Leader: Book Three (Princes of Prophecy 3) Read online

  Leader

  Princes of Prophecy

  Book 3

  By

  L. Ann Marie

  What ‘All In’ means to Ben Knight:

  Support your Brothers,

  Lift up your women,

  Do better for more.

  Disabled is not in his vocabulary,

  He’ll never give up and never give in.

  Ben Knight is not only All In,

  He’s Badass personified,

  He is the Leader.

  *Content Warning: includes graphic language and sex. Intended for mature audiences 18+

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved.

  Princes of Prophecy: Leader Book 3

  Copyright 2016 © L. Ann Marie

  Published by: L. Ann Marie

  Editor Steph Nordstrom

  Cover by Lori Birkett

  Period Images®

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from L. Ann Marie, the author / publisher.

  Dedication

  For our homeless military who deserve so much more than we ever give them. For the men and women who work to fix that. For the newly educated that will now look for a way to help, support, and thank the women and men who worked so hard to be our heroes. Thank you!

  Who’s Who

  Who’s Who MC:

  Ben (Pres)-Tracey – *Jessie

  Danny-Dena – Rich

  Danny-Kate – Devan

  *Darren, Victor, Aaron

  *Ally & Alex

  *Patches

  Danny-Ben-Kate – Brenna

  Steve (VP/Knight)-Jess – Little Ben, Elizabeth

  Tiny-Nancy – Sandy

  *Sheila, Ricky, Jason, José, Billy, Diego

  Rich-Tess-Patches – Blaze, Blake, Zeke

  Cloud-CJ – Mase

  *Jeremy, Jacob, Brantley, Joey, Taylor, Christian, Terry

  Bob-Amanda – Harley, Colt

  Geek-Marty – Aubrey, and Riley, Kyler

  Digs-Penny

  Ricky Callahan – Prez of Little Brothers/KC

  Chet – HS

  Racks – Car lot, Security when needed

  Who’s Who Baxters:

  Jamie-Mitch-Kevin – Jess, Jared, Kaleb

  *Lori

  Ben – Mitch’s third partner

  Jake-Samantha – Luke Rayne

  Rayne – Carolina

  Zack – Baxter trainer, married Lori Baxter

  Jerry – HS IT

  Red – Mitch and Jess’s handler

  Bumps – International pilot

  *Adopted

  Princes of Prophecy Officers:

  Prez – Little Ben Knight

  VP – Darren LaPonte-James

  Sergeant at Arms – Jessie LaPonte-James

  Secretary – Dakota ‘Eagle Eye’ Lightfoot

  Trainer- Taylor Blackhawk

  IT – Brantley Blackhawk

  Treasurer – Joey Blackhawk

  Covering Everything – Sheila Callahan

  Aerial and New Technology – Jared Baxter

  HS IT – Brantley Blackhawk

  Security IT – Bull

  Nomads – Jax

  Medical – Nick

  Prospects – Lee

  Clubhouse – Chris

  Other Officers – Driscoll DeMello. - Chief of PD, Chevy

  Second Tier Officers – Sebastian, Shilah, Josiah, Aaron LaPonte-James

  Princes Families

  Jess-Dakota-Jessie – Justice, Aquyà

  Other characters

  Brenda – Lily’s sister, Casper’s daughter

  Hyde – HS

  Shelly – MC whore

  Aiyana – seer on RI Reservation

  Nunánuk – grandmother to Steve Knight and Cloud Blackhawk

  Gene – Ligĥtfoot Security second

  Ramsey – Princes Security/ comic relief

  Anita – Women’s Center Assistant director in MA then with Princes

  Strapper – Driscoll’s second

  Tom Martin – Town Manager for 2 towns

  Mayor Garrett

  Abel – Pilot

  Spot – HS22

  Mr. Petit – Town Manager

  Micky – New town Mayor

  Dell – IT for Connecticut Chapter

  Doug – Security

  Lex – Manages Manufacturing Plant

  Brody-Pamela – Dakota’s Parents

  Trapper

  Dogs (because I wasn’t happy with just people)

  Prince – Alex

  Alpha and Omega – Little Ben and Lily

  Need to Know Abbreviations:

  HS – High Security

  PAL – Police Athletic League

  FS – Family Security

  KC/KClub – Kids’ Club

  BS – Baxter Security

  NH – New Hampshire

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  About

  Other

  Prologue

  Three years earlier

  “She’s mine Uncle Danny. She just doesn’t know it.”

  He smiles. “She knows LB, she just can’t admit it yet, give her time.”

  I look at the water. Fuck, she’s so close and I have to give her time. “She puts up a wall every time I’m close to her. How do I get through it? She won’t come here for parties, even weddings. I know she loves everyone, but she won’t set foot on the compound.” I keep my eyes on the water. I don’t want him to see how much that bothers me.

  “Then you go to her and keep going to her until she’s ready. Do the things she likes, then show her who you are. The normal shit you do. Tell her your concerns and listen to hers. If she’s the one, she’ll get it. Give it time, but don’t let her think she’s doing it alone.”

