ANNISTYN FOUND ME after she saw Taleah at the cemetery and told me she’ll be heading there today to move in so she can get treatment. When we were talking, Annistyn cried when she was talking to me because of the lingering bruises on Taleah’s body. She told me it reminded her of her past and she hates that some else has been hurt that bad. Especially when she saw the bruising around Taleah’s neck. That was the last conversation I had right before leaving to go see my sister and meet her family. Annistyn’s words lingered with me all through the meal and the time we spent together. I was distracted and everyone knew but didn’t call me out on my shit for once. I have a feeling Elara knows why I was distracted and wasn’t going to bring it up in front of the kids.
I really like Tim. He was really standoffish when I first got there and Elara introduced us. She told him what happened between us and he knows Taleah very well and is protective of her. When I kind of explained my reasoning, Tim warmed up to me and we got along really good. My niece and nephew, Nadia and David, are the absolute cutest kids in the world. Yeah, I might be slightly biased as their uncle. Nadia is one and a half and David just turned three. Elara told me she was done having kids after her third was born. They don’t know what they’re having yet, but she feels it will be another boy. I hope she’s right. I plan on getting the kids a bunch of shit since I’ve missed so much of their lives so far, but I don’t want to until the new baby is born. I don’t plan on telling Elara either because she’ll yell atme. My sister doesn’t realize I have been saving all of my money and I’ve made some wise investments over the years. I’m set financially and have more money than I know what to do with. I’ll never spend it all during my lifetime.
By the time I got back to the clubhouse last night, I was exhausted but I couldn’t go to bed yet. I talked to the guys to find out who was working the security detail on the ranch today. Thankfully, Count was supposed to work and gave me his spot because he found out Taleah is going there. Manic wasn’t about to give up his spot because he wants to spend time with Ivy and Charlotte. We all know he has a thing for the young mom and cares about her infant daughter already. He’s at the ranch seven days a week, even when he’s not assigned to be there. We’re giving him space because he seems to be building something with this girl and he isn’t rushing things between the two of them. Manic is doing things right and slowly getting to know her the way he should be.
“You ready to head to the ranch?” Viper asks me as I leave my office and make sure the door is locked.
“Yeah. I already packed a bag because I’ll be there overnight. Not gonna leave Taleah there on her own for the first night. This is gonna be a massive change for her and I need to be close by in case she has nightmares,” I answer him as we leave the hallway and head upstairs to our rooms. Both of us meet in the hallway again with our bags. I guess Viper is staying overnight as well.
“Manic is already outside waitin’ on us. He’s eager to get there because Ivy had a rough night last night once he left. Manic seems to be one of the few people who can keep her calm when the nightmares get too bad. I guess she begged them not to call Annistyn because she’s the only other one who can help Ivy. It was bad enough they removed Charlotte from the room and oneof the therapists took care of her overnight. Ivy feels horrible and like she’s failin’ as a mom. That’s the update I got when Force called me earlier. He didn’t want to tell Manic, but he already knows,” Viper informs me as we leave the clubhouse and head for our bikes.
After tucking my bag in the saddle bags, I put my bandana and helmet on before straddling my bike. The three of us start them at the same time and we leave the compound. The trip to the ranch takes us to the other side of town. Roger is about to start work on the second location where Annistyn grew up. We’re going to help with the demolition and construction when he’s ready. Annistyn will be involved but doesn’t want to step foot on the property until all of the buildings have been torn down. Roger is currently selling off all of the animals. None of them will work for the equestrian program he has. The animals have been abused and not properly taken care of since Annistyn has been gone. She was the only one who ever did anything on that farm.
Our trip takes just over a half hour to get there. We park our bikes along the side of the house where Roger has put up a makeshift garage. It’s one of those things you can move wherever it’s needed. He didn’t want our bikes left out in the elements and we assured him we didn’t need anything special because our bikes are out in the open when we’re at the clubhouse.
“I’m gonna put my bag in the room I have here and go find Ivy and Charlotte. I need to see them,” Manic informs us before taking off.
