Chapter 2 Halo
TWO
HALO
BENJI
At first I thought either my eyes were playing tricks or worse, my mind was fucked up yet again.
Goddamn, Spirit’s alive. I’m in shock because I remember what they did to her.
I’ve had plenty of nightmares reliving the smell of burning flesh, the men doing horrific things to her, and Spirit never saying a word or begging for her life.
She never screamed or cried either. Somehow gonna need to find a way to connect with her to find out what the hell happened.
Though, right now, I need to put some space between these people and myself.
I can feel the pressure in the back of my head and down my neck, which means very soon I’m not gonna be good for anything.
When the pain hits, I’m usually immobilized, which means I have to find somewhere to sleep it off.
Since I have nowhere to go, no meds, and I don’t even know these people, gonna go back to the camp I have in the woods.
I’ve been scouting out this Blue Sky Sanctuary best I could.
Looks legit, but who the fuck knows what is real and what isn’t anymore.
I sure the fuck don’t, which is part of my problem.
“Appreciate your time, Ollie, but before I can commit to anything, need to process everything.”
Ollie eyes me like he can read everything I’m thinking.
When he tells one of the guys to get the pack out of his vehicle, I watch the movement very carefully.
Never can tell who you can trust. Spirit is watching, along with the other woman, Storm.
When Phantom comes back with a huge pack, he hands it to Ollie, who places it on the ground right in front of him.
“Halo, here’s some supplies for you. When you’re ready, just come up the driveway to the gate. Hit the button on the speaker and give your name, someone will come out to get you. Take all the time you need, brother, I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
For some reason. I’ve tried to figure Ollie out and I can’t, no matter how hard I try to add one plus one equals two.
There is an aura around him that gives me the feeling I can trust him, and I don’t know something else.
The two other guys with the long-ass hair seem like they are true to their words too.
Then the dark-haired one, think his name is Panther, speaks to me.
“Halo, if you decide not to take Ollie up on his offer to stay at the Blue Sky Sanctuary, I have a stud farm about forty-five minutes away. You have an open invitation to stay with me and the guys. All of us are ex-military and, like you, want—no let me rephrase—need our privacy. I’ve got a bunkhouse and a few tiny homes and RVs on the property.
And if you feel like working we can always use two more hands, that’s for sure.
If you’re interested just let Spirit or Dottie, I mean Storm, know.
Take care of yourself. And don’t worry, we are all trustworthy. No need to drive yourself crazy.”
How did he know what I was thinking? Didn’t say it out loud, I know that.
Watching them all turn and start to walk away; I’m shocked that Storm doesn’t follow.
She’s watching with me as the group head to their vehicles.
When they start back to the entrance, she turns my way and walks a bit closer.
I can see she is beyond nervous, but I give her kudos for not running or hiding.
Obviously she has something to say to me.
“Halo, if you don’t want to stay I can drive you somewhere, maybe to Panther’s ranch. Or I can see if you might be able to hang out at the Devil’s Handmaidens ranch. I’m sure Tink wouldn’t mind you staying for a bit. It’s up to you; just thought I’d offer.”
I know by her body language this is not comfortable for her and for some fuckin’ reason I don’t ever want to make this woman feel that way, which is freaking me out. I move farther back and shake my head, though I try to put a small smile on my face, which is probably scary as fuck.
“Thanks, um, do you prefer Storm or Dottie?”
She tilts her head while watching me. I get the odd feeling she didn’t think I caught the slip of her name. Well, I don’t miss anything so don’t know what to say. I wait for her to make a decision and when she does, I’m shocked at her answer.
“Halo, call me whatever you want. Yeah, my name is Dottie and Storm is my club name. What’s your name, if I can ask? Or did your parents give you the name Halo?”
Stunned, I just stare at her. Why would she want my name? I doubt it’s for any evil reasons, got to remember I’m back in the States and most people use a given name, not a call name or nickname. I take a deep breath as I haven’t said my full name in forever.
“My given name is Benjamin Dawson. And you can call me either Halo or Benji. Don’t ever call me Benjamin, please.”
Her eyes instantly tell me she gets it before nodding.
