my female home, you feel me?’
Max doesn’t reply, just nods to his guy who puts a folder on the table to my right. I open it and see pictures and information that we requested before we left home. Good. There are traffic camera stills of car registrations and pics at fuel pumps, over the period of time we asked for. I pull a map from the same folder. Good. They’ve given me everything I’d asked for so far.
‘I want pins and a blank wall or corkboard—whatever you have. I need my equipment setting up in the same place, and I need those plug adaptor thingy’s because all my shit has three prongs.’
Brody looks at me for a minute and then answers. ‘I have a pretty decent set-up if you want to use that?’ I look at Jared who gives me an ‘okay, if you want’ look. I don’t really. It’s better with my own kit, but I guess by the time I’ve downloaded all the software for here I could be well on with my work.
‘Okay, I’ll have a look, but if it’s shit, I’ll be setting up my own,’ I tell him. He nods enthusiastically.
‘Yeah, sure.’
Jared sits at the table and takes the pictures from the folder and spreads them out, growling when he see’s the she-bitch, Devon’s mother.
‘When was she last seen?’ he asks Max,
‘This morning. We have eyes on her. As soon as you called, we searched and found her regularly visiting the store there and the gas station. She drives the black SUV.’ He points to the different pictures.
‘This is good intel. You do all this?’ I ask Brody, who grins.
‘Yeah, like I said, I have a pretty decent setup. Are you ready to go?’
I shake my head. Not until Jared gives the order. I watch as he sifts through the stuff and looks over to Max,
‘Have you seen all this?’ Max shakes his head no.
‘I left Brody to do it. If it isn’t up to standard you can take it up with him,’ he says almost dismissively. I feel Jared tense and watch as Brody’s grin turns into a thin flat line of disappointment.
‘You’re the fucking alpha. If it’s not up to par, it’ll be you I take it up with.’
Max stiffens at Jared’s hard tone, but Jared doesn’t bat a fucking eyelid. We may be on this guy’s turf, but there is no question who is the stronger alpha. None. Max stands no fucking chance. And Jared doesn’t like his attitude, that much is obvious. ‘Did your father not teach you manners, Max?’ Jared asks folding his arms over his chest. Max puffs his chest out.
‘How dare you speak to me like you aren’t some prissy little kid half my age? I could have spit ten of you out of the end of my cock—show me some fucking respect.’
Jared goes toe to toe with him and curls his lip.
‘Respect is earned motherfucker and you ain’t done shit to earn mine. Someone comes on my pack land, and I’m sure as shit there to meet them. And if another pack requires my fucking help, I’m sure as shit gonna oversee it— not blame someone else if it’s not fucking good enough?’
I see the minute he submits. He tries like all hell not to show it, but he may as well lie down, belly up because every other fucker in the room sees it too. He grins and slaps Jared on the shoulder in a playful way like a friend would. Jared’s wall of muscle doesn’t move a fucking millimetre, and he doesn’t smile, making Max quake for a second more.
‘Just fooling with you, my friend.’
Not fucking funny, idiot.
‘Well, I’ve got funny and sexy all covered,’ I tell him, hoping to bring the atmosphere down a peg. It does a bit, and he laughs, offering to take a select few across to Brody’s home for the security set up. Jared gives the nod, and I follow Brody, with Howard at my side. We walk back around the big house and down two houses before Brody stops. He looks apprehensive.
‘Everything okay?’ I ask.
He plasters that smile back on his face and nods as he opens the door. We walk into an open plan living room and kitchen. It’s nice. Behind the counter is a woman who I assume is his mother. She has her back to us but turns when she hears us. I hear Howard growl before I can really take in what’s wrong. She’s tidying away broken crockery, and one eye is so swollen, it’s closed. Her lip is split, and she has a cut on her forehead. It’s recent too because she hasn’t healed yet. Howard moves to the woman and turns her face as she tries to move away. Then he moves up on Brody so fast I don’t see it coming. He has him by the front of his shirt and slides him up the wall with ease. Brody’s hands come out to ward him off, but the woman starts to scream at Howard to let her son go. It all happens so fast.
‘You beat on your mother?’ Howard growls out.
‘No, no, never. It’s not me. I swear I wouldn’t.’ During the mother’s screams and Brody’s pleading, another young woman walks in, and she gets right in Howard’s face.
