Helios Awakened (The Helios Chronicles #1) (10 page)

“He said to tell you thank you.” Jayden nodded as Elias turned to Madison. “He wanted to ask for your forgiveness. He blames himself for what happened and is sorry that you had to see him like that. I think he is worried about your perception of him.”

“It was my fault. I shouldn’t have said anything to Jimmy. I...” Madison said but was cut off by Jayden.

“It’s Jimmy’s fault, Madison. He is the one who was being an asshole; he was the one that pushed you. Andrew had a right to defend you. Did he go too far? Yeah, probably. But would I stop if Jimmy had pushed Callie like that? Probably not,” Jayden responded fiercely.

“Andrew’s history may be a problem, but Jimmy’s history is a problem as well,” Elias said confidently and then laughed. “You should have seen their faces when I walked in, saying I wanted to see him.”

Liam laughed as he sat down next to him. “I bet they are already preparing for his release.”

The three Bennett men laughed and continued to talk, but Madison was not able to focus. She realized that her nervousness and fear was starting to subside, making her suddenly feel extremely tired. Her body was losing the battle with sleep and just knowing that Andrew would be okay, that he was worried about her and that he would most likely not be convicted, made her feel entirely at ease. So much so that she actually fell asleep on the Bennett’s expensive loveseat, completely shattered.

Andrew sat on his cot, ready and waiting to go to court. He was nervous and scared, but he had confidence in his attorney, telling himself over and over again that this would not be like before. He pulled out the letter that had been amongst the clothes that Mr. Bennett had brought him the other day. He had already read it several times.

Dear Andrew,

I am so glad you are okay. I feel horrible about what happened but want you to know that you don’t need my forgiveness for anything, you were defending me. The person at fault here is Jimmy. Elias seems very confident and I believe you will get out tomorrow. I know that we have not known each other very long but I feel so close to you. Being with you at the lake made me feel alive in ways I never thought possible and I want that again. What can I say, I'm greedy :-) Please hang in there and look for me in the front row; I will be the girl anxiously awaiting one of those fabulous kisses of yours. I miss you, Helios!

Madison

Andrew had initially been worried when he saw it, figuring she would be telling him to get lost, that she had no time for people like him, but once he had read it, his heart had filled with happiness. He had slept easily that night, knowing that Madison was waiting for him.  He had wondered if she really saw him as Helios and later surmised that maybe she didn’t know what it meant and had just seen the name somewhere. He remembered reading several books on Greek mythology and was fairly certain that Helios was the god of the sun. If he remembered correctly, Helios was the one that rode across the sky every morning in some kind of chariot. He would have to look it up when he got home to be sure.

“Harrison, it’s time,” the guard said as the cell door opened.

Andrew stood, sticking the letter in his back pocket. The guard handcuffed him and loaded him in the car. The ride to the courthouse seemed to take forever as he was antsy to see Madison. When they brought him out, Madison stood, gripping the railing between the front pews and his attorney. Andrew was unable to focus on anyone or anything as his eyes locked with Madison’s.

“Are you okay?” she whispered as he approached.

He smiled, he was suddenly extremely happy in spite of the situation. He nodded and her returning smile renewed his belief that everything would be alright. She sat down behind him, wanting desperately to reach over and touch him but she knew that wasn’t a possibility. Andrew blindly went through the motions of giving his plea and then stared in amazement as his attorney fought to have him released on bail. He didn’t know half of what he was saying but he knew that Mr. Bennett was fierce. The prosecuting attorney continued to argue that with Andrew’s record and previous charge of aggravated assault that he should be remanded to custody while Mr. Bennett cited several instances of just cause, right to defend, and previous discrimination. Soon the judge slammed his gavel down and both attorneys remained silent.

“$5000 dollar bond. The hearing is set for Monday, July 9, 2012.”

“Your honor, he is unemployed, how can he come up with that kind of money?”

“Then he can sit for those two weeks.” When Elias began to say something else the judge raised his robed arm. “Do not test me, Mr. Bennett. There are no television crews here so save your breath. Either he posts bail or the guards will take him back until the trial,” he said with a scowl.

Elias sat down and felt Liam’s hand touch his shoulder. Liam moved forward on the pew so that he could whisper something in his ear and Elias nodded. Elias then turned to Andrew and leaned over to him.

“We will post your bail, Andrew,” he whispered but Madison heard him as well and gasped.

