#goingawol

Beth: (Hopping into the Escalade with Butch, and leaving the compound to head to #ZeroSum, I begin to feel looser and more relaxed, immediately. I hadn’t, until now, realized how stressed I’ve truly been. As we enter the parking lot, I find myself itching to get inside and unwind with the only connection I have from my former life. Just being with Butch makes me feel like a tiny bit of my old life and self are still alive)

Butch: *Driving through Caldwell, hazel eyes scanning the streets to make sure there are no threats. I keep my posture relaxed in an attempt to make sure Beth is at ease, but deep inside my skin is crawling. Being out with the queen of the race was one big neon sign of ‘Jackpot’ right here. Pulling up in the underground parking, I park the car and keep scanning the area as Beth and I get out and head for the club.* Stay by my side, don’t even stray a step.

Beth: (Rolling my eyes at you because I am SO over being treated like a roll of cash everyone’s afraid will be stolen) Oh, Butch, lighten up! There was a time you’d die to get me out here with you! (Grabbing your hand to pull you to the dancefloor, but instead being dragged back to the VIP section, giving a nod to the two big guys we pass by to “The Brotherhood Booth”. Seriously? (A pouty look crossing my face as I slide into the booth.)

Sloahne: <I was working the bar in the VIP area when I saw the couple come through the door of the club bypassing the long line of humans waiting outside. The bouncers allowed them entrance and they headed straight to the VIP. The male I’ve seen around with the normal crew that sat at the booth near the exit where they always sat … only this time it held a female I had never seen before. Svelte, long wavy black hair and bright blue eyes. I wondered who she was … but kept up with the drink orders and poured the male his normal three fingers of Lag.>

Butch: *Sliding into the booth opposite Beth, not feeling any less antsy than I did before. Easy to say lighten up when your ass isn’t on the line. Wrath will cut me open and leave me out for the sun to finish me if anything happened to his queen. Nodding over at the waitress as she walks over with my usual drink.* We’ll have another one of these. *The female is dressed in a short black leather skirt and high heel boots, which accentuates her long muscled legs. My hazel eyes automatically follow her as she walks back to the bar before I turn my attention back to Beth.* We are gonna have one drink and then we are heading back home.

Beth: (Watching you eye the waitress makes me roll my eyes … and chuckle a little.) Yeah, sure whate…) I pause when your phone goes off and you go to answer it …

Butch: *Pulling the phone out of my pocket and frowning when I see who it is.* Fuck. *Sliding the answer pad across the screen on the Samsung whatever, and hearing Wrath’s booming voice on the other end before I can even get a word in.*

Wrath: (Calling Butch … three more times, about to start rippin’shit up again when the phone’s answered.) Where the fuck are you, Butch … and where’s my shellan?! I’m gonna rip your throat out if she has a single hair out of place, do you hear me?!!!

Butch: *Holding the phone away from my ear, the glass that surrounds us in the VIP section to keep the music dulled, now working to amplify the growling and snarling as the King continues.* Wrath, calm down. Beth is with me and she is safe. We are at Rehv’s club, but we’ll be home soon.

Wrath: The fuck you are! I’ll be seeing you in a minute and we’re both escorting her right back to the manse! Don’t. Move. You got it?!