Chapter 9 #4
As we drive, I allow my mind to drift over the upcoming changes in the Village. If I focus on the little sexy minx beside me, I’ll be in no better shape than her.
I’m the head of the Village, and by decree, that makes me the head of the entire family.
The Village is our hub, where we conduct the majority of our business.
Where our power players live and where our intricate web is knitted most closely with that of the outside world.
I can barely wrap my mind around the sudden change of events.
Most men in my position would be vying for the top.
Dropping hints of their interest in being the next in line.
Sidling up with Bronson, kissing his ass.
I’ve never been a fan of that.
And perhaps that why Bronson trusts me wholly.
He’s always known where I stand. What I think. What issues I won’t move on and that despite those few points, he’s got my total and complete loyalty.
He’s also always known how I felt about Tess.
He was the first, the only I made my confession to.
And when he saw the look of torture in my eyes, he never had a second of a doubt that my idea for the Parish was the right move.
I’ve always been grateful to him for letting me make my escape, and in that fleeing, create a second world for our family.
One where our business can be handled in total privacy.
So when Bronson came to me and told me of Paige’s pregnancy, asked me to take his place so they would be able to move to the Hamlet, despite my inner wavering, I accepted. Wished him nothing but the best in his new venture. Told him I would rule the Village with the same iron fist he had.
And I will.
That, and a bit more.
For though I was one to shy away from the limelight, I was never one to back down from a challenge. I’ll tighten up the reins on this ship and continue to sail her to safety and prosperity.
With Tess by my side.
Will she know of the Brotherhood’s secrets, or be put in harm’s way?
Absolutely not. Will she be given access to our secret accounts, the ones she’s never set eyes on?
Absolutely. The Brotherhood will seek her counsel on all matters financial.
And if anyone has a problem with it, they can deal with me.
But they won’t because if there’s one thing the Brotherhood respects about my firecracker woman, it’s that she’s smarter than any of us could ever hope to be.
Had she not had a neglectful mother and been raised in the worst public schools in the state, the woman would have had a full ride to Yale.
Been a lawyer, a mathematician. Hell, any profession she wanted.
Instead, she found her way to the Village.
And I thank the Gods, every day, that she did.
I’ll be living with her, working beside her. Every new day will be the best day of my life.
Dante was my right-hand man at the Parish, and so he shall be in the Village as well.
He will come and under my strict orders, bring Adrianna with him.
The fact that I’ll demand Dante escort her on the journey will infuriate her to no end.
She’ll give me hell the moment she lands, then hug me.
I can’t wait to have her here in the city.
She’ll love the nightlife and though it will be a handful keeping up with her, I think she’ll thrive right along with the culture here.
A few others from the Parish will join us, some of the younger, single brothers and a few of the childless married couples.
Bronson and Paige will be happy in the Hamlet. Bronson’s carried an enormous weight on his shoulders his entire life—being a bloodline Bachman and raised in the family. I think it’s time he enjoyed his love, his life, his family, and the slower pace that the suburbs thrive on.
Beside me, a quiet snore rises. I look over at Tess. Despite all her discomfort, she’s fallen asleep. Brett had always said she never was able to stay awake on long car rides.
Brett.
Thinking of him opens a wound in my heart. I miss him terribly. I try not to think what it would have been like, if things had worked out differently. Because the simple fact is, they’ve worked out the way they were always going to.
A few weeks ago, my brother came to me in a dream.
He placed his big hand on my cheek. Looked at me with those smiling eyes and said, “She’s yours.
She’s always been yours.” Then he floated off into the starry night.
I woke with chills running down my arms, as I have now, just thinking of the dream.
We arrive at the Hamlet’s entrance. A narrow dirt path, only wide enough for one car, lined with huge oak trees.
The low headlights peer ahead as I make my way down the bumpy road.
We’ve gone at least a mile when the path widens, and a huge iron gate appears.
There are guards on either side of the stone pillars holding the gates. Tess rouses beside me, sitting up.
“We’re here?” she asks sleepily. Then, “Oh!” as she shifts in her seat, remembering her predicament.
