Missing You

Chapter Twenty-Four: He's Losing His Touch

Sometime in the night, Nina opened her eyes groggily to see a black figure sitting in her easy chair watching her sleep. Thinking it was a dream, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. In the morning she woke with a start thinking she heard her door close. Sitting up straight quickly her eyes went to the easy chair to see it empty and then to her door which was secured. Moving to check the rest of her apartment, she then stopped when she noticed something. Moving to her knees, she lifted the bed skirt to find that under her bed while empty, on the carpeted floor lay a mens black glove. A glove she had come to recognize as all her brothers wore them on missions to protect their hands from numerous things from firing their guns to climbing rocks to rigging explosives.

Grabbing her cell phone, she FaceTimed Blaine. He answered on the third ring, “Hey, what’s up, Alpha?”

“I think my brain is over-reacting,” watching as he sat with his back to a white wall dressed in his military fatigues.

“Why?”

“I went to a concert the other night with Misty, and I felt someone watching me. Ever since, I have come home to smell cologne and last night, I think it was a dream, but someone was sitting in my easy chair watching me. Then just a few moments ago I felt like someone left my condo.”

“I am sure it is your brain over-reacting,” and quickly looked at someone off camera.

“What? Who is there with you?”

He looked at her, “Oh, just one of my teammates,” and pushed a hand away.

“Oh, yeah? Which one? Sam?” he shook his head. She looked, “Nick?” He shook his head and pushed a hand away again. “Well, who is it?”

He made a face at whoever it was as his way of saying to backoff, and then turned his attention to Nina, “No one. Look, I am sure you are fine.”

“Oh, yeah? Tell me, is it Odin Valhalla that you are sending to watch over me?” He froze and immediately she knew. He tried to play it off but was unsuccessful at his attempt. Disappointed she shook her head, “I f*****g knew it.”

He swallowed deeply, “Where did you hear that name from?”

She rolled her eyes, “Please. Did you think I would forget that you and the rest of our brothers play Assassin’s Creed Valhalla or that you guys have an unhealthy obsession with the Thor Marvel movies?” And then held up the glove, “And besides, he’s getting sloppy.”

“Alpha-”

“No,” she cut him off, “Whatever f*****g game you think this is, knock it the f**k off. I am sick and tired of this bullshit. I am not some child you and my younger brothers think they need to protect. I didn’t go through all of that training you all made me do so you can send a babysitter to f*****g watch over me. Call off your f*****g dog. And you do it today. Do you understand me?”

He gritted his teeth and whoever the person was that he was looking at off camera, stopped. He nodded, “I understand.”

“If I so much as sense or smell him anywhere near me, I will disappear. I will invoke the Anonymity Act until I am ready to come out of it. Tell me you understand.”

He gritted his teeth and looked down, “I understand.”

She was radiating anger, “I hope you do. The next time you or any of our loving brothers send him, I will put all of you asses on f*****g notice,” and disconnected her call with him. When she did that, Blaine threw his phone on the floor missing the desk he was sitting at and yelled, “f**k!” seeing his phone break into a few pieces and then looked at a curious Draven. “What the f**k have you been doing with my sister, Shadow?”

He looked at Blaine and then at Deacon as they were sitting in the hotel room that Draven was staying in on the days he was visiting California. Deacon looked at him, “You better tell him. He always finds out, bro.”

Draven then proceeded to tell him that on the days he was watching Nina, he also slipped into her bed to spoon with her. He even admitted that when she was in the hospital, that he had sat with her all night and held her hand. Blaine was not pleased, “What part of this whole f*****g thing do you not understand, Shadow? And then you leave a f*****g glove behind? What the f**k is the matter with you?”

“I don’t have an answer for that other than I love her. I made a small mistake of leaving my glove behind. I had to hide under bed one morning because I lost track of time.”

“Small mistake? That is what you call your f*****g bullshit?”

