Chapter Twelve A Blossoming Fate
Briget
What a difference an hour makes. Or had it been a whole day? It looked like Fate and I were sort of like dating? Or we were planning to, maybe. Heck, I don’t know. Although, I was unsure what kind of dating we could do under the circumstances. Not the normal kind for sure. After all, we were running from a crazy killer and his army.
I still remember meeting Deacon and I failed to see the killer in him. What a nice guy. Great smile too. In fact, I suddenly realized he shared the same smile as some of the Walker men. I sure wouldn’t be telling any of them that though. But why not? He was a Walker according to them. Talon Walker had said, the man could fool almost anyone. Liv had said the same. She insinuated that he had even fooled her.
In any case, I needed to try and forget about that. Embrace it as a trip, like Fate had said yesterday. I now tried to see the bright side to this. I would get to see Texas which I never had before. I’d been to New Orleans and that was as far as I’d gone from home. Also, Belle and I would get to see where the brothers came from, so to speak.
We hurried down to the parked SUV out front which happened to be the silver one we had cleaned at the carwash. Then a second one sat there as well. Liberty explained that Legend and Glory would be riding with Justice and Scarlet in that vehicle. We would all be going to the compound in Sugar Land. So basically the Walker brothers and their little sis were going home.
This conclusion made me wonder if they were gonna come back to Louisiana? But who knew what would happen. From the stories I heard while I’d been here, O had turned all their lives upside down and once she died, Deacon had made sure to keep their existences in complete disarray. I was a part of it now because of Belle being my best friend. She and Liberty were definitely serious and in love as Fate had put it.
Talon stood out front of course and he gave us a speech about staying out of the public eye and being inconspicuous. I didn’t voice my thoughts about how these were Walkers and so far from what I'd seen of this family, quiet and lowkey wasn’t something realistic to hope for. Talon then went on to tell us about having a conference wireless in-car system that hooked up both SUVs and the guard's ear pieces so that everyone could communicate. He also reiterated that we would all be tracked and how that was the best way to insure our safety. I really thought all of this sounded cool. I’d only heard about this kind of stuff in movies and it was definitely high tech.
Fate put a barking Daisy into the back part of the SUV. She was in her kennel. He looked up at me. “I’m gonna let her out after she calms down a little. Is that okay?”
I stared at him. Him taking care of my little Daisy then asking if it was okay? Why hadn’t I seen this sweet guy whenever I saw him before? I really allowed my past to actually corrupt my outlook and perception.
“You alright?” Fate touched my arm.
I nodded my head at him. “Sorry, just taking all of this in. And thank you for taking care of my dog.”
Daisy yap-yapped really loud.
Fate glanced over at her. “I think she’s telling you that she isn’t just your dog. We belong to her.”
I laughed. “You speak terrier?”
He grinned at me. “I must. She and I have had several discussions.’
“The guy loves dogs,” Liberty interjected as he opened the front passenger door for Belle. “He’s wanted one of his own since he was eight.”
I glanced over at him then to Fate. “So why didn’t you get one?”
Opening the back passenger door for me, he shrugged. “Had to go to school, then I worked for a while at some construction firms. So with the MC duties on top of all that…The poor dog would never see me and that wouldn’t be fair.”
I got inside the vehicle as I listened to his answer. Liberty had confirmed that Fate really did love dogs, so those, he's a great guy, brownie points were getting higher. The more Fate talked, the more I liked him. I still should be careful, cause a girl never knew how reliable a man might be. Anyone in this day and age were highly aware of the fly by night syndrome of cheating guys and girls. Social media and racy sites online had made it so people could cheat right and left. I know he liked me as he’d already come out and said so. But that didn’t mean we could have a serious relationship. Then even if we did get together, it did not mean it would last. Despite wanting to give this a chance, I still felt a bit leery of the idea.
We were all packed into the SUVs, when Ma Walker came up and tapped on the glass.
