Page 25 of Behemoth

Francis gives me a hug. I know he is relieved the kid made it through the surgery. I also grasp how this situation with the Marauders is driving him crazy.

"Honey, I'm so sorry this is happening because of Wrecker. I never wanted to bring this crap to you and the club. I didn't think he would continue to be such a pain in my ass. What are you going to do? Please don't do anything dangerous that will put any of you in harm's way. Promise me."

"Darlin', I will never lie to you but some things are better not said. The situation with these ass-clowns has been going on for a while, even before we met. We won't do anythin’ until we take a vote, but this calls for retribution. We can't allow them to hurt one of our own and get away with it. Thank God Bullet’s injuries have been repaired and we aren’t planning his funeral because of those sons of bitches.

“Let me make myself perfectly clear, you have nothin’ to do with this situation. What we have together has nothin’ to do with that crazy-ass MC club. This is just their way to cause havoc with our club. This has been going on for ages, darlin’. No worries, we got this. We aren't dumb and we have the law on our side. Especially after the Marauders beat the kid. A police report has been made during Bullet's surgery. The detectives will need to talk to him when he is available and able to. All I can say to you, Grace, is to please trust me. The club won’t allow anythin’ to happen to either you or Damien.”

Studying my man, I know he is telling the truth. Life is full of ups and downs. We just got to keep pushing on. I reach for his hand and give it a squeeze. As he walks me to the waiting area, I try to form the words in my head correctly so I can relay Bullet's condition after surgery. Francis must feel my apprehension as he pulls me closer while we walk together.

"Grace, just give them the facts as best you can. Answer their questions and that's all you can do, darlin'."

Before we even reach the family waiting room door, it opens as Brick, Fury, and Chains storm through it spitting question after question. I move closer to Francis as he pulls us to a stop.

"Goddamn it, guys, give her a minute. Let's get back in there so Grace only has to go through this shit once. Come on, get the lead out for Christ's sake."

As we follow them, Francis gives me a squeeze and I look up to him. He winks and gives me a quick kiss for support, which immediately calms my nerves.

Once everyone is situated Francis gives me the floor.

"Bullet's surgery was a complete success. His arm has been repaired with an internal rod, plate, and screws. He has a fixator on the outside. He is in recovery with Momma Molly and Bubba waiting to see him. He will pretty much be out of it the rest of today. His recovery is going to be long and intense. Any motivation you as his brothers can provide will go a long way. One of the nurses said Bullet told her he let his club down by getting, his words, 'His ass kicked like a pussy.' Remember, guys, he is just practically a kid. Yeah, I know he is called a prospect but the little Francis has explained he is like a was taken on as a pre-prospect. Bullet needs to know each of you guys still believes in him and you don't think he let down the club in any way.”

Many swear words can be heard as the guys let out their thoughts of where Bullet's mind is, but it is Brick who, as usual, leads the brothers back to the present situation.

"Thanks, Grace, for all your help getting him the best care. We will make sure he gets his head straight. I don't know many of us who wouldn't get our ass kicked when the fight is totally fucked up with three or four to one. Right now we work to make sure someone is with the kid at all times. Prospects or brothers are gonna take turns to give him the emotional and physical support he is gonna need. We can't have him taking a turn for the worse or even getting in his own head. Emmie is on the mend, so I can start getting back to club business for a couple hours a day at least. Lots of shit is hittin’ the fan and we can't let anything get by or bring us down. This is the time we all have to step up, brothers."

As I watch the guys give chin lifts or nods to Brick. I can feel the tension coming off of Francis. I glance up at him to see he is glaring at someone. I follow his eyes to where Beast is on his phone texting frantically. It was like he didn't hear a word Brick just said. As I watch Fury comes up behind him, cracking him literally up side the head.

"Asshole, put it down before I throw it against the wall. Our lil’ brother needs us now. Anything else can wait. You get me?"

Fury waits staring Beast down. Finally he puts the phone in his back pocket and walks toward Brick to see what needs to get done. Immediately I feel Francis' body relax. As Fury walks past us, he gives a chin lift to Francis and leans in. Not sure what he said to my man but whatever brings an unexpected burst of laughter from his lips.

I have to remember to give my gratitude to Fury.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Francis

I'm beyond fuckin’ tired. I've been on a forty-eight-hour shift at the firehouse as half of the guys are down with the fuckin’ flu. And we have had call after call. I thank God I was born with my spidey skills because otherwise I would have fucked up numerous times.

The tingling sensation in my neck, that increases with pressure in my occipital area on my head, precludes my ability to foresee or understand events outside of a normal person came into play the last two days. Saving that elderly man from the burning house was pure luck. If I hadn't actually seen in my mind he was in a bathroom in the basement we would have lost him. For Christ sake's we barely got him out before the house collapsed. Not to mention the domestic call we got called in on.

Mainly because police tend to call us when there is a chance of medical harm. That one will stay with me forever. How a man cannot only beat his wife but also his kids. Not to mention the damage he did to them. It took everything in me not to kick that jagoff’s ass. I felt every first responder’s intentions clearly.

Actually, I think one of the cops had to physically remove one of his rookie cops ‘cause the kid was ready to rip the asshole's head off. I checked with the paramedics and the two tender-aged children were going to be okay. The teenage male and the adult female are still in critical condition. And the asshole offender is sitting in jail, breathing, eating, and waiting to go before a judge. I pray he is put into county, as most criminals have no time for bully assholes who beat the shit out of their women and kids.

I understand how people lose it in these situations. There are definitely monsters living amongst us.

As I turn my vehicle toward home, my exhaustion starts to frazzle my mind. I'm tired, hungry, and in desperate need of sleep. Knowing from past experiences that when I utilize my abilities, I tend to pay for it when my body crashes. As I try to merge to the shoulder I suddenly hear in my mind "DAD!" It immediately gets my blood pumping as it shocks the shit out of me.

"Sorry, Dad, but you were just about to pass out. You need caffeine. Do you want me to let Momma know and we can come and get you?"

It was like Damien was sittin’ next to me having a conversation. But he wasn't as I just looked to my right. Damn it, the kid's skills are getting much stronger. It’s probably because we both bounce off each other. I see a Dunkin’ Donuts and immediately pull into the drive-thru. I order up a large coffee with two shots of mocha. I drive around, pay and wait. When the kid passes me my coffee, I pull up into a parking space.

"Good idea, Dad. Drink at least half of that before you get back on the road. And no, I'm not always in your head, just when you need me. Don't know how but glad it works that way. See you soon. Love you."

"Thanks, Buddy, and know I love you more."

As I drink my coffee my mind wanders. These last couple of days are a damn blur. I know from speaking to Fury that Bullet is home. He ended up staying in the hospital an extra couple of days due to an infection, not in his arm but one of his sutured cuts. I don't have any idea how but Grace says that can happen. Depends on what was used to cut him, probably not the cleanest knife. The club is stretched thin as the flu is hitting the clubhouse also. Momma Molly has sent everyone out of the club and has called all sweet butts and prospects that aren't sick to do a deep clean.

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