Chapter 101

The Humvee rolled into the driveway where David and his family were staying for the night. The soldiers carried in the luggage, Malachai carried Maddie, and the twins held onto their mom's hand as they walked into the house. David insisted on carrying Brie into the house, no matter how hard she fought him, and carried her straight into the kitchen where the liquor cabinet was.

Malachai came into the kitchen after laying Maddie down in the bassinet in the living room. "Dad, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Get me a spoon from the silverware drawer over there", David said as he poured the Everclear on Brie's arm. She locked her jaw so as not to scream. Malachai handed David a spoon from the drawer as David reached in his pocket and pulled out a lighter. "Leave Malachai, go keep an eye on your brother and sisters. I think Maddie needs a bottle by now. Can you give it to her for me, son?" David said as he heated the spoon with the lighter.

"Yes, sir. I'll go feed Maddie. I think Jake and Jordan are laying in the floor watching GI Joe or something."

"Live action?"

"I think so."

"Go watch it with them. I need to tend to your Mama." David touched the back of the spoon to the exit wound, expecting Brie to scream. But she didn't. She bit down on her lip so hard it looked like she was going to bite it off. Malachai left the room right as David put the spoon to his Mama's shoulder.

David reheated the spoon. "It's ok to scream you know."

"No, it's not", Brie growled through her teeth. "It hurts like hell, but I'm not going to scream." She swallowed as he touched the spoon to her shoulder again. She took breaths until he pulled the spoon back and made her lay back in the chair.

"It's not going to mean you're weak if you scream", he said as he reheated the spoon again.

"I know that, but I don't want to scare the kids."

"Malachai would have stood in here and watched me do this if I didn't send him into the living room with the twins and Maddie."

"Of that, I have no doubt." She hissed when he touched the spoon to shoulder again.

"I'm almost done, then I'll clean it again on both sides and dress it." He was fighting to remain calm, but inside he was raging. No one hurt his wife... NO ONE!!!