Addicted In Cold Blood (50 page)

It was ingrained, just like knowing their own names. Regardless of all of this, he had high hopes he could navigate the situation. He was a quick study, but what he was witnessing right now was beyond his level of expertise. Notwithstanding, he continued to swim in calm containment as he observed, preparing himself to defend his mate’s honor, should it rise to that level.

“I realize you are grown, Jayme. You’re thirty-two, after all.” His father cleared his throat and shot a look at Xzion. “I’m displeased that you tell me you’re expecting, and you were not first married. However, I’m glad this young man is doing the right thing and proposed to you. I know nothing of him. Hopefully that will change.”

Xzion nodded, bowing his head humbly, trying desperately to force the tension down to a controllable level. He knew the man was fuming. He had studied human behavior to that extent—he had to, or he’d have been broadsided.

“Dad, I’m sorry you feel that way, but I’m happy about the pregnancy and whether I was getting married or not, I’d hope you’d be happy about your grandchild,” Jayme’s said flatly, sounding more like a Zarkstormian than a human. Xzion suppressed an inward smile. Jayme was animated and caring, not over the top, but she was expressive, especially when she was happy. He didn’t like seeing her on the defensive. As long as she was still fighting you, cursing and yelling, you knew the woman still cared. She was so full of love and life, he questioned at this point whether she loved the man standing before her. That within itself didn’t bother him. He’d gone his entire life without love lost between him and his parents. Sure, he had a care for them, an attachment, but love wasn’t cultivated or respected and it sure as hell wasn’t shared.

“I hope to get to know you as well,” Xzion interjected, taking her hand and squeezing it in reassurance. Just then, her mother entered the room with a large baked chicken. Almost as tall as Jayme and with the same elegant frame and a similar face, the woman put the chicken on the dining table.

“I’ll get the rest of dinner on the table.” The woman’s voice trailed as she, too, seemed to sense the tension.

“Let me help you, Mama.” Jayme sighed and followed her mother inside the kitchen.

The two men were left alone, standing. Looking at one another, studying one another.

“Jayme tells me you’re in the military, Special Ops.”

“Yes, I am.”

“You’re also a scientist.”

“Yes, that is what I am trained in, hematology as well as weapon defense.”

“Hmmm, that’s an odd combination.” The man’s already stern face hardened, as he gripped the back of a chair while slowly walking past it. “Defense and bloodwork...Jayme said it’s classified, said she couldn’t get into the details, but that’s how you two met?”

Xzion nodded.

“She was working with the FBI, left the country. Said she met you in
Colombia, but you just so happened to reside here, too. What a coincidence.”

Xzion nodded again. He didn’t miss the suspicion in the man’s tone.

“Do you know anything about this Triple ‘X’ killa everyone is looking for?” The man’s brow arched. He stopped pacing, and gave him a direct glare.

“I do, but I’m not at liberty to discuss that, sir.”

“Well, if you ask me,” the minister said after a pause, his voice low, “those drug slingin’ hoods got what they deserved! We finally got a little peace around here! Now sure, I don’t like the idea of some vigilante going around dicing people up like cubed meat, but I tell you what,” he pointed at Xzion, “The Bible says, 1 Peter, fifth chapter, verse eight,
‘Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.’
That is the word of God! Now, as far as I’m concerned, this was God’s way of sending a message to the people!” He slammed his fist on the table.

“I don’t know what Jayme told you about my first born, the biggest disappointment to the family but...”

And there is that damn word again, disappointment. First Aton, now you...

“Jayson coulda real been somebody! Instead, he chose the path of the devil. He lays with men, which is strictly prohibited—an abomination! I didn’t write it, God said it. Jayson can take it up with him!”

Actually, that isn’t what that original scripture meant. You had inept people with their own agendas doing the translations but I’m not going to get into this with you...at least not tonight.

“He was a star athlete, Xzion...a star! Had droves of women around ’im, yet, he chose another man, a boyfriend, and then got hooked on that mess! Cocaine!  Isaiah, chapter five, verse eleven says
, ‘Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!’
That is what it says, young man!”

