Second chances a reaper.., p.16
SECOND CHANCES: A REAPER Security Novel - RCAC, page 16
“How do you know about that?” She said eyeing him.
“I know more than you think. I’m not just some hick detective.” Clay was doing a great job of baiting her. Her temper was rising which would result in mistakes. He heard Gaspar’s voice in his ear.
Careful big boy…if I take your dead body home to my sister she’s going to kill me.
“No, no you’re not are you. I underestimated you Detective. You’ve stuck your nose into my business and I don’t like that. You were hired for one simple purpose, to make sure those labs in the middle of that fucking nowhere state, continued to produce my drugs. Now you can’t do that. I believe you’ve outlived your usefulness.” She lifted her hand to drag it through her hair.
In the house, Baptiste emerged from the room, the guards back to him making it easy to take him down with one bullet. Outside, Trak stood on the branch where he had been sitting quietly, just above the second guards head and dropped behind the gunman, running his knife quietly over his throat, his body slumping to the grass, the blood gurgling from his throat.
Colonel Bailey ran her fingers through her hair smiling, but nothing happened. She did it again and Clay smiled at her.
“Something wrong Colonel?” he asked with a grin.
“Now!” she screamed. “What the fuck is going on here? Never mind, I’ll handle this myself. She pulled her weapon and fired before anyone could shoot. She was positioned in just the right place behind the Rover to make her hard enough to see. The bullet hit Clay in the abdomen. He dropped to the gravel, but not before seeing her drop with a bullet to her leg.
“Don’t fucking move bitch,” said Nine standing over the woman. He grabbed her weapon and patted her for more, kicking at her feet. He zip tied her hands behind her back and pulled her to her feet, blood dripping from the wound on her leg. She groaned, but didn’t budge.
“Who are you? Who the fuck are you? Do you know who I am? I am a colonel in the United States Marine Corp! You are all dead! Dead do you hear me?” Her face was turning purple with rage, her short, close-cropped brown hair with a sprinkling of gray was matted to her head.
“You are a traitor and a murderer, that’s who you are. You are Elena Davidoff, formerly of Russia. You have killed American troops intentionally.” Her eyes grew wide and fear filled her face. She scooted back against her car, staring at her attackers.
“At least give me the honor of knowing your name,” she said smiling.
“My name is Vengeance and I’ve come for you,” said a voice behind her. She moved further back, twisting and turning in her cuffs, staring at Alec. Mac stood beside him, his face a mask of anger and hate. She recognized these faces…they were the faces of long dead men. How could this be?
“No! No this can’t be…you’re dead…Yevgeny…no!”
“I’m not dead, but you will be very shortly. And my friend here is going to help.” He pointed to Mac and the woman looked at him.
“You? The stupid fuck who confiscated my truck and its contents. How? How are you both still alive? I was told you had died in that fucking prison!”
“Because you’re sloppy bitch, but what you’ll find out is that we’re not. You attempted to kill us and you’ll pay for that, but more than anything, you’ll pay for the lives of the American service members you took and those innocent girls in that schoolhouse.” She smiled an evil grin and laughed at them, sending chills down their spines.
“You won’t get there in time you know…none of you…you won’t be able to save all the bleeding hearts. The building full of hypocrites who talk of demolishing weapons, but are the first to cry for our help when they need it. My mother needed them…she was stuck in a war torn region trying to save her family, but even my father couldn’t help her. She was left to die. And now so will they.”
“You know Jenny old girl, you’re really starting to annoy the fuck out of me,” said Gaspar. “Do you mean these people? In this building?” He lifted the tablet showing the UN building and she stepped back again, stumbling on her bleeding leg.
“That’s right, we figured it all out and our friends with Homeland found your little dirty bomb and have it in their possession. You were also caught on video at the subway entrance beneath the building, and speaking to this man…your friend from Yemen I assume? Yes, he’s been taken as well. You’ve done nothing except annoy us today.”
