Beyond dreams, p.25
Beyond Dreams, page 25
Ace pulled back, looked down at me and grabbed me once more with a gentler hug. Oh man Chelsea was in big trouble because the huge man had hidden sweetness and I had a feeling it was just for her. I wasn’t sure how to ramp it up for her now that I was back home.
Doc checked my arm thoroughly getting it bandaged up and threw in an arm brace. It had healed well from the car accident but that was only a minor sprain. This time would take much longer to heal I was sure. He also thrust a paper in my hand for a scheduling of when to ice or remove sling. What sucked was the two stitches needed in my left eyebrow as I wasn’t a fan of having a needle swinging around my eye. The poor left side of my face has taken a beating this month. It's a good thing I think scars are cool or I would be sad about both of them.
After that I hopped in the shower and threw on clothes that apparently Tristan had packed for me and they were actually good choices. I had a button up baggy flannel and easy to pull on shorts that were super comfy. When I emerged, I was happy to see someone ordered a bunch of pizzas and appetizers which was amazing because home had the best pizza. Tristan still wasn’t saying much but stuck close to me everywhere I went. After we ate, he took me to a room across the hall that must be ours and he got ready for bed. I crawled in so happy not to have to sleep sitting up because it was really uncomfortable. Once in bed, he pulled me to him hanging on tight even for him, but yet gentle avoiding all injured parts.
“Hey, are you ok? You have been really quiet,” I prodded trying to analyze his face.
“Shhh we will talk tomorrow,” he whispered just lightly rubbing down my back and head. It felt so nice I fell asleep soon after, the best sleep-in days wrapped up in him.
I didn’t wake up until nine which was so late for me, without Tristan, and I could hear a lot of hustle from across the hall. It only took me fifteen minutes to get ready and wake myself up. Once across the hall I walked into a small buffet of breakfast items and coffees. It was a beautiful thing because I was starving.
“About time, Boss made us all wait until the girls got breakfast first,” Gage complained.
The men were all staring at us fixing our plates like they had never seen food before. I appreciated their chivalry mostly because I had seen them eat before. Once we sat down they dove on it like rabid wolves. I felt like I could eat for days but my stomach had shrunk in the five days without food, so I ate only a little bit which filled me quickly. The agents came by so Jemma and I could give our statements as the men had already done theirs. Doc was getting ready to take Jemma home soon and we were saying goodbyes with a promise for me to come by this afternoon. Someone had retrieved my phone which was sitting on a table and I picked it up, fifty-seven missed calls yikes. There were calls from everyone but mostly were from Tristan.
I went looking for him and found him back in our room pacing the floor. “Hey are you ok?” I asked, starting to worry now.
“Am I ok?” He laughed like I said some kind of joke. “Are you out of your fucking mind?” he shouted.
“What? What are you talking about?” I asked not sure what there was to be so angry about.
“What? What?” He stuttered at me, kinda rude.
“Boss, man don’t,” Blaze said calmly from the doorway.
Tristan put his hand up to tell Blaze to back off. “Five fucking days, five goddamn motherfucking days.”
“I know, I’m fine,” I whispered low and calm, not liking where this conversation was heading. I was using my best tame the beast voice, actually I'm not sure how to tame beasts but thought I could try.
Gage tried to help, “Boss we are good, it’s all good. Let’s just move forward, I’m sure this was a one-time thing.”
“Exactly, what he said,” I seethed pointing at Gage, starting to get heated.
“No. It’s not fucking OK! You’re out of your goddamn mind. You had no clue what the fuck you were doing. I told you to stay in the farmhouse where it was safe. I also told you that me and the guys could take care of this shit. But instead, you act like some kind of fucking maverick idiot and take off! Have you seen your face?” He yelled. Now I’m sure the entire hotel could hear us because if they couldn't, they would soon as I was about to yell too.
