Beast, Part Two (The Church #5)

Bonds

chapter fourteen

Priest

T hree days have passed since Beast stormed out of the house. His absence is like a heavy wet blanket over the home.

Summer mopes around most of the day, keeping her distance from everyone. Maksim is just as upset. He blames himself for Beast’s outburst. He barely looks in Summer’s direction. I wish I could say that’s the only disruption in the house right now.

Being cooped up like this is starting to really take its toll on everyone. Small bickering is starting to spread like wildfire. Just this morning I had to damn near pull Many and Zel apart.

Walking into the kitchen, I spot Summer at the counter. She’s making a cup of tea. The bags under her eyes could store enough clothes for a family of six. I guess that’s what happens when you stay up all night waiting for Beast to return.

“I hope that tea has something to help you sleep in it,” I say making my way over to the fridge to grab something to drink.

“I’m not tired,” she lies.

I turn and place my back against the refrigerator. Popping the top to my seltzer water, I take a sip.

“You need to sleep.”

“I’ll sleep when he comes back.”

“And if he doesn’t?” I ask watching her face closely.

I had no reason to believe that Beast wouldn’t return. He can’t stay away from this woman any more than I can stay away from Fem. But I needed her to understand that risking her health wasn’t wise.

She sniffles and wipes her eyes. “I just want him to come back. I need to tell him that I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have flinched like that. He thinks I’m afraid of him and I know that hurt him.” She breaks down in front of me.

Placing my drink on the island I go over to her and place a hand on her shoulder. She turns and buries her face in my chest.

At that moment Fem walks into the kitchen holding Charlie. I look at her and mouth ‘help’. I don’t do well with women and tears. I’m a bit too blunt to be the one to console someone.

Fem winks at me and then turns and walks back out. I’m going to turn her ass red for that.

“Okay. Alright,” I say to Summer leaning her back so I can see her face. “I know you love my son. I know that you think you have to be understanding of all his flaws but let me tell you something.” I pinch her chin and hold her head in place. “Don’t ever deny how you feel around Beast. You’re not helping him by doing that. If you are afraid, tell him. And it’s alright to be afraid. He needs to learn how to treat you, and more importantly, if you explain that something scared or hurt you, it teaches him how to deal with those emotions. I don’t coddle my son, and I never will.”

She looks away. I let go of her chin. Summer has to understand that if she’s going to be with Beast, she needs to advocate for herself. Beast will swallow her up if she doesn’t. Of course he’s not doing it on purpose. But he will never learn what’s an acceptable behavior and what’s not if she continues to hide her emotions from him.

“I understand. I just don’t want him to feel as if he can’t be himself with me.”

“You’re not changing who he is by voicing your concerns. You are making him aware of his actions. Beast will always suffer with understanding emotions and social ques. It is who he is, but he’s smart and can learn to adapt.”

She nods and wipes over her cheek clearing the drying tears.

“Do you think he’s okay out there?”

I chuckle. “If anyone can survive out there right now, it’s him. Trust me.” I move back over to the other end of the island to grab my water.

“I’m sick of these fucking dogs.”

Shouting in the hallway has me heading in that direction.

Brooklyn is leaning against the wall as Many pulls Kraken, Ari’s German Shepherd, off her.

“He did not mean it,” Many says in his British accent getting the dog to sit. “He is very protective of pregnant women.”

“I don’t give a shit if he’s part of Paw Patrol, keep the dog out of the way.”

“Walker, it’s fine,” Brooklyn says. “He just caught me off guard.”

“No,” Hawk barks at Brooklyn. “I’m sick and tired of this. You’re already high risk, we’re barely able to take you out the house to get checked, and now you have a 90-pound dog nearly knock you over. Many and Ari need to do something about this.”

“Hawk!” I shout. He swings his head in my direction. “I understand your frustrations but taking it out on Many and Kraken is not called for.”

Hawk tosses his hands up in the air. “So my concerns don’t matter to anyone?”

“I’m not saying that. I’m saying shouting at your brother because you’re frustrated isn’t the answer.”

“Honestly, I think we’re all just a little tired, Priest,” Zel says behind me. I had no idea when he walked into the hallway. Maksim is standing behind him.

Shutting my eyes, I take a quick breath. Look, don’t get me wrong, being locked in this house, despite how large it is, for this long is starting to drain me as well. And truthfully, there isn’t enough fucking in the world to distract from the fact that these walls are closing in on us. But we have to remember why we are here.

“What do you suggest, Zel?” Fem asks, coming down the stairs. She’s still holding Charlie in her arms. “Should we say forget it and just go our own way and hope that no one is killed?”

Zel runs his fingers through the front of his hair. It’s starting to grow again.

“Of course not. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just pointing out this isn’t working.”

“Well, I am all for suggestions. Maybe you know something we don’t?” Fem asks.

“No one is leaving,” I say, making that clear.

“Unless you’re Beast. In that case you can come and go whenever you want,” Hawk says.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Maksim asks folding his arms over his chest. “My brother is having some mental issues. He’s leaving to keep the peace.”

Zel scoffs. “You’ve known him for two months. Don’t act as if you’re an expert on Beast. He’s throwing a tantrum.”

“Exactly,” Hawk adds. “He knows that if he acts out, Priest will let him leave.”

“That isn’t true. Gabriel is battling something right now,” Summer says in his defense. “He isn’t just abandoning you.”

Hawk scoffs. “Says the ex-girlfriend he’s left behind.”

“Whoa. Watch it,” Maksim growls dropping his arms down from his chest.

“Walker, that was uncalled for.” Brooklyn fusses.

Summer turns and rushes in the other direction toward her bedroom. The door slams shut moments later.

“I’m going to go talk to her,” Brooklyn follows Summer into the bedroom.

Hawk looks away. “I didn’t mean that,” he says.

“Frustration and annoyance, is one thing. But attacking each other is completely off limits,” I say. “We are all locked in this house together, equally tired and ready to get this shit over with. It doesn’t give us the right to be assholes.” I turn my attention to Hawk. “Kid, I know your anger stems from the fact you did not see the dog before it jumped up on Brooklyn. I get it, but this isn’t who we are.”

Before anyone could say anything else, Seth and Malia walk down the stairs laughing. I assume Seth feels the vibe in the room. He pauses and scans over everyone.

“What did we miss?” he asks.

I don’t answer, instead I turn around and head for the basement. I love my boys, but I needed a break. I’d much rather spend my time with my two new favorite people.

“Papa Priest,” Gabe shouts as soon as he sees me. He and Emory are downstairs in the living area of the basement playing board games.

Emory waves when she sees me.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re playing Candy Land. Do you want to play?” Gabe asks.

I take a seat down on the floor beside him. Emory has Frenchie in her lap. Hydra, Cerberus, and Echidna are all surrounding Gabe. It seems like Ari’s guard dogs have chosen a new owner.

“Yeah, I’ll play.”

“Me and Charlie want to join too,” Fem says stepping into the room. She takes a seat beside me, placing Charlie in my lap. He looks up at me and smiles.

“Yay,” Gabe sings. He hands out the color pieces for all of us and then helps Emory gather the cards.

“It’s going to be alright,” Fem leans into my ear and speaks.

I nod but don’t respond. At the rate everyone is going, I can’t make that promise. We need to handle that excommunication order and fast. I don’t think we can survive much longer living in the same house.