Andrew turned to him with tears in his eyes; he then moved in the chair and faced Madison. She leaned over and kissed him quickly before the guard took him by the arm to lead him out of the courthouse. He looked over his shoulder and smiled brightly at Madison, knowing that very soon he would be holding her tightly. She brought her bottom lip into her mouth and smiled as he walked out of the court house. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked into Olivia’s kind and caring eyes. Madison immediately brought her arms around Andrew’s aunt and offered her a reassuring hug before they were ushered out of the courtroom.

“Is he really coming home?” Olivia asked.

“Yes, we need to go post his bail and then he will be free until the trial and it may not even come to that. The prosecuting attorney needs to show that he has a case.”

“Thank you so much,” Madison interjected.

“El, I’m going to head over to the bank. I will meet you back here in a little bit,” Liam said, touching him gently on his lower back.

Elias nodded and gave him a slight smile. Liam grinned widely and then glanced at his son.

“Jayden, you and Callie want to come along?” Liam asked, looking at them. Jayden initially shook his head, puzzled. Liam motioned with his eyes towards the exit.

“Umm, yeah, sure we’ll come,” Jayden said looking over at Elias. “Dad, we’ll be back in a few.”

Elias once again nodded and smiled. When they walked out, he motioned to Olivia, Aaron, and Madison, encouraging them to sit down. He sat in a seat in front of them and set his briefcase down.

“This is just the first step. I will need him to come to my office tomorrow to go over the case. I cannot stress enough how imperative it is that he stay away from Jimmy. Andrew’s history of fighting is problematic but I am confident that I can get him off. Aside from this recent incident, I see he has kept out of trouble and his parole officer cites no problems with him. Unless Andrew is convicted, he has not broken parole but he will need to meet with his PO more regularly.” Elias watched as they all nodded in agreement. “I needed to make you aware that should there be a problem of any kind that there won’t be anything I can do to prevent him from going back to prison. I have already discussed this with him and he understands. He has also given me permission to talk with you three about his case. Do any of you have any questions?” he asked, leaning back in his seat and crossing his legs.

“Mr. Bennett, we are deeply grateful for you coming to Andrew’s aide. He is a good man who has been dealt a bad hand in life but you won’t hear him complain. My wife and I have some money put aside that we could tap into for his defense or to help with bail,” Aaron said, gently running his fingers over his wife’s hand which was resting nervously on his lap. “That is an awful lot to take on. We can help.”

“I have already informed my partners that I have taken this case pro bono. I bring a lot of money into the firm so they know not to question my judgment. Money is not an issue you need to worry about,” Elias said with a smile. “And don’t worry about the bail, we will get it back. I am confident that Andrew won’t skip town.”

“Oh no, he would never do that, especially knowing how you helped him,” Olivia responded passionately.

Aaron nodded in agreement and reached out to shake Elias’s hand. He had never met Elias prior to yesterday and had just met Liam before court began today. He had always thought that they carried themselves with dignity in spite of the adversity they endured. He knew how cruel people had been and he had heard rumors that something bad had happened in Texas which made them move here. He never understood how people could hate someone else without ever having spoken to them before. But if anything, after visiting with them and seeing their generosity and kindness first hand, it confirmed his belief that the two of them were indeed good people.

They sat and talked about Andrew’s case while Madison nervously bounced her leg, constantly looking at the door waiting for Liam to return. When he finally walked through the door, Madison jumped out of her seat as if she were on a spring. When he approached the four of them, Madison noticed how Liam and Elias responded to each other. They made small gestures to one another, little smiles or knowing looks but they didn’t outwardly show affection. She found that odd. She had known and seen a lot of gay couples in New York that held hands and kissed in public. She wondered why the Bennett’s didn’t act in this manner as well. Yet, as Madison watched Jayden’s parents it was clear to her that they loved each other immensely even though they didn’t make it known to everyone in the room that they were a couple. She longed to have that kind of love, something that would last a lifetime. 

Meanwhile, Andrew waited and waited. He couldn’t believe he was actually getting out, albeit temporarily, he was still getting out. There were no clocks in the holding cell so he had no clue how long it had been but it felt like hours, days even. When the guard finally opened the cell and told him it was time to go, he shot up from his cot as if it were on fire. The guard took him to the front and started giving him his belongings and the minute he stepped into the waiting area Madison ran to him, leaping into his arms. He held her close, savoring the feel of her arms around him, her body close to his. Before they realized what was happening, they were engaged in a searing kiss that made those around them look away.

“I missed you,” Madison stated softly.

