Aiyana: Book 2 (The Protectors) Page 6

  Her father yells in Mohegan and I’m up again. “You can’t keep her locked up just to collect her money, it’s hers and I don’t care who you are, you don’t throw shit at her. She’s an intelligent, capable, grown woman. I doubt she was ever a stupid teenager.”

  The asshole is shocked.

  Dakota laughs. “He is my brother-in-law, he knows Mohegan and talks to the kids in our native tongue regularly.”

  I sit and fume. Aiyana squeezes my hand. She can read them better than me, so she probably knows this is not going well...like I didn’t get that just from what’s been said. I shake my head and breathe deep.

  “Little Ben, Co and Aiyana, stay. This is no longer a discussion for all that I thought had valid concerns,” the Chief says.

  I look at Prez. ‘Don’t leave her alone with them,’ I say twice in my head. He throws me chin and I stand. “I’ll be right outside.” I kiss her cheek and walk out knowing I need to let whatever she decides happen.

  Dakota and Aaron come out behind the two assholes. “Brother, I had no idea Chevy would tell them anything,” Aaron says putting his hands up.

  Dakota stands in between us. “What the fuck did you tell him?”

  He moves to the side of Dakota. “Just that I was interested, but you got to her first.”

  “You went to the reservation and talked to Chevy?” As soon as it’s out of my mouth I see that’s exactly what he did. His face falls and my fist connects.

  Dakota grabs me pushing me to the wall. “He will have consequences for what he has done.”

  “Fuckin’ pussy move deserves more than an apology from him. She’s in a fuckin’ room dealing with being banished or sanctions because he’s pissed he lost his shot?” My body is pinned to the wall and I know it’s not just his hand on my chest holding me. “Let me go, Dakota.”

  He looks back at Aaron. “Leave, Aaron. You are not trained at his level.” I’m fuckin’ glad blood is dripping from his face. Pussy.

  “Brother, you’re right — I was pissed and didn’t think it through.” I turn away not interested in his fuckin’ shit. Aiyana could be banished by her people. Why she’d want to stay is beyond me, but she doesn’t deserve this bullshit.

  “Leave, Aaron,” Dakota says again, but it isn’t a request and he’s looking right at me. He’s pissed. Aaron walks by us, but I won’t watch. Dakota looks at the assholes. “There is a bench out front that you can wait on for the Chief and Co. If you refuse, I will put you on it myself.” They walk away. Dakota steps back, but I’m still held against the wall. “I am giving Aaron time to leave. I will release you as soon as he is gone.”

  I nod looking at the door. “What does banished mean?”

  “She will not be allowed on the reservation again.”

  Fuck, that’s what I thought, but that’s harsh. The pressure is off me and I move — Aaron must be gone. “Can they really do that or the sanctions?”

  He nods looking too fuckin’ serious for my liking. It’s a possibility that’s still in play? I hope to fuck they don’t take me up on Alex. That would be some shit to explain.

  He smiles. “I do not think they will entertain the idea of Alex, the Chief did not approve of the two men, he was as surprised as we were.”

  I pace. The wait is fuckin’ killing me.

  Prez comes out and walks to his meeting room. “Dakota, Jared.” He holds the door for us. This is not good. I am not a reader like Kaleb, but they give nothing away.

  “Aiyana is on the reservation for thirty days. If she stays the thirty days and has no contact with you she will hold her position with the tribe.”

  I grit my teeth.

  “After the thirty days if she still has feelings for you, she can resume your relationship, but you can’t live on the reservation. That’s not negotiable. She can’t work unless it’s for the tribe and they don’t pay her, but that’s only until she’s married at which point it’s up to her husband.”

  My jaw grinds so hard I hear it and stop. “What else?”

  “If she walks, she loses everything, no family, tribe or home.”

  I think about losing everything I’ve ever known. It’s not an option for me and I don’t have the tribal culture she does. “Dakota, tell her to take it and look at the kitchen table every day.”

