Beast, Part Two (The Church #5)

Excommunication

Priest

Inever thought this dumb ass plan to get Fem back would work out for me. When Hawk suggested I needed to do something big, something that took me out of my comfort zone to win her back, I immediately thought of “10 Things I Hate About You” and the conversation Fem and I had that one night.

She told me until I loved someone so much that I would embarrass myself for them, I would never understand the movie. Well, I fucking understood it now. Which is why I’m at her home begging her to take me back.

Since the day Fem kicked me out of her hospital room, I haven’t been able to function. It became blatantly clear how much I loved her. The only thing worse than being told to stay away from her was watching her bleed out in my arms, thinking she was going to die.

To have her back in my arms now is the greatest feeling ever. I love this woman wholeheartedly.

Suddenly, the chiming of ringtones has me pulling away from Fem. I take my phone out of my pocket reading the message scrolled across the screen.

My heart races, causing pains in my chest. My palms immediately start to sweat. I glance up at the boys, and they all have the same ashen look on their faces.

“What is it?” Fem asks.

Standing up straight, I look at Lucien before answering. “We have an excommunication order out on us.”

“What?” she gasps, shooting to her feet, but immediately sitting back down. Reminding me she needs to take it easy. Although her injuries have healed, she still hasn’t fully recovered.

“What does that mean?” Brooklyn asks.

“It means the entire Church is coming after us,” Lucien says. He grabs Malia around her waist and pulls her into him.

I know what he’s thinking. He’s afraid. He’s not alone in his fear. As I look around the room, I realize we all have something special here. Something that we are now realizing we could be taken away from. The domesticated life has never enticed me. I’m a killer and I will always be one, but I won’t lie as if the thought of coming home to Fem and Charlie every night did not appeal to me. However, with this new information, that may not be a possibility.

“And they have orders to kill us on sight,” Lucien finishes, placing a kiss on Malia’s head.

“That doesn’t make sense,” Hawk argues. “They haven’t chosen a new Pope. The Council doesn’t have the power to make that decision without a Pope.”

He isn’t lying. Only a Pope can make that type of call. Yes, the council must agree, but the official notice has to come from the Pope. We are still two weeks out from the ordination of a new Pope.

“What if there is someone else?” Fem asks. “Someone higher than the Pope.”

We all turned to look at her. My brows pinch as I think over her words.

“Who is higher than the Pope?” Many asks the question I’m sure all of us are wondering.

She hesitates for a second. “God. And I think we’re going to need Beast.”

She’s right. Not only would I need all my sons back home where we could work together and remain safe, I knew there was one more person I was going to have to contact. I guess it’s time I cash in one of those favors he owes me.

As soon as I lift my phone back up to make the call, the device lights up in my hand. An unknown number comes across the screen. It’s a New York area code, so I don’t hesitate to answer.

“This is Priest,” I say, as soon as I answer the phone.

“Hello, my name is Gabriel August Jones.” The little voice on the other end of the phone recites as if they’ve practiced this phone call before. “I live at…”

“Wait,” I say, shaking my head. “Who is this?”

“Put it on speaker,” Lucien advises.

I quickly click the call over to speaker phone.

“My name is Gabriel August Jones. My mommy said to call this number in case of an emergency. Hulk is bleeding and mommy is on the floor.”

“Oh, my goodness, that’s Beast’s son,” Fem says clutching a hand to her chest.

My head spins, and a new fear takes over me. Someone is bleeding. Did someone from the Church get to my son before I could?

“Alright, Gabriel, this is your uncle Lucien. Where are you right now?”

I’m glad Lucien has the wherewithal to take over the conversation because I’m not thinking straight.

“Hulk told me to hide in the closet. I’m scared.”

His little voice breaks at the end of his sentence sending me into overdrive.

I have no idea who this Hulk is. I’m assuming it’s Beast. “Alright kid, listen to me,” I say, taking over the conversation. “We’re heading your way. I need you to remain in that closet until I get there. Anything changes you call me back immediately. Okay?”

“Okay. But can you hurry.”

I swallow as I get choked up hearing my grandson plead for me to get to him. “I promise I’ll go as fast as I can.”

“Okay. Bye,” he says before his line goes dead.

I hang up the phone, but take a second to gather my emotions. Not only did I hear my grandson’s voice for the first time, but I also just found out my son might be hurt and maybe even his girl. If that’s the case, I’m not sure what version of Beast we will meet.

“Phoenix,” I say to TR or should I say, Fem’s father. “Can you get all the women to my ghost house?”

He nods. “Yeah, I can. Once I get them settled, I’ll head out and see what I can find out about this excommunication order. I still have connections in the Church.”

I dipped my chin at him without replying. We will need all the help we can get right now.

Turning to Fem, I say. “Pack quickly. Your home has been attacked once already. I don’t know who is behind this Excommunication stuff, so we have to be cautious.”

“I’m coming with you,” she argues.