“I’m sorry for everything, Madison. I’m so sorry,” he said, desperate for her to believe him.

“It’s okay,” she replied, resting her head in the crook of his neck.

After a few moments, Andrew glanced up and realized that there were other people in the room. He saw his attorney standing next to another man who smiled and nodded at him. He then saw Jayden and Callie and then turned to see his aunt and uncle. When his eyes locked on his aunt’s face, Andrew was again filled with remorse. He took Madison’s hand and walked over to her, looking down, ashamed at what had happened.

“I’m sorry, Auntie. I know you must be disappointed seeing me come out of a jail cell again.”

Olivia immediately wrapped her arms around him. “You could never disappoint me, Andrew. I was only scared for you,” she whispered to him. “I was more afraid that I had failed you once again,” she said with a trembling voice.

Andrew took a deep breath and looked at her, shaking his head. He had no words. She kissed him on the cheek and turned to her husband. Aaron smiled at her and then Andrew.

“It’s good to see you, Son,” Aaron said without thinking as he gave him a fatherly hug and, for once, Andrew didn’t question it. They were his family and they cared about him.

Andrew turned to his new found friends and hugged them both tightly. Jayden had gone above and beyond for someone he barely knew and Andrew knew that there was no way he would ever be able to repay him for his kindness.

“Thank you,” Andrew said sincerely.

“You're welcome, man. Hey, these are my dads. Umm, you already know this one,” he said nudging Elias who was trying his hardest not to laugh at his son, “but this is my other dad, Liam.”

Andrew smiled at him and shook Liam’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine, Andrew. Glad we could help.”

Everyone huddled around each other for a few more minutes as they discussed the next steps. Andrew was going back to his aunt’s house to get his bike and then he had to go meet with his probation officer. Meanwhile, Madison would go back to her Grans and take care of her until Andrew came by. As much as Madison wanted to spend every moment with him, she knew that was not feasible. They both had responsibilities. She could wait, she hoped.

Andrew sat on his motorcycle outside his PO's office building. Jamal was neither nice nor mean, he was just frightening. He stood 6 ft. tall but was all bulk and muscle. He had been a guard at County for over 20 years but had been injured in a riot the week before Andrew arrived there and wasn't able to return to his post. He then became a parole officer in LA County. Much to his dismay, a few years back he was asked to help out in Kern County a few days a week and the rest of the time he was back in Los Angeles. Jamal had made it known that he hated the Valley, yet he still came twice a week. The thing about Jamal, though, was that he still carried himself like all the other guards at county, with an air of intimidation and impending force. Andrew certainly did not want to walk in that office and face his possible anger.

Andrew took a deep breath and quickly turned his bike off. The sooner he saw him, the sooner he would be able to see Madison. He started walking towards the building. He stepped into the familiar reception area and sat down, waiting for Jamal to come out. His nerves were unsettled, unsure what would happen next. Andrew brought his hand to his hair and leaned back against the wall, trying to steady himself. He heard movement and looked up to see Jamal’s scowling face. 

“Harrison,” Jamal said coolly.

Andrew stood up and immediately started walking back into the office. He sat in his normal seat and watched as Jamal walked around his desk and sat down. Jamal fixed a glare at Andrew who felt immediately nervous. Jamal flipped through Andrew’s file and picked up a sheet of paper from it before glaring across his desk.

“So, here I am, all ready to send your ass back to county.” He waved the paper that would revoke Andrew’s parole. “When along comes some well-dressed attorney that I know I have seen on fucking TV, telling me that he is representing you.”

Andrew’s lipped quirked into a slight grin, all on its own.

“So how the fuck do you have the means to afford an attorney, Harrison? Let alone a high profile one like Bennett?”

“He’s my friend’s dad,” Andrew replied with a genuine smile, knowing that for the first time he really did have a friend.

“Since when do you have friends?”

Andrew frowned. “Look Jamal, I’m sorry, man. I didn’t start this. Jimmy did. I was ...”

“I don’t care, Harrison. If the district attorney wasn’t scared shitless of Bennett you would already be behind bars,” he said annoyed, “and now I have to see your ass more. Do you really think I want to come back to Bakersfield more than twice a week?”

Andrew shrugged but before he could say anything Jamal started speaking again.

“I don’t, Harrison, so this is what’s going to happen. You’re going to meet me here on Monday at our normal time, and then I will come up here on Wednesday before I head to Tehachapi and then you will meet me in my LA office on Friday.”