No one has come to Jayson’s defense. He came through for your daughter, in her time of need. Are you perfect, Mr. Knight?

Xzion bit his tongue. It was getting harder, much harder...

“Are you a Christian?”

Damn it, here we go...

Xzion gripped the back of the dining room chair in front of him. Right now, he was at a crossroads. He knew the Bible inside and out, memorized it in five different languages, including the King James Version, just for kicks and giggles. He’d done it one boring afternoon never figuring it would need to be drawn upon. Either way, he could simply play along—quote scriptures right back to impress the man, and help everyone get through a fairly trouble-free evening, or he could be honest, and deal with a lifetime of battles after putting his real cards on the table.

Just then, Jayme’s mother approached with a large pan of rolls. Jayme followed behind, her hands full with a bowl of green beans and a fresh salad. Xzion was grateful for the interruption. Jayme shot him a sly grin. She knew full well what was happening. Both women disappeared again, leaving the gentlemen at play.

Xzion wrestled with his new choices. He could pretend he’d forgotten the question, wait to see what the man said next or tackle it...

“No, I am not a Christian.”

He felt the heat rise in the room. The man’s face distorted, turning into a look of confusion.  He covered his mouth, knowing he couldn’t stop the satisfied smirk that budded there. He even bet he knew what the stunned dictator was thinking...

He couldn’t fathom it...not his little girl! No, she couldn’t have dated a man, had premarital sex and then become pregnant from the non-Christian fiend. This just couldn’t be.

“Well, then what are you?”

Your worst nightmare...

Xzion made a straight face. “I believe in God, Mr. Knight. I know in my heart that God exists. However, I do not ascribe to any set religion.”

“That won’t get you into the kingdom of heaven.” The man’s eyes dimmed; it appeared as if his heart were breaking. Xzion knew he should feel badly and give some words of peace, but he couldn’t. He refused to be anything other than what he was. He would be open and free and admit everything, minus the Zarkstormian part... Jayme didn’t need that sort of stress, no one would believe him anyway, and accuse her of hooking up with some crazed lunatic.

Like a miraculous blessing raining down upon him, it appeared Xzion’s prayers were answered. He didn’t want to ruin Jayme’s evening, and a bit more alone time with her father would have possibly done
just
that. The two women came back out of the kitchen, laughing and smiling as they laid glasses filled with ice at each table setting.

Can I just gobble my ice down now, nothing over it? I suppose that wouldn’t be considered good table manners...

“Everything is on the table, now!” the older woman exclaimed as she stood at the opposite end of the table. Xzion caught the lady glance at him, and he could have sworn she winked.

The minister cut the smiling short as he sneered at Xzion. “Let’s bow our heads in prayer...”

Xzion watched everyone lower the head and stand behind their chairs. He followed suit, grasping Jayme’s hand.

“Oh, Father in Heaven, we thank you humbly for this bounty, for we know there are so many in the world without any supper tonight. We thank you for your mercy, and grace, Oh, Lord. We thank you for the good and the bad days, for the bad days remind us of what a mighty God we serve. We thank you for bringing my baby girl, Jayme, back home in one piece, oh Father, and though you frown down upon her condition, we thank you that she appears healthy and we pray that she and the baby are nourished from this food, oh dear, Father...”

Xzion opened his eyes and rolled them at those words. It took everything in his power to not start a spectacle. Then, he felt the gaze... To his right, Jayme grinned at him, her lip quivering as she tempered down her bubbling gut, full of mirth at her dear father’s expense. They exchanged a smile, squeezed each other’s hands a bit tighter, and closed their eyes again to listen to the rest of the prayer.

“And that is why, Father, we are here, oh Lord,” he continued. Five minutes had easily passed and Xzion was certain their food had grown cold. He was pleased that a fruit salad had also been presented, and he preferred his chilled, not room temperature. He looked down at his glass of ice. It was melting.