“It was my fucking sister there, big guy, and look because of me she’s fine. I couldn’t leave her there. I knew that they would kill her like they did Amber. Besides, in case you’re blind, I can take care of myself pretty well,” I shouted, getting very loud with one hand on my hip and the braced one waving around angrily.
“It was fucking stupid; you’ve lost your goddamn mind. You are not trained for this type of thing, you’re good for like a bar brawl. Every single one of my men could take you down in seconds. That big Russian guy, Vladimir, is bad news and he won’t be in jail for long. The reputation the man has is beyond your worst nightmare. He likes to play with toys until he breaks them while they are locked up in places unknown. What then? You think I want that to happen to you?” he roared.
Gage and Blaze both tried to interject but were stopped by his next words, “I thought you were a fucking smart girl and I guess I was wrong. I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you almost got both of you killed. You acted like a total fucking half-wit; I can’t even believe it. I genuinely thought your brain was a thing of beauty until now. You can bet you’ll never do any shit like that again. I absolutely will not allow it. So, don’t even think about trying anything like that again. Next time anything crazy is happening, you do as I say.” There was male mumbling behind him.
“Oh really,” I sneered. “I don’t have to listen to one thing you say. I did what I had to do and that’s it. If you don’t like it too fucking bad, I am a big girl and I can handle myself. My goal was getting Jemma out and I did that. I don’t need some barbarian bossing me around, we just talked about having conversations,” I shrilled right in his face then stomped away.
“Oh, I will personally make sure you don’t. You will do exactly as you're told and like it. I will not go through five days like that ever again. I imagine in the future you could call upon your intelligence when needed, and when it’s not available refer to me,” he continued nastily.
“You won’t have to worry about it, you can go fuck yourself,” I yelled throwing my phone at him which just bounced off his chest onto the ground. The men tried to calmly stop me from leaving but I flipped Tristan the bird instead evading both of them. On that I walked out of the room, shoving my way through the men, stomping to an elevator, and headed down. Doc and Jemma were just pulling around the lot as I flagged them down.
Doc gave me raised eyebrows as he turned around looking at me, “Ohh just drive,’’ I murmured grumpily plopping into the back seat and dragging in the bag of clothes Tristan had brought me.
“Ok lass just remember he didn't have a good week. The man was worried out of his mind, a tree suffered a cruel fate. He gets mad, he says things, and ye can’t take to heart,’’ he lectured.
I didn't care at that moment what kind of week he had because you still couldn't talk to me like that. It was arrogant, bossy, rude, and I wasn't the kind of girl that stands for that. You can’t just order me around and call me stupid. The ride only took us a few minutes to arrive at Jemma’s house thank goodness. We went inside and both got showered with much better toiletries and I borrowed some clothes since I had nothing here anymore. Our brother Jerad called and wanted us over at his place instead of him coming here because my nephew was with him along with my parents. It was not something I was in the mood for, but it had to be done so off we went.
We pulled into my parent’s drive and my nephew came running up at full speed to Jemma. At six years old he was cute as a button with dark hair and green eyes over chubby cheeks. After Jemma, he came to me to yell Auntie loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear and then gave me a hug. My big brother Jerad hugged Jemma then threw an arm around my shoulder as we walked up the steps.
“You know you could have called me, right?” He also lectured. I currently was not in the mood for alpha males. They all could go pound sand.
“Yeah, but I kinda didn’t want killers all over my family. Besides, it all worked out and it’s totally fine,” I reassured him, holding my tongue.
He squeezed my shoulder tighter, “Well that didn’t go as planned did it? Next time call me but I’m sure after talking to your man this was the last time you go off half-cocked.” Unbelievable, my own brother was siding with a man he didn't even know. What a traitor. I was glad I broke his favorite GI Joe doll when I was eight. To be fair I thought Joe could withstand a monster truck running over him, but he wasn’t the same after.
“He’s not my man,” I grumbled.
His face was disbelieving, “Oh really? Not your man? He came in to get you with an entire team from across the country, kicked ass, and saved your butt. And he's not your man? Does he know that?”