  We’ve been taught to think before we make decisions, but this feels right. “I will. Thanks Uncle Danny.” I stand.

  “This isn’t a quick fix LB. Christian doesn’t see you with anyone yet.”

  That’s what I was going to do next, see Christian. I throw him chin and walk out the back by the water. “I’m heading home and will be staying in,” I say to Chet and walk toward the house. I never thought it would be this hard. She’s mine, she’s always been mine, now I have to convince her.

  Two and a half years earlier

  “Come to the party. Everyone will be there.” She shakes her head no. Jesus; one fuckin’ time it would be good to have her close. I
nod. “I’ll pick you up Wednesday.”

  “Brenda is bringing me.” She won’t give me a fuckin’ break here.

  I nod. “I’ll see you there.”

  She’s watching me and I wonder if she’s starting to see me. The real me. “You never get pissed at me or act like a two-year-old having a tantrum.”

  “No.” I need to get to Security, but I can’t make myself leave with her finally ready to talk. I am not touching my phone and distracting her.

  “When do you get pissed and do stupid shit?”

  “I do plenty of stupid shit, but not usually when I’m pissed. When I’m pissed I hit a wall.” I smile at her thinking I’ve done that a few too many times.

  She doesn’t believe me. “What stupid shit have you done? I’m a mess here and you’re always so...together.”

  She’s a mess? “What do you mean you’re a mess? You’ve grown into a confident and determined woman Lily, how do you get to mess from there?”

  She makes a snorting noise and looks away. “My whole life is a mess. You know exactly what you’re doing and how you’ll get there. I can’t see past this semester.”

  “What are you talking about? You know what you want and you’re working to get it. Kate said you’re doing Security too. That’s not someone without a goal and motivation to reach it.” What the fuck is this? She’s never let on that she’s unsure of her path.

  “Forget it. I’ll figure it out.” She turns and starts walking away.

  I walk beside her. “When you’re ready, I’m here.”

  She stops and turns toward me. “You’re always fucking here! I don’t have a chance to screw up my damn life without you watching! Go home Little Ben. Go save the fuckin’ world with your calm. Give me a minute to breathe without you right here!” She’s pissed and I’m fuckin’ relieved.

  “No. You are mine! You want to know what I do that’s fuckin’ stupid. I scalped a guy for trying to shake me down. I didn’t think, I was pissed and did the stupidest fuckin’ thing I could think of. My life isn’t road mapped for me. I deal just like everyone else. If you spend a fuckin’ minute thinking about what I’ve shown you, you’d see it. Talk to me Lily. What the fuck is going on that you keep pushing me away?”

  Her tears fall. “Why do you keep coming back? My mother doesn’t even want me.”

  Fuck. I pull her to my chest knowing this is where she belongs. “She feels guilty for what she’s done. That’s not on you Lily, that’s all her. You are a smart, compassionate, confident woman and she’ll regret the years she’s missing out on. Despite being taken away, you found your way back and you’re working toward the future you want. There are people that love you so close Lily. Let them in. Let them show you that love you’re missing.”

  She looks up at me and her face is a mess. I hate all the makeup on her. She’s beautiful without it. “You’re right.” Thank fuck! “I’m not doing too well on my own. Everyone’s always been supportive and I keep walking away from it.”

  “Give them the chance Lily. They won’t let you down.” I want to tell her to give me the chance, but I don’t think she’s ready.

  She gives me a shy look that I haven’t seen before. “Can you pick me up Wednesday?”

  Finally! “Yeah. I’ll be waiting outside your last class.”

  She hugs me and walks up the stairs into the dorm. I watch the door close and turn for my bike. Six months and I’m hopeful over a hug. I have a feeling I’ll need more fuckin’ help here. Maybe it’s time to talk to Kate and Tess.

  Two years and five months earlier

  “Fuckin’ Casper used her to get back at me?” He’s pissed and I can’t blame him.

  “Christian’s vision had you with Marty and a girl, Aubrey.” He sits Marty up and starts pacing. “Marty worked computers with you and Aubrey was taken while Jeremy was at the house in Rehoboth. It wasn’t Jacob, but Aubrey. What Casper did changed that.” He fucked their lives and I helped.

  “What he did put her in the fuckin’ house, chained to a fuckin’ bed, being sold to fuckin’ pussies! All because I told him the truth!” All I can do is nod. I did nothing to stop that.

  “Her thing with you is because of that. Somewhere in her, she knows you are her dad. Jeremy knew right away.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” He growls at me and I know it’s just a matter of time before he hits me. I deserve it.

  “Until Lily called me, I thought Marty was just Marty. Her name is Amber Martha Druid. As soon as I got the call it clicked. Lily remembers Casper being pissed and telling one of his guys about Marty. He had no intention of telling me he found her.” He looks away.

