Brotherhood

Chapter 8

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Rated M

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The shrill yelping of a dog startled him awake and he sat up too quickly, gasping at the sharp pain radiating across his chest. It was dark and hot and he gripped the edge of the cot, waiting to catch his breath and orient himself. He calmed when he saw Callen's silhouetted form at the small open window, leaning his head on his forearm as he looked out at the low burning bonfire at the center of camp. The sound of laughter lingered after Guidry's angry shouts and curses, and he heard Callen swear softly.

"The bastard wants to kill that dog," Callen said softly, his voice filled with loathing.

Deeks felt his stomach revolt at the wonton cruelty of the man and he stumbled outside, leaning over the edge of the porch to vomit. Wrapping his arms around his sore ribs, he leaned his shoulder against the side of the roughhewn cabin, panting through the lingering pain and shivering as he broke out in a cold sweat. He flinched when he felt hands grip his bare shoulders, but relaxed as much as he could when he realized it was Callen.

"You understand Cajun?" Deeks asked weakly.

"The gist of it. You okay?"

"Yeah."

"You feel hot," he pressed.

"It is hot," he snapped in irritation.

"You know you have a fever, so quit fighting me," Callen replied sharply. "Take a couple of aspirin."

"I'm fine," he insisted, sounding just like Kensi and he saw Callen smirk.

"You weren't earlier," Callen said softly. "Tomorrow won't be much easier. I know your ribs are cracked so you really need to rest while you can."

He knew Callen was right. After they had cut him loose, he'd collapsed onto his elbows and knees, his head pressed into the crook of his arm, his muscles quivering from the sudden release of long held tension and pulsing pain. When he'd tried to stand, the world spun dangerously and he had reached out for Callen, who held him up, but with effort, both of them suffering from the rough treatment. They had leaned on each other as much as they could as they here herded toward the cabin, trying to ignore the looks they received that made them very aware of just how little they were trusted.

The rustic old cabin they'd been assigned was at the far edge of the camp, set apart from the others, with a small covered front porch, a small table and two basic cots inside. The windows were just holes cut into the roughly sawn wood siding and the entrance had no door, effectively negating any privacy. Mosquito netting was the only covering for the windows and the door, but it had been so hot tonight that they had opted for letting in as much air as possible along with the bugs.

They'd been given a couple of bottles of water when they'd gotten to the cabin and one of the men had brought them a tin plate of cold chicken, which Deeks was now sorry he'd eaten. The man who'd brought it had been the one who'd met Karl Meier, and they had talked briefly. His name was Silas and he'd been friendly enough, but his comments were more than distasteful even though Jimmy went along with everything he said. He was someone to cultivate and Jake had been particularly friendly to the young man.

"There were a couple of guards earlier. One out front and one in back, hiding in the trees," Callen said. "Finally left to join the party. Must have thought we were asleep."

"Have you slept?"

"No."

"Why the hell are they guarding us?" Deeks wondered. "We don't even know where we are."

"Probably paranoid."

"Should be."

"I think he's pissed Joe got away," Callen whispered close to his ear as they sat side by side on the porch.

"You really believe he escaped?" Deeks couldn't hide his dejection, his uncertainty and fear growing now that he had met Guidry.

"Until we know for sure...we have to believe it," Callen replied. "Now get some sleep. There's only a few hours till daybreak."

"Sshhh," Deeks said, raising his hand as something moved slowly toward them through the bushes in front of the cabin.

The whimper was soft and filled with pain and Deeks knew instantly that it was the dog Guidry had beaten.

"Any of that chicken left?" He whispered before sliding off the porch to the ground.

"Not sure this is a good idea."

"Get the chicken, brother," Deeks said firmly. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"You know that doesn't always work, right?"

"Chicken."

"Is that a question or an order?"

"Now who's being a wiseass?" Deeks grinned and crept slowly toward the trembling dog.

The animal was a large hound, fawn colored with gray spots on its back, a white ruff and wounded yellow eyes. Its growl was low, but ended in a long whimper as Deeks knelt down in front of it.

"It's okay buddy. I won't hurt you," he kept his voice soft and warm as he waited for Callen to bring the chicken.

There was a gash along its shoulder and blood colored the white fur around its neck. Favoring its hind leg, the injured dog tried to slink away, but stopped when Callen dropped down beside Deeks and handed him large chunks of chicken. The animal sniffed the air and its tongue curled up over its nose at the smell. Whimpering and hesitant, the animal shied away when Deeks held out the first piece, limping back into the bushes to watch.

"Hey buddy, look...it's good," he whispered, biting into the chicken and licking his lips with a moan of his own.

