Page 34 of Daddy Commands

“Fuck your nose,” I said. “If you don’t let my wife go, I’ll fucking kill you.”

“You and who else,” he laughed, waving the knife in the air.

That was all I needed. A kick to his wrist had the knife flying out of his hand and another had him on the floor. I hauled him up by his shirt, pulling my arm back, ready to send him to hell.

“Brett, don’t!”

Hannah pulled on my arm. “He’s not worth it. Please… God, please just take me home.”

I noticed Gary, Jackson, and men I saw daily circling us, every single one looking as if they were ready to jump in and help. I also saw my wife, her eyes wide and could feel her body shaking. Dropping the guy to the floor, ignoring his grunt, I pulled her to me. Gary took point as I scooped her up and the rest fell in behind, forming a phalanx that moved straight to the door. Once outside, not a soul broke out of formation until we’d reached the car. It was only then I realized that Hannah didn’t have her purse as I had to shift her a bit in order to dig for my keys.

By the time I had her settled in the passenger seat, the seatbelt around her, Nancy and the other women had joined us.

“It was at the bar,” Nancy said, handing me the purse.

“Thanks,” I said, tossing it into the backseat. Closing Hannah’s door, I looked around. “Thanks to all of you.”

The men nodded; that was all, but it was enough. Nancy followed me to the driver’s side.

“I don’t want you to think she enticed that shithead. She was with us and was about to leave but was afraid to leave alone. She was waiting for us to walk out with her. That guy kept bugging her… wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“We shouldn’t have left her,” one of the other women said.

“It’s not your fault,” I assured her, grateful to hear that my wife had not willingly gone with another man. “Thanks for looking out for her.”

Nancy smiled. “You men aren’t the only ones who have their code. Army wives do as well.”

Nodding, suddenly very grateful for women’s solidarity, I opened my door after Gary assured me he’d walk Nancy and the other two women to Nancy’s car.

“Thanks,” I said, extending my hand.

“No problem,” he replied, and stepped back as I joined my wife.

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