Footsteps entered the house from the front.
“Boy, you ain’t said nothing but a word,” he heard Price say, and Armand snort.
Price and Coen, the two Brood members who’d returned from their out-of-country assignment had gone directly to the Jaces’ home to watch over Bree until Zeus and Sabrina arrived. After the couple decided to take their niece to France and seek out Zeus’s long-lost family, Coen had gone on home to Mama’s House and Price had come here.
“This’ll be timed,” Price, used to giving directions as the Brood’s primary team lead, said. “First round, you use a rifle; the targets will be one hundred yards out. Before the second round you’ll both drink four shouts of 150-proof rum, wait fifteen minutes and begin the second round, where the targets will be fifty yards out and you’ll use the handgun of your choosing.”
“Aw man, look at her, lil’ bit ain’t hardly big enough to hold no gun, no,” Armand said, as the trio walked toward the back of the house, Big Country knewlil’ bitwas Bride.
“Man, that’s whatIsaid, but you know women these days, always trying to prove themselves.” Big Country heard Bride snort, which was the equivalent of a normal person laughing their ass off. “Let’s make this easy on her pocket, brah, say…loser pays two hundred, cash.”
It was a sucker’s bet, but Big Country didn’t intervene; his brother would have to learn sooner or later.
“I’ll take y’all’s money…but just in case the impossible happens, ya spot me a hundred?” Armand asked.
“Look atthismothafucka,” Price muttered as they exited the house.
Big Country heard two pairs of feet coming down the stairs and squeezed his eyes shut. Why wouldn’t they all just go away?
“You think we made a baby this time?” Garret whispered.
“Oh baby, I think we made two or three,” Merlee said.HisMerlee.
Lord Jesus help me, Big Country prayed, clenching his fist, trying to stay rooted in the chair’s cushions and not lunge for Garret’s throat.
He breathed through it, and by the time the screen door toward the rear of the house banged shut again, the house going quiet for the first time in days, Big Country opened his eyes and fished his phone out of his pocket to text Stormy.
BC: Lynx comes home in 2 days
Stormy: I know, talked to him earlier…and Mama…and Merlee lol
BC: U having a good visit?
Stormy: I am. Fam is insane, u’d fit n!
He smiled and rubbed a hand over his chest. He missed his Sienna Red something fierce. Continuing to communicate with her was a study in masochism, more painful than pouring salt vinegar over a gaping wound.
And still that was better than the cavern of emptiness his soul resided in when he didn’t.
BC: Hey darlin’, do me a favor, wear that red lace set to bed tonight.
It was a full two minutes before she responded.
Stormy: (sad face emoji) I want to Lucas, I do, but it’s too hot and humid here baby, I think maybe I’ll have to sleep naked tonight.
He sat back as if shoved and let the phone fall to his lap.
Images of her damp and naked and writhing in bed had Bubba waking up as if it was nighttime. Nighttime was their time, his and Bubba’s special time with Stormy.
After the first sleepless night without her, Big Country had hacked into her phone’s camera and watched her as she prepared for bed. She had to have known he’d do it because her phone was placed on the bedside table each night, providing him with a perfect view of her on the bed.
When she’d began to touch herself, looked at the camera, said his name, Big Bubba had wept like a baby. Every night since, Big Country had come during or after Stormy had masturbated her way to orgasm.
He groaned. This torment had to end and right now he wasn’t above groveling if it meant returning his heart back to where she belonged. He stared off into space, using the moment of quiet to imagine how he could entice Stormy back, make her never want to leave him again.
Gunshots rang out and whooping laughter followed. He heard Merlee yell at Bride, Price, and Armand over scaring her animals and chaos ensued.
Rising from his chair, Big Country retrieved his keys and headed out the front door. He intended to go to the hospital, sit with Lynx, and strategize ways to bring Stormy back to them.