‘Put my brother down right now, or I will cut your motherfucking balls off,’ she tells him. I can’t help him. I’m bent over, holding my stomach. It’s hurting so bad from the laughter, which I’m trying to keep locked down. This brave bitch has a knife to Howard’s meat and veg, and all he can do is gawk. He’s so fucking shocked. He even lets go. Brody slides down the wall to his feet, and the first thing he does is subdue his sister’s knife hand.
‘Jesus, Willow. What the fuck?’
She releases the knife and moves away. I look at her then—she also has a black eye and is walking like she’s in pain. Jesus.
‘Who is taking their temper out on you?’ I ask, and watch as all three sets of eyes roll downward to the floor.
‘Car accident,’ the older woman says.
‘Right,’ Howard answers, ‘Head on collision with an oncoming fist?’
‘None of your business anyway,’ she says again. Howard mumbles something I don’t quite catch, and Brody uses the lull in conversation to walk us through the back of the kitchen and to his room. Howard is like a fucking raging bull though and won’t let go.
‘Who the fuck is beating on those women?’
Again Brody’s head goes down. ‘It’s not me, okay?’
‘Gathered that when your sister had to come to your rescue,’ Howard snarls. ‘What kinda man lets that happen in his house, huh?’ Howard has seen red, and there is nothing I can fucking do about it. I try and get myself between them, but it’s no good.
‘Do you think I stand by and let that happen? What do you take me for?’
‘A fucking coward,’ Howard growls back. Shit.
‘Howard, how about you give him some room so he can answer your questions?’
Brody breathes a sigh of relief when Howard steps out of his face and backs up a step more. His hands go to his knees, and he breathes deeply before he speaks again.
‘Look, I’ve intervened before, and it only makes things worse.’
‘Worse than seeing your mamma and sister all busted up? Worse for who? You?’
‘Please, can you just forget you’ve seen any of this?’
Howard moves before I can stop him and his fist crunches into Brody’s jaw, knocking him sideways. He slides down the wall at a funny angle and lands on his front. He’s out. Fuck me.
‘Jeez, Howard. You really know how to make friends,’ I tell him as I sit the guy up, making sure he hasn’t swallowed his own tongue.
‘Fuck you—he’s a prick.’
‘You’re being all fucking judgy as usual, and you know zero fucking facts.’
‘Black eyes and broken bones. Fact.’
‘Is it a fact that poor Brody here did that?’ He cracks his neck. ‘No,’ I answer for him. ‘Is it a fact he’s probably swallowed his front teeth. Yup, I’m guessing we can count on that as fact,’ I say, opening his mouth to find two broken teeth. ‘You need to get your dick wet my friend, then maybe you’ll lighten up.’ I slap Brody around the face, and he comes to. His eyes dilate, and he springs up and whacks me right on the chin.
Motherfucker! ‘What the fuck was that for? I know I’m pretty but no need to be jealous!’ I tell him with a grin. He barely hurt me. I like the kid—he has something about him, so I let it slide. He’s got his back to the wall and his fists up, ready to take us on. I turn away and sit at his desk, giving Howard a look. He turns away from Brody and perches on the desk. Then just as I think the shit has passed. He opens his fucking mouth again.
‘You and me ain’t done,’ he tells him. For Christ sake. I look at him and give him the stink eye.
‘You wanna wait out front? I’m good in here?’ Howard huffs at me but takes his leave, so now I can get down to business. Brody gets me logged in, and I’m up and running—in my element. He’s a little wet behind the ears, but he’s not got a bad system. I could definitely teach him a thing or two, but he’s off to a good start. I’m scanning through page after page of data.
‘I have tried to stop it, you know,’ he starts to say, and I believe him. No one wants to see their family go through that. Then I hear him take in a breath, and I know he’s crying. I fucking know it, and I don’t want to turn around. I grit my teeth and scrunch my eyes tight. Don’t do it. Don’t fucking turn around. ‘He nearly killed her because I stopped him, and they made me watch.’
‘Who?’ Howard chimes in from the door.
‘Shit,’ Brody mumbles. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘I’ve got what I need,’ I announce. ‘But I’ll be back, okay?’ I turn and walk to the door, which Howard is currently filling with his sullen ass. ‘Let’s go.’ We walk back to the house. Brody is rubbing at his jaw and keeps fiddling with his teeth.
‘Never lost a tooth before huh?’ He shakes his head. ‘Adds to the appeal. Chicks love a hard ass,’ I tell him, winking.
‘No chance of a chick looking at me,’ he says, making me screw up my face,
‘Why the fuck not? You’re not a eunuch are you?’ I laugh
‘May as well be,’ he tells me and I’m about to ask more, but we get to the kitchen and find Jared and the lads all discussing a plan—my favourite thing. He looks up as we enter.