I rolled my window down and grabbed her hand. “You gonna be okay, Ma?” I asked.
“Hell bells, girl. I got Jarret and my two sons. Along with those braveheart Saints. I’m more protected than a damned national treasure.” She smiled at me and looked over at Fate. “I’m glad you’re with Briget to take care of her.”
He grinned at her. “I think it was meant to be.”
She stared at him and laughed. “You are like your daddy. He said the same thing about how our lives turned out.”
I stared at her then looked over at him. Did she mean because they were finally together now? It seemed so fantastical that the two older people ended up with a happy ever after. The both of them endured great sorrow in their lives and still got a second chance. It was super romantic really.
“Dad used to be such a sceptic. Now he quotes poems and states philosophy.” Fate shook his head as he chuckled.
“I like it too.” Ma giggled. “But you shouldn’t be surprised. Naming you Fate and your siblings what he did? Well, Heavens to Betsy, there's no surprise there.” Then she looked at me and got a serious expression on her face. “Stay close to him. Like glue. Ya hear me? I want ya to be safe,” she told me as she leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you again soon, BB.” She gave me a wink and moved to Belle’s open window to talk to her.
After she moved away, Fate stared at me and asked, “Can I ask what the BB stands for?”
I raised a brow at him. “That story is worth a trade.”
He reached over to grasp my seatbelt and buckled me in as he asked, “A trade?”
“Yep, remember the prank wars? Tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.”
He paused and looked over at me. “Ohhhh, no. I was thinking we would skip that altogether. I was so glad when I heard that Glory would be in another vehicle.”
“I’m out of sight but I am not outta mind!”
Hearing Glory’s voice over the speaker console, we both raised our heads.
From the driver’s seat, Liberty shook his head and grumbled, “Damn you, technology.”
Belle and I laughed as we also heard Glory and Scarlet laugh.
“We will save that awesomely funny tale,” Glory said over the speaker. “For that long empty stretch out on Highway 6.”
“How about we save it for never,” Fate called to her.
“Nah,” Glory retorted. “I think it would be good for your ladies to know what …dumbasses you two were as teens.”
“Well, I already saw my guy’s dumbassness before we even dated,” Belle quipped. “So, I’m sure this won’t be too much of a shocker.”
Everyone could be heard laughing in the SUV and the other vehicle.
Liberty scoffed as he started the engine and pulled down the driveway. “Ha-freaking-ha!”
“Really, it is not all that funny,” Fate declared.
“So, you say,” Glory said. “But I really think I could sell the rights to some comedy show and make some bank. That’s how good it is.”
Fate looked a bit panicked as he asked, “Tell me you haven’t done that for real, Glory.”
Laughing, she replied, “You didn’t know that’s where I got my new car?”
Fate and Liberty actually gasped.
“No, you didn’t!” Fate whined.
“What a horrible thing to do!” Liberty exclaimed.
They were both so funny as they acted overly dramatic about this.
Glory howled with laughter and said over the speaker, “See girls? They are so dumbass.”
“That is so funny!” Scarlet exclaimed.
Belle and I kept laughing. “I can’t wait to hear this,” I gushed as I rubbed my hands together in anticipation.
“Right?” Scarlet said. “Glory told me a little about it. So, I can’t wait for the story either.”
“She got paid not to tell this bit of infamy to anyone,” Fate interjected. “Justice, don’t you have something to add to this?”
“Me?” he asked over the console. “I wasn’t involved in your prank wars.”
“Good thing you weren’t,” Glory said.
“No,” Fate said. “You told us that when we paid her that she had to stick to that bargain.”
“Yeah, because in Texas, a handshake is like a signed contract,” Justice explained.
“So, how can you sit there and let her do this?” Liberty asked over the com.
“Do you gotta judge in your pocket?” Justice asked. “Or do you see a courthouse close by? If so, take me there and I will file a Cease and Desist on her.” He laughed.
“Man, you are enjoying this too much, I think,” Liberty accused Justice.