The dog pricked its long ears and took a tentative step forward, stretching its snout toward the proffered meat, finally snatching it away and quickly swallowing it down. Softly whining, it came closer and Deeks held out piece after piece to the obviously famished animal. When the chicken was gone Deeks wiped his greasy fingers down his bare legs and struggled to his feet. He smiled at Callen when he felt a tickle as the hound's cold nose sniffed at his thighs. Slowly backing away, he turned toward the steps and the dog followed him up on the porch and into the darkness of the cabin.

"Bet you're thirsty too."

He picked up one of the tin cups from the tiny table in the corner and poured in what remained of his water. Lowering himself gingerly onto the closest cot, Deeks held the cup between his knees as the dog noisily lapped it all up. Once finished the dog looked up at him expectantly, it's nose twitching and its tail thumping the floor as it sat there panting, obviously still hungry.

"That was the last of the chicken," Callen informed him.

The dog looked between the two men as if it understood and turned to leave, stopping only when it heard voices.

"We got company," Deeks breathed out, as the dog backed into his leg and looked up at him.

Deeks lifted the corner of the thin blanket he'd tossed aside during the night and the dog turned and slunk underneath the cot. He pulled the blanket further off the edge of the bed, effectively hiding the animal and he heard it groan softly and finally settle. With his elbows on his knees Deeks hung his head as a man and a woman stepped up onto the porch.

"Y'all still awake?" The man asked, sweeping the flashlight back and forth across the room as if looking for something.

"What gave it away?" Jake asked.

That seemed to confuse the man, but then he grunted and scowled at him. "Guidry wants ta see ya, so get on outa here now."

Deeks stole a quick look at Callen, knowing neither one was wearing an earwig and pushed up off the cot. Hoping to create a distraction so at least Callen might have a chance to slip a comm in his ear, he stepped up in front of the man.

"He don't want you," the man said. "The girl here will keep ya company. She ain't much ta look at, but don't spec you'll be lookin' at 'er face much."

Deeks had no idea what to say, so he just stared at the woman and she shyly looked away. He knew she was a plant, but he was Jimmy and rejecting her would be highly suspect. It was a move he never expected and looked over at Callen again, who clinched his jaw and shrugged his shoulders before pulling a t-shirt over his head and buttoning his jeans.

Jimmy suddenly smiled widely at the militiaman and threw an arm across his shoulder and turned him toward the woman on the porch.

"What's her name, man?" he asked. "Hell, I don't even know yours. Might as well get to know each other."

"They call me Pea," the heavy-set man replied.

"Now is that with two 'ees' or an 'a'," Jimmy asked, his face mockingly serious.

"You tryin' ta be funny?" The man scowled.

"Just kiddin', dude," he replied quickly. "Didn't mean nothin'. Knew a man once who peed a lot. Was supposed to drive the getaway car in a heist, but the whole gang got caught cause he was usin' the facilities at the gas station they was robbin'."

"That's fuckin' funny if it's true," Pea said with a slow smile.

"It's a good story. Don't matter if it's true or not," Jimmy said as he stared at the girl. "My daddy told me to never let the facts get in the way of a good story, and I always listened to my daddy."

"He always gets the girl, too," Jake laughed and slapped Jimmy lightly on the cheek, a warning flaring in his eyes.

"That's cause I'm the hot one," Jimmy grinned cockily, fairly sure Callen was now on comms.

"You're a smartass, brother," Jake said as he walked out onto the porch. "Don't do nothin' I wouldn't do."

Deeks watched the beam of the flashlight until it disappeared behind the main house where Guidry was staying. He didn't like that they were being separated, worried about what Guidry might have in store for Callen. They both knew their loyalty would probably be tested for a while, and he figured this was just the beginning. Callen would face Guidry alone and he would have to play his part by entertaining a woman he had no interest in. No way was he wearing an earwig tonight and no way was he giving Callen any details while he was still on comms. Knowing it wasn't something he could get out of and that Guidry would expect the woman to report everything, he decided he better make the best of it.

"You comin' in, darlin'? Or playin' hard to get?"

The woman edged halfway inside the doorway, her form barely visible in the darkness. The moon was rising, so there was some light, but she wouldn't look directly at him and her long hair hid most of her face, so he had no way to determine her age. The flowered dress she wore was thin, low cut and very short and he was pretty sure she wore no bra. Her hands gripped the doorway as he approached and he heard her catch her breath. She was scared, and he felt her tremble when he touched her.

"Ain't you interested, sweetheart?" Jimmy asked softly. "I ain't mean or nothin'. What's your name?"

