16. Layla

"So, how long do they think the delay will be?" I asked Tyler. It's been a little over a week into lockdown, and I had been looking forward to getting out of the house for the grand opening of the first shelter. Unfortunately, the head designer notified us that the team encountered unexpected problems. I wasn't sure what unexpected problems one would encounter with a few coats of paint and some furniture placement, but Tyler assured me whatever the issue was, it was legitimate.

"At least another two weeks," he replied.

"What's the problem?" I asked.

"Inspection issues."

I sat forward and leaned my elbows on my desk. "What exactly do you mean, inspection issues?"

"There seem to be some things that the construction crew did that aren't exactly up to code," Tyler replied.

"Is this real or Anton's way of fucking with me?" I asked.

Tyler opened his mouth to reply and then shut it again as he considered my question. "You know, I assumed it was real. I hadn't considered that it could be a ruse. Why hadn't I considered that possibility?"

"Don't beat yourself up too much. We've had a lot going on," I replied. "Get the inspection report and call in the foreman. I want answers."

"You got it, boss," Tyler replied. He left my office, and I leaned back in my chair to stare at the ceiling. I really was going out of my mind.

"Molly, do we have anything on the agenda?" I handed the Anton issue over to Kadence, but so far, we haven't found Uncle Vinny or Uncle Tony. I was still contemplating going after Anton Sr., but Colton said we didn't have the manpower to hunt him down with all of the protection details in place. Even if we did, I still hadn't entirely made up my mind yet. On the one hand, I wanted Anton to feel the pain he caused Colt and Zach. On the other, I wasn't comfortable stooping to his level and torturing and murdering his father for revenge. I had more respect for the old guard than Anton did. I couldn't kill his father without a valid reason.

"Sorry, boss," she replied from her desk in the corner. "It's been quiet."

"Too quiet," I groaned. I left my office in search of someone to occupy my time. I found Cordy, Jennifer, and Autumn in the kitchen. "What are you guys up to?"

"Cordy is teaching us how to make bread!" Autumn replied.

"That's... fun," I replied. Cooking and baking weren't my thing, but at least they found something to entertain themselves. "Mind if I watch?"

Cordy gave me a knowing look. "Heaven's help us. Go read a book before you get yourself in trouble."

"I don't feel like reading a book," I replied. The truth was, I found it difficult to relax in this house. I grew up here, but it hasn't felt like home since returning. At least not the kind of home you could kick back and relax in. There was always the potential for something to pop up with the business to disrupt it. "And what do you mean by that? Why would I get myself into trouble?"

"Child, I know you better than you know yourself," Cordy replied. "And I know that when you reach this level of boredom, you lose all impulse control and jump into the middle of the first thing that comes along."

"I do not," I protested.

"When you were eight, you convinced Tyler that you could use a box fan as propellors for a jetpack to fly. If I hadn't checked on you when I did, the boy would have jumped out of the treehouse," Cordy replied.

"That was not my idea! That was Tyler's idea, which was why he was going to test it first," I tried to argue.

"I may be getting old, but my mind is sharp. I know what happened," Cordy replied.

"Fine. One time. It happened once," I conceded.

"And what about the time you and Zach picked the lock to the armory when you were eleven and helped yourself to weapons? Loaded down like you were going to war," Cordy asked.

"Ok, but we were technically going to war. It was a game, but it was real to us," I replied.

"Eleven year olds do not need to go to war! Nor do they need to bring guns and knives to playtime." Cordy ripped a towel off a metal bowl with a big dough ball and angrily punched the air out of it. "The way my heart stopped when I looked down from your bedroom window and saw the two of you pointing guns at each other. I thought for sure I'd find two dead children by the time I got out there."

"The guns weren't loaded," I replied. "We weren't stupid. Daddy really turned my ass red over that one," I replied, chuckling at the memory. Steam had shot out of his ears when he found out what we had done.

"My point is, go find something to do. Call your friends, watch a movie, take a nap, something, anything!" Cordy exclaimed.

"Or maybe... I could combine all that," I replied as an idea formed. "We need a girl's night!"

"That would be fun," Jennifer replied. "I haven't had one of those in years."

"Then it's settled. I'll call the girls and start making plans. We're going all out!"

As I rushed from the kitchen to put my plans in motion, I heard Cordy say, "Thank goodness. Idle hands are the Devil's playground with that girl."

"Molly!" I said as I entered my office. "I need you to find masseuses and manicurists that make house calls."