Chuckling, I roll down my window. Hold out my palm. The guard comes to me, flashes a UV light on my hand. Sees the emblem of the Brotherhood. Says, “Welcome, brother.” He nods at the other man to open the gate, allowing us entrance.
“Official,” she murmurs.
“That is the way of the family,” I say.
“I’ve never been here before. I was expecting something less… formal.” She cranes her neck to get her first look at the Hamlet.
“Kind of like you expected the Parish to be a backwoods hut-filled island?” I ask.
She sniffs in my general direction, too busy staring out the window to retort.
The streets are neat and tidy. Each wooded lot looks to be between an acre or two of land.
Sprawling, beautiful homes dot the properties.
Some stone, some brick, others wood siding.
Each home has a carefully manicured lawn.
Some have pools in the back, basketball goals in the front.
We near the center of town and see the field.
It’s a picture-perfect piece of land with lush grass, neatly cut into green lines.
There’s a covered pavilion made of stone. An outdoor amphitheater with a stage.
To the right of the field there’s a few long, low brick buildings, each with a playground beside it. “That must be the school,” Tess muses. “Oh, and look they have their own medical center and even a library.” I look to where she points and confirm.
She muses, “It’s a town hidden in plain sight. Just like the Village. Only lots of kids and bigger houses. Do they ever leave?”
“There’s only one way in. But they have access to other towns. Each family has their own guarded exit. Though I’m not really sure what else one would need?”
“A mall? A real Italian restaurant? A New York Bagel?”
“Tess, you don’t have to tell me how you feel about the city. We all know nothing compares for you.”
She smiles and says, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be snobby.” Then a naughty glimmer flashes in her eyes and she says, “Why don’t you punish me for being such a snob? Maybe take this thing out and fuck me hard, right up—”
“Such a foul mouth on a lady. I really must try soaping that lovely mouth of yours.”
Her jaw snaps shut and she squirms about in her seat.
The cream should be wearing off soon—the brunt of her punishment finished—but that plug is still tucked nice and safe in her ass.
Preparing her for me. I park the car in front of the building marked, ‘Bachman Family Center.’ Most of the Village is already here.
I look to Tess. “Ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be. Are you sure you don’t want to just—”
My look stops her words and she sighs, waiting for me to come open her door.
“Good girl.”
Tess
It’s the first time I’ve seen Paige since hearing the news and the woman is positively glowing. She’s wearing a blush pink floral tunic dress and her hand sits on her small bump, blue diamond flashing beneath the lights. Her dark hair is freshly trimmed and even glossier than usual.
Bronson stands at her side. Having shed his business suit and tie, he’s wearing an informal blue button-down shirt tucked into khaki trousers.
He has one hand in his pocket, the other slung around Paige’s shoulder.
They’re conversing with a man and woman who are each holding a young child on their hip.
Paige says something and Bronson throws his head back in a belly laugh.
Then he leans down and kisses her cheek. The man couldn’t be happier.
The image is startling.
I’ve never seen Bronson so relaxed. So content. But I guess that’s what love will do to you.
I look over at Rockland, where he and Carter and John have formed a tight circle.
They talk in hushed voices, John’s hands moving as he speaks.
They must be going over the changeover for the Parish.
A pang tugs at my heart at the thought of Rockland leaving his people, but I trust him and when he says he’s right where he wants to be, I believe him.
Rockland’s going to be the best head this family has ever seen, but my opinion may be a bit partial. He’s fair, just, and has a humble way of leading people, though we all know he’s deadly when he needs to be. They’ve taken to calling him the Hammer behind his back.
Dante, the man who helped me on my travels to the Parish, will be joining us. As well as Adrianna. I’m looking forward to getting to know her now that I know she’s not a threat to my newly discovered reason for existing.
I scanned my closet for an hour before we left, contemplating what to wear.
My fingers glided over silk, linen, but nothing seemed…
just right. I wanted to look elegant, but in a ‘come fuck me’ way.
A dress that says, ‘farewell, good friends,’ as well as being one that Rockland would want to rip from me.