"Addy."

"That's a pretty name," he said, as he lifted her chin so he could see her face.

"Don't!" She pushed his hand away and he could hear tears in her voice. "Please. I'll do whatever you want, just don't hurt me."

He took her hand and turned her toward him and the soft light of the moon caught the bruises that colored her left cheek. Her lip was quivering, but she looked back defiantly, trying to stand her ground.

"Who hit you?" He asked, gently cupping her cheek.

"Whatta you care?"

"Just don't seem right to hit a girl is all."

"Well, it's pretty damn common 'round here," she spit out, but then put her hand over her mouth as if she'd said something she wasn't supposed to.

"I won't tell if you won't," he smiled at her and she seemed to relax a bit.

"They're watchin' you know," she whispered.

"Lookin' for pointers I'm guessin'," he said with a cocky grin, making her smile.

She was young, with a wide and rather plain face. Her hair was light brown and wispy, softly curling around her jawline, and her lips were small and pouty, giving her an innocent but sexy look. He wasn't sure if she was playing him or not, but he wasn't about to hurt her whether it made Guidry suspicious or not.

"You want to come in?" He asked gently. "Or are they supposed to see what happens?"

"I'll get in trouble if they don't." She was truly trembling now, so he knew she was being honest.

He bent down and kissed her and she gasped when he leaned back to look out over the camp, suddenly angry that they were using the girl this way. She reached up and turned his face back toward her as she slipped her sleeveless dress off her shoulder and exposed her breast. His heart quickened at her boldness, his eyes fixed on her large, rosy nipple. She pulled his head down and he breathed in deeply before gently lifting her breast to his mouth. He felt her shiver as she pressed her body into the kiss, panting in his ear as she nuzzled his neck. He felt her fingers flutter over his shoulder and down his arm, and he decided Guidry's men had seen enough, so he lifted her in his arms and carried her inside. He didn't expect them to come in for a closer look, so he thought they were safe until the dog crawled out from under the cot to confront them, its yellow eyes shining in the dark room.

"Hey buddy...it's okay," trying to soothe the dog as it stiffened and growled.

"Her name's Punkin," Addy said and struggled out of his arms. "She's mine. Guidry beat her to show me what would happen if I didn't come up here tonight."

She knelt in front of the dog and it leaned into her touch as she ran her hands over its face speaking softly to it in Cajun.

"She won't bite ya," she said, smiling for the first time. "She ain't vicious like Antoine's hounds."

"I know. Gave her some chicken and hid her under the bed," he saw her face soften as he spoke and he thought she might be someone he could cultivate for information.

"How do you know Guidry?" He ventured.

"He's my daddy's cousin," she said as she stood up, gently fondling the dog's ear.

"Does he know you're here, with Guidry?"

"Naw. He works on an oil rig out in the Gulf," she said quietly. "He's gone half the year."

"What about your mom?"

"She's the one who brung me here," she said. "She does whatever Antoine wants her ta do. She's got a thing for Tino...who's a bastard, by the way."

"How old are you Addy?"

"Just turned nineteen," she replied proudly. "Gonna try and go ta college in Baton Rouge, if I can find a job ta pay for it. I just love ta read. Thought maybe I could be a school teacher or something."

"I think you'd make a good one."

"You gonna fuck me now?"

The girl's bluntness stunned him and he felt his stomach twist and a nasty taste rose up in the back of his throat. The girl reached for him when she saw him hesitate and he curse silently, unsure what he should do. She was a kid, yet he had no idea what she would tell them if he didn't have sex with her.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to," he murmured. "You can just take Punkin and go."

"Doncha like me? I like you. You're nice," She said quietly, boldly running her hand up his bare chest as she licked her upper lip. "I ain't a virgin ya know."

Her tongue was hot as it swirled around his nipple and he held his breath as her hands slipped around his waist and down inside his boxer shorts to grip his ass. He silently asked for Kensi's forgiveness as his body responded, wondering if he would ever tell her about any of this. The dog part maybe...but this? Probably not.

"You're kinda shy," she said as she looked up at him. "I got good boobs. You'll like 'em."

She led him to the side of the cot furthest from the door and slid her dress off, leaving herself completely naked. When she sat on the edge she pulled his boxers down and began to stroke him.

"Slow do, sweetheart," he said, his voice thick as he knelt down between her legs. "It's better of you don't rush."