“I’ve done more than that. I know your kind, you don’t like to lose anything and I shot your man. He won’t survive that bullet, he’ll bleed out before help gets here.”
Clay walked toward the woman, Wilson at his side, gripping his shoulder, both men smiling as he pulled his shirt over his head. A fine mesh vest covered his torso, black metal strips lining his rib cage, fitting tightly to his body.
“Fucking thing worked,” he said smiling. “Seriously dude, kiss your wife for me.” Luc smiled at him and they all nodded, glad that they wouldn’t have to tell Adele that her husband was dead.
“Who are you people?” she asked once more, wide-eyed, now more uncertain of herself.
“Doesn’t matter…but you will never hurt another service member again,” said Alec grabbing her shoulder. She tried to kick out at him, her own self-defense courses taking effect. But Alec’s size, strength, and height advantage stopped her cold. Dragging the woman to the barn, Baptiste and Mac followed.
The team would wait for them, they didn’t need to observe what they would deal out to her. They deserved to have this bit of revenge for what she had done to them. They heard nothing at first, and then screams of agony filled the early morning air.
“Good thing we’re far from neighbors,” said Bull walking toward them.
“The other two guards?” asked Nine.
“Taking a permanent nap,” said Miller. “They didn’t want to play nice.” He nodded and grinned at his friends and another shrieking scream sounded. The men’s faces were somber. They didn’t like hearing someone tortured and killed, but damn if this woman didn’t deserve it. Twenty minutes later, they had still not emerged from the barn. Nine tapped the comms and spoke to them.
Can you finish it up boys…I’d like to get home to my wife
Five minutes later the three men emerged from the barn, their faces no longer filled with rage, but now filled with exhaustion, relief, and perhaps even a bit of regret. Killing is not something you want to do and despite her vicious acts, she was still a member of the U.S. military. But Colonel Jeanette Bailey, gave up all respect and rights the day she started killing troops.
Nine called the Senator.
“It’s done.”
“I’ll make a call or two.” The senator hung up the phone and moving to another room of his house, picked up a burner phone and made an anonymous call to a tip line in D.C. Within thirty minutes, the horse farm was swarming with Richmond PD, FBI, and Sheriff’s department employees.
The men of REAPER were long gone, already at thirty thousand feet, headed home to be with their families. They didn’t talk, they didn’t joke, they didn’t say or do anything. Mac and Alec slept the entire way, as if they hadn’t slept in a hundred years.
Gaspar smiled at his brother’s sleeping face, remembering the last time he had seen him in college. His baby face seemed so small then, so meek. Now his baby brother was six inches taller than him and a good eighty pounds heavier. He had been tortured and abused because of the colonel, and survived.
Mac had suffered the same fate, but thanks to Miller, had returned home, broken and in pain, but home. He had worked through his issues and now was the devoted husband Rachelle desperately needed and she was the grounding that he needed.
All in all, this was a good day’s work and it was because it was a team that did it. Every man, and woman, had been a valuable and integral part of this. And now they were going home.
The wives waited anxiously for the men to return and when Clay stepped off the jet, he spotted Montana and moved toward her holding out the new vest.
“It worked! The son-of-a-bitch worked! She shot me in the mid-section and I barely felt anything.” He hugged Montana and watched as Adele smiled at the woman.
“I’m so glad Clay,” she let out a long breath. “I’m very relieved that it worked, but maybe next time, don’t take the testing of new things quite so seriously.”
“Alright everyone. We’re going to have three days of R&R here and then we’re off to Santos’ private island. Get your asses home and relax. Great job everyone.” Cheers filled the grove and everyone congratulated one another.
Lissa said nothing to Alec, knowing that what occurred would be burned into his memory for a very long time. Instead she held his hand, linking her fingers with his. She smiled up at him and pulled herself toward his lips. Kissing him gently, he pulled her beneath his arm.
“Welcome home Alec.”
