Page 43 of Marx

We make our way to the ATV, Marx helping me in like a true gentleman, then he gets in his side, taking the winding trip back to my little cabin. I should really head to the nursery, to check in on Bee and make sure my girl is OK, but after the excitement of today not only am I physically tired, but I’m emotionally wrung out, too. I know that rage and fury at those men fuelled me through a lot of what we did tonight, but now, in the quiet darkness, my soul aches a little.

A large, warm hand lands on mine, squeezing gently. “You alright?”

I clear my throat., “Yeah. Just never want to see another bumhole for as long as I live.”

Marx’s laugh booms out in the quiet evening, the sheer mirth makes me smile. “Where the hell does she get these ideas?” he sputters out.

“I’m not sure, but I’m glad she’s on our side.”

We pull up to the cabin, and before I can even move out of my seat, Marx has me in his arms, carrying me up the porch steps and into my home. As per usual it’s dimly lit, the warm light coming from the lamps dotted around the living area. I have noidea how Tav did it, but they’re all set to come on with a gentle glow at a certain time of the day. It’s very clever.

“You get cleaned up, and I’ll be back in a little bit.” Marx walks through my home, gently depositing me in the bathroom before turning on the shower to heat. “Will you be OK?”

I’m exhausted, but I also know there is no way I’m getting into bed with blood and who knows what else still on me. Instead of answering I nod, and then watch as Marx’s lips quirk up as he backs out of the bathroom, pulling the door closed behind him.

Shucking off my clothes I step into the hot water, letting it sluice down my back, washing away the night. The hot water beats down against my back, easing any aches and pains I have lingering from my injury. I run my soapy hand over the wound, Switch having let me know that it’s OK to start gently washing the area now. It’s amazing how something so small can so fundamentally change your life. A week or so ago I swore off Marx and vowed I’d find my own happiness. Now I’m standing here after being showered by words and affection from the very same man.

Shaking my head I turn off the water, stepping out and wrapping myself in my soft, snuggly towel. It was one of the first things I bought with my first paycheck. Homewares, new towels and sheets and pretty things that Bee and I could enjoy. I dry myself, then pull on my pajamas. In the Keep we wore plain cotton nightgowns that tied at the neck and were floor length. Now I wear Marvel superhero pajamas that Chewy gifted me.

Leaving the bathroom I walk into my bedroom and stop in my tracks. There, lying on my bed, hair damp from the shower is Marx. Shirtless, with low slung sweatpants. And lying on his chest is my heart, my little Bee with a huge smile on her face as his large hand rubs her back.

“Hey, I, ah, figured you’d want Bee to be close tonight. Mama Debs said she was being a little stinker and not wanting tosleep.” As if on cue Bee pops up and squeals, clapping her hands and bouncing her little butt on Marx’s abs.

Jeez Louise, I’m going to need another shower at this rate. I’m hot and bothered and not once have I felt a feeling this intense when looking at a man in my bed. In the past seeing Royal in bed would cause me to break out in a sweat. Seeing Marx is also making me sweat, for a completely different reason.

His gaze runs over me like a caress, but his face changes when he reaches my eyes. He looks sheepish, almost a little embarrassed.

“Shit, sorry Lovely. I didn’t mean to just invite myself in and lounge everywhere, I should have asked, I just thought you’d want Bee to be here and-”

I rush over to him, placing my hand over his mouth, stopping the verbal diarrhea. “It’s OK. It’s a surprise, but a nice one. I love how thoughtful you were.”

I don’t give him a chance to say anything else. Instead, I climb into the other side of the bed and let Bee launch herself between the two of us. “Marx, would you like to stay the night?”

The smile he gives me makes my heart flutter.

“I’d love to.”

Marx

I quietly extricate Bee’s foot from my face and roll to sit up on the side of the bed. Glancing behind me I take in the peaceful faces of the woman and little girl who have stolen my heart. Whoknew that as soon as I stopped being an asshole my life would feel happier, more settled even with a fucking war on my hands? Not me, obviously.

Scrubbing my hands down my face I decide I may as well start the day. It’s still early out so I decide to take a jog around the perimeter, to get my head in the game. We learned a lot of good shit last night, shit that will help us when it comes to hitting the cartels, but it still doesn’t feel like enough. I quietly move through the house, stopping by the door to shove my feet in my boots. Yeah I should be jogging in wanky running shoes, but I don’t own any so my trusty boots will do. I mean, in the Marines all we had were our boots and we did just fine. It’s not like they gave us the luxury of ergonomic footwear. Sneaking out the door I pull it gently behind me.

“Whatdya know, kid?”

“Fucks sake, Pops!” I hiss at the old man perched on the swing seat just outside Lovely’s door.

“Yeah yeah. Does she like explosives or not?”

Taking a deep breath I let it out slowly. “I’m not exactly sure on that one, but she keeps surprising me, so she could.”

Pops rolls his eyes, following me down the steps. “Do you knowanythingthat might help your cause?”

I start to gain speed before breaking out into a slow jog. Not one to be beaten, Pops starts up the ATV, pulling in next to me, matching my speed.

“Fine. I learned that she loves to draw and she’s fucking good at it. She used to tattoo at the Keep and I think she might take Mad Dog up on his offer,”

“No fucking way? That’s awesome. I’ll get my tools out, check them over,” my dad’s voice comes from out of nowhere and I almost trip as a second ATV pulls up on the other side of me.

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