"Boss?" Molly asked, looking up from her work in confusion.

"We're having a girl's night and day," I replied. "You're invited, of course. We'll pamper ourselves and then spend the night watching movies. We'll need champagne, too—lots of it—and sparkling grape juice for Autumn. And all the snacks. We're going all out."

"Yes, ma'am," Molly grinned.

Between the two of us, we were able to schedule everything we needed. The manicurists wouldn't be available until the day after tomorrow, so that was when we planned it. The Renegades were in, and this would be the first time since we were teenagers that the four of us would be in the same room together. To say I was excited was an understatement.

"What's going on?" Drew asked as he came into the office.

"I'm planning a spa day and movie night with the girls," I replied as I hung up with Brandi, who would pick up Kadence and sneak her into my house.

"That sounds fun," he replied.

"No boys allowed!" I said sharply. "I mean it. No crashing my party."

"Well, maybe me and the guys will have a poker night. No girls allowed," he replied.

"Be my guest as long as you stay in the basement," I replied.

"Seriously?" he laughed.

"Deadly," I replied. "If I see anyone with a penis, I will cut it off."

"Noted," Drew replied, cupping himself protectively as Molly giggled.

A little while later, Tyler returned to my office. "So I made a few calls, and our contractor strongly disagrees with the inspector's noted problems. He said there was no way the build wasn't up to code. We arranged to meet with the inspector in a few days to review his report."

"You should take Sean with you," I replied. "He's big and intimidating but used to handling situations tactfully. If you need me to come with you, just let me know. I don't mind roughing up some government stooge in Anton's pocket."

"That's a good idea. I'll bring Sean and let you know if we need your assistance. I'm pretty sure we can handle it, though," he laughed.

"Drew said you're planning a girl's day? Need any help?"

"Nope. Molly and I have it covered," I replied.

"Alright, I'll get out of your hair then." Tyler gave me a quick kiss and then left.

"‘Ty?" I said before he could leave. He stopped halfway through the door and turned back questioningly. "Just be careful when you go to the shelter, ok?"

"Don't worry, baby. I will," he replied before leaving.

I felt uneasy about the shelter. Delaying the opening was pointless unless there were ulterior motives behind it, like buying themselves more time for something bigger.

"Ugh, I really needed this," Brandi groaned as the hot masseuse worked the kinks out of her back with his big hands.

"I demand that we do this at least once a month," Cordy agreed.

Snuggling deeper into the couch with Autumn as Jennifer, Cordy, Molly, and Brandi got massaged, I sipped my champagne and flipped the page of the tabloid magazine we were reading together. "I agree. We haven't been living our best lives. How's it going over there, Jen?"

"I didn't know it could feel this good," she moaned from her table. Kadence, Monika, and I had already received ours. Autumn wasn't old enough to get one, which had disappointed the kid, but I assured her that she'd be able to get her nails done first when the nail techs arrived.

"You know, Brandi, if you would let Nate pop that cork, you might not be so tense," Monika teased.

"Mon, there is a kid present," I scolded.

"She doesn't know what I'm talking about," she replied, waving her hand at me.

I looked at Autumn, who was blushing slightly. "She understands more than you think," I replied.

"I can keep it PG," Monika assured me. "Besides, girl talk is good for the kid."

I shook my head as Brandi replied, "How are things going with Bear and his buddies?"

"I'd prefer not to talk about that," Monika huffed.

"What happened to girl talk?" I laughed.

"Talking about Brandi and her situation is far more entertaining," Monika replied as she popped a grape into her mouth.

"I'd rather talk about Kadence's love life. That's the big mystery," Brandi replied.

Kadence looked up from the magazine she was flipping through like a deer caught in headlights. "I don't have one," she replied.

"Nothing spicy going on with your partner?" I asked.

"God, no," she replied. "We're compatible as partners, not lovers."

"So you don't have any fish in the sea trying to nibble on your worm?" I asked.

"Or maybe any worms you're trying to nibble on?" Jen added.

We all laughed except Autumn. "I'm confused," she said. "Are you trying to find a boyfriend by fishing?"

Our laughter became louder at her innocent question. "Something like that," I snorted.

"What about young Molly?" Cordy asked. "Got any fish dangling on the line?"

"I might," she replied. "But I can't tell you who because my Dad would end up killing him if he found out."

"Ohh, intriguing," I replied. "There's something hot about forbidden love. Romeo and Juliet had it right until the whole fake death/suicide thing."

