10. Incubus
INCUBUS
Watching Isabella dance around most of my brothers as they transform a section of my—no—our backyard into a little girl’s dream brings a small grin to my face.
The castle jungle gym is almost done, and damn, it’s truly badass, if I say so myself.
A one-of-a-kind swing set is off to one side.
A reading area with a bench and a tiny little water feature is off to the other side because Bella mentioned to Venom and Riffraff that she loves to read and look at picture books.
Since both brothers are excellent with their hands, the bench is actually built to look like a tree trunk with the seat covered in a custom-made pillow by none other than Auntie Julie.
There is a window behind the bench so my little princess can either read or just daydream while looking out the window.
Also, all around are fairy figures with baby animals to make it feel like the outdoors.
Beside the normal swings there is a horse-like figurine that Venom designed, which also sways back and forth.
It all looks fuckin’ out of this world with all the fairies, dragons, and little forest animals placed to make it look like they are actually real.
Shit, this is so not me ’cause I never had to worry about giving out gratitude and, for once, I don’t know how to thank my brothers for all the time and work they’ve devoted to this project.
We still need to frame out the ground and put the rubber flooring, or whatever it is, just in case Bella trips and falls, she won’t be hurt.
Feeling my phone vibrating, I pull it out of my back pocket and look at it. Unknown. Any other time I’d ignore it, but not now with Stella being only God knows where. I answer it with a “Yeah” and get the shock of my life.
“Cullen, you need to come home. Your father is very ill and asking for you.”
My God, not only is it my dad’s wife, but the fuckin’ whore bitch cunt actually has the nerve to reach out to me. The sound of her voice is like nails on a chalkboard, always has been, and believe me I know the evil inside of her.
“How did you get my number, bitch?”
“Very nice. I call to tell you your father is deathly ill and you once again attack me. Why must you be like this, son?”
My growl alerts some of my brothers while the others keep Isabella’s attention.
I’m surrounded by them instantly, and I can see one of them on his phone, probably calling Cobalt.
I don’t need this shit on top of everything else.
My father made his choice many years ago and if he isn’t happy with that decision, it’s on him not me. And that’s what I tell her.
“Father made his choice years ago and he hasn’t reached out once, not sure if that was his decision or yours, but it’s done.
Nothing, not a word, when I went into the military, then when I was a prisoner of war, and finally when we came back Stateside.
Even when Cobalt and I started our Kings of Anarchy chapter nothing, not even crickets, so why do you think I’d care now? ”
I hear noise in the background then a voice starts talking on the phone and I hold it away from my ear, though I can still hear it.
“Cullen, please come back. Daddy doesn’t look good and she isn’t doing anything to help. If this is his final time here on Earth, I want him to make amends with you. I’ve been here for about two weeks and all he’s done is go downhill fast.”
My baby sister’s voice filled with emotion tears at my black heart.
I’ve not spoken to anyone in my family in years.
It killed me to not have contact with my siblings, but what my father did is unforgivable.
I know deep in my soul that no way will I be able to step one foot into that house where she and my father live, not even if he’s dying.
Trying to control my temper and anger at that whore of a woman he married, I take a deep breath so I can form words to try and explain to my sister my dilemma.
“Maeve, you know I would do anything you ask of me, but this is a definite no. Listen to me for a minute, little sister. I can’t step into that house ever again.
How do you think that would make me feel, walking into the house that we built to see my ex-wife and him together in our bed.
I’m sorry to hear he’s failing, truly I am.
That’s the doctor’s soul in me, but the man I am right now you should be afraid that instead of making amends, I would walk in and put both of them to ground.
And honestly, Maeve, it wouldn’t bother me at all.
I’d sleep like a baby that night, no guilt at all in my dark black heart.
What father said many years ago is true.
Your big brother is a killer, and I’ve dreamed of taking their last breaths with my own hands for years.
That is why I can’t come back there. I hope you understand.
If you refuse to look at it from my point of view, sorry, little sister, there’s not much I can do. ”
Hearing her sniffling hurts, but I will stand my ground because, fuck, how long has it been?
I’ve wondered why none of my siblings have reached out, but then again I’ve never made the attempt to contact any of them.
When I left, I told my father and that bitch they were dead to me.
I meant it. Guess that extended to my siblings, unfortunately.
“Cullen, thank you for being honest. I will let Father know that we talked and you are well. Maybe I can visit you soon. I’d like to introduce you to your nieces and nephews, if that would be okay.”
“Of course you can come out to Indiana whenever you want, though right at the moment I’m in the middle of something, so maybe in a month or so. How many rugrats do you have? I’m assuming you’re married also? What does your man do?”
Again I hear the soft sounds of someone crying before my baby sister replies.
“Long story, Cullen, but the CliffsNotes are my husband had a gambling problem and got involved with a what is it called. Oh yeah, a loan shark. I had no idea until one day a man with, I guess, bodyguards came to the front door, threatening to take our home if Steffan didn’t pay his debt off.
When I questioned him he panicked and broke down, telling me what he did.
We tried everything, even going to Father, but he wouldn’t help me as he never liked Steffan.
We couldn’t get a loan because my husband maxed out our credit cards.
One night, when Steffan didn’t come home, I got worried and called Father for help.
You know he has connections, but instead of helping, he told me to let what is happening go because then I will be free and clear.
Didn’t understand what he was saying until the next morning my son went to let out our dogs and started screaming and crying like crazy.
When I got there, I push him back in the house, also calling the dogs.
Then I grabbed a gun, telling my oldest to call the police.