“Benji it is. And you can call me either Dottie or Storm, whatever you prefer.”
She lets out a breath then looks at me like she can’t believe she’s about to ask me this question.
“Have you eaten recently? Are you hungry?”
I shake my head just as my stomach growls loudly. She smirks.
“Our club owns and runs a bar and grill in town. It’s called The Wooden Spirits Bar & Grill. If you want, I can take you to get something to eat then drop you wherever you want. No pressure, it’s your choice, Benji.”
For some reason, and I’m not sure why, I want to be around her.
Especially after hearing her call me Benji, which no one calls me anymore.
To all in my life, I’m Halo. So, between her golden-brown eyes and that dark hair I want my fingers in, I feel drawn to her, though it’s her tattoos that speak to my soul.
My God, all I can see is the few on her lower jaw and around her neck, and I want to see how many more she has.
The tats don’t fit her innocent-looking face, that’s for damn sure.
I can see she’s waiting for my answer. I look down at my backpack and the large pack from Ollie.
She must read my mind because she takes a small step closer.
“If you want we can put that in the trunk of my vehicle so it’s safe.
Promise, I mean you no harm. I think I’ve been where you are, no not saying I’ve experienced what you have as I’ve never served my country.
Just that when my twin and I first met the Devil’s Handmaidens it was kind of weird and scary.
So I’m just trying to be a friend if you want one. ”
Damn, I want more than a friend. She’s gorgeous inside and out. I can see she has her own demons, but she’s extending an olive branch to a complete stranger. I’m so out of practice with being with others it actually scares me.
“Yeah, I can go for some food, if you don’t mind. I’ve got some cash on me so, well, I guess if you have room for my stuff and will drive me back either here or the other side of the trees, I’d be grateful.”
Instead of saying anything. she walks up, grabs the pack, and starts back to her vehicle.
I’m shocked that someone so tiny not only picked up the pack but is carrying it like it’s no big deal.
Damn, she’s full of surprises. I quickly bend down, grab my backpack, and follow her to the driveway.
She opens the back hatch and we put both of the bags in there.
She looks at me, quietly telling me to sit where I’m comfortable.
Yeah, she gets me. I make my way to the passenger side and look inside.
I’m not a fan of any kind of vehicle, but hers looks pretty roomy.
Taking in a deep-ass breath, I let it out and slowly open the front passenger door.
Taking my time I manage to get in and close the door. Once Dottie is in, she looks my way.
“Please put on your seat belt.”
Nodding, I reach behind my right shoulder, pulling down the belt, then clipping it in.
She starts the car quickly, turning the radio down.
My God, how can she hear anything, that was killer loud.
She makes a three-point turn and heads back toward the town I briefly saw when I first got here.
Neither of us talk so I reach over and turn the radio up a bit.
It’s been years since I’ve listened to music.
I mean, yeah, I’ve heard it depending on where I was at but not in a car.
Pretty quickly we are in town, which by the sign I saw, we are in Timber-Ghost in Montana.
When I was told to find Ollie out in Montana, thought it was crazy.
Then I went to the library one day because first, it’s one of my favorite places to go ’cause I love to read.
Secondly, it allowed me to do research on Montana and on the Blue Sky Sanctuary.
Fuck, I fell in love with Montana with the first photo I saw.
Beyond stunning is what I thought and now that I’m here, that photo didn’t do it any justice.
As the car starts to slow down to turn, I just make out the end of the sign “Bar & Grill” so I’m gonna assume this is the place her club owns.
Looks pretty busy, which sets my nerves running wild.
I don’t do well with people, especially now.
I jump when a hand grabs mine, briefly squeezing it, and just as quickly letting it go.
“Got no worries here, Benji. If you want to eat in the bar we will, or we can find a quiet table in the grill area. Or we can sit in the kitchen with Cook and eat. Whatever you want to do, I’m game.”
She opens her door, gets out, and slams it shut so I follow suit. Once I make it to her side, we start to walk toward the back door when it flings open and a younger guy walks out with garbage, looking our way he then smiles at the woman at my side.
“Hey, Dottie. Shit, mean Storm, how’s it going?”
“Not too bad, Kon. Is it busy in there tonight?”