Chapter FORTY
Questions were asked, and inquiries were made, but the deaths of Detective Chuck Tyson and Colonel Jeanette Bailey were seen as acts of vengeance for their work against the war on drugs. Right. But no one said anything differently. Rose didn’t have nightmares from killing Chuck, but she still would jump at sudden sounds, movements, or people she didn’t know approaching her.
The private island had been everything they had hoped. Beautiful beach huts situated along piers, private beach dining, long hikes through rain forests, and scuba diving. They spent time together and time apart.
Days were filled with sunning on the beach, naps in their huts, and lazy dinners whenever they were hungry. Santos provided four private chefs for their use on the island and they used them every day.
Lissa and Alec were married at sunset on their last full day on the island and everyone was thrilled for the two of them. Her boot had come off and she was still a little unsteady but she at least was able to move the foot and exercise the muscles somewhat. Alec was still agreeing to be her dance partner, although he refused to wear tights.
Rose was now painfully close to her due date and Baptiste hated to be more than five minutes from her at any point in the day. She was working with REAPER on the business end, writing contracts and reviewing needs of the business, putting her MBA to work. She was also working where needed with the cyber team to help with forensic accounting needs.
As promised, the team met about making a change in their location.
“So we’ve all remarked that going back and forth from New Orleans to Virginia has been a challenge and we’re struggling with just keeping up with meetings and communication. I think we know that it’s easier for us to be in one place.” Gaspar started the conversation and then turned it over to Nine.
“I promised all of you when I started REAPER that this would be our chance to plant some roots and stay in one location for longer than a hot minute, and I meant that. But I’m starting to feel like our quality of life is suffering because of our need to travel between the two locations.” He looked around the room, but no one gave any indication of agreement or denial.
“I want to do what’s right by all of you. The sad truth is, we’re out of space in Virginia. The property is built out as far as we can do it. I’d like to propose that the cyber team remain in Virginia and expand to include more men and women. We need additional hackers, program writers, coders, and electronic security experts. Our current homes can either be sold to the cyber team guys or be kept for use when we have to be in D.C. There’s plenty of land here and Matthew had offered more to us. With a third of the team being Robicheaux’s, well, it kind of makes sense to be here.” He said smiling.
“I’m cool with wherever you want me brother,” said Tailor. “Lena loves being here and she’s been working with Gray on the new clinic.”
“I agree,” said Wilson. “Home is where my family is and you’re all my family.” Nine and Gaspar smiled, nodding at the big blonde man.
“Well, I never thought I’d come back here,” said Miller, “but Kari sure is loving being with all the wives and honestly, I think the kids need it too.”
“I would agree,” said Trak. “Lauren loves her time here and the kids cry when we leave every damn time.”
“Alright then, those in favor of moving our entire operation to New Orleans say ‘aye’.”
“Aye.” The chorus of voices was heard throughout the room.
“Those opposed?” Not a pin drop could be heard. “Unanimous. Fucking hell I’m glad that’s done,” he said laughing.
“Alright everyone,” said Gaspar, “most of you have a set cottage that you stay in when you’re here. If that’s the one you want, it’s yours. We have four brand new ones built on the west side of the property that you can view as well. They can be modified to your needs, or in Trak’s case, more bedrooms added.”
The big man looked at him with a dark glare, but his lip curled into a small grin.
“I hardly think we can call these cottages Gaspar,” said Code. “The one we stay in is nearly twenty-four-hundred square feet.”
“Well, by pops standards, that’s a cottage,” he said laughing.
“Speaking of which, not that it matters man, but what will be the cost of the cottages for the team members?” asked Angel.
“That’s just it Angel,” said Gaspar, “mama and pops are giving them to REAPER. They so desperately want us all here, all of you, they are willing to build all the cottages for us. They said it will ensure that there are families here forever. “
“Damn brother, there’s no way I can take that,” said Angel.
