Chapter Four

My eyes aren't open but I feel my Firefly close to my heart. It's an odd thought that has me drifting toward awake. As sleep falls away, I open my eyes and feel her leg across mine, head on my shoulder and body draped on my side. I always sleep on my back but never with a woman against me. How the fuck did I sleep through that?

I laugh but stop when she stiffens like steel replaced everything that was soft a second ago. "It's me, Firefly. I've never woken up with a woman on me. It struck me. I wondered how the fuck I even slept."

Her body relaxes then rolls but she doesn't move her head off me. Her stretch is right against me throwing thoughts I don't need in my head. I brace against them and focus on her. My girl with the light dancing in her eyes.

"Boot camp gave me that particular experience. Just so you know, it was a stupid exercise I never went through as an MP. Morning. I don't remember getting in bed."

I'm glad she wasn't on the front lines. "Good to know and I carried you."

She looks down then at the wall quick. "Umm did I talk in my sleep?"

"No, or I couldn't decipher it. You held on to me but relaxed when I started talking."

She breathes deep but I keep my eyes on her turned face. "I don't always have easy nights."

"I've seen the free women on the ABSZ. They were slaves from human trafficking Ops BSC did. They have a safe compound, it's smaller than others there but they're safe and working to live free with the Alpha-Bits and help from Aylen and her Club. She runs the Advocacy Club. The women have a bakery now and even man it selling their shit to everyone. A lot is delivery but they work the store part too. I know you have Barry here but the women get something from Aylen and her people. She has some virtual classes that could make this easier for you."

Her eyes find mine. "I want to just move on, tell you everything bu…"

"No, it has to be when you're ready. I built the compound for the free women and see how some make it and some aren't ready. When I'm there, I see the steps they've taken getting them closer. Every single one of them has a brain that works different from mine. They make it when their mind is ready for that shit. I never lived it but don't know if I'd make those steps as fast as some of them."

Her tears kill me. "You're so strong, you'd never feel this. I hate the weak in me."

"You're here, you're in my bed and you took those steps. There is no weak in a woman that enlisted for protection. It was a means to an end and you're here with four years in and MP under your belt. I don't see weak, I see my determined girl that always finds a way to get what she wants."

She watches my eyes and I watch hers clear. "I saw the woman President at Church. I like that she's close. I can get the number for her Club. Barry is interested in working there so I'd still have him near." Her eyes show that determination.

"Aylen is in my phone, I'm a VP so I have them all. She runs with Phoenix Ops now so she may…What the fuck, Mucimi?"

Firefly screams. I hear Nike bark and his paws pounding the wood floor.

I pull her closer sitting up as I put my arms around her. "He's safe. Member, Nike. Jesus, Mucimi. Popping into my jobs isn't enough?" Nike skids to a stop.

Mucimi smiles and sits on the bottom of my bed. Fuckin' kid is never fazed by anything. "Aylen will come see you, Firefly. You feel the calm I'm sending. Aylen can help too. You're supposed to be here. You'r…"Nash's hand stops anything else Mucimi can say.

"Jesus fuck."

Firefly looks at me and laughs. "You didn't mention magicians."

"They never showed in my fuckin' room."

Nash looks embarrassed. "I was ordered here, usually Mace, Justice and Teller do this. Aylen will be here later and Mucimi can't say more. We're out."

And they are. "Christ, they're scary."

"I heard it but have to agree. They're ability people obviously." At least she's heard of it. I didn't until I showed at Bravo.

"Yeah. Some have more than others. They were walking in rooms last I saw. No one has ever showed at my house so I wasn't prepared for that shit."

She squeezes my arm. "Nash is VP of Sentinel?"

"Yeah. He's a good Brother and VP. He flies anything and works Ops when he's not popping around bedrooms."

She laughs.

I shake my head looking in her eyes. "Mucimi helped?"

"I think so. I'm nervous about the new but don't feel like I'm tied to cinderblocks going over the edge." Jesus.

I breathe deep. "It's another step. Mucimi is a healer and their Prophet. He's another Blackhawk. I'm glad he was able to give you that. Aylen is like him. Zeke is too I think but he's a LaPonte-Karr."

Her eyes shift away then back to me. "He's here?"

"He's Pres of Flight Guard at Elan Rising."