“He is an ass; do we need to discuss this really? And how the hell do you know him? And isn’t blood thicker than water or something?” I inquired, giving him the evil eye.
“Seems like a good man, little bear, he came here when you went missing and introduced himself and we talked for a bit. The man was out of his mind you were gone,” he informed me quietly.
I rolled my eyes at his nickname for me, “Ok well you probably won’t see him again so forget it ok? I am going to mail him a check for his services.”
“Uh bear that doesn’t sound like a good idea. He didn’t seem like the type of man who would appreciate you doing that because I wouldn’t if a woman tried that with me,” Jerad kept lecturing.
"Ugh, I am trading you in for new brother,” I groaned, stomping ahead of him into the house. I’ve never walked so dramatically so often in my life.
Mom and Dad were on the back deck, Mom was setting the table and dad was drinking coffee. They both stopped what they were doing and came to hug their girls. We got through all the regular greetings as Dad glanced around, “Where’s Tristan?”
Jeez really? The man was everywhere, for crying out loud. “No Dad, he’s not here. I am assuming they are heading back to Nebraska today.” My snotty tone was not noted by anyone.
“That’s a shame he’s a good man. We were hoping to come by the hotel so we could get to know them better. His team seemed like really great respectable men. Bear, he’s so much better than that last loser you found,” Dad informed me.
“That’s too bad honey. We can’t wait to get together with him in the future.” Mom, thinking I need comforting, patted my shoulder.
Once my family got done naming Tristan man of the year, we had a true upstate New York lunch which I loved. There was macaroni salad, potato salad, salt potatoes, Hoffman hotdogs, burgers and desserts which all tasted like heaven. I had to speak to Grady about growing salt potatoes and introducing them there. He could make a killing. They are amazing and also make the best home fries.
After lunch I had Jemma drop me off at my best friend Danai’s house. She was a bit over the top as I told her the whole story and about my time in Nebraska.
“So, girl what are you going to do next? Obviously, you can stay here as long as you’d like but do you want to?” She asked, popping fruit in her mouth.
“I don’t know. It was so ugly with him that I don’t want to move there now. It would be so awkward, but I loved it so much,” I sighed.
“And him?” she pried.
“I don’t know. He was such a bossy, arrogant jerk, and no way you go into something with anyone speaking to me like that it’s silly. The last thing I need is to fall in love and discover he is as big of a jerk as Matt.”
“No one, and I mean no one, is as big as Matt. So, you love him? Because when I met him, I thought he was a really hot but nice guy,” She asked, smiling huge and wiggling her eyebrows for emphasis.
I rolled my eyes; he had met everybody, and I had no clue how. “I was headed there for sure but now I don’t know. It was so incredible it felt too good to be true. We actually enjoyed each other mentally and he embraced my kind of crazy. I’m so confused because he was a total ass. I just need time near the water for a few days and get my head together,” I told her sipping my wine.
“No worries take your time, but I so want to meet Chelsea and see her clothes. It wouldn’t hurt to introduce me to the guys too just in case one of them is my flavor,” she added, wiggling her eyebrows some more. We both laughed but I promised introductions.
The next morning, we got up on rented jet skis and spent the day on the lake for Danai’s day off. It was fun to unwind laughing with my girl and getting in another adventure. I thought maybe I needed to start talking her into moving there too, she would love it too. So, I planted a few seeds.
Tristan
A few days passed and no sign of Kayla anywhere. I knew I was harsh but for particularly good reasons and now I was feeling bad about losing my temper with her. Worse was I had no way to track her because I had her phone and the boys had brought her car to Jemma’s and it hadn’t moved. I knew this because I checked every hour so I sent Doc to drop her phone off there as well with the hope she would grab it. No luck and we had to get back home today to relieve Aidan. Chelsea had taken the dogs at her house to keep an eye on the pups for Blaze and sent pictures of Hawk with them beyond excited. I was quite sure I saw that was now Ace’s screensaver on his phone.
