Page 9 of Protecting His Woman

T here was a small place within Old County that no one but Damion knew about. It was near the river, away from families, surrounded by the forest, yet open enough to allow you to think you could escape.

From the moment he walked into the diner and saw how tired Vicki was, he knew the decision he had given her was driving her crazy. She looked like she hadn’t slept. So, he informed Tank he would be a waitress down.

He watched as Vicki tilted her head up to the sky, and she looked so damn happy.

This is what he wanted for her. She hadn’t had an easy life.

He was aware a lot of people had fucked-up lives in Old County.

That was the price of living there. However, most families didn’t have an addict mom who only thought of herself.

There were good people in Old County who loved their kids and would do anything for them. They certainly wouldn’t sell them.

“How long have you known about this place?” Vicki asked, spinning toward him.

“A while.” He found it when he was back in high school. There had been a few requests to purchase land nearby, but he always refused. Some pieces of heaven needed to be preserved. There were other parts of Old County that could be used to sell land and all that shit.

“It’s amazing,” Vicki said. “Do you come here often?”

“When the need arises.” It was rare for him to need a solitary place to call his own. In all honesty, it was not necessary at all, but he had a feeling she needed to get away. “There is nothing but you, the world, and God, and that is a majestic feeling.”

Vicki smiled. “I didn’t think you believed in God.”

“I believe, just like I know there is a devil,” he said. “We all have difficult choices to make. It is hard for us to do that, surrounded by everyone.”

Vicki sighed, running fingers through her hair.

“Frank knew. It would seem it’s pretty big news you giving me a decision like this,” Vicki said.

“It’s not. You’re a civilian, and it was you who was put at risk by your own mother. If she wasn’t family, I would have dealt with it.”

Vicki blew out a breath. “I know it’s crazy but I love my mom. I know she doesn’t love us at all, and I don’t trust her. None of us do.”

“I take it your family knows?” Damion asked.

“Yes. They all know, and none of them want her home, but there is Betsy, and yet Dhalia is right, she ... could have killed Betsy.” Vicki sighed.

“She is never careful with the drugs she uses. Not to mention the men she brings home.” Vicki put a hand to her forehead.

“Living with her is a nightmare. I try to get away, and I can’t.

She won’t look after the kids. She won’t do anything a mother is supposed to do. She acts like we’re the ones at fault.”

Damion stayed silent. He would have killed this woman in a heartbeat. Annette was not a good person. She was only going to use her daughter to get what she wanted.

If Vicki chose wrong and opted to keep Annette as a civilian, he was going to have to put out a warning. He would finally make his claim that Vicki and her family were untouchable. She would belong to him, and then anyone who tried to hurt them would be attacking him.

“But, if I turn my back on her, doesn’t that make me a terrible person?” Vicki asked.

“There is only so much you can do to save someone, Vicki. Sometimes, you’ve got to let that person deal with the consequences of their actions.”

He hated seeing her cry, but the tears filled her eyes and started to fall down her cheeks.

“If it was just me she could target, then I would say, whatever, let her stay safe. But, it’s not just me.

There’s Dhalia and Betsy, and if she is willing to throw me under a bus, what will she do to them?

Then there’s Smithy and Pete. I don’t even know about Frank.

He’s going to The Lords, I just know it, and there is no stopping him. ”

Damion stayed perfectly still.

“But I can’t put Betsy and Dhalia at risk. They don’t deserve that. I don’t want her back,” Vicki said. “I know that makes me a horrible person and puts her life at risk, but I don’t want her anywhere near me, Dhalia, or Betsy. I want her to stay away from my family, once and for all.”

Damion went to her and pulled her into his arms. The moment he did, she collapsed and just sobbed. He allowed her to let go, stroking her hair.

“I’ll take care of it,” he said.

She nodded. “I’m a horrible person.”

“No,” Damion said. “You’re a good, strong person, and you are doing what you need to do for your family.”

He cupped her chin, tilting her head back so she had no choice but to look at him.

“Always remember there is only so much you can do to help. It is up to other people to start helping themselves.”

Her lips looked so damn inviting, but he was not going to take his kiss with the memory of her mother still present. Damion was a patient man. He would bide his time.

“Are you ready to head back?” he asked.

“Yes, I am.” Vicki sighed. “Thank you for bringing me here, it is so beautiful.”

