Chapter Six

Veritable Law Club

Two days

Teller walks around Cort and I’m rolling my eyes. “You’re a bastard. You knew everyone would be here.”

He smiles like this is good. One of these days I’m going to ping him. That has his smile falling. “Everyone knew. I wasn’t hiding it, Brother. It’s a women meeting day. We all pick a Club and show there. I always try for Bravo but Cort made Justice come here so I’m here.”

“Why here?” This is the farthest Club from Guardian.

He shrugs. “Cort raised Jinx and Brinks, he comes to catch up, I guess.”

I sigh out the annoyance I’m feeling. “I’d probably do the same. Where’s Chenoa and the boys?”

“Prospects have the boys with Caelan and the Bits, Chenoa and Carmen are in the dining room eating while the others aren’t here yet.” He sits at the table with Cort but we’re at the other end.

“Thanks.” Not so close works for me.

“Ginny said Dyani freaked when she saw you in the pool at Squared.”

I smile. Squared sounds better than, ‘ to the power of two ’, which is what Dyani called it before Ginny corrected her. “Yeah, but it was a shock, it didn’t scare her away.”

He laughs. “You claimed her.”

I shake my head at him wishing I had suspending time abilities. “Shut the fuck up. The plan was for tonight. She’s coming home after the meet,” I say in a low growl.

“Relax, I’m shielding. Your eyes with the paint over them make the flash brighter. We don’t give details on old ladies around Cort.”

“Close your eyes and breathe in the ancestors. It always works for me,” Mase says sitting beside me.

“Thanks.” I do as he says and feel my back settle. When I open my eyes, Teller is smiling.

“It works for you too. Do that so you’re not drawing attention. I feel Cort’s eyes on us.”

Fuckin’ great. I nod but don’t look around. “Thanks, Mase. I’ll use it from now on.”

He looks at Teller with a Blackhawk smile on. “Beats pinging you every time you piss him off.”

I laugh. “I was holding onto patience, Brother.” I bump Mase’s arm with my elbow. “Hey, stop reading me.”

He points to Justice and Zeke. “Not possible. Teller is here too. There’s only so much you can expect with the crazy amount of power all gathered. I try not to show when Prez is close. He’s at Zion so I’m here. I try for meets on a board when I’m needed and they’re together.”

It’s a good plan. “I’m going to try that. The Protector compound must be hell to live full-time on.”

Teller doesn’t agree. “It’s not bad but we don’t feel it like you do. My dad is just my dad to me. Mucimi is scarce when he shows but Justice isn’t affected. All the boys love Prez.” It’s funny that he calls him Prez.

“Why don’t we hear you?”

We all turn toward Cort but Teller answers, “We were talking about the compound, Boss. It’s loud and I shielded us.”

“You’re swimming, Citiali?” Cort stands.

“I just got back from a run, Boss.”

“Good, it will cool you off.” He walks toward the pool getting passed by the kids that just ran in.

“Fuck.” I breathe deep and stand. Pulling off my T, arm band and the feathers from my ear, I walk toward the pool knowing the murmur is from the Brothers at the table.Because of the run, my hair is in one long braid so my back is exposed.

Cort turns at the edge of the pool looking over me to the murmuring. I keep going knowing it’s going to be a thing so I might as well just get it over with. Squared took a minute or two to settle. How bad can it be?

Two steps in and Cort stops me with a hand on my arm. “Holy fuck, Brother. That’s a birthmark? It’s the same as under your ear?”

I feel energy from behind but don’t look back. “My grandfather said we were marked by the ancestors from birth so I guess it’s a birthmark. Atohi has wings.”

“This is why you were banished from the tribe? How the fuck did they see evil? They couldn’t see the gift?” He knows quite a bit of my history that I didn’t tell him.

“I don’t know, Boss. I went to the reservation for the first time when Hemy burnt it. I never saw the reservation or elders before that. Liberty was my land, my people. I knew my brother Atsadi from the Club but he never spoke to me.”Seeing that pain hit his eyes, I’m relieved for some reason.

“Caelan and the Bits want to play. It’s keep away, I’ll go deep.”

I smile. “If you’re working out it’s a good place to be. I can suspend if you did your workout today.”