She shakes her head as if to clear it. "Did he work for Mass Badass?"

I nod wondering why she'd ask. "You know him?"

"Never met him. I heard his name."

"Brother!"

What the fuck now? No one has access to my house but Pres. "Yeah." I get up and set Firefly down. "I'll be right back. Nike, Protect."

"It's Justice LJL, Brother, relax."

"Stand down, Nike." Walking out, I see Justice leaning against the door.

"I didn't want to freak you the fuck out again. We need to talk."

He waves and I'm in utilities that I feel go on my body. So much for not freaking me the fuck out.

"We're taking a walk, Firefly," he yells and we're on the walkway.

Holy fuck! "Stop fuckin' doing that!"

"Sorry, Brother. I'm short on time and need this heard before Mucimi, Aylen or you fuck other shit up. Aylen will take Zeke's name from Fleur-Firefly. Aylen can dull the past but she can't take it. She's yours and you're not fighting it, but you need to know she's got deep trust issues sheneeds to work out. Her parents can't be around her and she needs to make that decision. Zeke isn't spoken about and Prez is handling it up in Maine. You settled?"

"Not a fuckin' bit but I understand every word you said."

He rolls his eyes at me. "Zeke dealt with the priest."

Jesus. That settles me.

He nods. "Never spoken."

I throw him chin. It will never be repeated. He's gone?

I turn around in a circle then head back to the house. He dressed me. Fuckin' crazy.

Nike is standing in the middle of the living room area watching the door. He barks once. "Justice LJL. He's Pres of Protectors and handling shit before it's shit."

He chuffs and hits his board. I look around not seeing Firefly before I go back to his board with the Protectors on it.

"Yeah, good Brothers but freaky. I never saw them like I did today."

He chuffs, closes his board and goes to the island for water.

I guess that's it. I wish that was it for me. My heart is still racing. I make coffee calming down then go hunt down my girl.

Walking through the bedroom door, she's coming out of the bathroom. "I need to get dressed."

I nod and pick up my tablet from the dresser, relieved it's not in my pocket. I'm just getting past he dressed me. "I need to make nightstands so my shit isn't on your dresser. The Prospects will move you in here while you're out today."

"It's next door."

I look up at that sharp tone. "Yeah. You're working, I have assessments and the Prospects will move you. It's their job." I'm not fighting with her over clothes.

Her smile is cute and relieving. "Okay. I'm not used to Prospects. Flame said they're minions."

I nod. "Flame and Pres are new here and didn't have hospitality in their old Club. Prospects worked but here they're vetted and trained. We have one that's just finishing PA and he works in the kitchen. Some are on hospitality for the compound, others a Security rotation." I shrug. "Their rotations are to fill Club needs."

"That must work well. I need coffee and clothes."

I put my hand out. "Coffee is waiting. I can get Nike's gear on as you change, then we can get to breakfast."

"Are we making it?"

"Dining hall." I throw out.

She looks relieved.

"Do you cook?"

Her head shakes. "Not much. Flame said everyone cooks dinners. I have a few things down for dinners but not breakfast."

I point at the tablet on the wall. "There's a virtual chef right there. When you need help, hit the button and he'll pop in like the freaky Brothers, but you'll be prepared." I smile thinking them popping in wasn"t so bad. We were dressed at least.

She gets cups down and I pour. "Virtual chef. I think I love it here. Sentinel has virtual people in the lobby. That's how I knew of Nash."

I nod, pointing at the island for her to sit. "The chef is more like that. He answers you but he's a teacher. The Alpha-Bits are crazy with virtual teachers for training, but Web built the chef and he loaded food from everywhere because his Bits came from everywhere."

"They're lucky boys."

"We don't call them kids here. Some are older than me but they're small. LP is older than you and looks seven until you see his eyes. All of them are called Alpha-Bits or Bits for short. They have names but Ford is their last name."

She nods drinking her coffee black like me. "I have a lot to learn."

I smile. "It's never stopped you before."

Nike barks once from his room.

I stand, smiling. "Coffee time is over, I guess. We'll meet you at your door." When I bend, she turns so I can reach her lips. Dropping my phone in front of her, I turn to get Nike's gear on him. "Zion Rising, Aylen Knight should be first."

"Thanks."