Page 84 of Creed

“We need to get out of these wet clothes.” I whispered just before his lips met mine once again.

“I couldn’t agree more.” He whispered against my lips.

All the sudden we heard clapping and whistling. Creed growled just a little. “Those fuckers.” He muttered then looked out at the water where we could see a small boat.

“Identify yourselves!” He was pissed.

“Irons and Baros! Watcha doing over there, Creed?” They both laughed.

“Disciplinary action if you don’t fuck off in about ten seconds!” He yelled out to the small boat.

“He’s going to spank her!” They both laughed.

I giggled at the two men.

“New rule!” Creed yelled out. “No night activity on this end of the lake from now on!” He sounded like he was teasing but maybe not.

“Fine, you two kids run along home now, but I expect a full debriefing in the morning!” One of them laughed as they started the engine of the little boat.

Creed looked down at me. “Sorry, I promise they aren’t always complete and total asses. Come on, let’s go check on Addie.” He got his shoes then took my hand and we walked up to the house. We checked the monitor first, and there Addie was on screen sleeping like an angel.

“She’s fine, lets get you out of these clothes.” He suddenly picked me up and I laughed. But then his phone made a strange alarming ring. “Fuck, you have got to be kidding me!” He growled. “I have a few groups on mission, I need to get it.” He put me down then reached for his phone that was on the table.

“Creed.” He answered then listened. I watched as his eyes shut and he deflated. “Fuck, how? How did that happen?” He listened again then paced as he ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll be right there, don’t do or say anything until we get confirmation.”

He ended the call and looked at me. “I’m so sorry, I have to go.” He kissed my cheek, and I watched as he rushed inside then up the stairs, probably to change his clothes. I was worried because if the look on his face said anything, it was very bad news. He rushed away so fast I knew it had to be urgent. I turned off the gas fireplace, gathered the glasses and wine then went inside. I didn’t see him again before I went upstairs and took a shower. I couldn’t believe it finally happened. Creed kissed me and admitted to having feelings for me. I had kissed plenty of handsome men in my life. In fact, the most handsome men in the world, but none of them could kiss like Creed. Everything from his firm but gentle lips, his taste, and the way he held me in his arms had to be the most amazing moment in my life, and I won an Emmy, so that said a lot.

Creed

“One fucking day off!” I slammed my fist down on the table as I looked at the Originals in attendance. “Is that asking for too much? There will be a time I won’t be here, and Axton, you better get a grip on things around here. I left you in charge. They’re fucking prospects, not children! How the hell did this happen? We are on lockdown, dammit!”

Drakos and Irons came in late and took a seat. I didn’t even want to deal with them yet. “If a prospect can leave this place without detection then something is flawed. Do any of you realize how bad this situation is? If someone can sneak out then others can sneak in, so please, enlighten me.” I stood with my arms crossed.

Axton shrugged his shoulders. “They had their bikes, so someone helped them.”

“Let me get this straight. We have two prospects make it out the gate during lockdown. They go to a fucking bar, pick up two chicks, then one crashes and it’s not just him in surgery right now, but the girl as well? The other prospect is in jail for a DUI charge, and I had to go deal with Darren at the gate and he is pissed. He is trusting his niece to us. We promised to keep her safe. All I wanted was a day off. One fucking day off!” Holy shit I was pissed. “I want them both out of the program. I hope like hell they both survive, but they both have to go. I want the guys at the gate replaced for the night and I’m considering kicking them out too. We need team players, people we can trust but obviously it’s not these guys.”

“I completely agree. It’s one thing to pull this shit on a regular day, most prospects do stupid shit at least once, but this is lockdown. They went against direct orders and two lives might be lost. We have rules for a reason and drinking and riding ison the top of the list. There’s plenty more from where they came from.” Axton said.

“Let the prospect sit in jail. I’ll deal with him and Darren tomorrow. Baros and Irons have been drinking so who wants to go to the hospital and deal with this shit?” It was an emotional thing, and I knew I was harsh, but I was pissed. They were grown men that knew they weren’t invincible and suddenly one of them and an innocent female were fighting for their lives. I liked McLaughlin and he disappointed me. “Axton, I want to double the security at the gate tonight and I want eyes on the perimeter. Morgan and Addie came here to be safe and that’s what we will give them. Have Jennings join Williams at my place. Williams is already watching the front, but I want the back covered as well. Magnus, you’ll go to the hospital. I’m going home, it’s Addie’s first night with us and I don’t want her waking up and not be able to find me.” I then looked at Irons and Baros. “It took you forty five minutes. Don’t even get me started on the invasion of privacy. Morgan is not a fucking joke, and you should have left us alone. We need to draw some fucking boundaries.”

“Sorry dude.” Irons said.

I looked at him. “I have given my entire life to this place. Is it so fucking hard to ask for some privacy and one day off? I finally take some time to myself, something for myself, and of course I get the fucking call. Axton, when you’re on duty, make that clear to security. They are not to call me, you could have handled this on your own.” I stormed toward the door and slammed it behind me. It wasn’t just anger, I was scared to death for that prospect. He should never have done that stupid shit. We’ve had guys get into bar fights, one even got a public indecency charge for pissing behind a dumpster, but that crash was new. We never had a prospect crash their damn bike.

I jumped in the truck and slammed that door too. I somewhat felt selfish because I had always been there for anyone that needed me, but neither my heart or soul was in it that night. I just wanted to be with my girls. To be there if Addie had a nightmare, but then I got to kiss Morgan, and all my cards were finally on the table and she accepted me. She knew the truth and didn’t push me away.

When I got home the place was dark, other than a light upstairs we left on for Addie. It figured something would happen to ruin the night. I sat in my truck and took a few deep breaths. Fucking riding while drunk. Two lives fucked up just because a couple of prospects screwed up.

I laid my head back and tried to figure out what to do with them. They were definitely done at Creed’s Lake, but I couldn’t just throw them away. They probably didn’t have anywhere to go or anyone to help them out.

I dug my phone out and called Axton. “Bail the dumbass out, let him sleep it off in a motel. Tomorrow call Vocational Rehab at veterans services and line him up with something. We’ll figure out what to do with McLaughlin, if he survives he will need care. We can’t just abandon him, we have to think about this first. He will be arrested, probably sued by the girl or her family, and his life is fucked.”

“I’m on it.” Axton said.

I ended the call and shut my eyes. Most prospects that acted out had trauma they were fighting. I couldn’t just abandon them, but I also couldn’t trust them. We were on lockdown for Morgan and Addie’s sake, and I blame the security detail even more than the two prospects. I also had to count my blessings. Thank God I wasn’t showing up with Steph on one of the wives doorsteps with bad news concerning a mission.

I didn’t bother putting the truck away. I left it in the driveway and made my way inside as quietly as possible. I was feeling the stress and went to my office for a few shots of whiskey. The thought of leaving my girls against my will made me sick. I was nothing more than a fucking prisoner because I was good at my job. To be called up twice while none of the others had to deal with that shit pissed me off. The only good news with it was once we completed our mission I was done with my service to the military.

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