Chapter 182: Life on the Run
*Yeh'll know when. Come home. It will end soon after. – Grams*
Knuckles restrained himself and only defended himself against James. Toad called for Cookie and Sledge to separate them. Nessie went to Knuckles and snuggled against him. He tugged against Sledges grip and wrapped his arms around her.
“She’s made her decision. He has my blessing and Grams. And if you think that being my son is going to save you from punishment, you’re a fucking idiot.”
“I can’t watch her throw her life away!” James yelled.
“What life?” Nessie yelled back as she turned to face her cousin.
Knuckles rubbed his hands up and down her arms trying to calm her.
“What fecking life do yeh think I have? I spent six months on the run waiting for bones to heal. I had to have surgery to set me arm. I’ve been here for nearly a year and yesterday was the fifth time I’ve left the compound.”
Tears filled her eyes and slipped down her cheeks unchecked. Knuckles pulled her back to his chest and wrapped his arms around her.
“It’s okay, babe. You don’t have to do this.” Knuckles said softly as she grabbed his arms with her hands. The wedding band was shining on her finger.
“Words have power.” She shook her head slightly. “I’m scared to leave. Not for me. For the brothers that go with me. I don’t want to be the reason why they get hurt, why they die. But I’m tired of dying me self.”
Knuckles kissed her cheek. “I’ve got you. I’m here.” He whispered against her ear.
“I know that Grams told yeh that I have to go to the stones pure.” The tears came harder and her voice was softer.
“But she wouldn’t’ve told yeh about the nightmares. About the nights when the memories make me scream. About the nights that he sleeps on the floor because I can’t have him touch me. About the nights that all he can do is hold me while I cry.”
“Ness-" James started.
“No, lollipop. This is me life. Me kitchen. Me girls. Me ghosts. And me heart.” She turned and looked at Knuckles, smiling at him she cupped his cheek, threading her fingers into his beard. He smiled back at her and kissed her lightly.
“And your wee little devils.” Knuckles added.
“Nacht. They may be my wee little devils, but they’re your kids.” She glanced at the door and saw the three sets of golden green eyes staring at her from the shadows. “They’re waiting for yeh.”
“Their mum comes first.” Knuckles replied as he scooped her up and carried her bridal style out of the dining hall and towards the stairs. “Come on, kids.”
The cats ran down the hall after him. They heard him tell them to go home and everyone knew that they would be waiting at the door for him.
Toad looked at his son and James knew that he was in deep trouble.
“You will stay the hell out of Nessie’s business. And the next time you attack one of my men, you’re on your fucking own. You’ll help the girls in the kitchen; Karan, Zee, anything that you need, he’ll do with a damned fucking smile.”
“They are usually done around nine. And when they release you, come to my office.” Toad glared at his son and then smiled at the two girls.
“Soooo…” Zee asked, “are we just going to ignore the bling on a specific finger?”
“Until she mentions it to you, yes.” Dom said fixing a plate. “You get this shit every day?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Zee said as she turned away to go back to the kitchen. Dom reached out and grabbed her braid and pulled the girl back toward her.
“Dom, let her go. Zee, don’t ever turn your back on Dom or walk away without permission. It gets her…. excited.” Toad said and glared at Dom, silently telling her to let go of the girl.
“Be careful little one,” Dom said gruffly in her ear, “you would be fun to play with.”
Toad cleared his throat and Dom let go of the girl with a sigh. “Fine. Can I play with James?”
“Maybe.” Toad said as he went to get the tray for his wife. James paled as Dom smiled at him.