“Maybe?” he replied. “This might be good for you. Because I gotta say that you two are awfully cocky.”
“Us cocky?” Fate retorted. “Come on Justice. Who wears power suits and struts around, showing everyone his high IQ?”
Voices could be heard laughing over the console speaker.
With the way the brothers acted about this subject, I wondered just how bad it could have been. I mean they were young at the time from what Glory had said. But both brothers actually got red in the face whenever she brought this prank thing up. That meant whatever it was still embarrassed the hell out of them.
We were now riding along Connor Bridge on our way to the county road. I noticed we had a motorcycle in the front of our SUV and two behind Glory’s vehicle. Did they really think we would get hijacked or attacked? After another few miles or so, I lowered my gaze and saw a gun holster in the back pocket of the car seat in front of me. Looking over, I spotted another one in the other pocket on the seat in front of Fate.
Following my gaze, he noted the weapon and he didn’t look surprised. Reaching over, he took my hand. “They are just in case, Briget. We should be okay.”
I felt the warmth from his grasp and his words. Seeing the weapons and the guards on the bikes, it reminded me that this wasn’t a pleasure trip or a drive over the stateline to visit the sights. We were actually in some danger. I wasn’ sure that this danger would really happen but it was a scary thought. I needed a distraction, so I blurted out, “Briget Blossom.”
Squeezing my hand, he cocked his head at me and asked, “What?”
“BB,” I reminded him. “You asked what it stood for. It stands for my name, Briget Blossom.”
“Blossom?” he repeated in shock.
Nodding, I laughed. “You asked.”
“That is the cutest name I have ever heard!” He laughed with me. “So, your mom nicknamed you that?”
I patted his hand and explained with a sigh in my voice, “No Fate, that is my full, legal name.”
He stared at me with a doubtful expression on his face.
I nodded.
He smiled as he slowly shook his head. “Well, my name is Fate, so I guess we are even.”
I definitely disagreed with this, “Nooo, I don’t think so. Yours is at least elegant and it has a powerful meaning. Mine is like some dorky hippy name. I got teased for it all of my life. Hey little flower, how's your pedals? Can I sniff you? Do you really smell like flowers, little girl? That was the high school guy’s pick up line for me.”
“I still think it’s too cute. Just try being Fate,” he argued. “Classroom jokes were rampant. Oh, everyone run, here comes fate! Don’t tell me, your sister is named Karma, right? Girls teasing me with like , are you my fate? I don’t think so! ”
I grinned at him. “That is sort of funny.”
YAP!
Seeming to forget our conversation, Fate dropped my hand instantly and turned in his seat. Unhooking his seatbelt, he leaned over to remove little Daisy from her kennel. “You okay there, Daze?” he asked in concern. “I got you a chew toy to keep you busy and a special snack.” He raised her up like a prized baby and grinned at her. Setting her onto his lap, he reached down to dig into a backpack at his feet. Pulling out a small cat shaped squeaky toy, he squeezed it.
Hearing the telltale squeak, Daisy let out a growl and snatched it from his hand.
“Manners!” I admonished my little dog.
Fate chuckled. “She loves these toys.”
“I know.” I shook my head. “But she needs to act better. She is not some clueless poodle named Princess.” I rolled my eyes. Someone was spoiling her alright and it hadn’t been the rest of the Walker family. Fate had jumped like Daisy was his queen and he was her slave. If I didn’t know better, I would be jealous. I giggled.
Petting Daisy, he kept smiling down at her. Raising his head, he asked, “What’s so funny?”
“Spoiled, anyone?” I teased.
Fate petted the terrier some more as she chewed on her kitty toy. “They don’t have a lot in life, ya know?” he reasoned. “Dogs, I mean. Except what we can do for them. Give them a big grassy yard, the right food, treats and toys. And they will love you forever.”