Andrew could hear the annoyance in his tone and nodded quickly. He was not looking forward to going into Los Angeles. Far too many bad memories but unfortunately he didn’t see any choice in the matter. He was not questioning Jamal. He already looked pissed off.

“I swear to you, Harrison. You do anything else and I will personally drop your ass off at county and that fucking attorney of yours won’t get you out for a damn decade. You hear me?”

Andrew swallowed hard and nodded at the man who could easily send him back to prison. Jamal handed him a sheet of paper and, as Andrew glanced down at it, he saw that it had an address and time on it.

“Now get the hell out of here,” Jamal said angrily as he motioned with his hands for Andrew to leave.

Andrew quickly exited the office, sticking the paper Jamal had given him into his jeans pocket. That had gone better than he had anticipated. The more he thought about things, the more hopeful he became. Elias Bennett seemed to be a formidable man that people generally feared. Andrew was still amazed at the fact that he had taken on Andrew’s case in the first place. Andrew threw his leg over his bike and started it quickly, smiling at the fact that he could now go see Madison.

Madison had been impatiently waiting for Andrew. She had already cooked for her Grans and had cleaned the sparse trailer twice. She was restless, anxious to be alone with him, desperate to kiss him. She heard the distinct sound of his Harley approaching and sprung to her feet, snatching her money and ID off of the dresser. She pulled open her top drawer and took a deep breath, snatching a condom as well. Just in case!

“Hello Mrs. Downing. My name is Andrew. Is Madison available?” Andrew asked politely to the older woman in front of him.

“Come in, Andrew,” Grandma Downing said, looking at the man before her. “You can call me Grandma though, that is who I am.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied with a smile.

She had only seen him from a distance but she knew his aunt and uncle. They were good people and she had little doubt in her mind that if Andrew was staying with them then he must be a decent human being as well. Olivia Montgomery would not allow riffraff to live with her.

Madison smiled when she walked into the living room, seeing Andrew before her. She wanted to run up and kiss him but she held on to what little restraint she possessed to carry herself in a good way in her grandmother’s presence. Andrew looked at her and smiled as she approached him, taking her hand in his.

“Grans, I won’t be gone long,” Madison finally said after pulling her eyes away from Andrew.

“Alright Maddie, be careful,” she said to her granddaughter before eyeing Andrew. “You bring my granddaughter back in one piece, you hear me, Andrew.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Andrew said again, smiling widely.

Madison grinned at her and then kissed her on the cheek. “Love you, Grans,” she said before walking out the door.

“You’re really close to your grandmother, aren’t you?”

“Yes. What about you? Are you close to your grandparents?”

Andrew frowned. “I don’t remember them very well. We... moved a lot when I was younger. The last time I saw my grandma was when I was 5 or maybe 6. I don’t know. I was young.”

Andrew got on the bike and motioned for Madison to get on behind him. He didn’t really want to talk about his family. He knew at some point he would need to but he didn’t want it to be today. Madison smiled at him, noting a hint of sadness before swinging her leg over the seat. She immediately wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Do you see that peg there? There’s one on each side. They're for your feet.”

Madison looked down and saw what he was referring to, immediately lifting her feet on them.

“Just move when I move, Madison. I won’t go too fast but I thought we could ride for a bit, if that’s okay.”

“Of course, whatever you want to do,” Madison said wistfully.

Andrew smiled at the innuendo. “Hold on tight.”

Madison did just that. Her arms were wrapped around his waist just like she imagined the day they met. Andrew drove them out onto State Route 178, through Kern River Canyon, until he reached an isolated area just off the main road. It was a sparsely populated spot that Andrew liked to go to and sketch. He had actually sketched every part of this particular area, enjoying the colors present. He pulled his Harley into a secluded section near a tree and parked.

“Wow, this is really pretty,” Madison said, looking out across the canyon.

Madison got off the bike and walked a few steps away, admiring the view. The rich colors were beginning to fade in the summer sun but it was still breathtaking. Andrew smiled as he watched her walk a little bit away from the bike.

“I like coming here. It’s really peaceful with very little traffic.”

He leaned against his bike as he continued to watch her. She stopped walking and turned around so that she could look at him. She offered him a sly little smile before walking back to him and wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I’m sorry you had to see me like that when we were at the lake. I shouldn’t have..." He closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Andrew, what’s done is done.”

He was hesitant, his brows furrowed as he looked at the ground in deep thought. Madison observed him, wondering what he could possibly be thinking that would cause the expression he currently wore.