“And we knew the world was like that, oh Father! Full of loose, Jezebel women, tempting the most honorable of men but sometimes, it was the opposite. Oh Lord! Sometimes, the women just didn’t know any better, even smart ones that made good grades in school and went on to protect their community, Oh Lord! Giving their sacred goodies up to these pretty boys! These smooth talking, military men—the devil’s playground!

“They prey on these innocent flowers of the valley and don’t know the Lord and sow their seed here, there and everywhere, but you showed mercy!” the man continued.

Now, Jayme shook like a leaf in gale force wind, her laughter about to burst through the seams. Xzion realized that the woman he loved was accustomed to this. Every Sunday night that she was available, she ate with her parents after church but she was tickled pink that someone else had to witness the spectacle. Apparently, she saw no need to warn Xzion in advance—she was looking forward to the show. He’d been set up. She obviously didn’t care that her father was amusing, when he wasn’t trying to be. It was always best not to take life too seriously. Xzion shook his head and smiled, then bowed it again as the sermon type prayer continued...

“You’ve given me so much on my shoulders, dear Lord! I raised my children in the best way I could! They both went astray but Jayme has made me smile more than angry. Their mother, an obedient flower of the dawn, tried her hardest. We did all we could, oh Lord. Jayme is a good girl, a good woman, but she has wandered off, pregnant with an out-of-wedlock baby but…”

You have got to be kidding me! I’ve got to say something. Sorry Jayme, I can’t take this shit any longer...ten...nine...eight...

“...it isn’t too late as long as she has breath in her body, to repent and get back on the path you’ve chosen for her, one of righteousness, oh Lord, and I’m glad to share this bounty with her this evening. Now if we can just...”

Seven...Six...Five...

“Theodore,” the older woman said, interrupting the man, causing Xzion and Jayme to open their eyes.

“Could you wrap this up, please, honey?”

Saved by the damn bell! One more word about straying, conniving military men and he was going to hear an earful. Damn!

  “I want to talk to Jayme about her wedding. They are having it soon and at this rate, the baby will be born and grown by the time you finish. These two ain’t got all day and the food is getting cold.” She chased the harsh word with a sweet, honey dripping smile.

The man frowned, lowered his head again and concluded, “And this we ask in Your name, Amen.”

*
***

“I can’t believe this.” Jayme looked at her flowing veil in the mirror, smiling. “It looks even better than I thought it would.”

“You look beautiful.” Xzion stood by the doorway, unable to curb his enthusiasm. His knuckles tensed as he clutched the open doorframe. Dressed in his Dolce and Gabbana three piece navy suit, he felt comfortable. Jayme sized him up, her eyes admiring—and hungry. The fabric glided across his arms, not too tight, not too loose. The pants draped leisurely down his legs. He’d paid a mint for it, and it was worth every cent. It complimented the navy blue sash that would be around her waist, and he couldn’t wait to exchange their vows.

“Xzion, get out of here!” Jayme exclaimed, causing Wanda and several of her other chattering girlfriends to look up at the open door.

“You aren’t supposed to see her before the wedding!” Wanda warned as she barreled toward him, her hands on her hips.

Jayme’s eyes narrowed, but Xzion couldn’t help himself. She was half dressed, with only her corset on, thigh high white stockings, veil and three inch off white stilettos, but she was a vision to behold.

“Okay.” He grinned and held his hands up in surrender. “I’ll go.” Moving backwards, he blew her a kiss and walked away, out into the adjacent lot while cars drove past, carrying guests soon to be seated.

As he stood in the courtyard, watching the invitees arrive and enter the church, he couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholy. Zarkstormian weddings were fairly similar to human ones—family would gather, customs were honored, and kind words expressed. No one said anything they didn’t mean. Parents simply liked each other, and that was seen as acceptable. The difference was, Zarkstormians never mentioned love. Marriage was simply seen as a logical thing happening to form bonds between families. It was done to protect the nuclear family as well, for children to know who their fathers were though children born out of wedlock were not vilified. Sex for Zarkstormians was considered natural and normal, with or without the confines of matrimony, though marriage was very much revered, honored and cherished.