‘You get anything more?’ I shake my head.
‘Boy did good, though,’ I tell Jared, slapping Brody on the back. Jared takes him in, assessing his bruised face, but says nothing on the subject.
‘We’re going to be taking shifts and getting some sleep. We’re heading out around four a.m.. Be ready. You’re not on guard duty tonight,’ he tells me. ‘Brody?’ Jared questions.
He turns and looks at Jared.
‘You’re coming too.’
‘Yes, sir. I’ll be here.’ I hear a few chuckles around the table, but Jared quietens them with his hand.
‘Just call me fucking Jared. Not sir.’ he pulls a face. ‘Four a.m.. Don’t be late.’
‘I won’t, s…Jared,’ he says, heading out of the door. Jared turns to us both.
‘Who hit him?’
‘That’d be him, sir!’ I mock stepping to the side and pointing at Howard like a little kid telling tales. They both tell me to go fuck myself. I laugh loud as I walk up the stairs. I need some sleep.
I get to the room I left Maiya in and realise I haven’t sorted anything else out, so I’ll just have to hole up in here for tonight. If she is still mad at me, well, life’s a bitch. She’ll have to suck it up.
I find her lying on the bed.
‘Thought you’d be asleep by now?’
‘No, I’m always buzzed and full of energy after… you know.’ She waves her hand in a circle like that’s supposed to help me fathom the unknown. Then the penny drops. She usually has blood in the morning. But she needs it more now on account of the baby. And she’d had it just before I went out, so she will be hyped. No sleep yet, I guess.
‘So no T.V., huh?’
‘Nope, just the four walls and whatever the fuck that picture is over there?’ I look to where she’s pointing. It’s a copy of ‘Edvard Munch’s’ Scream. Just what you want to wake up to. ‘Gives me the creeps. To be honest, this whole place does.’ Maybe her being pissed at me is forgotten. Good. I’m not about to remind her.
‘What do you wanna do then? You can’t sit looking at the walls all night and doesn’t look like I’m getting any beauty sleep, does it? Don’t say it…I know I don’t need any—my black ass is fine enough already!’
She laughs, and the sound makes the air in my lungs lock the fuck up, leaving me breathless and aching. I rub at it as her big blues roll my way. Her head tilts to the side, and she gives me a cute-as-fuck smile. Her hair falls into her face, and I want to push it back behind her ear. I clench my hands into fists instead, knowing I can’t touch her like that again. My phone rings, snapping me right out of the haze I’m in. I look right at her as I answer.
‘Doc?’
She curls up, wrapping her arms around her knees and puts her forehead to the top of them.
‘Every test is clear,’ he says and hangs up. Fucking wanker. Just then Maiya peeks up over her forearm. I debate if I can have a play with her. I know I shouldn’t, but… Ah, fuck it.
‘Okay, doc, all clear but a small case of… nothing to worry about… okay, thanks, doc.’
She sits up like a rocket’s gone off under her arse as I pretend to hang up the phone.
‘Small case of what? What do I have? OMG. Not serious. You said not serious, right?’
I’m an asshole. Yup—going to hell.
‘Well, he said the only thing wrong is grumpy-ass-itis.’ The penny doesn’t drop. It seriously doesn’t drop, and I want to laugh so fucking hard, but I’m trying to keep a straight face.
‘I’ve never heard of it? Brad, what the hell is it?’
‘It’s quite horrible—mostly for everyone else.’
‘What the hell are you talking about?’
I bust a gut and howl at the complete seriousness on her face. ‘Grumpy-ass-itis,’ I tell her again. The cogs turn and then her lip curls.
‘You bastard,’ she launches off the bed and right at me, swatting my head with a pillow.
‘You absolute twatwaffle!’
I laugh even harder. All the while she is beating me down with a feather pillow. My stomach hurts, and my back is aching by the time I de-weapon her, push her hands behind her back and march her back to the bed. I release her hands and push her to a sitting position, while I wipe away the tears streaming down my face, and take in a deep much-needed breath.
‘What the fuck is a twatwaffle?’ I laugh, almost giving in and busting a gut again, but I keep my shit together. Until she laughs too. Then I’m useless, wheezing and trying to control myself once again. Fuck me. Twatwaffle. Jeez.
When we calm down, I ask. ‘So?’
‘You! That’s what it is.’ She grins. ‘I don’t know, an infected pussy or something, I think.’