Draven stood up, which then caused Blaine to stand up in anger and then caused Deacon to stand up in case he needed to separate them. “Look, brah, I have been away from her for almost a whole goddamn year! I have had to deal with set back after set back after f*****g set back because of rules and regulations. And because of these same f*****g rules and regulations, I have had to keep silent and let the love of my life think I am dead! It kills me more every goddamn day that I am away from her. But you wouldn’t know anything about that now, would you? Have you ever been so in love with someone, have them literally be right there in front of you and not be able to touch them? Kiss them? f*****g hold them, and never let them go?”

Blaine looked at him, “I have been there since my team rescued you. I have been right there with you every f*****g step of the way, bro.”

“But you have gotten to hug Nina. Hold her hand. Laugh with her, cry with her. f*****g share coffee with her. So excuse the s**t outta me for holding her hand while she f*****g slept just so I could get a few precious moments with her. And yet, still make her believe that my sorry ass it dead or what she thought she saw was a dream.”

Nina then called Misty who was at work at her film writer job. “What’s up mamas?”

Nina told her about her date and then about finding out that her brothers had sent someone to watch over her. “I swear Misty, I told you I felt like someone was watching me.”

“Not that I am sticking up for them, but I’m sure it’s because they just worry about you. They just want what is best for you. But if you need a couch to crash on again, mine is always open.”

“Thanks.”

“Hey, we still on for lunch?”

“Of course.”

They spoke more and then hung up. Nina moved away from the couch and went into her bedroom to take a shower. When she got out, she dressed in a pair of khaki shorts with a white skull printed pink tank top with a razorback and put her long hair up in a braided updo. Moving to her couch, she sat to put her grey low top Chuck’s on and noticed that her blanket was folded. She didn’t remember doing that. She got up and went around her condo making sure that all of the windows and all the doors were locked. Going back to the blanket she unfolded it and threw it on the couch. Grabbing her phone and her keys, she made her way to her Land Rover in her garage. As she opened it, her neighbor, an older retiree by the name of Gladice approached her with her Pomeranian on a leash.

“Good morning, Nina!”

Nina turned and smiled, “Good morning, Misses Lebowitz. How are you and Feefee doing today?”

She smiled, “Ok, I’m good. Taking Feefee for her morning walk.”

Nina squatted down as Feefee, an amber ball of fluff, put her paws on Nina’s knee, begging to be touched. Nina smiled and petted her head, “Good morning, pretty girl.”

“She likes you. Though she gave me a fright last night. She woke me up at two this morning barking and growling at the door. By the time I got her calmed down, she did it again. She must not like your new boyfriend.”

Nina lost her smile, “Boyfriend?”

She nodded her white hair covered head, “I saw him leave quietly this morning. He was dressed in black, had a beard,” and smiled, “He’s a very good-looking man with all of those muscles,” and winked, “I guess he didn’t want to wake you up. Well, see you later, Nina.”

“Bye, Misses Lebowitz. Tell Mister Lebowitz hello for me. And I’m sorry you got woken up.”

She waved as she walked away. Nina felt her heart racing at that moment. Someone had indeed been in her house and had watched her sleep, and not just when she was away from her home. Immediately angered at whoever he was and at her brothers, she got in her Land Rover and went to the local hardware store where she got new locks for her doors. She purchases locks that were specialized and could only be opened with her code and thumbprint and added locks for her windows. Then she spent the morning changing out locks and adding locks to her house, including a swing lock on the front door. Finally ready for lunch, she locked her new locks and went to get Misty for lunch. Her coworker, Tanya joined them. Nina told Misty about what Misses Lebowitz had told her about seeing the man with a beard leaving her house this morning and how she knew someone was babysitting her thanks to her brothers.

“Jesus, are you being stalked or something?” Tanya asked, her orange hair blowing in the breeze.

Nina put her drink down, “If I am, I am going to handle this asshole.”

By Friday, she felt more secure in her home and didn’t hear or see anything else to indicate that she was being watched or stalked. Besides, she had other things to worry about like her date with Greg. Since they were going to go swing dancing, she put on her black sleeveless dress that flared out at her hips with black hose and black close toed heels with straps that buckled over her ankle. After doing her hair in a curled ponytail, she was ready. As she finished applying her wine-colored lipstick, there was a knock at her door. Answering it, it was Greg. He was dressed in tan slacks and a blue button-down shirt, “Wow. You look great. Shall we?”