  He puts his hand on my shoulder. “She sees you through me. She understands and answered yes to the thirty days.”

  “If she sees me she needs to know Christian’s warning to beware of Kaya.”

  He nods, but I see the surprise on his face before he clears it.

  I stand and Prez moves to the door. “They’re leaving. I don’t want to give them a reason to hand her more shit than she’s already taking from them.”

  I sit. Fuckin’ people. Thirty days. “Can Nunànuk help her?” She loves that woman.

  “I have spoken to her. She will see Aiyana this week, but they will not take guidance from her right now.” He’s not saying something here, but I don’t push it. He’d tell me if he could.

  Jesus, her best friend can’t be trusted and she has no one at her back. As a twin, I can’t imagine how alone that will feel to her. I hope Nunànuk can help with that.

  “Her heritage won’t allow her to be truly alone. She has the ability to visit the ancestors for peace, strength and comfort,” Prez says opening the door.

  I look at the table. She has dead people for comfort. I hope to Christ they’re better than the live ones she has to live with for the next thirty days. “Thanks, Prez, Dakota. I need a minute.”

  I hear the door close. Thirty days. We got this. I swallow past the lump in my throat. She’s alone, pissed and can’t say a word or she’s out.

  I need to talk to Kaleb.

  * * *

  Aiyana

  I am relieved Jared wanted me to stay for the thirty days. I was choosing it over being banished, but knowing he understands makes it easier. I am keeping my thoughts covered, but let Co know how disappointed I am in him.

  I watch out the window and wonder about the warning from Christian. Closing my eyes, I am picturing Jared’s smile.

  “Does he visit with the ancestors?”

  I open my eyes and look at the Chief. “No. Am I restricted from the ancestors too? Is it your intention to push me out?”

  My father doesn’t think it would be a bad thing. I ignore his thoughts and watch the Chief. “Holding you to tradition is not pushing you out, Aiyana. You have full access to the ancestors. Take the month to think of our people, your obligation to them and our future.”

  “That would be much easier if everyone that leaves the reservation had the same obligations and sanctions placed on them. When I am the only one to be punished for wanting to live, I am afraid your words hold no comfort. I am not a child, but a twenty-seven-year-old woman being forced to have a time out because you do not like white people or women.”

  Co turns in his seat. “Aiyana!”

  “You are right, my wise Shaman. My anger will cause more problems for my imprisonment. I will take the duration of my time in silence starting now.” I turn my head and let them talk. I have nothing to say to any of them. Male chauvinist, racist pigs.

  The Chief will not answer my father and I smile. He thought he was so smart. I am glad Christian saw and was not afraid to speak against him. I wonder at how they keep those thoughts away from me. I have never needed more than I have so it is not a concern to me, but I should have seen something.

  I am dropped at Co’s garage. It is not my preference, but I will not ask for anything from anyone. The first thing I do is make a sign for the door. ‘Vow of Silence for thirty days of imprisonment.’

  Kaya runs in and I almost tell her to leave. I open the door and point to the sign then leave her in the open doorway to look for some dinner.

  “They did it. I thought you would walk away.”

  I shrug turning back to the empty refrigerator. There is no honor in leaving disgraced. She is blocking me for a reason. I will give h
er nothing to report back.

  Pulling my laptop open I order pizza. My card is declined. I look at my bank balance and feel the tears. They are leaving me nothing for thirty days? I push it away, with Kaya sitting right here, I do not want to give her the reaction she is looking for. I close the laptop down and walk out the door. She follows, but I do not answer her questions as I make my way to the bluffs.

  When she tires of my silence she leaves me in peace. At the bluff, I sit and jump. Nunànuk is waiting with Hawk sitting beside her.

  “I am happy to see you, Nunànuk. I think the thirty days would not be so bad if they left money in my account for food. I need help foraging off the land. I was never one to listen to such lessons. Herbs and healing poultice is all I know.”

  “Sit and I will teach you what you need.”