I’m shaking my head before she can finish speaking. “No, you’re injured and it’s too risky—”

“You don’t understand,” she says cutting me off. “If something is wrong with Summer, he’s not going to be himself. He’s going to need someone that knows her, preferably a female. Trust me, Nathaniel.”

I stare at her for a moment. I want to argue, to tell her that I know my son and what he needs. But Fem has been right all this time about Beast. Had I known about his kid and girl, I would have tried to take over and in the end, he would’ve resented me. I’m learning to trust her more when it comes to the boys. Besides, she’s spent enough time with them over the years to know what they need.

“Alright, but you stay near me and don’t overwork yourself.”

She agrees before turning to her mother. “Ms. Reese can you pack me a few things and make sure Charlie has what he needs.”

“Yes, don’t worry about us. Ya’ll go get that baby.”

“Let’s go,” I say, to Hawk, Zel, Many, and Lucien.

The six of us quickly head out the house.

“Fem and Many, you ride with me. Lucien, take Hawk and Zel with you.”

“Got it.” Lucien agrees, heading in the opposite direction from me.

I climb into the driver’s side of the Charger. Fem gets in on the passenger seat with Many in the back.

“I hope brother Beast is okay,” Many says in his British accent.

“Everything is going to be fine,” Fem says in a tone that tells me she’s not sure if her words are true.

“Buckle up,” I announce, before pressing on the gas.

I made the hour drive in less than forty-five minutes. I defied every traffic law there was. We pull up to the Victorian farmhouse and park behind the Subaru. The house looks the same as it did the night Beast met me on the sidewalk. As soon as I climb out, Lucien and the others pull up behind me.

I take off the jacket I was wearing and toss it back in my seat.

“How do we do this?” Lucien asks, coming up beside me.

“Front door,” Fem says strolling up to the porch.

She reaches for a flowerpot sitting near the front door. Picking it up, she flips it over, exposing a rotary combination lock. She rolls the dial, and a hidden door pops open before exposing a key. After placing the pot back down, she moves to the front door.

“Hold on,” I tell her. She pauses, looking over her shoulder at me.

“Unlock the door, but don’t walk in. Let Hawk in first.”

Hawk steps to the front of our line. I turn to the others and dip my head. We all take out our guns. It’s not like I plan on killing Beast, but I’m not sure what we will be walking into.

Fem unlocks the door and steps back. Hawk takes a deep breath before opening the door. As soon as he steps in, he ducks down barely missing a blade being tossed at his head. I figured Beast would be ready for us. No one’s senses would be sharper than Hawk’s. We all rush into the house. Beast is standing in the doorway between the foyer and the living room. His shirt is covered in blood. But I can immediately tell he isn’t the one injured. This is going to be worse than I thought.

“Beast, where is Summer?” I ask.

He turns his head slightly, his gaze shifting to the left. It’s as if he’s listening to something in the distance.

“Kill them all. They’ve come to take her,” he says.

His voice is different. It’s deeper than usual. Whenever Beast goes to his dark place, his mother is the one that takes over. In most cases he only replies to her commands. However, I’ve heard him speak in his mother’s voice before when he is truly lost in his haze. This is not that voice.

“That’s not his mother,” Lucien says coming up behind me. He obviously notices the same thing I did.

I take a step forward. “Beast, I need you to reign it back in. Where is Summer?”

Once again, he turns his head to the side in that weird way. “Peel their flesh one by one and burn it in the yard.”

“Ooookaaaay,” Zel whispers loud enough for us to hear. “Is anybody else a little freaked out right now?”

“We do not like this version of brother Beast very much,” Many says in his nasally voice.

Holding up my hand behind me, I try to quiet everyone down. Beast isn’t himself, but he is still our family.

“Son,” I say to Beast. “I need you to answer my question.”

“I don’t think we’re going to get through to him.” Fem points out from behind me. “And judging by the blood on that shirt, we don’t have much time to get to Summer. Nathaniel, if she dies…”

She didn’t have to finish that sentence. I knew what she was getting at. The same thing would have happened to me if Albany would’ve died when Luca shot her. I would’ve lost my mind. However, a mindless Priest and a mindless Beast are two completely different beings.

Thinking quickly, I pull out my phone and call the last number that called me. Beast has been telling us for three months that he’s found his new lifelines, let’s hope that connection still remains.

“Hello?” the soft voice answers.

I quickly put young Gabriel on speaker phone. “Hello, little Gabriel. This is Priest.”

“Hey, Mr. Priest. Are you here?” His excitement at my voice has a thickness forming in my throat. I have to clear it before I can speak again.

I keep my eyes on Beast as little Gabriel speaks. For the first time since we walked in, he’s looking at us.

“Yes, I’m here.”

“Can I come out now? I want to see Hulk and mommy.”

Giving Beast my undivided attention, I refer my last question to him. “Can he come out now, Beast? Your son needs you. Do you hear his voice?” I ask taking a step toward him.

“Priest, what are you doing?” Lucien asks nervously.

“We don’t think that’s a good idea, father Priest,” Many says in his deep voice.