"What about you, Cordy?" Molly asked, turning the tables on our resident surrogate mom. "When's the last time you went fishing?"

"Yeah, Cordy. Spill it!" I cheered.

Cordy lifted her head from the hole in the massage table and propped herself on her elbows to look at us. "I've been fishing more recently than I'm sure any of you girls expect. But a lady doesn't kiss and tell."

"Really?" I asked. "I thought a lady got railed by five guys every night," I blurted before slapping my hand over my mouth and looking at Autumn. More laughter filled the room as we all completely lost our composure.

"And you were worried about me saying the wrong thing," Monika snorted.

I set my champagne down. "I think I need to eat something before I drink more," I joked as I leaned forward to snag something from the charcuterie board Cordy had prepared.

"Like you need to shove more salami into your mouth," Kadence deadpanned, making me choke on the cracker I had just popped into my mouth.

Crumbs flew from my mouth as I coughed, reaching for my champagne to wash it down before I died. I grabbed a cube of cheese and threw it at Kadence's head as everyone laughed. She caught it before it hit her and ate it.

"Thanks," she grinned.

"I don't think I want to know what you guys are talking about," Autumn said. "Can I go play on my Xbox?"

"Go ahead," I told her. "I'll let you know when it's time for our manicures."

"Now that the minor had gotten bored and left the room," Monika asked after giving Autumn time to get out of earshot, "Layla, how the hell do you handle five men? I'm asking for a friend. The friend is Brandi."

"Lots of lube," I joked.

"I'm being serious," Monika laughed. "How do you deal with them? Don't they infuriate you on a daily basis?"

"Sometimes," I replied, "but not always. I mean, I grew up with Colt, Zach, Drew, and Tyler, so they started as my best friends before we became involved. We know each other inside and out, so we don't usually have problems. Sean... well, Sean is figuring out his place with us, but things have been good with him lately, which is a relief."

"So you're saying that they aren't constantly pissing you off?" Brandi asked.

"Not really."

"Lucky bitch," Brandi grumbled. "Nate drives me up the fucking wall all day, every day. And the rest of the team isn't any better. If it's not him, it's one of them."

"There's a solution for that, you know," I replied.

"What's that?"

"You could sleep with them. Really tends to mellow everyone out." I snickered as Brandi lifted her head and glared at me.

"I don't want to fuck them," she growled.

"Bullshit," Monika laughed. "Anyone with eyes can see how much you want one of them to throw you against the wall and fuck your brains out, including them. I don't understand why you fight it."

"Like you're one to talk. What about Bear?" Brandi shot back.

"What about him?" Monika asked.

"Why haven't you given in to him? He's head over heels for you," Brandi replied.

A sly smile spread across Monika's face. "Who says I haven't?"

"Shut up!" I exclaimed. "Did you?"

"Maybe," Monika replied coyly.

"Don't fucking maybe us, bitch. Spill," Brandi ordered. She waved the masseuse off and sat up, staring at Monika expectantly.

"We... kissed," Monika admitted.

"That's it?" I asked.

"That was anti-climatic," Jennifer laughed.

"Just a tad," Kadence commented. "Seriously, all you did was kiss?"

"Well, it's difficult to cross that line between friends and lovers, right, Lay?" Monika said, seeking my defense.

I looked at her apologetically. "Sorry, Mon, it wasn't that difficult for me. I didn't even question it. It was the natural next step in our relationship."

"To be fair," Cordy said, "You girls can't compare your potential relationships to Layla's. They've loved each other for years before acting on it. It's apples and oranges. What you have to ask yourselves is if you can see yourselves with anyone else."

"I never thought about it," Monika admitted. "Bear and the guys have had my back since I took over. It was only recently that I figured out they wanted something more."

"It's not about what they want, though," Kadence replied. "What do you want?"

"I don't want to fuck up what we have," Monika replied.

"Have you masturbated to the thought of them?" Jennifer asked, sitting up.

"I don't think I know you well enough to answer that question," Monika replied.

"So pretend I asked," Brandi said.

Monika sighed. "Yes. I have. More times than I'm willing to admit."

"My suggestion is just to let it happen," I told her. "Don't overthink it. Just get naked and ask them to come see you. I promise they'll take over from there when they see you."

"Just like that?" Monika laughed.

"Just like that," I assured her. "I don't know about the others because I haven't spent much time with them, but I do know Bear, and if he's let them spend so much time with you and trusted them with you, I promise they're all on the same page and are waiting for you to give them the green light."