  * * *

  With my knife, I cut my pant leg at the knee and tie a strip to close one end. I put the two crabs in and use my belt as a handle for my little bag. I suspend back up the bluff then back to the apartment ignoring the tribesmen and children pointing. They have not seen this ability from me and I am amused by their reaction, but do not let them see that. Kaya would have everyone knowing about my silence so I am not obligated to speak with them.

  All I need is salt and bread. I have both and quickly get dinner made. Nunànuk was right. Many meals can be made if all I am looking for is something to fill my stomach. I will look for herbs and the roots she spoke of tomorrow. Day one.

  I feel the tears as I finally let thoughts of Jared fill my head. He wanted this. Will he still want me after thirty days of not seeing me?

  I jump and sit by the bluff. The ancestors are calming as I share with them all my doubts. Jared is very honest in his words and actions. He loves me and shows that in everything he does. I jump back and lay on the bed realizing this will never again be my home. I will fulfill my thirty days, but never find the peace I once knew within the reservation gates. Knowing this is not causing the pain I thought it would. I will be able to visit and join in tribal events that will always connect me to my people, but never call this home. I think of the table at home and look for it. Then I laugh. A picture of Jared’s hands is on the table. My words from this morning come back to me, ’Your gentle hands always instill calm and strength to guide me at your side.’ I picture those hands holding me as I fall asleep.

  Chapter Five

  One week

  Aiyana

  Christian is here. I run back to the apartment and see Aaron waiting by the bikes. I turn away and run up the stairs.

  “Aiyana.”

  I run by him ignoring him. Christian is in the doorway. “You look like shit.”

  I laugh and hug him then release him quickly. “Thank you, Christian. It has been an interesting week. I was washing clothes and felt you here. You could have let me know.”

  “You’re blocking everything. If you wanted to be bothered I would have bothered you. You have nothing to drink here.”

  I nod and wash my hands. I have scrapes on my fingers from the rock I was washing on so I wrap them in a paper towel. “My account was closed when I got home from my imprisonment meeting.”

  His head whips around and I feel him pulling from me. “They’re fuckin’ sick! Come back to Princes with me. I’ll get you a house, food, you won’t have to wash clothes in the fuckin’ lake on a rock. This is crazy, Aiyana.”

  I look away. “If I leave now I lose my people, my home, my connection to all that I am. I have three weeks left. If I stay, I can return when I am needed or I feel the need for that connection. Leaving would be easy, Christian, but I have never been easy. I will walk out the gate with honor.”

  He nods, but he is angry. “I need your help tomorrow. Can you do that?”

  “I cannot leave the reservation or work.”

  He watches me. “They are something else. You can’t work for money to eat and they left you nothing. Can you volunteer?”

  I smile. “There were no sanctions against volunteering as long as I do not leave the reservation.”

  He pulls money from his pocket. “I could have Nunànuk send you money, but I’m here.”

  I shake my head. “It will look like pay and I will be sent away in disgrace. I have no need for money while I am here.”

  “Jesus. What the fuck are you eating, Aiyana? You’ve lost weight and look like shit.”

  I roll my eyes at him. “I have been eating off the land. Nunànuk offered guidance.”

  He shakes his head. “Nunànuk will be here tomorrow with food. Eating off the land, when it’s this land, is only good enough to stay alive. You need real food.”

  I am insulted. “I caught a rabbit yesterday.”

  “What did you eat with it?” I do not answer. “Eating meat and fish isn’t enough. You need real food. Catch your fuckin’ meat, but, Jesus, you need potatoes, rice, bread, vegetables, something more than meat.”

  He is right. I have been proud of my daily catches and have not thought about other food. “Thank you.” I bow my head in embarrassment. “What do I need for tomorrow?”

  “It’s Ops at the MC. I’ll call to you around ten.”

  “I will be ready. Will I be able to work at Princes when I leave here?”

  He lifts my chin so our eyes meet. “You’re going back to Jared?”

  “Of course, I love him.”