I ignore their pleas. I know what I’m doing. At least I hope I do. I’ve never seen Beast this far gone before. I have seen him in the deepest part of his haze, but to be this blind and cold that he can’t determine us from friend or foe is new.

“What do you say, son? Are you ready for little Gabriel to see you?” I press forward trying to pull Beast out of his haze.

He blinks, taking a step back. He then tilts his head in that way he’s been doing since we walked in, as if he’s listening.

“It’s a trick. Slit his throat,” he says in that unfamiliar deep voice.

I don’t let it deter me, I take a few more steps closer, placing myself within his reach. Beast’s eyes narrow at me. For the first time since I walked in, I get a glimpse of my son. He’s in there buried deep.

“Hey, little Gabriel,” I call out. “What’s your favorite food?”

I knew the only way to get Beast out of that dark place was to lure him back to us. When he was a kid, I used to sit and talk to him for hours when he was caught up in the haze. At times, I’d call one of his brothers in to talk. He would eventually fight off the red haze and come back to us. But the last few months he’s been showing us he had found his peace with the girl and his son. So, if I wanted my son back, I needed his son to talk to him.

“I like chicken nuggets,” little Gabriel says softly.

Beast shakes his head as if he’s trying to lodge something out of it.

“I like chicken nuggets too,” I say without taking my eyes off Beast. “Who has your favorite nuggets?”

“Chick-fil-A. Hulk likes nuggets too. But he loves pancakes.”

The kid chuckles, and I laugh too.

“Mr. Priest,” little Gabriel whispers my name as if he’s about to tell me a secret.

“Yeah, Kid?”

“Can I come out now? I want to see my mommy. Tell Hulk I promise I’ll be brave like I was with the bee. I’ll use my words, and I won’t cry. Can I come out?”

Jeez this kid is breaking my heart. Beast puts his hands up to his head as he pounds his fists against his skull.

“You have to fight it, son. Whatever the fuck is going on in your head right now, you can fight that shit. Your son needs you. Your brothers need you, and Summer needs you.”

The moment I say her name, he drops his hands down to his side. His eyes water, and as the first tear falls, he drops to his knees. I go down with him trying to catch him.

“It’s okay. I got you,” I say, rocking him back and forth in my arms.

“I can’t lose her, Priest. I can’t,” Beast pleads in his own voice.

Fuck, I’m just glad to have him back. Without letting Beast go, I hand the phone to Lucien.

“Go find the kid,” I explain.

He takes the phone and immediately starts talking. “Hey, nephew. This is your uncle Lucien. I’m coming for you.” He takes off out of the room.

“I’ll go find Summer,” Fem says walking past us. Zel goes with her.

Hawk and Many surround me and Beast.

“We got you, brother. I promise,” Hawk says, his voice cracking a little. He places a hand on Beast’s shoulder.

“Priest,” Fem shouts, causing my heart to pick up speed. Please don’t let her tell me any bad news. “We have a heartbeat. But we need a doc, now.”

Hallelujah.

Beast pulls away from my embrace, his eyes are bloodshot red.

“You hear that, kid. She’s still fucking fighting. We need to get her out of here.”

He nods, standing to his feet. We all rush into the kitchen where Fem and Zel are. Lying on the ground in front of Fem is a tiny female with light brown skin. She’s wearing a too big t-shirt and fuzzy slippers. Beast kneels beside her, lifting her head in his lap with the gentlest touch.

“Call Doc, have him meet us at the nearest Church clinic,” I say to Zel.

“Isn’t that risky with the excommunication order?” Hawk asks.

“She won’t make it back to the ghost house. It’s either there or a hospital,” Fem answers for me.

“We will take our risk at the clinic. Tell Doc it’s for me,” I direct my last sentence to Zel.

He quickly pulls out his phone and walks off.

“Beast, we have to get moving.” Beast shakes his head. “Come on, son. We need to go.”

He places his hands under her body, lifting her from the floor. She lays limp in his arms.

Zel rushes back into the room. “Doc said screw the clinic, bring her to his house. He also wanted me to let you know he stands with us.”

I dip my chin, feeling proud I have at least one ally in the Church. Just then, Lucien walks down the stairs. He’s carrying something wrapped in a blanket.

“Remember, keep your head down, soon as we get outside you can come out.”

The blanket moves. “Okay, uncle Lucien,” a small voice says underneath the cover.

As bad as I wanted to see little Gabriel, I knew that Lucien made the right decision. The kid didn’t need to see this.

“Let’s go,” I say to the others.

We left the farmhouse. Fem and Beast—along with Summer’s limp body—climb in my Charger. While the others go with Lucien.

Just as fast as I got to Summer’s home, we left. Once again, I break all road laws. We are up against time. Yes, we have an excommunication order on our heads. And yes, I should be connecting with my source about said EO. There is so much shit about to rain down on us that we need to prepare for it. However, I push all of that to the back of my mind. We must save Summer, because if we don’t, all hell will break loose.