Page 38 of Levi
We drive for a while; in the dark it’s hard to decipher what’s around but the black top road ahead of us.Finally, we pull over a cattle guard and then follow the path up to a large ranch style house, from what the headlights reveal.My heart is ready to leave my chest at the thought of seeing her again, but this time she’ll know that I’m here.
We park in front and I think how this is only the second time in my life that I am a complete and utter nervous wreck; the first was asking her to marry me.Mitch must sense it, so he turns to face me.
“Levi, Brody Jackson is a military man and if he is anything like what I remember, he’ll protect them with his life.”Why is he telling me this?“If he’s backed into a corner, we’ll need to proceed with caution so that no one is hurt.”He must see the questioning on my face, so he explains more.“For the last two and a half years, he’s been playing‘family’with your wife and now daughter.I’m sure he’ll see it as you coming to take his family from him.”I nod, now understanding.“And for the love of God please keep your temper under wraps.This isn’t going to be a walk in the park for anyone.”
I nod and take in what he’s trying to convey, then inhale a deep breath.
We exit the vehicle and walk up to the porch with Mitch, Jacobs and Colbert flanking me.One more deep breath, and I knock steadily on the thick wooden door.It takes a while, but I can hear voices on the other side, and wait before I knock again.The door flings open and Brody Jackson stands tall, with both his shirt and belt unbuttoned.He looks disheveled, like we just interrupted something intimate.I swallow the bile that is threatening to come up, at the thought of what we just stop them from doing.
“Sorry guys, but we already know about Jesus,” he candidly says, and moves to close the door.
Fucker!He knows exactly who we are.
Before he can close it completely and before I can stick my hand up to stop it from shutting, Mitch shoves his boot in the doorway.He presses his chest right up against Brody’s chest, so that they are both nose to nose.
“I think you can make some time to hear what we have to say, then depending on your answers, we might need to have that talk about Jesus,” he says, punching Brody in the gut, making him double over, and it causes him to back up a little, allowing the rest of us to walk in.So much for keeping our cool.
I take a quick look around the living room and find it cozy.I can smell that she has recently baked some of her treats.There are pictures of my girls all over the room; Saylor definitely added her touch to this house.Without thinking, I pull off one of the pictures of Saylor and Halo riding a black horse, and hold it in my hands.They are both smiling so brightly and laughing.Mitch and Brody take a seat on the couches.He’s breathing heavily from the blow to the stomach and fidgets slightly, looking over at the hallway that I assume leads to the bedrooms, where my girls sleep.It must be only a matter of time before Saylor comes in.
“Why Brody?Why did you lie and keep her hidden, even after your Uncle passed away?”Mitch starts questioning.I know they go way back, and Mitch has been kicking himself for not following up after he questioned Brody over two years ago.
Brody gives a shrug and leans back in the cushion, looking bored at the conversation.
“I was given a job and I did what I was expected to do.”He looks over at me and smirks.I want so badly to knock his teeth in, then that smile won’t be so pretty.“I think it worked out for everyone involved, don’t you think.He,” Brody points over to me, “got to move on with his life of being a bachelor, and I got the family I’ve always desired.”
Putting the photo in my pocket, I turn, giving this piece of shit my full attention.
“There’s just one problem with that, you little fucker.That’smyfamily and I have no intention of letting anyone else fill my shoes.I’m husband to that beautiful woman living here temporarily, and that little angel has my blood running through her precious body.Mine.This ismyfamily and no one is taking my place,” I growl out.Is this guy for real?Does he really think any man with a woman like Saylor would give her up willingly?
“It seemed easy to throw them away over two years ago,” he retorts, pushing off the cushion and placing his arms on his thighs, leaning in.
“I didn’t throw them away and you know it.The truth is about to come out and the only person to be thrown away is you!”I seethe.
The baby monitor goes off and the small cry from my daughter fills the room.My heart aches as I hear a creak from a door, then my beautiful wife’s voice.“Momma’s here baby bear, don’t worry.”Saylor starts to hum, and I can almost picture her swaying with our baby girl in her arms.I need to see them, to be with Saylor to comfort my daughter.
We are all distracted for a brief moment when the front door bursts open and five men barrel through, all armed with guns in their hands.What the fuck?
Jacobs and Colbert all draw theirs as Brody shrugs off Mitch, then bangs on the end table, making a drawer on the side shoot out.Brody reaches in and produces a gun, and stands up with his guys.Mitch stands in front of me as Brody aims his gun at us.
“I think it might be best if you and your goons leave my house and property before this gets out of hand.Patrick will see you out,” he says and flicks the gun towards the door.“Sadie and Halo have everything they need right here.”
Sadie?They changed her name to hide even more from me.
“I’m not leaving without my family,” I growl out and buck up.“I’ve been waiting too long to get them, and I’m not going anywhere.”
A voice down the hall comes into ear shot, and I’m worried for her safety with all the guns drawn.
“Brody, I thought you were coming to bed?”Saylor asks before she comes into view.She’s wearing a short silk robe and her short hair is pulled up half way.“I’ve got the shower ready.”She stops when she sees the room filled with men, who are all pointing guns at each other.She gasps, and both of her hands cover her mouth to keep her from screaming.She takes in the room, and her eyes finally find mine.“Levi,” she whispers.It’s as if our bodies are magnets; she takes a step in my direction and I do the same.
Of course, that shithead and his rat pack try to block us, but it’s the growl of a monster at the side of Saylor’s leg that has me at a complete halt.A very large German Shepherd is now standing between me and the love of my life.He’s baring his teeth and his ears are pointed straight up, ready for battle if need be.Saylor leans down and pets him between the ears and speaks to him.He follows her command and sits at her feet, but doesn’t take his eyes off of me or my men.
“Sadie stay back,” the fucker says, and maneuvers to her.He bends down and whispers something in her ear and she goes ramrod stiff.Her eyes widen, but she never turns them away from me.
“Baby,” I start to say, but she cuts me off.
“What are you doing here Levi, and all of you put your fucking guns down, there’s a baby in this house,” she demands, and for the first time in forever, I’m as hard as a rock.Not from only hearing her voice say my name, but how she commands the room.All of Brody’s men holster their guns, as does Mitch, but Jacobs and Colbert are unsure if they should do as she asks.Mitch nods and they follow suit.
I clear my throat, hoping not to sound like a frog.