“Man,” I heard as a hand hit my shoulder. “We will get her back; I think she needs time to cool down. You both have Irish tempers which is good in the bedroom but bad for conversation,” Gage told me.
Blaze entered the room, “You bitches ready?" The expression on my face was a dead giveaway, “Look she will come around and we can come back but we got to get back today then we can make a plan.”
They were all being extremely calm considering my mood over the last week. I really wanted to break something in frustration, but I knew from extensive training this would do no good whatsoever and we had to go. There were other jobs lined up and Ace’s house was in construction which needed to be overseen. They were right. I needed a plan, and my head wasn’t in the right space to do that right now. I had already gone by her parents, sister, and brothers' place to no avail. Everyone seemed to think they would see me again but after that morning I wasn’t so sure. It was driving me nuts not having any access to her and leaving without her just felt wrong. The look on her face when she walked out kept replaying in my head and it had my stomach in knots. I didn’t mean any of what I said, and my mom would be disappointed. She said wait until you are collected to speak to a woman, you know what your father used to say about words...
Seamus got us a plane to get us back that could handle bringing Wolf’s bike too. It didn’t feel right going back like this, but I had no choice but to do it. For the first time they were all quiet on the flight back which I appreciated so I could get my head straight. The flight went by quick and before I knew it, we were pulling up the farm gate buzzing Aidan to let us in. It did feel good to be home but after walking in it felt just empty. There was no laughing, no smell of coffee brewing and no sweet smell of food cooking. It was just dark, desolate, and quiet.
Doc headed out to relieve Aidan and return to his beloved cave. He loved mission control and didn’t like to leave it often. The rest of us didn’t mind so much because we got bored to tears there. We all gathered in the kitchen while Blaze made coffee.
Aidan came in handing me a FedEx envelope and asking, “Where’s Kay?”
“Not here,” I ground out.
“Fuck man what you do?” Aidan asked as I opened the envelope.
“Lost his fucking temper after we finally got her,” Gage blurted. I turned to give him a killing look.
“She will be back I’m sure of it, man. Kay cools down quick,” Blaze added, actually trying to be helpful.
Ace grabbed a coffee walking out and slamming the door. Ok I guess I know whose side he was on in this. “She’s a fucking fireball I’m sure we will hear from her as soon as she cools off,” Wolf added.
“Don’t get your hopes up boys. Un-fucking-believable,” I yelled, throwing the package. Inside were three checks and a description on each line as to what they were for. One said rescue quest for $10,000, the next $1,200 for a phone, and the last made out to Ace for $3,000 for a car and a note saying she would make more payments towards the car with an actual IOU made out to Ace. She took her entire savings and wrote them fucking checks knowing it would piss me off. I tore them all up, throwing them in the air and stormed out of the room. I guess she was really furious with me and wanted me to be the same, which she accomplished with ease.
Wolf watched Tristan leave picking up the torn papers he threw everywhere, “Shit she’s a tad madder than we thought boys, stubborn ass micks.”
Seamus, Gage, and Blaze all moved in to take a look and backed up with grim expressions. With terrible timing Chelsea walked in, “Hey guys, where’s Kayla?”
Gage blew out a breath, “Chels, she didn’t come back with us and it isn’t looking hopeful that she will be coming back.” He dropped some of the torn-up paper to the floor.
“Well why not? Aww what did you guys do? Come on, first Lucy then Kayla. You guys are like women repellent,” she accused.
“Not we, he. And we thought it would blow over after a day,” Blaze reported.
“Ugh, why do you boys have to get so damn barbaric? She’s the best friend I’ve had in forever. I have been calling her and it’s going straight to voicemail,” she added insulted. She pointed a finger in a circle, “She does not ever send me to voicemail. You all need to figure this out. You all go on jerk mode sometimes and I’m not losing friends because you all have rotating temper tantrums.”
“Chels,” Seamus said, jumping in.
“No, figure it out. I have heard you all behave badly, where is he?” She asked looking around the room for a victim.