She smiled, “Let’s.”

She took him to her Swing Dance club where she met with Misty, Tanya, Colleen, and few other girls in their group. She taught Greg the easy steps first and they danced to a few easy songs. Nina wanted to like Greg, she really wanted to give him a chance. But he was no leader on the dance floor, he was clumsy with two left feet, and she just didn’t feel the attraction. Needing a few drinks, she motioned to Misty who pushed Tanya onto the dance floor with Greg.

“What’s up mamas?” she asked handing Nina a shot.

“He can’t dance,” taking the shot and handing the glass back to Misty.

“That bad, huh?” and handed her another one.

“He can’t get the triple step if you moved his feet with your hands,” swallowing the shot and feeling the burn down her throat.

“Well, on the bright side, all of our drinks are on him tonight,” and handed her another one.

Nina watched him smile and joke with Tanya, as she had the patience of a saint trying to teach him to try and dance, “I think they are hitting it off.”

Misty turned and smiled. Colleen gushed, “That is so cute!”

Nina and Misty both got asked to dance by two different men and went out and had a great time. Nina had more drinks and started to feel a little drunk and really warm. When the Brian Setzer Orchestra “Since I Don’t Have You”, began to play, Misty, Colleen, and Nina went to dance in a circle and sing along with the song as couples slow danced around her. Misty stopped singing and watched as a tall and very muscular man with a beard went up behind a loaded Nina and put his hands on her hips to dance with her. Misty felt as if she had seen him before.

He was dressed in black slacks and a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Her eyes recognized the tattoos, but her brain didn’t quite comprehend what she was seeing. She still couldn’t get a good look at his face since they had lowered the lights for the slow song.

Nina turned in his arms, not bothering to look up into his face, liking the heat from his body. She closed her eyes and held onto his strength as he led her away from her group, not missing that Misty was watching him like a hawk. He put a knee between hers and his hands on her hip and lower back and slowly moved them low in a sexy move. The move caused her dress to move up just below her ass cheeks. Nina just held on with her eyes closed and basked in the warmth and being close to a man for once that made her feel safe immediately. She hadn’t had that in a long time.

They dirty danced there on the dance floor to the slow song. The way he guided her across the dance floor was flawless. For a large man, he was very light on his feet. She loved how he felt against her, her hands loving the ripple of his muscles under her hands and the smoothness of his shirt. As she inhaled, she felt like she was inhaling Draven. He smelled so good, she buried her face in his neck as he pulled her closer, though she was unsure of how much closer they could get on the dance floor.

Her partner never said a word to her, and Nina was too drunk to notice. She did really like it when he drew her closer to him, almost as if they were lovers. When the song ended, Misty went to her and pulled her away from the man, “Excuse us.”

A drunk Nina tried to stop her, “No,” and tried to reach for him. But Misty grabbed her arms and glared daggers at the man to not follow them as she moved a drunk Nina away from him and the dance floor. Grabbing Colleen, Misty told Tanya, “Have Greg take you home. Colleen and I are going to take Nina.”

Misty turned to Colleen and Tanya, “Help me get her to my Jeep.” They fought with Nina like she was a toddler as tried to get away from them to go back to the dance floor to Mister Mysterious that danced her heart away on the dance floor. Misty and Colleen eventually got her quiet and, in the Jeep, as she passed out. And they made an agreement that everyone would group text when they got home safely.

Misty was careful and drove Nina to her place, taking extra caution to make sure they weren’t followed. Once safely at her apartment, Misty grabbed a drunk Nina and slowly made their way into her apartment. Nina had an arm around Misty’s shoulders, “God, he was a good dancer,” slurring her words, “And he was so warm and smelled so f*****g good. I miss that, Miss.”

Misty nodded and got her apartment door open, “I know. Me too, Mamas.” Misty put Nina on her couch and locked her door. Getting her comfortable, Misty put a trashcan by her in case she needed to throw up, which she probably was going to do, and went to bed.

