I call Beast’s room and stare off into space as it rings. Eventually Beth picks up, and when her sweet voice quietly whispers, “Hello,” I feel the tension inside of me ease. She has that effect on me. She calms me like nothing ever has or ever will.
“Hey, mi cielo. How are things?”
“They’ve just taken Beast down for surgery.”
They’re going to check out his healing tissue as well as begin their first repair on his face. The surgeon warned us not to get excited, that it would take several surgeries, but in truth, not one of us gave a flying fuck. We just wanted our brother alert and talking to us again. We’re all worried about how he’s going to react when he comes back through and has to face the fact that Annabelle is gone. My men got some ashes in an urn for him. There’s no way of telling if the ashes contain any of Annabelle, but we hoped that at least having something physical to grieve over would make it all easier.
“That’s good. Any word on how long it’s going to last?”
“No. The doctor said the surgery could last anywhere from an hour to several hours. It just depends on how he heals and what they find once they start exploring.”
“You’ll keep me updated?”
“Of course. Are you doing okay? Anything going on?”
“I’m fine, querida. I told you to stop worrying. Colin will need to regroup before he even thinks of striking back.”
“I know, I’m just worried.”
“I got this. Have some faith.”
Beth grows quiet and I get the sense that once again she’s planning something. I’ve had this suspicion for a few days now. The only problem is, I don’t have any idea what it is. I’ve done the only thing I know to do: I’m having her watched and guarded heavily.
“I love you, Skull.”
“I love you too, mi cielo. I’ll show you tonight. I find I’m missing my woman,” I tell her and I’m not joking. I’ve not been between those thighs in at least two nights. She was so upset since Annabelle’s death, and I couldn’t bring myself to do anything other than hold her and let her know I love her.
“Finally.”
“Hey, if you didn’t like it, you could’ve jumped my bones,” I tell her, deadly serious.
“I’ll make note of that.”
“See that you do. You call me if you need me, and keep Briar and K-Rex with you all the time. I don’t know Cade’s men, but I trust Briar and K-Rex to make sure you’re fine.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I think I like when you talk like that, Beth.”
“Don’t get used to it,” she laughs.
“Talk to you this evening, mi cielo.”
“This evening,” she agrees. “Love you, sweetheart.”
“You too,” I tell her with a smile, hanging up the phone.
I have a surprise for her this evening and I’m hoping she doesn’t turn me down. When I pick her up, I’m going to run by an ex-member’s house. The dude is crazy as fuck, but he has a license, and I’m marrying Beth.
I want her as my wife as well as my old lady. Part of it is because if Colin manages to get his hands on her, I don’t want him to be able to claim her. I know the fucker will try. This way, he’ll have to get rid of a husband before he can. Our surveillance has shown that he’s been meeting with a wedding planner about his wedding with Beth. Fuck that shit.
I haven’t told Beth; she’s got enough on her plate. Besides, it’s not all about that. I know she said she couldn’t have kids, but I was serious with her. I’m not going to rest until it happens. I have a vision of her nursing my child and I want that so fucking much. I won’t stop until it happens, and when it does, we will be married. No child of mine will be born out of wedlock. I might make up my own rules, but my madre would come back from the dead and scalp me if I didn’t follow the rules she held dear.
Tonight, Beth will be mine in all ways that matter. Colin can suck it.
I’m alone in Beast’s room. I can’t remember that ever happening. K-Rex is right outside the door and Briar just left to go talk with Cade’s men. Still, for the first time I can remember in forever, I’m actually alone. I’m above ground… and alone. I would almost celebrate, but instead I feel vulnerable and scared, and I hate that.
I’m using the laptop Skull bought me to finish my studies. I’ll be taking my GED in a few days. There’s no way I could finish high school the old-fashioned way, but Skull knew how important it was to me, so he’s helping me work around that and achieve it in a different way. I wish I’d met him under different circumstances.