“Not your choice son,” said Matthew’s booming voice from the doorway. “Hello everyone. Nine, Gaspar, sorry to barge in but I knew you were speaking about this today. Irene and I consider it a blessing that we have all you boys here with your families. We have been graced with a great heritage and thanks to oil and gas prices, a pretty nice bank account. This is our gift for all of you.”
“Matthew,” said Nine shaking his head, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. I’m going to tell you boys a story that no one knows.” The Robicheaux brothers all looked at one another shrugging their shoulders. “Did you boys know that I served in the Marines?”
The shocked looked on their faces confirmed that none of them had been aware of their father’s service.
“That’s right. Not even your mother knew. I joined right out of high school and did well. I was a sniper and explosives expert. I was pegged for a special mission once too. Behind enemy lines in Vietnam. Some of the worst fighting ever. Because I was from here, they assumed I knew how to make my way through a jungle. It wasn’t the same believe me. I’ve seen horrible things,” he said looking at Baptiste and then the others. “I’ve seen horrible things done to others.” He looked at Alec and then Trak, taking in their strong faces.
“But I did my job and got out. I’ve lived with my secrets and my memories since then, so I know what you boys have been through and I know what you need to feel at home. This is my gift to all of you and I have the money to do it. No arguments.”
Gaspar walked toward his father and pulled him into a strong hug.
“Thank you pops,” he said.
“Why didn’t you tell us pops?” asked Miller.
“Some things you do in life, you don’t want your children to know about.” He nodded at the group and started toward the door. “Oh, Irene says dinner is in fifteen minutes. Don’t be late,” he said with a wink.
The team all chuckled and Nine adjourned the meeting. Luke came rushing through the door, red-faced and out of breath.
“Uncle Baptiste! You have to come now! Aunt Rose is in labor!”
“Oh shit!” Baptiste jumped two rows of chairs, with Alec and Wilson following closely on his heels. By the time they got to his cottage he could hear her screams. He stopped shy of the door and turned to see all the men staring at him.
“Go in you idiot! Your wife needs you,” said Rafe.
He nodded and opened the door to his wife’s screams. Erin, Lissa, and Lauren were busying themselves in the kitchen. He nodded and raced past them on the way to the bedroom.
“Baby, I’m here, it’s okay I’m here.” He hopped on the bed beside her, pulling her close.
“Oh God, Baptiste I can’t do this…I can’t…” she cried, her face sweating.
“She’s coming along Baptiste,” said Gray. “This was fast. Her water broke and her contractions immediately went to two minutes apart. She’s fully dilated.”
“Oh man…what do I do?” he asked.
“Just hold her hand, be there for her.” He nodded at Gray and leaned Rose forward. He sat behind her leaning against the headboard, his big legs straddling her body. When the next contraction hit, she squeezed his hand so hard he thought she had broken it.
“You’re doing great Rose, I can see the top of the head…one more big push…come on now…push!” Gray yelled at her.
“We’ve got a head full of dark hair,” she said smiling. “One more Rose…come on now…one more.”
Rose pushed with all her might, but she was seriously starting to not like this baby very much. With one final push, she heard Gray’s cries.
“It’s a girl…it’s a girl Rose. Baptiste? You have a daughter.” Gray smiled at him handing the baby to the big man.
“A girl…we have a daughter,” he said smiling down at the small bundle of dark hair.
“I knew it,” said Rose looking up at him with an exhausted smile.
“We can try for a boy next time,” he said smiling down at her.
“You do not want to fuck with me right now Baptiste,” said Rose. The use of profanity was so rare for her, Baptiste nearly fell off the bed. But the little bundle in his arms made him weep with joy.
“I have a daughter…oh hell…I have a daughter,” he said. This was karma, this was payback for all the women he had fucked around with. That’s what this was…punishment. Well, she was going to be locked in the house for the next thirty years. Simple as that.
“Any names guys?” asked Gray as she finished up on Rose.
“Elizabeth Irene, after both her grandmothers.” Baptiste smiled down at her. “I’m gonna go show her to everyone okay baby?” Rose nodded as they stepped out of the room.
