Page 50 of Irons

Axton was a huge help all day. My furniture arrived and he even helped me make up my bed. Everything was done a day earlier than scheduled. We decided to meet up at the community center in an hour so we could work out then have dinner in the mess hall.

Thinking about Travis was getting out of hand. Every single time someone opened the door of the gym I had to look and see if it was him. Then the same thing happened at the mess hall. It felt like I was waiting for him and he never showed, but it wasn’t like we had plans or anything.

It was during dinner when Axton gave me a speech about getting involved with someone at work. He didn’t think it was a good idea, although the other Originals refused to put it in the handbook. I understood what the other Originals were saying about it, but Axton seemed strict on the matter. He explained that as executives we had a lot of responsibilities and needed to focus on the missions and not who was on the mission. The Originals don’t have time to go on as many missions as they would like, in fact Creed vowed never to go on another mission, but the others scheduled themselves open to them periodically. It also depended on what contracts came up. Axton stressed thatany of us could be pulled for an emergency mission at any time. He didn’t think it was safe to have a spouse or lover commanding a mission their other half was sent out on. It was pretty much an undocumented rule in his book. It was obvious why he was expressing his concerns, and he probably didn’t have that talk with every new hire. I couldn’t decide if he was being sexist or not since I didn’t know for sure if he had the same talk with the male operatives and executives.

After dinner, we went to the fight club and watched two prospects kick the shit out of each other as we enjoyed a beer. It was during the fight when Creed pulled Axton out and they had a short meeting before Creed pulled me out to talk to me. He led me downstairs to his office in the command center and offered me a seat in front of his desk.

He sat for a moment and studied me, which felt awkward. It was like he was searching for the right words to say. “Screw it, I’m just going to come right out and say it. Irons isn’t like the rest of us. Well, not like me before Morgan came into my life. So, that’s what we are going to talk about tonight. It’s important for me to get this off my chest and for the both of us to come to an understanding. Do you mind having this conversation with me?”

It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but I knew if I said no it would bother me for days if I didn’t hear what he wanted to say. I didn’t go all those years thinking about Travis to not learn more about his life. “Sure.”

He stood and walked over to the window to watch as Drakos commanded a mission with Stone next to him. “When I first met Irons, we were going through OTC. He was quiet, but determined and tough as hell. It seemed like nothing phased him, but under all that tough exterior was a man unlike any of us. During missions he was the first one at our side when wewere injured. Inside and outside of Delta Force we had one hell of a friend that would always listen but never judge. He didn’t have to say much for us to know he cared. Irons and Magnus are alike in that way, when they care for someone they are all in, and sometimes sacrifice their own happiness for others. You may have heard rumors about our team and never knew our names, but I can say they were all true.” He was standing with his hands clasped behind him as he spoke, still watching Drakos through the window. “It wasn’t always just the seven of us. We lost some damn good operatives, but there was one in particular that Irons had a very good friendship with, and it ended very badly. Irons was about a half a second too late in taking the bullet for Beltran.” He turned and looked at me. “Beltran would have been a part of Creed’s Lake if we wouldn’t have lost him. He would have been our eighth Original, making Jennings our ninth.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” I said, but was grateful it wasn’t Travis that died that day.

“Thank you.” He took a seat across from me at his desk. “But in true Irons fashion, he tried to sacrifice his life, but since he failed at that, he turned to Beltran’s family. To this day, Irons feels responsible for Beltran’s death and has been supporting Beltran’s family. You see, Beltran’s parents were from Mexico and came illegally. Irons donated almost his entire salary to help them become citizens, and anything he had left was invested into Creed’s Lake. He has been supporting them for years. That’s just one example of the kind of man he grew into after he left Oklahoma. I can’t say Creed’s Lake supports illegal immigration, especially with the Cartel, but Beltran meant something to us. Irons is not anything like the boy he was when you watched him get arrested in that hospital. He’s always the first one to volunteer for our toughest missions because he would rather sacrifice his life than ours. Irons puts everyone ahead of himself,and that’s why I had him take over the bike business. I hoped to keep him too busy to take off on every tough mission. He thinks I did it to make his life hell because he hates it, but I did it to keep him safe. He has almost no personal life because he puts Creed’s Lake first and always sacrifices his personal relationships. Don’t let him fool you, Carlson, he is lonely and it's time he takes something for himself. I’ll remind you that you’re here based upon your own merits, but it doesn’t hurt that you are in fact his Wrenly. The girl he thought he was saving by leaving her life. Irons was as close to Beltran as I have been to Axton, so I can only imagine Iron’s pain when we lost him. He talks about his uncle like he was his dad, so I’m aware he has lost everyone that mattered most to him. Some by sacrifice and others by death, but that doesn’t stop him from being one of the best men I know. He even sacrifices what little personal time he has to helping my family. He takes Addie to appointments and helps Morgan when I can’t be around. Magnus is very close with my wife, but its Irons that’s close with my daughter and would give her the world if it were possible.”