In the night, Nina did indeed have to throw up and she did so in the trashcan. A warm and comforting hand held her hair back, as another soothed her back. When she was done, a warm wet cloth wiped her mouth for her, and she passed back out. In the morning, she woke to smell coffee. Misty was making her some toast, “Good morning, mamas. How’d you sleep?”

Nina sat up and moved to the bar, gladly taking a cup of coffee, “Like a log. Thanks for holding my hair back for me.”

Misty put down her mug, “What? When?”

“When I threw up. In your trashcan,” motioning to the trashcan by the side of the couch that was empty.

Misty slammed her hand down on the counter, “Son of a b***h! Motherfucker!”

“What?”

“He followed us. I don’t know how, but the son of a b***h followed us!”

Nina felt her heart starting to race, “What are you talking about?”

“The guy from last night.”

“What guy?’

“Jesus, you were drunker than I thought. Look, mamas, last night we were standing in a circle singing ‘Since I Don’t’ Have You’ and your stalker joined us. He is the same guy I saw at the concert. Beard, built, still hot. He came up behind you and dirty danced your little heart away from us. When the song ended, I grabbed you and had the girls help me get you into my Jeep.”

Nina was shocked, “So you got a good look at him?”

She nodded, “I did. Well, kind of. They lowered the lights for the song.”

“I have to go to the police. What did he look like?”

“He had green eyes, brown hair, brown beard, he was built, he had tattoos going down his arm.”

“Tattoos? What kind of tattoos?”

“I don’t know. I couldn’t tell as he was dirty dancing with you on the dance floor. But I will tell you this,” picking up her mug, “For as big of a dude as he was, he was flawless, light on his feet, and a strong leader. You had no problem letting him guide you across that floor. And the way you were letting him hold you, I thought he was going to f**k you right there on the dance floor.”

Nina could feel her blood surging through her body, “Can you get me home?”

“Yeah, of course. Do you want me to come with you to the police station?” putting down her mug.

She shook her head, “Not yet.”

“Nina,” she protested, “He was in my house taking care of you while you threw up.”

“And what are the police going to do with that? ‘Sorry ma’am, we can’t arrest a complete stranger for taking care of your drunk friend.’ I need to catch him in the act.”

“Mamas, you are going to get yourself killed.”

Nina finished her coffee, “He won’t hurt me. He hasn’t so far.”

“I swear, if you end up on the news because of this, I won’t even come to your f*****g funeral.”

Nina looked at her incredulously, “Geez. Love you too, babe.”

Misty held up her hands, “I am telling you. If it was me, I would be going to the police and installing a security camera to catch his ass instead of literally trying to catch his ass.”

Nina looked at her, “The difference is, I was trained by a whole bunch of Army Rangers. There is not much that scares me anymore. Let’s not forget I had a student attack me some months ago.”

“How could I forget? But, do you know what it’s like to get a call that your best friend has been attacked by some deranged student and she actually had less injuries than he did?”

“What? You sound impressed?”

“I am. I probably would have pissed my ever-loving pants.”

“Like I said, I was trained very well. I have put bigger men in the hospital without a scratch.”

Misty grabbed her keys, “Come on. Let’s get your dumb ass home so you can catch your stalker.”

Nina looked at her, “I’m not dumb, I just prefer to do the police work quicker than they would.”

Twenty minutes later, they got her home. Nina stopped her from coming up, “I’ll be fine.”

“You’d better call me if you need anything. And I mean it.”

Nina hugged Misty and went up into her condo. She had the worst hangover ever, but she took a long hot shower, and dressed in a pair of black yoga capris and a black tank top. Making sure her house was secure, she took a nap on her couch. Around four, her cell phone rang. It was Greg.

“Hey, I just wanted to make sure you got home okay,” he said.

She smiled, “I did. Thank you.”

“Look, Nina, I think you’re great but . . .”

She smiled, “You hit it off with Tanya.”

He let out a deep breath, “Yeah. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head, “Don’t be.”

“Really?”