That poster smile shows. “Go for it. This one is over my head.”

I’m not surprised, Jinx is another giant. I dive under and push to the other side to play ball with the Little Brothers. In minutes, all the kids are here and the Brothers are holding toddlers or racing at the low end. They came in as a show for me, I love the Brotherhood and feel it deep.

We play for almost an hour before Raid shows pissed. I miss the little guy Jinx threw over and raise him before he hits the water, all while watching Raid and the anger radiating off him.

Justice has Teller’s boy a second later. “Get the boys out, Teller.” Justice gives the order in a voice I haven’t heard from him.

Cort turns our way. “What’s…”

The Prospect that bent for Teller’s boy is surprised by Raid’s bump and falls on top of the boy and Justice. Cort grabs for Raid’s leg but Raid pulls away and falls on top of the Prospect, Justice and the boy. I send energy hard and fast; Justice is up and out of the water in a flash. Going under, I grab the Prospect and pull him up. Cort takes his arm and tells Brothers to get him out of the pool.

I pop out with the Prospect.“I got him, Boss. Is the boy okay?” I don’t know which twin it was but I know he’s a Knight.

Cort answers, dripping on the side of me. “Yeah, Justice has him. Do I need a doc?” The head wound is bleeding but it’s not bad. The Prospect needs air.

“I called, Cort,” Jinx says standing with his huge dog by a bent over, dripping Raid.

“I got him. Don’t let anyone touch me.” My hand on the Prospects leg starts my back in motion and I tune them all out.

I feel when Justice joins us but I don’t jump back. The Prospect is coughing out the water he took in. I feel the energy pushing the water and smile jumping back. “Thanks, Aiyana told me about pushing energy but the water behind it made it hard.”

“It was going so I didn’t push much, you did good, Brother.” Justice is all smiles.

I throw him chin as Cort turns the Prospect on his side.

“Citiali sent air and energy through you. You doing okay, Brother?” Justice asks.

The Prospect coughs with no water coming out. “Yeah, Pres, was I hurt?”

Cort laughs. “You got a scar on your head and Raid knocked whatever air you had left out of you when he fell on top of you. Citiali did whatever and you’re here. No headache?”

“No, Boss. I feel fine but everyone huddled around me is weird even for freaky. You’re huge, Boss, and that dog can’t be a real dog.”

I stand up. The Brothers laugh and Cort helps the Prospect stand. Justice waves his hand and the blood is gone from the guy’s face like Justice wiped it away with a towel. “You need a clean shirt but you won’t scare the little kids.”

“What happened?”Seren and Chenoa push their way closer. I look for my girl as they go over the whole minute in details that will take five, I spot my girl and walk away.

“Hey! I want the recipe for that chicken you made!” Raid yells loud enough that everyone stops to watch.

I spin around at the fuckin’ lunatic that almost got a kid hurt and Prospect dead. One hand stops the giant. “Abilities are a gift and should be appreciated. Because we have ability, a boy isn’t hurt right now, a Prospect isn’t dead right now. The only thing you should be yelling about is how sorry you are for causing that whole fuckin’ scene. That Prospect is standing up right now when he would have been a drowning statistic if you had to wait for a doctor to show. Show appreciation to the ancestors, apologize to the Prospect and thank Justice for saving the baby. I can’t even look at what would have happened to the boy if he wasn’t in Justice’s arms.” I turn and walk away more pissed than I’ve been in a long time. I know by the Brothers and ol’ ladies shuffling out of my way, that my eyes are flashing. There’s probably paint on my face too.

My girl has her arm out and I walk right into her. “The boys are fine.”

I nod. “Teller threw it to me.” Turning, I look for him. Mase and his kids are keeping the two sets of twins busy playing kickball in the grass. Teller looks from the boys to me and throws me chin. I give it back.

“Your back is beautiful, Citiali.”

I turn away from the kids and my thanks to the ancestors that they’re all okay. “Thanks, Seren.”

“You’re always with your feathers. I got your shirt and shit, Brother.” Raid has my T, arm band and feathers in his hand piled just as I left them on the table.

My eyes meet his. “Thanks.”I take them but don’t put the sweaty T on. Justice hugs me making me laugh. I’m in breeches and one of my cotton shirts. “Thanks, the sweaty T wasn’t going back on me.”