I interrupted. “I know he’s a good man.”

“Yet, I’m asking you to be open to him, despite anything Axton might have said to you. Axton is a good man as well, but he hasn’t found that one person in his life he would die for, like I would for Morgan. He doesn’t understand the magnetic pull one experiences when they love someone. Am I wrong by presuming that’s how it is for you when he is near?”

I tilted my head. “How would you know that?” He was right, but how did he know?

He leaned back in his chair and studied me. “We were taken hostage early in our careers. We were just kids in all honesty. We shared our greatest regrets as we waited for our chance to break out. Irons never spoke much about his life, buton that occasion he spoke of you. He said one thing that came to my mind when I met Morgan. He said when he looked at you, it felt like lightning bolts shooting through his veins. That leaving you was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life. After that day, he spoke of you often and when I decided to scout you for this job, I didn’t know you were his Wrenly, but I did know you were valuable. After I learned who you were to Irons, you became even more valuable.” One side of his lips turned up and he looked suddenly amused. “I had a talk with Axton and learned what he told you over dinner. You probably thought he was a sexist pig.”

I shrugged but didn’t respond.

“Well, to be honest he was, because he doesn’t say that to everyone. Honestly, I think he looks back to when Irons tried to take that bullet for Beltran. He’s scared of losing Irons to one of his sacrifices. Now, I agree that you can’t be on the same mission as Irons, but I’m fine with him commanding one you’re on or vice versa. Axton needs to cut that shit out, he never wanted there to be couples working together here, but we have a few. Darren Rossi and Bolton are a good example. In fact, I have a personal project I’m working on to help one couple. They’re living in the shadows and keeping their relationship secret because they’re afraid of what people in the community might think.”

I nodded in understanding. “Yeah, I know, and I think people might be more curious than anything. Melissa is a very tiny girl, and I know I still can’t stop trying to figure out how that works.”

Creed tilted his head. “Melissa? I was talking about a gay couple that practically live together under everyone’s noses. I don’t think it’s fair they feel like they can’t go public. Dammit,what is Melissa up to now? This is the second time today a comment was made about her in the same way.”

Oh shit! How does that foot taste, Wrenly? You really fucked up now. Shit! “Oh nothing. She was drunk last night and said some things I shouldn’t repeat. Please forgive me.” Mentally, I begged him not to push for more information. It wasn’t my place to say that Melissa was involved with the biggest horn dog I met so far at Creed’s Lake. A guy that had a few lessons to learn about women, and also the biggest guy I met so far.

Creed slowly nodded. “Melissa is my wife’s closest friend, but they are double trouble. I’ll just interrogate her later and find out what Melissa is up to, she can be a shithead at times. Anyway, the reason I wanted to have this talk with you is to reverse anything Axton put in your head. This isn’t just a place of employment, it’s a community. I’m aware having such relaxed rules could get messy and spark some drama, but we are not here to dictate your personal life. If it’s Irons or someone else here, you are free to date as you please. I also wanted to give you a small warning as Irons friend. He doesn’t do casual, he doesn’t even visit Club X or participate in the same shenanigans outside the community like Magnus and Drakos. Irons is a one girl kind of guy, and I think he wants what a few of us here have found. If you feel the same as Irons did when he was a kid, I would not be upset in any way if you explored a relationship with Irons that’s more than friendship. Just please don’t hurt him, he’s a good man that deserves to finally experience love. He didn’t have that with his parents, and I’d like to see him have a real family.”