He moved back toward his car, opened up the passenger side door, and allowed her to climb inside. Closing the door, he walked to his driver’s side, took one last lingering look at the view, and then climbed in.

Damion turned over the ignition and allowed Vicki to have her peace as he drove her back to the diner. He didn’t get out, and she thanked him, leaned over, and kissed his cheek.

He watched her go, knowing she was going to belong to him.

Pulling out of the parking lot, he made his way toward the Thames’s territory. He already texted Neil to let him know he had an answer. He arrived at the Thames’s land, parked his car, and climbed out. Neil was waiting.

“Damion,” he said.

“Neil.”

“How open do you think Vicki would be to having a paternity test done?” Neil asked, taking him by surprise.

“You want to find out if she is your kid?”

“Yeah, I do. I want to know if I owe that kid ... shit. You know, helping her out or something.”

Damion looked at him, and then sighed. “I will ask her.”

“Are you going to tell me what she decided?” Neil asked.

“I will, in front of Annette,” Damion said.

Neil shrugged, and they made their way to the barn where Annette was being held. She had a chain around her ankle, and also one around her wrist. He saw there were marks on her wrist and ankle, where it looked like she attempted to claw her way out.

“About fucking time you showed up,” Annette said. “Get me the fuck out of here. Piece of fucking shit. I should have bit your dick off years ago.” Annette spat on the ground. “Come on, let me out. I’ve got shit to do.”

Damion looked at her, and Neil didn’t move. Annette was so sure Vicki would save her.

“What is your dumb ass waiting for? Is Vicki out there? It’s about time her fat ass showed up.”

Damion looked at this filth of a woman, and he was surprised at how long it took Vicki to make a decision. Sure, she was a nice woman, a kind woman ... this trash in front of him was anything but. She didn’t even deserve five minutes of a person’s time, let alone a couple of days.

He turned to Neil. “She’s all yours.”

“What?” Annette asked.

Damion looked at Annette. “It would seem your family is done with you. Every one of your children can’t stand your guts.

They hate you. They don’t want you home, and Vicki has to take into account what they all want.

She can’t trust you around them. She is tired of cleaning up your messes, and knowing you were willing to sell her for yourself was the final straw.

You are no longer a civilian of Old County. You are part of the Thames family.”

And with that, Damion stepped out of the barn, as Neil gave the order to have Annette branded. He was not about to tell the man how he dealt with people. Annette had been so sure of herself, the shit she said disgusted Damion.

Neil stepped out with him.

“You took a great deal of pleasure in that,” Neil said.

“That is the cost of doing business.”

Neil held out an envelope. “This is for Vicki and the Reid family.”

“You don’t even know if she’s your kid,” Damion said.

“This shit couldn’t have been easy, and I don’t like that Jude was able to do what he did on my property. I will pay the punishment, Damion. She deserves compensation.”

He took the money and placed it in his jacket. Vicki would get this money. He had a feeling she wouldn’t want it, but he was going to make sure she took it regardless.

After shaking hands with Neil, he left.

****

M uch to Vicki’s surprise , she told everyone at the dinner table that night, and they were all delighted. Dhalia squealed. Betsy even looked happy. Smithy and Pete were so damn happy, they wanted to throw a party. Vicki didn’t want to deal with any parties.

The only person who wasn’t around was Frank. After dinner, Vicki helped everyone with their homework and read Betsy a story for bed. Warned Pete and Smithy not to stay up too late playing, and made her way downstairs to read.

It was past ten by the time Frank arrived home, and he wasn’t drunk, which surprised her. He collapsed onto the sofa, and Vicki lowered her book and looked at him.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’m okay. I should ask how you’re dealing?”

It had been a long time since she and Frank had talked. Most of the time, he was too drunk to give a shit.

“I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not. I don’t think that was easy for you.”

Vicki smiled. “It wasn’t easy.” She shrugged. “But that’s life, right? It’s not easy.” She blew out a breath. “Mom’s gone.”

“She’s not dead. Not unless the Thames’s kill her.” Frank yawned.

“Do you really not care?” Vicki asked.

“No, I don’t. Mom has never been a good mother, Vicki. Think about it, we had to raise ourselves, and we had to raise the others. We’re two kids ourselves, with four children.” Frank shook his head. “That’s not what I wanted.”

“Is that why you’re going to The Lords?” Vicki asked.

“Don’t start this shit again.”