I stared at him. Ok, that did it...I was in love. I know it was a complete 180 from just 2 hours ago, but I had never met a guy that really loved dogs before. He was intent on being sweet to Daisy. In fact, he ignored me now while he talked to her in a sweet tone. I could see it wasn’t a ruse to win me over either. Yeah, I’d met a couple of guys who tried that. A.) It never fooled me and two: it never fooled Daisy.
I could see that he really loved her already. Thing was, would he love me? Ok, so maybe he would stay with me for the dog? I laughed at myself.
We were now getting onto the freeway from the side frontage road. Our speed picked up as the scenery blew by.
Suddenly, the quiet was broken by a voice over the console, “We got unknowns in the back lane.” It sounded like Bones.
“Smoke here,” another voice came on. “Yeah, we got something strange coming up behind us.”
“Strange, like what?” Bones replied through some static.
“Like a group of bikes,” Smoke said. “I’m gonna slow down, so I can see them better.”
“Might be nothing?” Justice’s said from the SUV behind us.
“With Deacon, it’s never nothing,” Glory’s grumbling voice replied.
“This happen often?” Legend finally spoke after listening for a couple of minutes.
“Whenever we leave our hidey hole,” Bones answered.
“Yeah, he doesn’t give up,” Scarlet added.
I tried to figure out if we were really under attack. Then I heard it. Steel pings hitting the SUV’s doors. Someone was shooting at us. This was most definitely real.
“Fuck,” Bones’ voice came over, “Make ready, guys.”
“Holy shit,” Smoke came over again, “About six of them with AK 47’s.”
“Wow,” Justice came on. “We are about to have fuck of a party!”
Panic rolled over me. This was way too real. I rose up and kept looking at the highway behind us. Sure as shit, the fast bikes came up in the left lane.
Two of the bikes stayed behind his SUV, while the others moved up along the lanes on either side of the highway.
I felt a sudden fear that Fate could get hurt and I looked up to see him hanging out of the open window, shooting at someone. I sucked in a deep breath. Oh, my God…He could get hit with a bullet and be hurt or killed.
“They have machine guns!” Smoke’s voice came on now. “Coming your way, guys!”
“Shit,” Bones came on. “Get ready!”
Glory was already on it, as she hung her upper body out the window of their SUV with a rifle and took potshots at the men on the Ninja bikes.
One bike was hit and veered off the road.
Seeing this, I gasped and turned around to lock gazes with Fate.
He shook his head at me and said, “Try to keep your head down, Briget.”
“We all gotta pull off!” Justice came on, “You three on cycles are open targets!”
“Ok,” Liberty came on too. “Next exit, people.”
That exit came up within two minutes, which felt like an hour as the ninja bikers were already heavily pelting our SUVs with bullets.
Tires screeched and rubber burned as our small convoy made our way off. It was an exit for a truck stop and on the frontage road, the attack grew to dangerous proportions as rapid-fire bullets flew from the ninja’s weapons and all hell broke loose.
Liberty gripped the wheel and headed down along the frontage road. The other vehicle pulled over too but not to a slow stop, we hit the side of the frontage road with dust flying and brakes squealing. Our SUV swerved badly and Fate had to hold onto the handle bar over the car door.
Smoke barely stopped as he dumped his bike and took off toward Justice’s vehicle while ducking bullets.
Bones did the same but he stayed close to our SUV and used his bike to hide behind.
Loud, rapid metallic pings were bouncing off the asphalt of the road and our SUVs.
Gunshots from Fate’s weapon were loud inside our vehicle as he took shots at the next Ninja bike. Hitting the rider as he came barreling toward us, it dumped his motorcycle into the ditch.
“Get down, Belle,” Liberty yelled.
“You too, Briget,” Fate called to me.
Daisy whined.
“It’ll be okay, Daisy!’ I told her. Just as I slipped down to the floorboard, a loud crackling sound crinkled inside our SUV. Then our vehicle swerved badly as it weaved all over the road.
Now Daisy barked in panic.
“Fuck!” Liberty swore loudly from the front seat as Belle screamed.