"Val your hands are shaking let me help you" Vegh's voice was soft gentle she didnt deserve the reaction I gave her. "Get out. GET OUT!" I screamed again when she didnt move immediately. She sighed before stomping away. I took a deep breath.
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Picking up the needle and thread I kicked Owen and I's shared bedroom door open. He was sitting by the window hunched over a little table. I could tell he was in pain trying to put on a brave face.
" What was that about?" His made his voice sound normal but i could hear the rough edges. "What vegh." He finally looked me in the eyes and just stared. "Lift your shirt." I told him taking a disinfectant over the tweezers. "If you wanted me naked all you had to do was ask." He smirked in amusement.
I rolled my eyes digging the tweezers into his skin He grunted Smile vanishing. "Sorry." I whispered. "For what? The tweezers or your cancelled rendezvous tonight."
I dug the tweezers father than necessary. "You Knew." It wasnt a question I yanked the bullet out and began sewing and patching. "What that my girlfriend was just gonna leave in the middle of the night." He grabbed my chin forcing me to look at him.
"Would you have regret it?" He asks I grit my teeth ignoring the influence he had on me. "You couldve died"
"This isnt you." His voice was desperate I kissed his knuckles. "Please no more." I pleaded quietly. I stood abruptly turning my back to him. I could feel his eyes on me and in seconds his lips were on my shoulder trailing scorch marks were his lips met my skin.
He turned me around to face him placing his hands on my cheeks. "I dont want to fight." He whispers kissing my forehead. I gulped my skin felt like it was on fire. I loved it. He kissed the corner of my mouth passionately.
I placed my hands on his chest. I knew where this was headed. "Your hurt." I trail my fingers lightly over his patched wound. He smiles cheekily. "It's cute to see you worried." He tangled his fingers in my hair pulling me back in for another kiss.
Past
"Jes, can you pass the paper towles." Jesse stops goofing around with Leon and ruffles Val's hair helping her bring things outside.
Every Sunday after church they grilled out. It was the one time Valerie could actually feel grounded to her family and earth itself.
She said a quick prayer. She always did because it made her feel extra protected. When Dom was in Jail, Every morning when she woke every night she before she slept. Before breakfast lunch and dinner even in between classes Valerie prayed.
"Hey! You ok?" Jesse had one foot out the door gripping the frame for support. Valerie opened her eye. "One minute." She said finishing her prayer in hurried whispers. Jesse chuckled holding the door for her.
"Looks like you got all the help you need brotha." She heard. Vince handed out the bags in his hands. Valerie rolled her eyes. Mia wasnt interested in vince that way. The sooner her realized that the better. Even so vince would forever be family and she didnt want his feeling hurt either.
"V she began" Jesse held his arm around her waist gently pulling her back. "Let em go" He whispered in her ear. Valerie stared in his eyes and smiled leaning in closely before licking her cheek.
"UGH GROSS JESSE!" My blue dress flows around me as I chase Jesse with a corn I stole out of Dom's protesting hand. Jesse stumbled quickly picking himself up but it was too late the corn hit the back of his head with a wack. Val caught up and stole his beanie putting it on her head she ran away letting him chase her for his most valuable possession.
"Alright foods ready." Dom called after a while. I half crawled half ran to the table my limbs feeling week and numb. Jesse followed behind glaring at the beanie I stuck in my armpit when he tried to wrestle me for it.
Jesse reached his hands toward the table. "Ah." Jesse stared at Dom's accusing finger for a moment before realizing. "You reached first. You gotta say grace." Dom reached for mine and mias hands.
"Alright. Uh, Dear heavenly," He paused in thought. "Spirit." Leon said without missing a beat. "Spirit thank you." He noded to leon. "Thank you for providing us with direct port nitros um, four core, inner coolers and ball bearing turbos. Titanium valve springs and most importantly rita" I laughed lightly at the reference to my stuffed bear.
"Amen " Everyone said digging in. "Not bad." Dom smiled brightly an expression of pride taking over. "Hes prayin to the car gods man." Letty laughed shaking her head.
"Look who it is old coyotes r us." Everyone lifts there heads to see vince. "Thought you wernt hungry pumkin" Leon continues. "you know I gotta eat."Vince tries to joke. Valerie winks nodding for him to sit. "He's always hungry" Letty adds.
"Alright sit down" Dom gestures. Vince kisses his bald head giving it a pat. Dom tsk's at the gesture but says no more. Everyone is quiet like theyre waiting for vince or brian to explode. Its Letty who breaks the Ice giving Vince a dazzling smile. "Lets eat some grub man."
Present
"I knew Letty before we found her in the hospital"
It was morning now ide layne awake tangled in the sheets Owen held me close half asleep himself.
"I thought you didnt want to tell me." He rubbed his eyes groggily.
"Honesty" I reminded him of my promise the night prier when he'd Shown me the love we rarely had time anymore to give.
I place my hand on his cheek kissing him deeply. We broke apart but kept our foreheads resting. "Letty is my family Owen. Im not asking you to braid her hair or play dress up but you wont hurt her. Shes a part of this team and shes apart of me." he didnt answer just stared at me calculating with those green eyes.
I stood starting to reach for my robe. His gaze scorched me in ways unimaginable. If he tried to hurt letty for any reason I knew I would kill him and it scared me. The tears threatend to spill as I fastened myrobe strings my back turned to him.
When I finished Owen grabbed my wrist gently. I flinched anyways caught off guard scine I hadnt cried In such a long time I thought I was immune to it. He sat up so our eyes met. "I would NEVER hurt you. Do you understand." I composed myself. lightly pressing a kiss to his finger I nodded.