‘Aww, so I’m a pussy and a walking disease… nice.’ I playfully push on her shoulder. ‘Right, come on, woman. What’s the plan?’
‘Umm, can we maybe just go out for a walk?’
‘Well, let me rephrase. Because if I’m not sleeping, then it has to include some kinda food. I’m an asshole when I’m tired, and food always makes me better. That and… umm, yeah, so where do you wanna go? I have Google—we can find anyplace?’ I cover my almost-slip of telling her that fucking is also something that keeps me in a good mood. Don’t think she needs to hear that right now.
‘Why don’t you just google nearby restaurants?’
I do, and my phone brings up a shit load.
‘Pizza, chicken, grill, Chinese, Indian—the list goes on?’
‘You’re the one that’s hungry, you decide.’
I click on what’s the closest. A half mile. We can walk. I open the door for her and bend at the waist, sweeping my arm across my body.
‘Ladies first.’ She stops dead.
‘What?’
‘Oh, you said ladies first. I was waiting for you?’
I grin and swat her arse as she walks past me. I realise what I’ve done but my hand has already connected, and I’m desperate to give it another light swat. She turns with her mouth open, feigning shock, and bats her fucking eyelashes. My dick jerks, and I have to internally talk him down. It’s like having a guy on the ledge, and you’re desperate to keep him from jumping, but no matter what you say, he’s going to jump. That’s what it’s like talking my dick down when I’m around her. I should walk around with an inflatable rubber suit. Because I’m likely to blow my load anytime. Fuck, it’s hard. And not just my dick. I explain to Jared that we’re leaving the compound. He isn’t happy and looks for Howard to tag along. Last thing I want really, but I wait, and when he can’t find him, he concedes and lets us go it alone.
***
We arrive at an all-you-can-eat Mexican restaurant, and although we haven’t talked much, other than me asking her how she feels health-wise, it’s been a comfortable silence. I gave her my hoodie too because there was a breeze, and she felt cold. Maiya argued, obviously, because she can’t help her-fucking-self, but I won out, and now as I open the door for her to walk in, and the light hits her glowing cheeks, the picture of her wearing my hoodie is engrained in my memory. We are seated in a booth, and I slide in on one side while she slides across from me. She’s smiling as the waitress hands us menus.
‘What can I get you to drink?’ she asks and looks right at me.
‘Sweetheart, you ready to order?’ I ask Maiya.
‘Coke, please,’ she tells the waitress shyly. I’m not sure why, but she’s gone quiet again.
‘Make that two large cokes, please,’ I order. And as she walks away, I reach across the table and take Maiya’s hand, making her jump. ‘Relax, what’s wrong?’ I ask. Maiya stiffens a little, pulls her hand away slowly, and picks up a napkin to fiddle with the corners. I don’t move my hand. Instead, leave it sitting flat on the tabletop. I’ve never tried this shit before with women, but she is blowing me out every time I try to let her know I like her. It’s a knock to my ego, I’ll admit. Never understood why men like to chase women, but sitting here, getting knocked back, makes me want to try harder. So, now I fucking understand what the deal is.
The waitress comes back with our drinks on a tray. I wink as she turns to leave and watch the flush rise from her neck up to pretty pink cheeks. I would have that one in the bag, easy. Not the one I want though. And as I look back at Maiya, her brows are raised, and her head is slightly tilted. She saw the wink. Is she jealous? I fucking hope so.
‘Do you ever stop?’ she demands.
‘Stop what?’ I question sincerely.
‘With all the… hell, I don’t know? Whatever it is you do to get women all hot and bothered?’
‘Sweetheart, look at me. I don’t have to do anything—it just happens.’
She sniggers, and I laugh because her laughing is the best fucking sound.
‘What would it take to get you all hot and bothered?’ I ask right before the waitress comes back with a plate of nachos and salsa and plops it in the middle of the table. My eyes don’t leave Maiya’s though. And her eyes are everywhere but on me. I watch as she shifts in her seat uncomfortably and pulls at her hair. Shit.
‘You guys ready to order?’
‘We’re gonna take the buffet,’ I tell her, ready to fucking shoo her away.
‘Shall we go then?’ Maiya waves in the direction of the buffet and starts to get up. I reach for her hand and pull her back to sitting. She flattens her lips out and licks at them nervously.
‘Talk to me,’ I ask her.
‘Nothing to say. I’m hungry, you?’
‘Starved,’ I say, clipping my tone.