Her large breasts were silky in his mouth and he flushed with sudden want, suckling and petting her until she was gasping. Pushing her down on the bed, he spread her legs and ran his hands slowly up and down the inside of her thighs, his mouth following with wet kisses. She whimpered as his tongue teased her clit and then began licking harder and harder until she was pulling at his hair and moaning. He lifted her further up onto the cot and slid on top of her, kissing his way up her slender body to her now rigid nipples. He lightly touched the tip of his tongue to one as he roughly brushed his thumb across the other, and she moaned deeply as he worked, bucking uncontrollably beneath him as he brought her close to the edge of release. He entered her hard and she cried out, gripping his arms with clawing fingers as he rhythmically moved until they climaxed in unison, leaving them both sweating in the dark, humid room. Rolling off of her he pulled her to his chest, holding her gently as his breathing slowed.

"Do it again," she whispered as she edged up and kissed him softly. "I ain't never had it that gentle before. I like it."

He smiled sadly at her and gripped her ass as he took the breast she offered in his mouth. He brushed his fingers through the nest of hair between her legs and pressed them inside, igniting her passion once again. Her back arched as he massaged her ass and stroked her until she was jerking against him, her arms hanging limply above her head and her mouth open, gasping as she came.

"Shit damn," she whispered as she curled against his side. "You're the best fucker I ever did have."

"Good to know," he laughed softly.

"Maybe they'll let me come see ya again," she said. "Like a regular thing or somethin'."

"Maybe they will."

"Did with that other fella," she said quietly. "He was nice too, but not as sexy as you."

"What was his name," he asked, holding his breath and almost choking on the words.

"Phil Beeler," she replied sleepily. "But he's gone now."

Enormous relief flooded through him at the familiar alias that brought back tough memories of the case that had brought him and Joe together. The question that came next was the hard one. His mouth suddenly became dry and he hoped she couldn't feel his heart racing as he asked it.

"Where'd he go?"

"Not sure. Nobody would say nothin'," she answered innocently. "Antoine was shit mad though. If ya ask me, they don't know where the hell he is. They're all still lookin' for 'im, I think, and if they ever do find 'im, they'll kill 'im for sure, just like they did the other one."

"What'd he do?"

"Antoine called him a rat," she said. "I wasn't here when it happened, but Mama said he set the dogs on the other guy...Oscar I think his name was. And he was Cajun. I hope they don't find Phil, though. He was good to me. Don't care what they say he did."

"You're a good person too, Addy," Jimmy said quietly, wiping at the tears pooling in his eyes as he sat up. "You better go and hide Punkin. She's a good ol' girl. Would hate to see Guidry hurt 'er again."

She kissed him quickly and smiled, jumping up and pulling on her dress, snapping her fingers at the dog to follow as she wandered out the door. Deeks fell back on the cot and turned over to bury his face in the thin blanket. He felt totally exhausted, but unbelievably exhilarated, whispering his brother's name again and again into his clenched fists. When Callen found him there and shook him awake, he came up fighting.

"What's happened? Did they hurt you?"

"He's alive, G," Deeks whispered, standing and pulling him into a fierce hug. "Joe's alive."

...

His first feeling was fear. His second was confusion because he couldn't see the sky. Then his body caught up to his mind and a deep rolling pain left him gasping and calling out familiar names. Shivering heat left him reeling, his eyes unfocused as he flailed to free himself from the covering holding him down. The rapid movement sent another wave of pain through his weakened body and he began to plead with the blurry figures surrounding him. Soft murmuring voices confused him more, and he struggled to move away from the dark hands that reached for him.

"Ssshhh now...ssshhh," the whispering sound was close and the voice kind.

A cold cloth was laid across his forehead, held there by a wrinkled black hand that belonged to the cooing voice above him. The sound and the kindness calmed him, and he closed his eyes, thankful for the respite.

"Who are you?" Joe croaked out weakly, unsure if they could even hear him.

"We's the Toussaints," a woman said. "Iris and Augustine. He found you out by the mailbox and my grandsons carried you on in. I put a poultice on that nasty lookin' wound on your arm. Should help draw some of the poison out, but you need to drink this now. It'll help with the pain and fever."

She lifted his head and held a cup to his lips, urging him to drink. It was hot and bitter, and he choked on it, but the old woman was persistent, forcing him to drink it all.

"You rest now, boy," she said softly.

"He should tell us his name, doncha think Gramma?" This voice was sharp and slightly angry. "He could mean trouble for us."

"Now Sebastien, you 'member what the Lord said," a deep voice called out. "What y'all do to the least of these, y'all do unto me."

"The law might not see it that way, Papa T," another man said. "He could be a fugitive."

"You wanted by the law, man?" A rough voice asked from the foot of the bed. "Cause if you are, my grandparents don't need the trouble. We woulda been better off tossing him in the bayou, instead of bringing him inside."

