Chapter 21 Storm
TWENTY-ONE
STORM
DOTTIE
It’s been a long-ass couple of nights. After we found Dani and processed the scene, the drive back to town was long as we were all exhausted.
Our mom, sister, and one of our brothers went to the hospital while our other brother, along with Matty, went with Panther and his men to stay there.
Avalanche thought it was a better choice since all of the innocents came to the Devil’s Handmaidens ranch.
Both Shadow and Panther agreed with Avalanche to keep the victims isolated without men around them.
Even Noodles, Panther, Enforcer, and the rest of the men connected to the Devil’s Handmaidens sisters are making themselves scarce.
The only men the victims seem to tolerate is our Dr. Mal, for obvious reasons, and not sure why but also Halo.
Strange as fuck but I think it’s because they saw him with me and the protective way Halo is with not only me but also Dani.
No matter why, it helps that he can be here when I am.
Moving around the cabin, I hear footsteps coming down the hallway slowly.
Poor Dani’s feet have been wrapped in gauze since we found her.
Dr. Mal said to give it time and to try and stay off of them.
Yeah, right, like she’s listening. Though come to think on it, she’s doing a ton of reading and time on her laptop currently.
I don’t care what she’s up to as long as, one, I can see her, and two, she’s starting to process the entire situation.
Dani is one who will take it all in, hold on to it, and eventually get around to processing.
I worry about her, especially since she had to spend time with our father, which couldn’t be easy.
We both did a session together late the other night with the therapist at the sanctuary. I think it went pretty well, we’ll see.
Been talking to our mother since Tink and Noodles put her in one of the older cabins close to the ranch house.
She’s in bad shape, but the hospital didn’t keep her.
I think, one, because none of my family has health insurance, and two, she just needs time to heal.
That and some good nutrition and sleep. From what I’m gathering, our father was a total prick.
He was forcing our mother and sister into prostitution whenever the brotherhood would visit.
Matty, Mark, and Josiah have been, in their own ways, trying to protect our mother and sister, which obviously wasn’t working too well.
Dani and I have been trying to catch up with our family, though it’s tough.
Our mother, even though he almost killed her by letting men beat and rape her, she’s so friggin’ brainwashed, she is still trying to protect our father.
What the fuck is wrong with her? I thank God that neither Dani nor I are like her.
Esther I worry about, though being away from him seems to be helping her. We will see.
I’m walking to Halo’s cabin to check in on him.
He’s been working a lot with Avalanche lately, so I’ve not seen a lot of him because he’s spending time at Panther’s ranch.
I know Ollie wants Halo back to help build the additional cabins, so he’s in high demand.
Well, I want some of him too, so I’m doing a sneak attack.
Making my way down to his cabin, when I get there, he’s sitting on the porch, head in his hands, elbows on top of his knees.
My eyes can see how exhausted he looks. When he hears the crunch of my boots on the gravel his head lifts, and the smile that shows up on his face makes my heart flip in my chest and a smile instantly appears on my face.
Shit, I’m so falling for—nope I’ve fallen for him—there’s no doubt in my mind.
Halo stands and extends his hands to me.
I’m glad I followed my instincts by coming down here ’cause he looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Hey, Benji, you okay? You look so overwhelmed and tired. Two ears, no waiting, if you want to talk about it.”
He pulls one hand from mine and I lean back to watch him swipe his hand over his head then run his fingers through that long blond hair. I catch my breath because he’s gorgeous.
“Dottie, have you ever felt like you didn’t know what to do next with your life? Like no matter how hard you try, life keeps kicking you down? I’m bone-tired and now have some important decisions to make. I want, no need, you to help me because—well—just because.”
Something about how he finishes that has me really looking at him.
Something has him fucked in the head, but if he won’t tell me I can’t help him.
I use my free hand to cup his cheek, which he immediately leans into, like always.
His eyes shut and I can instantly see the stress and tenseness leaving his face.
Aww, my poor Benji is tied up in knots. I get it, as my thoughts drift to just the other day.
I was feeling probably the same way until, leave it to my sister Taz to read what was going on.
She came by the bar and grill with a burlap sack of “goodies” as she calls them.
I got some crystals that should help me with clarity and some sage to burn.
Oh, and Teddie with the help of Mickie colored me a picture, which freaked me out for a quick second.
It was our cabin, Dani’s and mine, with four people in front and two dogs.
The two women looked to be Dani and me, though the man next to Dani I didn’t recognize.
But when I looked at the one next to me, I choked on a swallow.
It was a tall man with yellow hair, but what had me blinking like crazy was the halo above his head.
I looked to Taz, who had her eyes to her son Teddy.
His eyes were locked on mine with a tiny smile across his face.
He leaned into me pointing at the picture, which I took another look at and almost passed out.
Both my sister and I had rings on our wedding finger.
How, what, and when were the thoughts going through my head as Teddy cleared his throat then he dropped his bomb.
“Aunt Dottie, you have to be patient. Love doesn’t happen overnight.”
He shifted and made his way to his little sister, Mickie, who was crawling on the floor.
Taz was giggling and I was starting to panic.
Until my sister pulled me into a hug, telling me everything was going to be all right; she’d seen it in her cards.
Now, since I’ve had some time since that strange as shit day, it dawns on me that little Teddy and Taz already know how this is heading because of whatever it is that separates them from other normal people.
Cupping Benji’s cheek, we just enjoy the outdoor peace and quiet for a few more minutes, then I sit next to him, my hand now resting on his knee. He pulls me in close, keeping his arm around me, hand squeezing my shoulder and arm. I’m content but need to make sure he is too.
“Hey, Benji, be honest with me. You okay? I mean right at this moment not for the rest of your life. We don’t have control over that but we do have it for this instance. So, tell me, are you good”
Those dark eyes that still hold some secrets are searching my eyes right back.
I give him a grin, which he returns, as the light in his eyes shines brighter.
Without words Benji leans into me, his lips touching mine, letting me know he’s all right, which is way good enough for me.
I mean, that’s all we can ask for in our lives, right?
Holding his face I kiss my man back thankful for moments like this.
Life is a fuckin’ rollercoaster ride and we just gotta hold on with both hands to those who mean the most to us.