  He smiles. “You have a job whenever you want it. Tomorrow or in three weeks. Your value to the reservations, the Princes and the MC isn’t lost on us, Aiyana. Training showed us your abilities and we need all the help we can get. Prez wants you back yesterday.”

  This surprises me. “He does?”

  “Yeah. He’s fuckin’ pissed that they’re punishing you for being a woman. He’s close to Jared, but Jared isn’t talking, like you, he’s just counting down the days. Prez has no way to help either one of you and feels it.”

  Prez has always been protective of me, but I had no idea he was angry that I am being punished. “Let him know I am fine.” I am humbled by their thoughts on my behalf.

  “You’re not fuckin’ fine, Aiyana. You have no food, no money and no help here.”

  I jump at his raised voice and bow my head. “I will leave here with honor.”

  “Don’t do that. There’s nothing honorable about you bowing down for men. I get why you’re staying, but you do that with your head held high. No more bowing to me, Prez or the fuckin’ elders. At the moment, you’re worth more than anyone in this place. You show them that.”

  He believes I am worth as much as any man, I smile at the thought — my father will have a stroke if he hears that. “I will, Christian.”

  “I’ll send you dinner. Be here at six.” He kisses my head and walks out.

  I am excited about real food, but my eyes burn with tears for my Jared. He is not talking, but counting down days. Every day I have a message on the table. Last night it was a song called, Nobody Knows, by Kevin Sharp. It is exactly how I feel and made me feel closer to him for finding the words for us.

  I send a picture of the lake, as I see it with the ancestors’ glorious colors, to Mucimi asking him to give it to Alex. I know Alex will describe it to Jared and I hope it gives him the same comfort that his song words gave to me.

  * * *

  Jared

  I’m at the garage building more bikes. Life is good here. No one bothers me and we’re cranking them out fast and making a dent in the MC’s list. We work similar to an assembly line, Alex, Trapper, Tim and even Jax showed today.

  Kaleb comes in surprising me. “You’re back, Brother. It’s good to see you in one piece.”

  He laughs and I see Dad J in him. He’s more like K with that easy-going nature, but he looks just like J. I guess I look like K the same way, but it’s hard for me to see it.

  “Dad K just dropped me on his way home. It went well. Ricky’s got some skills on the computer and surprised Dad. He was trying to get him to get Mom off the PD computers.”

  I laug
h surprising myself, I haven’t laughed in a week. “Ricky is too smart to pull shit on Mom. He won’t do it.”

  “That’s what he told Dad. You know the MC had him in KC all this time? Like only KC.” He looks surprised.

  “Yeah, but he’s out now and in a connecting office with Pres. He’s good.”

  He nods. “He is. I’m glad he went. I expected you, but he got the job done.”

  “Dad J didn’t want me because I look too much like K.”

  He runs his hand along the seat of the bike. “I heard two days in. You’d think they’d trust me with the plan.” He shakes his head smiling.

  “You know why they don’t give it to you.”

  He doesn’t look happy. “I got a vote out of it though.”

  I crack up. “You’re going to be awesome.”

  “When are you done?” He holds a wheel for Alex, but he’s watching me.

  “Let me clean up and I’m out. I’ve been here since six this morning.”

  He turns back to Alex while I get the tools wiped and put away. When the station is clean, I wash up and lose the coveralls.

  “I got a picture to tell you about from Alex. Let’s get dinner and I’ll give it to you.”

  It’s from Aiyana. My heart speeds up. I got a smile yesterday and felt relieved that she was happy with the heart I sent the day before. Her smile takes my breath and my heart offers her stability and beats for her when she’s afraid. I hope she’s not afraid. “Tell me now.”

  “Come on, food, then you can explain why I’m giving you pictures.”

  He’s a pain in the ass. I follow him to a steak house. I’m not even hungry, but want the picture he’s got. I should have just asked Alex.

  “Why the picture?” He can only read what I open to him, but Aiyana is mine and I hold her close.