"Xavier! Shame on you. What kinda mean thing is that to go and say," Iris scolded. "The man is hurt. We be good Christians, now. The good Lord put him in our way and I won't turn him out 'cause you afraid to do the right thing."

"What they teachin' you up in that college, son?" Augustine asked sharply.

"I don't want to cause you any trouble," Joe said. "I'll go if you'll just let me rest here tonight."

"You aren't staying unless you tell us who the hell you are," Xavier asked.

"Don't you swear in my house, boy," Iris snapped.

"You put your foot in it this time, brother," a man said with a laugh.

"Shut up, Buford," Xavier shot back. "You know I'm right. Don't they have enough trouble as it is without taking on some injured white man shows up out of the blue?"

"Who made you king, boy?" Augustine said, his powerful voice filling the small room. "I am a man of God and I tried ta raise you three to be the same. Y'all listened to me preach every Sunday of your lives and y'all didn't understand one word. Wanting to cast out a wounded man instead of being a good Samaritan. I'm ashamed of y'all."

Joe could feel the tension in the room and suddenly wasn't sure if he could trust them or not. The grandsons were likely to give him up if Guidry's men threatened them.

"I'll go," he whispered and struggled to get up.

"Wait! You're with that militia group aren't you?" Xavier asked angrily, ignoring his offer.

"You know about The Brotherhood?" Joe asked, his voice shaky and full of fear.

"This ain't the moon, man," Buford said lightly. "They were here yesterday asking if we'd seen a white man."

"I'm guessing that's you," Sebastien said softly.

"You pissed off the wrong guys if you're runnin' from those scary dudes," Buford added.

"You brought those crazy radicals right to our grandparents' door," Xavier's accusation was the sad truth and Joe knew he had to leave.

As he struggled to get up a strong hand gripped his shoulder, and he was too weak to push it off. Iris held him in place, looking him straight in the eye and told him to stay put.

"You ain't going nowhere, young man," she said firmly. "This is my house, and you my guest. Now, tell these boys your story and be done with it."

He hesitated, unsure he could trust them. He was a dead man if they gave him up, but Guidry would kill them all if he found him here. They were right to be afraid of the terror that trailed him and he made another attempt to get up and leave.

"You afraid, boy?" Augustine asked softly as he pulled a chair up next to the bed, and pushed him back down. "Your sins come home ta roost?"

"I won't let y'all put him out. He's feverish," Iris said firmly, as if that would make the difference. "He ain't a bad man. I'd see it in his eyes if he was."

"You can't know that Gramma," Xavier insisted. "You know what the Brotherhood's done around here. He's running from them for a reason. You think they won't hurt you if they find him here?"

"He's right," Joe told them. "You should let me go. They want me and won't think twice about killing everyone of you for helping me."

"What did you do to them folks, boy? Why they after you?" Augustine asked quietly. "Seek forgiveness from the Lord, son, for whatever sins you committed. God brought ya to us for a reason. You can trust 'im and you can trust us."

Joe closed his eyes, wondering if that were true. These were kind people and he was grateful for what they had done for him. Their grandchildren were afraid for them and he understood that, so he felt the truth could do no harm.

"My name is Joe Atwood..."

"That's not who those men were looking for," Xavier interrupted, looking confused.

"They would have asked about a man named Phil Beeler," Joe said. "That's who I told them I was. I'm an undercover federal agent."

"Didn't see that comin', did ya brother?" Buford laughed and slapped Xavier on the back.

"Somebody gave us up," he mumbled, suddenly feeling woozy. "They killed my partner...tried to kill me...I escaped."

"How long you been out there?" Sebastien asked.

"Not sure...they been tracking me...three days...maybe more," Joe was starting to feel the effects of whatever Iris had given him and his words became slurred and his mind muddled.

"One of their dogs caught 'im," Buford's voice sounded far away. "Had to be one of those Catahoula curs. Good trackers."

"How'd you get away from the dog?" Xavier asked.

"Gator..."

Nothing else came out and he began to shiver, his back arching as a stab of pain caught him unprepared. There was something important he had to ask, but he couldn't grasp it, his mind now cloudy and his thoughts hiding just out of reach. Iris began shushing him as he moaned with each pulse of pain, struggling to find the question he needed to ask as his world slowly drifted toward darkness.

"Phone...?" He murmured, smiling now that he had captured the elusive word. "Need to call in...need..."

"No signal out here, man. Sorry."

"You sleep now, Joe Atwood," Iris ordered. "We'll figure things out in the mornin'."

...

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