Chapter 11 #2
Nell wrings her hands in her lap, her leg shaking nervously as she pastes a fake smile on her face when Greer comes running over with the twins, River following slowly behind them.
“Hi Momma!” Greer giggles. “We been playing sooooo hard with Mosely.” Joe’s little dog looks up at the kids and I swear I see love hearts in her little doggy eyes.
“That’s good, baby,” Nell says, the only sign that she’s stressed is the tightness around her eyes.
Nell twists her hands tighter and I know that she is fighting every instinct in her not to snatch up her baby and run.
I get it, I’ve seen it before, but this is the first time I’ve ever felt it myself.
The urge to wrap Bree and Addy in my arms and lock us in our little cabin almost steals my breath.
I know logically that there should be nothing to worry about, not with all these big protective men around us, but trauma rewires your brain to think anything and everything is a threat to your safety.
“Ladies,” Sniper says gently, eyes on Nell. “Just letting you know that some of the brothers are riding out. Nothing to worry about, I’ll be here with you, as will Justice, Flack and Chef.” He gives Greer a smile and tugs on one of her curls, his eyes sparkling when she giggles.
Justice clears his throat, eyes on mine. “Can you give me a hand with something?”
I try to read the expression on his face, but I get nowhere.
Justice has always been good at locking down his feelings, and this is no different.
Standing, I give a worried looking River a squeeze on his shoulder as I walk past. I learned from Nell that he’s 16.
He seems so much smaller, nothing more than long limbs with not a lot of meat on them.
I guess he hasn’t been here long enough to fill out properly on the good food TumTum is serving these days.
I follow Justice into Sniper’s office, surprised when the man himself comes in behind us, shutting the door gently.
Shaking my hands out I move to the corner, trying to calm my breathing.
This is one of the offices that Elder Goodson would bring me to for “marriage counseling.” It was less counselling and more me standing in the corner apologizing for every slight Goodson could think up.
He liked it when I was broken, panicked.
Frightened. I’m not that woman anymore, I try to remind myself, instead turning from the corner I would have to stand for hours in. I stare at first Justice, then Sniper.
“Um, am I in trouble?” I ask meekly, trying hard not to pick at my nails.
“No! Shit, no, sorry, Loyal. Um, please, have a seat.”
Nodding, I sit where Sniper indicated, on the welcoming looking chair on the opposite side of his desk. I jump a little when Justice takes the seat next to mine. For some reason I figured he’d stand next to Sniper.
“Vex and Damian ran into some-” Sniper pauses, Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows, trying to find the right words, “-something questionable. We’re hoping you two might be able to help us.”
“OK,” Justice draws out.
Obviously whatever this is, he wasn’t briefed on it.
“The dog Damian was returning? They found the owner dead.” My hand moves of its own volition to cover my gasp.
Sniper’s eyes dart to mine before he continues, “it wasn’t natural causes.
There were signs of trauma to the victim and a symbol painted on the wall.
” He taps his phone screen a few times then places it face up on his desk, turning it toward Justice and I.
“No, no, no, no, no,” comes out of my lips unbidden as Justice curses loudly before shooting up out of his seat.
“What the fuck? We took care of the unworthy! Every last one of them!” he hisses. His head falls back on his shoulders, fingers linked behind his neck as he paces.
“I thought so too,” Sniper answers. “Any ideas on how this shit pops up in Bellefont and of everyone in the fucking state of Louisiana it’s Vex who walks into it?”
My back stiffens at the mention of Bellefont. It affects Justice too because he freezes mid-pace and turns to stare at me.
“What?” I ask, suspiciously.
“I knew that place looked familiar.” He shakes his head. “When I went with Damian to pick up Joe’s dog he did the driving. I didn’t pay too much attention where we were going because I was distracted, Damian talked the whole damn time. Dammit!”
“Prospect!” Sniper barks, calming Justice’s downward spiral. “What’s the significance?”
“There’s a house there. I overheard my - Elder Blessing - talk about it with some of the council. I’m not sure of the significance or who would know about it, but he’d take trips there.”
Sniper looks at me and I shrug. “I’m the eldest and was married off at 14. I’ve never heard anything about a house in Bellefont.”
“Your husband wasn’t worthy,” Justice says with a tight smile. “Only the worthy council members were part of the conversation.”
“And these members?”
“Dead. Blanche killed them all.” I say, because I know the answer to that question. I was there. I lived through it and I rejoiced when it was over.
Sniper leans back in his chair, quietly mulling things over before he throws his hands up. “We need more information. Let’s wait for Dex and the others, hopefully they know shit.”
I hope so too. I have people here that need my protection, not me looking over my shoulder for someone from my past.