I felt my stomach turn. I always loved Irons, but that was something I could never give him. I could never give him what Creed has with Morgan. Children simply weren’t a part of my future. “I only got to see him for the first time last night. It’sdifficult for me to entertain what you are saying when I haven’t really experienced Travis as a man. I only know the child he was the last time I saw him.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I have gotten ahead of myself. I just worry you’ll take what Axton said seriously. I was also very disappointed that he even had that conversation with you. Just so you know, I had this same conversation with Irons this morning. I have decided to step in here and make Irons your trainer. He is aware that he will be spending the day with you tomorrow. Starting Monday, you’ll be in classes, but after class is over you’ll be with Irons. You’ll learn about Creed’s Motorsports, and you’ll be with him when he commands his next mission. You will go to him with any questions, and he will show you around the community outside Creed’s Lake. Maybe take you car shopping and to community events. This will last a few months then you’ll be evaluated and make your decisions about which sector you’d like to work.”

I couldn’t say I was disappointed with that plan. I wanted more than anything to spend time with Travis, and it seemed my wish came true. “That sounds great, but I will ask one favor.”

“Sure, go ahead.” He said.

“Please don’t fill his head with romantic thoughts. I love Travis and I’ve missed him like you wouldn’t believe, but I’m not looking for a romantic relationship with anyone. As of now, I’d be delighted to have Travis back in my life. I can’t remember a time where I didn’t love him, he was my best friend. I’ll admit my feelings toward him were always more than just friendship, and the loss of him has had a negative effect on my personal life, but I have my reasons to keep men at a distance. That doesn’t stop with Travis.” Although I always wished for something with Travis, and the attraction was more than evident last night, I could never give him what he needs. After what Creed just saidabout Travis finally having a family of his own, I felt devastated. I guess I never thought that far ahead because I was so happy to be given the opportunity to have him back in my life.

Creed stood. “I hope Creed’s Lake lives up to the picture we’ve painted, and you enjoy it. Really it’s more of a lifestyle than a career. Irons and I were texting about other issues earlier, and I did mention that I planned to talk to you this evening. He asked me to tell you that he’d be at your place around 9 am tomorrow.”

“Thanks, I’ll make sure I am ready for the day.” I was looking forward to it.

Beautiful Morning

Travis

It was a beautiful morning, but unfortunately it was too cold for the bike, so I’d have to pick her up in my truck. I spoke with Axton last night and he updated me on Wrenly’s move. It sounded like he was able to get her settled, and Drakos said the same about Stone. I got super lucky to have the day with Wrenly, not just because she is amazing, but because there were twelve new prospects and four new executive operatives arriving and I didn’t have to deal with any of it. I was stoked about having Wrenly alone, and all those past fears were surprisingly put to rest her first night. I was sure we would approach subjects I had no desire to visit, but I figured the sooner the better to get them out of the way. I also had some anxiety about her time in the service. I wasn’t sure how well I would handle hearing about how she got those purple hearts. The thought of anyone inflicting pain on her made me have to push down a rage I hadn’t felt since we were kids. The only guy I trusted around Wrenly was Matt. That was because he was kind, and I knew he was a good guy. Other than him, I wanted to beat the face in of any guy that even looked her way. Well, to be honest I wasn’t 100% okay with Matt, but I reminded myself over and over again that he would have been better than any other of those fucking assholes back home.

I may not have been an athlete, but I was athletic and stayed in shape. I learned young how to work out and how to fight. Uncle Tony was the toughest guy I knew, and he taught me right. I once kicked the shit out of a group of seniors at the pool that got a little too close to Wrenly the first time she wore that fucking bikini I had a love hate relationship with that summer. I was never a jealous guy when it came to other girls, and of course now with women. It was just Wrenly for whatever reason. There was more than just anger built up in me back then, it was a rage, or maybe even a monster when it came to her safety. It made me wonder how things would change for me at Creed’s Lake. What would I do if someone like Drakos tried to get too close? I’d probably become a man nobody I served with ever saw. I’d be enraged, despite the fact that Wrenly was more than capable of defending herself. They say the quiet ones are the ones to watch out for, and that’s true. My monster might not have presented itself for many years, but I know he still lives inside me. I also know Wrenly would be the biggest trigger and that’s why I could never be involved with any of her missions.

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