He nods, stepping back. “You good?”

I smile. “Yeah, I’ll jump but I’m good now. Your energy always calms me.”

Raid doesn’t leave so I turn back to him and wait for what he has to say. “You’re right. I see the freaky shit and think it’s normal now. It was amazing at first, it should always be amazing and we all should see the gifts that you have as gifts sent here to make us better Brothers. I took that for granted but won’t ever again. I was being funny about the recipe to calm everyone down without thinking about how you all see, then saved, what could have been tragic. Thank you, Brother. You saved three today. I say three because I’d never forgive myself if people died because I missed the Italian meal no one saved me a plate of. I stole the chicken and sauce Cort stashed for a sandwich.” He makes me want to laugh but he’s not done. “That was the best food I ever stole. I didn’t see what could happen because I was pissed about a plate, but, Brother, I know I’d never make it if I killed innocent people over fuckin’ food. It’s a lesson I won’t need again. Your abilities are appreciated but your honesty when I needed it will be appreciated for the rest of my life, Citiali. Thank you.”

I throw him chin and calming energy. Now that I’m calm, I see his words are true and the lives he almost took hurt him deeply.

“You’re right, Citiali, he feels it and everyone is here and safe. Next time don’t waste energy pushing me. I went sky high.” Justice is a good leader, changing our focus.

I laugh. “I thought about the boy and just reacted, but they’re swimmers.” I shrug. Justice wouldn’t need my help.

He hits my shoulder while Raid does the Brother hug. I take a step back to Dyani, glad she didn’t leave. Her arm goes around me and I feel the connection we already have. “You calm me too, thank you, Dyani.”

She watches Raid turn then looks up at me with her eyes bright and that small smile, like she has a secret, on her lips. “You still want to do this tonight?”

I nod and raise my hand. “Brothers, I claim, Dyani Nanyehi…” I swear Mase would have bowled me over with the body slam if I wasn’t shielded. I push him away and fix my hair back over my shoulders.

“Congratulations, Brother, Dyani. Let her go, Citiali, so I can hug her and get back for my turn.”

“Get the fuck out of here. Find your woman and hug her.”

Cort pulls my hand off Dyani and hugs her, then the women surround my girl and move her out.

She looks back with a smile. “Don’t you dare leave without me.”

I laugh getting crushed. Brothers are fuckin’ crazy.

***

Teach Officer’s compound

Seeing the secret smile on my girl’s lips feels good. I think I’m seriously crazy because I feel that smile. No, I think I feel good that I was able to make her smile. It’s still crazy. Shaking my head, I guide her to her new home.

“You can change or add anything you want. Other than the clothes Mucimi ordered me, I don’t have much.”

“Clothes were ordered for me by Mucimi too. Kateri said it’s her style and they got her too much too. I have the motorcycle Seren ordered and Nitis told me of the golf cart. I’m not sure I need more than that.”

“Citiali! Dyani!” I smile seeing Anahu run down his steps and right for us as if we’re not right in front of his house.

“Anahu, I’m glad you’re back. How are your aunt and sister?”

He drops whatever he has in Dyani’s hand, thenbends and hugs Dyani, lifting her right up. “Saki is great. She loves her new house and made me some jewelry for you. My cousin called and I talked to him for an hour. It feels good to be remembered. I always thought everyone just forgot about me.”

I pull him away from Dyani and hug him stepping back quickly. “Being separated so young would account for that, Anahu. Memories fade for you more than the people searching for you. Feeling that now will give you confidence in your connection to the family that never stopped believing you’d be found.”

He hugs me again. “Saki said that they knew I’d come back. My sister was found before me but they knew I’d find a way home.” He’s getting more comfortable using English now.

“How is your sister?”

His excited smile falls. “Hurt, different, she is scared of everyone and doesn’t trust anything. I was going to hug her but she moved to Saki. She went back to her little house but will come to Tuesday dinner. Saki said she didn’t come much before.”

Scheduled dinners have got to be an Indian thing. “That’s good. She has more of a connection with you here. I’m happy for you, Brother. If you need anything, let us know.”