Steffan was hanging off our huge oak tree with no hands.
He was badly beaten, Cullen, and when I went to him, to my utter surprise, he wasn’t dead.
His eyes begged me and when he muttered the words, I don’t know what happened but I raised the gun and shot him.
Before he died he told me how sorry he was and thanked me for helping him finally be free.
Turns out our father has dealings with the men Steffan owed.
I heard him talking to your ex-wife about how father and a man named Gino had a good laugh at how they handled Steffan.
It sent a message to others who thought to stop paying their debts.
Like you, I hate Father but being the only one of us who still lives close, I still feel guilty.
She doesn’t do anything, especially now that he’s really sick.
She stays out all night and some evenings she doesn’t even bother to come home.
Sorry to throw all this on you, Cullen. I just didn’t know who to call and you, dear brother, were always the one who fixed everything.
I won’t keep, you thanks for listening.”
I tell her not to be a stranger and let me know when he’s gone.
Also, I asked her to send pictures of her children.
She asked about Cobalt, which brings a sad smile to my face.
Maeve has had a crush on my brother since the first time I brought him home.
After some small talk we say our goodbyes and I hang up.
Turning, everyone is standing around, but it’s Cobalt who comes right up to me, putting a hand on my shoulder, squeezing.
“What’s up, Incubus? Was that something about Stella? I could see your body tensing and you were getting pissed.”
“No, brother, was my family calling to let me know the old man is on his way out. Not sure who decided that the she-bitch of my ex-wife should make the call, but just hearing her voice rocked me, Cobalt. After all these years I shouldn’t let it bother me, but somewhere in that blackened heart of mine I remember all I had hoped for with her.
Anyway, I spoke to Maeve and she said hello.
Turns out it is definitely a small world, her husband was killed by Gino and I’m thinking our father.
She married a weak man who had a gambling problem and thought it was a good idea to approach the Mob and get a loan.
They left him in their front yard and when Maeve found him, after a short conversation he asked her to end it.
For the sake for her children she did just that.
How she wasn’t charged with murder I have no idea, unless maybe our father pulled some strings.
I got to get outta here and maybe pound something or someone, go to the gym, or hit the bottle. ”
Before Cobalt can reply my phone vibrates, so I grab it, looking down.
Seeing I have a text, I open it and the picture I’m looking at has me screaming like a lunatic.
Cobalt grabs the phone, looking down, but I don’t want anyone to see her like that.
Cobalt keeps the phone while grabbing me close.
I can’t breathe well until a huge hand hits me in the middle of my back, which causes me to gasp from the pain.
What the fuck is what I think when the pain registers in my brain to fight back.
Turning, I look up and up to see Mammoth standing there, arms up ready to fight.
Well, shit, as mad as I am there is still no way I can take this brother, though I’m willing to try.
Hearing familiar voices I turn to see both Girlie and Isabella walk then running toward us.
When Isabella starts pounding on Mammoth’s leg it’s like someone threw cold water on me.
My mind clears out and I take a much-needed deep breath.
Reaching down, I grab my daughter, holding her tightly to my chest. She will never know her grandparents as my mom just up and left with no one trying to find her and from what Maeve has stated, our father doesn’t have much time on this earth.
“Little one, it is very wrong for you to put hands on anyone, especially your uncle Mammoth. No, listen to me, he was trying to help me so you owe him an apology. Again, I will tell you not to pout as you were wrong, and we do not make excuses. Go ahead, you hurt your uncle’s feelings.
Your mamma and I have always tried to tell you that hurting someone’s feelings or their body is wrong.
We don’t put hands on another person. Do you understand? ”
She looks down and I can tell she’s about to cry.
Suddenly, she shakes her little head, pulls herself up while pushing her shoulders back, and lifting those gorgeous eyes to me.
Oh shit, that is the same look Stella would get when she was absolutely pissed off at me.
I wait and my daughter doesn’t make me wait too long, the little sprite.
“Papà, you tell me not to hit people, then why do you get to do it? I heard the uncles talking and they all say how—umm, I’m sorry to use this word but don’t know what else to use.
They call you a ‘total badass.’ I see you hitting that bag downstairs and how everybody is afraid of you.
Why are they so scared of you, Papà? Do you beat people up?
Mamma said some biker people can be mean and bad. ”
Fuck, didn’t ever want to have this conversation with my daughter, but especially not now as young as she is and without Stella here to guide me so I don’t fuck our little girl up.
No one is saying a word, well, until Cobalt tells them the show is over.
He leans over, telling me that maybe I want to take this discussion to his office where we can have some privacy.
Isabella is listening to everything. When she looks around, I see her little face turning pink.
Oh, now she’s embarrassed that everyone heard her words.
Well, she’s learning a lesson at a younger age but better to learn it than walk through life with your head up your own ass.
We as people need to guard our words because once they are out, you can’t take them back.
Leaning down, I pick up Isabella and quickly make my way to Cobalt’s office.
Before I can shut the door though, Girlie and Cobalt walk past me and take seats at the side table.
I make my way to the couch and put my daughter down then sit very close to her.
This is gonna totally suck but guess it’s part of being a parent.
Stella has done a phenomenal job with Isabella, so time for me to step up and do my part.
I just hope and pray I don’t fuck her up with all of my bullshit.
I glance at my best friend and brother and am suddenly so glad that both Cobalt and his ol’ lady are here to give me some support and guidance.
Before I start, I thank the man upstairs for providing me with a brother who cares because I’m gonna need all the help I can get.