Page 66 of Papa's Beloved

I pat my stomach when I say we. I want him to think about it for a few hours before I end his miserable life.

Now I’m awake, showered and dressed. I wore all black today, not because my mood is somber though. For me, taking a man’s life is not joyful but I won’t mourn this loss of life. Black will hide the blood. I’ve been thinking of all the little girls and boys he must have ruined over the years. I’m doing the world a favor by ending his miserable life.

I haven’t decided how I’ll kill him, but I know the King’s each want a shot at him. He’s a human trafficker, pedophilic, piece of shit. Who deserves everything he’s about to get. I lace up a pair of shit kickers that Gambit got me for my birthday a few years ago. He said I needed a good pair of riding boots and six inch purple stilettos weren’t it.

Papa and Gambit are waiting for me in the living room. I needed time to get myself together emotionally. And time to vomit and clean up without my amazing man hovering over me.

Having recently moved in with him, I’m used to having my space and time to myself. It’s a change. With the extra added hormones. I needed a few moments this morning. I place my hand on my stomach again.

Before Gambit arrived, Papa told me they found Lord Fuckyou dead. I can’t say that he’ll be missed. A doctor working with a human trafficking ring. It made my stomach sour.

“Mama’s got to take care of something today. I want you to close your eyes and sing something. This is for you, but you don’t need to see it. Just know that I love you so much already and today your daddy and I are making the world safer for you.”

I don’t even feel ridiculous talking to the little bean growing inside me. The men are gathered around the bar talking.

“Did you two have a pre-breakfast drink?”

Gambit smiles and shakes his head. Papa chuckles.

“No, Beloved. If you can’t drink, I’m not drinking. Although I admit I did last night.”

I smile at him. “I’ll forgive you the occasional slip with the boys.”

He crosses the room to me and gives me a kiss. When we break apart, I say, “I’m ready to end this. I want to talk to him. I may step out when you guys take your pound of flesh. I may not.”

“You don’t have to decide and you can change your mind as many times as you want,” Papa says.

“If the baby says any of this is a no go. Not one man in that room will think less of you. Hell, cheré, we already think you walk on water. If Stormy is our Queen, then you’re are Queen Mother, because you’ve been around longer,” Gambit says.

He drops a kiss on the top of my head. “Might I add you abdicated the throne with beauty and grace in only a way you can.”

?

Linden is strung up, hanging from a chain on his tiptoes. Stripped down to his boxers. The guys left them on for my sake. I REALLY don’t want to see his junk.

“Keep the tape on. I don’t want to hear a word the smug son of a bitch has to say.”

I step closer to him, with Papa by my side.

“I don’t know how you escaped with your life. It doesn’t matter. You won’t escape this time. After I have my say, my Beloved and his brothers are going to take turns dishing out justice old school style. When they’re done, I’m going to end your miserable life before I feed you to the gators below.”

“You could always feed him to the gators still kickin’ cheré,” Outlaw says in his thick cajun accent.

I turn and smile at him. “I’ll consider it. Can you show him how it works?”

Outlaw smiles. “Sure thing.”

I let Papa guide me to a safe spot. Soon after we get settled, the floor begins to open. Smoke comes from who knows where with a bucket of cut up chicken. He tosses it, blood and all, down the opening. The water writhes and suddenly there are a dozen gators snapping and eating at the meat.

I watch Linden’s face pale. I smirk. “He’s all yours, gentlemen. He’s not worth any more words.”

I realize when I walk back through the “shed” to the main room that I do have more to say but that can wait. The men need time to do their thing. I have no idea what to expect. I grab a bottle of chocolate milk and set about wandering around the main room. They have a pool table, enormous flat screen TV. I spot a game system. I haven’t played in ages.

I choose a first person shooter game and get lost while the guys do their thing. I’m surprised I can’t hear Linden’s screams but I can’t. Not a sound. The only thing I can hear is the video game.

I don’t know how long it’s been when Papa comes to get me.

“We’re ready for you Beloved.”