Viper and I follow behind him and head in the house. We all have rooms on the first floor to use when we work overnight. They’re away from the individuals here for treatment so they feel at ease with us being on the property. Viper takes the last roomwe’ve been given while I take the first one. I need to be close to wherever Taleah will be sleeping so I can get to her as soon as possible if she has nightmares. Mr. Winslow already told me she has them every single night. I know he’s on a business trip with his wife and he called to keep me updated because they were worried about her being all alone. That’s why I was adamant about leaving the club if I had to in order to protect my girl. She can’t be all alone after everything she’s been through.
After leaving my bag in the room on the bed, I head back outside to meet up with M.B. and Demon. They were the ones working overnight and we always check in with the previous team to go over any problems or things that happened while they were here. None of us talk about private matters involving the people here for treatment because it’s against the law and we don’t know much of that anyway. When they’re done giving us the relevant information, M.B. and Demon leave us alone. Viper takes off after letting me know he’ll be at the back of the property because he knows I want to stay close to the front where I can see Taleah when she arrives here. Annistyn is also going to show up at some point because she wants to be here when my girl arrives. Wants her to see a friendly face she’s already met before.
I’m walking along the fence line when I see Annistyn’s SUV pull in followed by Taleah’s car. They park in front of the house before Annistyn helps Taleah get out and grab her things. Obviously Taleah can’t carry in her bags and use the walker at the same time. Annistyn takes them from her and they disappear in the house from the side entrance where there aren’t any steps for Taleah to worry about. I know they’ll be in there a while as Roger shows my girl around and lets her get settled in her room. I remain at my post while keeping an eye on the house so I can see when they come back outside. Roger will show her where the therapists offices are and the barn. I have a feeling Taleah willspend most of her free time in the barn because she’s always loved animals.
It’s been a few hours and Taleah finally makes her way around the side of the house. She’s alone as she slowly makes her way toward the barn. The ground is uneven in spots and it takes a lot for her to maneuver the walk over the grass. I want to go to her and help, but I know we’re not there yet. I’m not sure if we’ll ever be there again. Silently, I follow behind Taleah as she finally disappears in the barn. I don’t immediately follow her inside as I simply listen to her movements and the sounds from the horses and puppies. When I hear her crying, I make my way in the barn and carefully make my way closer to the woman I hate to see cry for any reason.
Taleah is leaning against the body of a horse. The large animal doesn’t move as it gives my girl comfort the only way it can. This is one of the more gentle horses from what I’ve been told. A lot of the individuals here love this one. I believe it’s name is Storm. She’s huge and dark brown with a white stripe down her nose. Taleah lets go of the walker and wraps her arms around the horse’s neck. I want to laugh as Storm rests her head heavier on Taleah’s shoulder but not enough to knock her over or make her unsteady on her feet.
“I can feel you staring at me,” Taleah says, her voice a broken sob as she continues to bury her face in the horse’s neck.
“It’s a sight I haven’t seen in a very long time, Doll. You think I’m gonna pass up the chance to look at you when you’re right in front of me?” I ask her, stepping closer but not enough to make her uncomfortable with me being near.
“That was your decision, Rex. You set all events in motion when we were younger. I guess now you can pay the price for your choices,” she returns, finally pulling away from the horse but not letting go of her.
“I know my decisions are the reason we haven’t talked in eight years. I’m the reason for a lot of things between the two of us. However, I also know we need to talk about that situation so you finally know the truth. You gonna give me that, Doll?” I question her as she looks at me with wide eyes and tears falling down her face.
“No, Rex. The time for talking was eight years ago. You chose to ignore everyone around you until you left for the military. At least that’s what I think happened. I don’t know and don’t give a shit any longer. Your life and mine aren’t intertwined like they once were. We’re simply two strangers passing one another by. Leave me alone, Rex. I don’t understand why you’re suddenly involved in my life when you didn’t want to be around me for so long. Don’t change shit up now because you have a guilty conscience or something,” she says, her voice hard as she releases Storm and then grabs her walker. I don’t follow her closely as she leaves me in the barn and makes her way over toward the building where the offices of the therapists are located.