“Yes, and thank you for the bracelet.” Dyani shows him her wrist. “I’ll wear it proudly, Anahu.”

“Saki used your tribal colors. It matches VP Citiali’s armbands.” He turns back toward his house. Apparently, he was watching for us.

I smile at the boy who was taken from his tribe. He’s going to love relearning all he’s forgotten.

“He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him.” She starts walking again so I do.

I look down wondering if she is losing it. He was imprisoned with her at CIA then the real prison. “He didn’t have much to be happy about.” I point out.

She’s surprised. “We had an easy life before the prison. It wasn’t good but it wasn’t bad. The prison was bad.”

I’ve asked before but she doesn’t talk much about the bad. “Do you want to tell me anything about that time?”

Her hesitation has me drawing strength. “No, or not out here.”

We pass Nitis’ house in silence. When I open the door to her new home, she passes by me looking around. “You haven’t added anything since I first saw it.” That was just a couple of weeks ago when Mary was still with her. It feels longer.

“No, I added remembrances to the spare room but never had much.”

She stops at the island and looks out the window over the sink. “The prison was bad for all of us. At the beginning, we didn’t expect the cruelty, beatings and rape. It…it wasn’t just the women. I read stories and news but never saw or heard of anyone I know hurt that way. Early on, I realized I did have power if I could keep a clear head and use it. I used my gifts to stop the worst and Lulu taught the others about pushing their limits. I was gifted with seer, speed and strength but she was gifted the power of speech. Through her, we used our energy to help when we heard the guards close. Reading and talking to each other was easy once we figured out a language we could all use. If the guards stayed on the line, we shielded for the others.” She shakes her head but her eyes go right back to the window. “Anyway, me and Lulu weren’t hurt after the first time. New guards came in and we used commands to stop them. A couple would take the prisoners off the line. Those prisoners got beat or died. Lulu was off the line.” Her breath hitches but she takes a deep breath and goes on. “I made me small, boyish and quiet so I didn’t attract attention. Alone, I didn’t have the energy to shield everyone.” She turns right around and her head rears back. “No, I’m fine. The prison was bad but we weren’t there long. It wasn’t our whole life.” She’s nervous?

I nod, burning inside for what she’s been through; what they’ve all been through. I nod again, not trusting my voice. Closing my eyes, I breathe in the ancestors, it’s enough to calm me. “You’re telling me now because you think it will change my mind?” The low growl coming out of my mouth surprises even me.

Her eyes dart to the side. “The ancestors don’t live here in our world. They don’t know how men feel…”

I take a step and lift her onto the counter, then another step so she has no where to go. “The ancestors know me and they know you. We’re chosen for each other because they know you have what I need and I have what you need. You can tell me every sordid detail of your life, but that experience is how you became the incredible woman you are. I may get pissed, it may hurt me in a place that never heals, but my head and heart know it’s how you became Dyani Nanyehi. I claimed that woman with the ancestors’ approval.” I wipe her tears and kiss her lips. “You’re a Protector and don’t need a shield, but it’s who I am, Dyani. When you need that from me, I’m here, will always be here and I’ll be that shield. You won’t have to ask, wish or beg for it. I’ll show up when you need me without fail.”

Her eyes fill but she’s got that secret smile on. “A pledge from the messenger feels powerful and I’d be a fool to turn my back on it. I don’t want to talk about the past because it can’t be changed. I want the future that the ancestors see and we make.”

I can’t help but smile. “Anything, always.”

Her giggle surprises me, but it’s got me lifting her for the real kiss I missed with crazy Badass interference in her claiming.

Lifting my head, I breathe deep wondering when my arms went around her. Really, one hand is still holding the back of her head and the other is around her back holding her up against me. I release her head and take a small step back. The promise of those breasts plastered against me won’t let me go far. I’m a guy and have no qualms letting her see all of me, we had to come from somewhere and even Neanderthal has its moments.

Her eyes open and that ‘ got a secret ’ smile appears. “I got lost, apparently.”

I smile thinking it fits. “So did I. I’m not one to sugar coat shit, this is meant to be, it’s happening and that’s now. Are you ready, Dyani?”