“I’m glad you two hit it off. Really.”

“Thanks, Nina. I hope we can still be friends.”

“Absolutely.”

“Good,” she could hear him smile over the phone, “Well, I hope you got that guy’s number.”

“What guy?”

“The guy that you danced with. He seemed to know you really well. The way you two were dancing, it was as if you knew each other. I mean, I have never seen a big dude like him move that well on his feet, but he did flawlessly with you.”

“Did he have tattoos on his arms?”

Greg answered, “Yeah, that guy. His tattoos are Polynesian. I recognized them from my time with Doctors Without Borders.”

“Is there anything else you can tell me about him?”

“Uh, just that he looked really familiar.”

“Familiar? How?”

Greg said, “You know, he looked like a guy I have seen when we met for coffee a few times and even when we went to the movies that night. I swore I had seen him before.”

“Can you tell me anything else?”

“Uh, just that he had a small scar going across his nose.”

They spoke a few more minutes. Nina hung up and wanted to call so many people but knew they would think that she was crazy, and she was still pissed at her brothers. At the same time, she had sworn the man they were all describing to her was Draven. But how could that be if he was MIA? He had been for almost a year. And besides, Draven didn’t have scars on his face. Did he?

Draven on the other hand was thanking his lucky stars that Blaine was on his side. Freak, Jinx, and Radar had joined him at the Crowder concert and when “Red Letters” was being played, he had indeed lost it. He had a flashback of being in the cell singing that song with his element. They could tell he was in it and surrounded him, hugging him and squeezing him to calm him down. When they got him back, he had intently watched Nina as she had fun with her friends. Part of him wished that she had turned to look at him, but he knew she wouldn’t. Then a few days later when they had followed her to the dance club, he knew she was drunk, and he used it as a perfect excuse to dance with her.

He could have died a happy man at that moment to have her back in his arms. As he guided her away from her friends, he knew that the one known as Misty was watching him like a hawk. He tried to jar Nina with how he danced with her, but she was most certainly drunk. Nothing in how he danced with her jogged her memory or caused her to second guess who he was. After their dance, when Misty had pulled her away, he knew where they were going and gave them a ten-minute head start. Then he had let himself into Misty’s place as her locks were easy to pick and took care of a drunk Nina that night. It took a lot out of him to not lay down with her.

The next morning with he heard the conversation they had, he knew he needed to change up his game or he chanced Nina recognizing him and then his whole identity and status would have been blown. And who knew what the Navy would do to him for going off base without permission. Much less, what Blaine would do when he had told Draven to back off when she had found his glove that morning. But had it not been for Blaine, he wouldn’t have been able to do the things he had done to stay be Nina’s side. Blaine had managed to get him on a working crew that he was able to disguise himself with and use his assumed name of Odin Valhalla. It was a name that Blaine and his brothers had come up with so they knew if his name hit at any time in the system, they could monitor it and erase what needed to be erased. He knew he had a few more days before he had to head back, and he was going to spend as much time as he could and as near as he could get to Nina.

The first time he had used the name, the military police at the gate looked at him with a c****d eyebrow and when they scanned his card and it came back green, they let him thru. The entire time, Draven’s heart was pounding in his chest. He didn’t need it to come back red or they would detain him and they would find out who he was and figure out why he was trying to leave when he was confined to his barracks. After his third time, the military police recognized his bearded face and would wave him through.

A few days after the dancing club, and Nina getting drunk again, she became a hermit and refused to go anywhere. She stayed behind her locked doors, and it did indeed keep anyone and everyone out. That is until Saturday night when Misty made her get dressed for a night out with the girls and to a concert with Nickelback that was being held at an underground bar. She dressed in a short black pleated skirt, with a white tank top with a picture in black, grey, and white of Rose the Riveter on it with the words “Chicks Kick Ass”, her black lace up boots that went up to her knee, black thigh highs with a little white bow on the side, and her hair up in braided pigtail buns with some loose strands escaping all over and dark punk rock makeup including her signature wine colored lipstick. She was almost unrecognizable but felt sexy for the first time in a long time.