"And as for you," I said, directing my attention to Brandi, "you're being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn. Stop being a brat and fighting your feelings."

"What if they can't give me what I need?" Brandi asked. "What if what I need scares them off?"

"You'll never know if you don't try," Jennifer replied. "I'm not an expert on relationships. We all know my last one wasn't healthy or voluntary, but I know men. You'd be surprised what they are willing to do for sex. What they're willing to try." she waggled her eyebrows.

"Maybe," Brandi replied, still unconvinced.

"Boo," Kadence said softly, "if it scares them off, they weren't for you. Your desires and needs make you who you are. They don't have a place in your life if they can't get on board with that. But you won't know that unless you open up to them."

"I already told you what you needed to do," I reminded her. "Take them to the club and show them what you need. I'm willing to bet that they'll happily learn the lifestyle if you let them."

"What lifestyle?" Cordy asked.

We all looked at each other and burst out laughing as Brandi turned bright red.

"Why are you all laughing like hyenas?" Cordy asked.

"All done, ma'am," her masseuse stated. Cordy got off the table and came to sit on the couch with me. I hopped up to fetch the envelope with the cash for the masseuses while Brandi stuttered through an explanation of what lifestyle she was talking about.

"Thank you for your services," I told them as I walked them to the door.

As the door closed, arms wrapped around me from behind. "Just who I was looking for," Zach said.

"You're supposed to be in the basement with the others," I scolded.

"I know, but I need your help real quick. I need your handprint for the tattooist," he replied.

"Tattooist?"

"Yeah. I decided that since you were bringing in people to massage you girls and do your nails, I could bring someone in for us, too." Zach set a sketch pad on the table beside a large ink pad. "I already told the tattoo guy what I wanted, so he came prepared. Right hand, please."

"You're getting my hand tattooed on you?" I asked. I wasn't sure if that was romantic or weird. I was leaning toward romantic. I pressed my hand to the ink pad and then the paper.

"I am," Zach said proudly. When I was done, he grabbed the pad and ink and kissed me quickly. "Thanks, baby!" He ran back downstairs before I could say anything else.

I shook my head as I stepped into the hall bathroom to wash the ink off. When I returned to the living room, they were still explaining the Dom/sub lifestyle and BDSM to Cordy, who looked fascinated by the premise. I returned to my seat and sipped my champagne as the conversation continued.

"Can anyone go to this club?" she asked, making me choke.

"Why do you ask?" I questioned.

"I'd like to see what it's all about," she replied.

"Oh, God," I replied. "I do not need that imagery in my head." All I could see was Cordy, clad in shiny black leather, tied to a St. Andrew's Cross, and getting spanked with a riding crop—some things you didn't need to envision.

"I may be older than you girls, but I'm still a woman with a healthy appetite and an adventurous spirit," Cordy chastised.

"She has a point," Jennifer laughed. "Who are we to judge?"

"I'm not judging," I replied, "I just don't want to think about the only mother I've ever known like that." I wrapped my arm around Cordy's shoulders. "You go get yours any way you like, Cordy."

"Thank you, dear," she replied, patting my hand. "Brandi, before you leave, I'd like the name and address of that club."

"Sure thing, Cordy," Brandi laughed.

"Moving on," Jennifer said, "I want to thank you ladies for including me today. I know we don't know each other all that well, and you didn't have to include me, so thank you."

"Ditto," Molly said from her spot on the floor. "I appreciate being included."

"No need to thank me," I assured them. "I'm happy you guys are here with us. When I was on the run, I wasn't able to have friends, so it's nice to be surrounded by them now."

"You didn't have any friends?" Kadence asked.

"Nope. Well, I had one when I first left in Arizona, but after that, I learned it wasn't safe to have friends."

"What happened?" Jennifer asked.

"Uncle Gino found out I was in Arizona and killed her to get information about me," I replied sadly. "Her name was Bethany, and she really would have liked you guys."

Brandi squeezed herself between me and the arm of the couch and wrapped me in a tight hug. "I'm sorry about your friend, pumpkin. And I'm sorry that you weren't able to have friends. That would be such a lonely way to live."

"Sean visited occasionally, but that was my only safe relationship. I couldn't risk befriending anyone else and being the reason that they were murdered. It was easier to just keep to myself."

"Well, you're home now," Monika announced, "and that's all that matters. You won't have to go through that ever again. I won't let you."

"Thanks, ladies," I replied.

"So," Kadence chirped, shifting the mood, "who has the biggest dick?"