Despite everything Taleah has been through, she’s got a spine of steel and isn’t afraid of calling me on my shit. That’s something new between the two of us. Before she would have either walked away or listened to me run my mouth and said nothing in response. I like this new version of my Doll and hope it only comes out stronger as she talks to someone about everything that’s happened to her. I want to see Taleah filled with fire and able to stand up against anyone who comes at her. I’d love to get her in the ring with me because I have a feelingshe’ll do really good with training in self-defense and boxing. I can definitely help her learn boxing because I’ve been doing it for years now. I’ve been fighting for the club since we got here and I’m undefeated so far. Taleah might just be the one person who can end my winning streak.
While Taleah stays in the building so she can have her first therapy session, I take a look at the puppies in the stall just down from the horses. There’s a black and brown one who hangs back and isn’t as rambunctious as the rest of them. I’ve hung out here a few times and that one puppy always catches my eye. I plan on talking to Roger about adopting that one and training him as a guard dog for Taleah. She loves puppies and I don’t think she knows they’re here yet or she would have been in the stall with them.
“Whatcha doin’ out here?” Viper asks me as he approaches and I see it’s now raining outside.
“Taleah was just out here. She met Storm and they formed a bond of sorts. Put me in my place before leavin’ me alone out here. I wanted to check on the puppies before goin’ back inside,” I answer him as I unlatch the stall and make my way inside.
All the puppies jump on me and try to gain my attention. I bypass them all and head for the black and brown puppy. He sits back until I bend over and pick him up in my arms. Instead of trying to lick my face and all the other bullshit the rest of the puppies do, he lays in my arms and just relaxes. I think he’ll make a really good guard dog with the right training. I’ll have to talk to Roger and do some research to figure out who the best person for the job is.
“You seen Roger around here?” I ask Viper as he enters the stall behind me and latches the door so none of the puppiesescape. It’s happened before and we’ve had to run all over chasing them to get them back inside.
“He’s at the house. With Ivy havin’ such a horrible night, he’s not leavin’ her alone. Manic is there with her, but he’s still not goin’ too far in case they need him,” Viper answers me as he picks up two of the puppies and holds them close. I have a feeling most of us will be adopting these little guys sooner rather than later.
After spending a little bit of time with the puppy I want, I put him down and make my way to the house. I end up following behind Taleah as she makes her way back there. She’s moving slower than normal and I can tell she’s really struggling. I like that she’s trying to push herself a little bit, but then she pays the price because she’s exhausted and can hardly move for a day or two. Her dad warned me about it when I talked to him. Knowing she won’t allow me close to her, I can’t do anything to help so I simply remain behind her and hope she doesn’t fall or get hurt. I’ll catch her if she falls, but there’s not much else I can do without her asking for help. We’re both stubborn as hell and I know it takes a lot for Taleah to ask for anyone’s help.
I can see Taleah’s body shaking slightly and know without seeing her that she’s crying. Taleah doesn’t typically let anyone see her cry and hasn’t for a very long time. I believe the last time was eight years ago. She cried at her brother’s funeral and lost herself in front of a lot of people. Like me, she hates being vulnerable around others. While I see it as a weakness, Taleah sees it as a reason she’ll get bullied. It happened a lot when we were in school and so she built up walls to ensure she would only be vulnerable when she was alone. I lost that side of her before we were ever together. Even when we had sex for the first time, I didn’t get that side of her. I thought she could trust me, but she never really did. Maybe because I didn’t really trust her in a way.
While she goes to her room, I find Roger in the kitchen working on dinner for everyone. Ivy is helping him and Manic is playing with Charlotte. I walk up and lean against the counter so I can see the room Taleah disappeared in while talking to Roger about the puppy. He has no problem with me adopting the little guy and giving him a name because no one has named him yet. He tells me he has the name of a trainer he’s worked with in the past and will give me the information after dinner. I end up sitting with Manic and playing with Charlotte when he gets a phone call so Ivy can focus on making dinner. She loves to do that and it gives her a sense of purpose. I don’t see Taleah for the rest of the night. She never comes out to eat dinner with the rest of the people here. Roger goes to her room and she tells him she’s not hungry and just wants to sleep. I don’t think that’s all it is though. Taleah will open up once she’s more comfortable here. I’m sure today has just been a lot with moving to a strange place and having her first therapy session. Something she hasn’t done before.
Chapter Fourteen