“Were you scared of me?” he finally asked as he looked up at her.

Madison frowned. “Yes, a little bit.”

Andrew took a deep breath and looked into the sun, the lines on his forehead bunched together. He was angry at himself for allowing his temper to escape. How could he expect people, especially someone he cared about, to see him differently if he still behaved in the same manner as before?

“But it was only for a moment. I was more afraid that you were going to be sent back to prison, Helios,” Madison said, watching as a small smile crept across his face.

“Why do you call me that?” he asked, smirking at her as he pulled a wild hair out of her face.

“Because you’re like the sun, bright and beautiful, I can’t look at you for too long without feeling as if I am going to burst into flames, yet I can’t turn away either.”

He breathed in deeply. That was not what he had expected her to say. He had expected to hear some silly answer, like all her other nicknames, but not something from the heart like that. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

“I know Helios rode in a chariot drawn by horses on fire so I tried to envision your motorcycle as your modern day horse and well...”

“Well what?”

“Well, then I got this visual of Ghost Rider so, I don’t know. I might have to rethink that.”

Andrew laughed heartedly. “Well, Nicolas Cage is pretty bad ass.”

He pulled her close to him and then turned her around so she could see the scene before her. His arms were tight around her waist and Madison felt desire ignite within her. Her breath became more shallow and she was certain her heart was about to beat out of her chest. After a few moments, his voice floated into the air.

“I have sketched this area so many times. I really like it,” he said resting his chin on the top of her head. “The colors, the way the wind moves the leaves, it feels... calm.”

Madison smiled as she tried to focus on his description and not the feel of his body so close to hers.

“You draw?” she finally choked out.

“Yes. I have for a long time now.”

“I would love to see what you’ve done. I mean, only if you want to,” Madison started back peddling a bit, not sure how comfortable he was about sharing his artwork.

“I’ll show you sometime.” He held her even tighter.

They stayed where they were for a long time, enjoying the serenity of the moment and the fact that they were able to be so close together. The normalcy of the situation was appealing. When Andrew suggested they go back, Madison was immensely sad and forlorn. Andrew had hesitantly released his hold on her, knowing they had been gone a while already. With deep trepidation, he threw his leg over the bike as she slid in behind him. For Madison, it felt as if this was all ending too soon. She wanted more, more time with him, more closeness, more everything. With a deep breath, she rested her forehead against his back and moved her fingers underneath the hem of his shirt.

“Helios, don’t leave yet,” she whispered huskily.

His skin was on fire and hearing her raspy voice, a voice filled with desire, made him stir uncomfortably in his jeans but he turned off the bike, not sure where she was going with this. Madison ran her fingers along his tight abdominal muscles, which were flexing underneath her touch. She allowed her fingers to slip underneath the waistband of his jeans, grazing the soft hair that was there as she heard his breath hitch. Emboldened, she unbuttoned his jeans and slipped her hand inside his boxers.

“Madison,” he whimpered in protest.

“It’s okay, Helios,” she whispered reassuringly. “Take your shirt off.”

Andrew did what she asked, quickly pulling his shirt up and over his head and laying it on his handlebars. He started to get up, to face her, but she stopped him. Madison took a deep breath, trying to steady her mounting need as she scooted closer to him. She threw her legs over his thighs, pulling his legs a little further apart. Andrew was breathing heavily as he looked down, seeing her small hands working over him. He could feel his release at the precipice. It had been so long since he had been with someone he didn’t think he could prevent it from happening.

“Oh God! Madison, you need to stop,” Andrew stuttered through raspy breaths.

“It’s alright,” she whispered as she kissed him lightly on his back. “Let go.”

Madison really wanted him but had figured, based on what she knew about him already, that it had been a long time since he had been with anyone. She thought she better let him get off first and then just pray to all the gods of the universe that he would have a quick rebound time. Andrew was truly magnificent. Her own body was aching with want and desire. As his breath became more erratic, she increased her ministrations. The sound of his whimpering made it increasingly difficult for her to control her own craving for him.

“Madison...” he mumbled as he gripped the handlebars tightly.

Her own breath was now labored as she continued to touch him, not stopping until his breathing had finally settled. Madison then rested her forehead against his back, trying to steady her racing heart as she laid soft and gentle kisses wherever her mouth could reach. She was lost in the feel of him until she heard something rip and then felt a cloth on her hands. He had apparently ripped the bottom of his shirt and was cleaning off her hands as well as himself. He stepped off of his bike and turned so they would be face to face.