Chapter Sixteen
1493 Words
“So, you finally made your decision?” Rubble asked as he and Caine settled in chairs across from Gus.
Caine was anxious to get home. Eleanor and Emily had already gone, and he was eager to shower so he could spend time with them before Emily’s bedtime. That thought alone was enough to put a smile on his face. Who knew being domestic was so relaxing?
“Yeah, I’m headed to New York,” Gus announced. “It’s the only way to get Fin out of here and keep our parents from sticking their noses in my business.”
“You really don’t want to have anything to do with them, do you?” Caine asked.
“About as much as you want your mother in your life,” Gus gazed at him.
Caine grimaced, “I’d rather eat glass.”
“Same,” Gus nodded.
It had been a hassle to get rid of Caine’s mother when she showed up unexpectedly five years ago. She was like a slimy leech. Her fiancé and his niece were even worse. Caine had gotten off easy since he had been out of town on assignment for most of it. That meant Gus ended up dealing with them. They weren’t all that different from his own family.
Gus sighed, “With any luck, I can clean this mess up and leave before they even know I’m in town. That is why you are coming with me.”
“Me?” Caine stiffened. “Why me?”
“First, because I blame our wives for making me do this, but mostly because going without someone I can trust to watch my back is a bad idea.”
“You’re starting to sound paranoid,” Caine frowned.
“We’ll see. Rubble, you’ll be in charge while I’m gone. Elle has the payroll taken care of. We don’t have any major events coming up, so it should be quiet, barring any emergencies.”
Rubble nodded. He could handle most things fine when it came to the Club. Gus didn’t often disappear, but there had been times he took leaves of absence, particularly when he went on his honeymoon. The other Brothers wouldn’t think much of it, especially since he was waiting a week before following Fin. Very few would make the connection.
“Anything major happens, call me,” Gus added. He wasn’t worried, but if the FBI came knocking again looking for their help, he wanted to know about it. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be gone. Just hold down the fort until I get back.”
“You bet,” Rubble agreed. “You got nothing to worry about.”
“I want guards on Nailah and Jacob at all times,” Gus said.
Rubble raised a brow, “You think that is necessary?”
“I’m not taking any chances. If Fin found me, then others could too.”
Rubble nodded, “Consider it done.”
“Tell them to keep their distance, though,” Gus said. “I don’t want to disrupt Nailah and Jake’s lives.”
“You got it,” Rubble agreed. The Brothers had handled this kind of situation before, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
Gus wasn’t feeling quite as confident. If he knew anything about his family, it was that they made everything complicated. Leaving New York wouldn’t be as easy as arriving. But if he anticipated an issue, he could plan for it. Delaying their departure allowed him the time he needed to make arrangements for his family’s safety.
* * *
“Daddy, do you really have to go?” Jake asked, snuggled against Gus as he read a bedtime story.
“Fraid so, bud,” Gus sighed.
“Why?”
“…Well, your Uncle Fin needs some help.”
“And brothers help each other,” Jake said.
Gus tried not to grimace, “Yeah, brothers help each other. We watch each other’s backs.”
Jake had grown up in the Club and often heard such statements. He was still too young to differentiate the varying definitions of brother. For him, it was all the same thing.
“Can I come?” Jake asked. “I can help too.”
“Not this time,” Gus said. “I need you to stay here and take care of your mom for me. You think you can do that?”
“Yeah!” Jake exclaimed. “I can help too. I’m a big boy now!”
“Yes, you are,” Gus chuckled, squeezing him in a hug. He hated the thought of leaving them, but Rubble and the others would make sure they were safe while he was away.
Finishing the story, he tucked in the sleeping toddler and quietly let himself out. Retreating to his own bedroom, Gus found Nailah waiting, eager for her own hug and reassurances. It seemed she was also having second thoughts about his departure now that it was imminent. But too much had been set into motion for him to simply cancel the trip.
“You’ll be careful, right?” Nailah asked.
“Of course. I’ll wrap this up as soon as I can and be back before you know it.”
“Good. Because I hate sleeping alone.”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about that tonight, because you won’t be sleeping a wink,” Gus grinned, pulling her close. “We need to make some memories to last us a few nights apart.”
Nailah pulled his face closer, “Well, come here, daddy. I’ll make sure you remember where you belong.”
Gus couldn’t hold back any longer. He captured her mouth, claiming it for his own until she was breathless. Carrying her to the bed, he methodically stripped them, tasting every inch of her. He was going to make this moment last for as long as he could, even if it meant staying up all night. It would be worth it, after all the drive to New York was a long one.
* * *
Gus stepped out into the chilly morning, slinging a bag over his shoulder. He couldn’t remember when he finally allowed Nailah to sleep, but it wasn’t nearly long enough. Hopefully, the caffeine would kick in soon.
“There you are,” Caine said, leaning on his bike. “You told me to be here early. If I knew you’d take your sweet time, I could have cuddled with Elle a while longer.”
“You got everything settled up?” Gus asked, shoving his bag on the back of his bike.
“Yeah, don’t know how I’m going to sleep in an uncomfortable hotel bed without my wife in my arms, though.”
“You and me both,” Gus settled on his bike.
He looked at the quiet house, the occupants within still sound asleep. He hated Nailah spending even one day of her pregnancy without him, but Rubble would watch over her and call if there were any complications. If anything did come up, Gus wouldn’t hesitate to rush back.
Fuck Fin.
“Caine, there are a few things you’ll need to know before we get there,” Gus said after a moment.
“Oh, yeah? Like what?”
“About my life before I came to Serenity.”
“Oh?” Caine blinked. He had to admit he was curious. Gus never talked about his life, especially before the Club. From what he had heard already, he could guess it wasn’t a happy one. “Well, start with the short version and let’s get some road under us before I change my mind.”
Gus chuckled, as if Caine had a choice when it came to official orders, but said, “I came from a rich family.”
“Like Elle’s?”
“Richer,” Gus said, “More influential, but not as much as they wanted to be.”
“Well, that explains a few things. You have always carried yourself differently from others,” Caine said. It was how Gus got his road name, after all. “And it explains how you are so good at business.”
“Don’t have to be rich for that,” Gus scoffed.
“Which is why your brother is so bad at it, I take it.”
“You catch on quick.”
“It’s why you keep me around,” Caine shrugged. “So, is that it for the pep talk?”
“For now, I’ll give you details later. I hope it’s enough for you to understand why I need you watching my back.”
“We’re going to be wading into a snake pit, aren’t we?”
“If we can keep our presence hidden, it should be fine,” Gus sighed.
“Right. So, get in, get out and get back to our wives.”
“Amen to that.”
- Writer