  Lily looks at Marty with tears falling. I hold her hand tighter letting her know she’s not alone here. “He was already seeing someone else. He laughed about leaving you, saying the freak was wrong. Meaning Christian.”

  “Jesus! You think she could live without that fuckin’ knowledge?” Geek yells pissed.

  Pres signs for him to calm down. “She needs to know the truth. It was a Brother that brought her here. She needs to decide if another Brother can walk her through it.”

  Geek nods. “Tell me there’s no more to this fuckin’ tale from the crypt.” That about sums it up too. How much worse can this get?

  “Other than I’m sorry, there’s no more to it, no,” I tell him.

  Uncle Danny hands him a shot. “Lily and Brenda have a sister they didn’t know about. They’re going to want to know her. That’s up to you and Marty to decide. Aubrey could use the support with the surgeries coming up.”

  Lily is squeezing my hand hoping for a yes.

  Geek looks at Marty. He’s thinking she lost everything because of Casper, but he hopes she’ll do this for Aubrey. He already loves her. Marty nods and he relaxes. “Of course,” he says to Uncle Danny.

  Lily lets my hand go and hugs Geek telling him she didn’t know. “I can’t keep thinking of what happened and function normally. I’m fuckin’ pissed they went through what they did over something so stupid. You need to let it go Lily, Brenda too. Your dad was a good Brother. Made a fuckin’ tragic mistake, but a good Brother. Remember that.”

  I stand and slap his back telling him I’m sorry. He throws me chin and I take Lily out. This is why she’s been pushing me away. Fuckin’ Casper showed her the old Brotherhood. A fuckin’ Brotherhood that no one was proud of. “I’ll be at your house tonight. We have some shit to go over.” I turn her so I can see her face.

  “Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

  I’m pissed, but this is not the time. I just nod. “Brenda wants some time with you. Give her that. I’ll pick you up at eight.”

  I lean down and she lifts her face toward me. I kiss her cheek feeling like I’m getting closer. She walks to Brenda’s car, but looks back at me. More progress. Thank fuck!

  ***

  I pull up to the dorm and she’s sitting on the steps with some guy. I clench my jaw and shut the bike off. This guy feels something for her. Who the fuck is he? She smiles and stands. “Little Ben, this is Kelly, we have classes together.”

  He watches me, not liking me much. I put my hand out to him and he ignores it. Douche. Lily looks at him then turns toward me. “Sorry. He’s usually not such a jerk.” I smile at her and take her hand leading her to my bike. The whole time I just want to kick the shit out of him. I’m not going to say a word about him. I have no fuckin’ idea when I decided that, but I did. This needs to be about her. It’s like Patches’ list.

  It feels good having her wrapped around me again. She’s a good rider and knows how to move behind me. At the water I stop and walk her to the first bench. I wait until she looks at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  She looks away. “He was my father.” I wait for more. She sighs and her shoulders slump. “He was my hero for so long. I heard him talking and five minutes wiped it all away. I don’t know what to believe. My mother said he’s always been like that.” I see her tears fall and pull her closer laying her h
ead against my chest. “He’s dead. I can’t even ask him. Then look at what he did. That’s not the man I knew. Everything was an act. He put on a show and I bought it.”

  “It wasn’t all an act Lily. He was a good man. He was human and made mistakes like the rest of us.”

  She pulls away from me. “He put his daughter in that hell! He wasn’t a good man!” She needs to get it out so I let her. “She was sold, Little Ben. My father did that. He used Marty. What the fuck kind of man does that as revenge?” Since she doesn’t want answers right now I keep quiet. “The Club is good. We were taught good, but he wasn’t good. He was fake. Nothing was real. Aubrey, my sister, was chained...” She looks at the water. “She was sold and raped for years.” I pull her to me. “Casper—my father—did that.”

  I hold her while she cries. I can’t say he didn’t, so I hold her thinking about the man I knew. I pull the handkerchief I took from my dad and hand it to her. She gives me a watery smile. “I got it from my dad knowing this isn’t going to be easy for you.” She takes it and wipes her nose. “I’ve been thinking about the man I knew. He was good, Lily. He didn’t believe in the visions, but he was basically a good man. He didn’t cheat on your mother. He didn’t run women in the Club. He ran Ops for as long as I can remember, then the PD. He helped keep drugs out of the town. I knew him to be a good Brother. Not all of them believe in the visions, that’s why we keep it close. He made a colossal mistake.”

  She snorts and I keep the smile off my face. It’s cute to watch her do that. “He was a jerk.”

  I nod. “He was. I’ve been called a jerk before. It doesn’t mean it defines me. It was a moment in my life. I work to make life good for my family and community. I hope I’m not remembered for the time I was a jerk, but for what I do to make life good for other people.” She’s watching me, maybe it will get through. “Think about your dad, Lily. Look at all he did that was good and decent. He was pissed your mom cheated on him. No, not just cheated, had been cheating – for years. Jerk is what came out. You said he was sleeping at the office for a week. That isn’t much time to get his head straight after being with your mom for so long.”