“Ginny said she grew up with you and Mitena. They both told me you’re honest and blunt. I need that so don’t change. I’m ready and already agreed to be claimed. I’d rather that not be on a counter although the ol’ ladies said it’s hot but I have a bedroom in my head.” She’s completely serious.

I bark out a laugh and step in, hugging her to me again. “Don’t tell me about the ol’ ladies and I won’t bore you with the crazy Brothers. Tell me what you like and what you don’t. I’ll never know how to keep you happy without your input.” She hasn’t had a problem standing up for herself but I remember seeing timid when we first landed. Lifting her, I walk to the bedroom.

“I was told and don’t plan on changing. Nitis did tell you I’m a handful. That was your warning.”

Shaking my head, I set her down. “No, it’s a heads-up that you’re determined, focused and willing to work for what you want. I’ll help when you ask, where I see you can use an easier path and probably when you don’t want my help. Every Brother I know is a handful in one way or another. Men don’t see their counterparts in women. I do. I’m done talking about it and ready to move on, moving you right out of these clothes.”

Her arms go up, the secret smile shows and I’m more than happy to focus on the body I haven’t seen without layers of clothes, even the dainty Native garb has no chance tonight.

Lifting her shirt from the waist, I smile at her hair that got a little bushier but it’s cute. “Your hair suits you.”

Her hand goes right for it but I stop her. “I know what it means to you but I think it’s cute this way. Untamed, unruly, you called it un-Indian but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.”

She drops her hand. “It’s growing fast but untamed and unruly do capture the way it feels. I was ashamed when they sha…”

My finger over those dark lips stops her. “No, never ashamed. You made it here, you found your dream job and me. Surviving is no reason for shame so get that right out of your head.”

She pats my chest. “I was ashamed when they shaved it but realized it made it easier for me to blend in with men. Tame your flashing eyes, Citiali.”

Looking down I smile, there is nothing manly about my new ol’ lady. Unless she’s sparring with the women, she’s as dainty as her new Native clothes. With a flip of my thumb on the shell that serves as a button, her flowing pants fall. “Yes, ma’am.”

She turns toward the bed and I see the mark. “You’re marked like me.”

She laughs at me. “Not like you. Ginny told me about Atohi, so not like him either. I just have the clan mark and it’s small. You have too many clothes on.” She acts as if theTsalagi is no big deal.

“It’s the Cherokee, North American Iroquois lineage.”

Her hand waves. “Yeah, I know. You want help there?”

I lift my shirt the rest of the way off. “It’s important and holds relevance, Dyani.”

“Not to this moment. It’s been there my whole life and no one ever cared. Right now, I don’t care.” She’s up and takes my shirt.

Getting my breeches off, I smile seeing she’s got the shirt folded and my cut hung on the back of the chair instead of draped over the arm. “Thank you.”

“You’d have wasted more time.”

My arm shoots out and I lift her, curling her into me. Her impatience means I’m wasting time. I stop that with a kiss that has us both moaning. Her bare chest against mine is the cause for me. Everything feels right in this moment.

She surprises me winding her legs around me. “You need to be…”

She slides onto me so I shut up and move. Women being so fuckin’ weird leaves my head so I focus on being right here with her.

I feel the pull but don’t jump. “Stay right here with me. They can celebrate later.”

“Don’t drop me.” She leans back and I think it would never happen. Bowing my back, I lean taking a nip of her nipple as I lift her. I let it go slamming her down then suck it hard when I lift her again. “That hand on your pussy is making it hard to focus.”

Secret smile has me riveted. She has no shame. I love that.

Her legs tighten and I feel her trying to hold herself on me. I bend and take that nipple in again, getting a louder moan and I swear a searing flash of white light.

“Fuck! Hold on.” The ancestors are fuckin’ crazy.

***

Seeing a room when my eyes open, I’m relieved. Being on the floor, with my girl seemingly asleep on me, is just nuts. I don’t even try to move. I move Dyani to the bed and suspend a towel to the sink while shakily standing. I throw appreciation to the crazy ancestors and pluck the towel out of the air to clean my girl.

As I wash her, I smile at the unruly hair. She’s beautiful and I can picture her face framed by that thick hair when it’s grown out, but I like this now. Those tan-ish green eyes never open.

Lying beside her, I jump back to see my brother. Atohi is excited, I feel it.