by Margaret Kay
“Treat it better than you treat yours,” he said with a laugh. “Seriously, you know you can, but I think you will really like Brielle. And they live right across the street. You’ll probably see a lot of her while you’re living with me.”
Annaka’s smile widened on her face. “So, I’m living with you now? Not just staying with you?” She whispered.
Mother returned her flirty smile. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Semantics. Living with me, staying with me, it’s all the same.”
“I’m not sure if it is, but I appreciate the thought.”
“Really. I want you to feel at home there. And if you need any help until your insurance check comes, just let me know.”
“I’ll be fine, thanks.”
“I text messaged Brielle,” Sherman spoke when their whispering ended. “She has no plans and is excited to meet you and go shopping with you.”
Mother knew the other women could be counted on to help make her feel welcome. He especially wanted Annaka to get to know Brielle and Kaylee because they lived so close or would be in a few weeks after Kaylee and Sloan closed on their new place a block away from his and Sherman’s homes. He wasn’t sure when they would head out on the next mission, though he suspected it would be next week. He needed to be sure that she was settled and had everything she needed before he left.
Annaka paid attention to road signs as they drove, which exit they took, the stores and restaurants in the area. The two SUVs turned into a parking garage beside a tall building. They went deep into the subbasement level of the garage, through several security gates and garage doors. They parked in a private parking area that was well lit. About a dozen other vehicles were parked there.
She stood back and watched the others unpack the back of both SUVs. Some bags were carried to cars, some brought through the door beside the elevator. Everyone grabbed multiple bags with not much discussion. They had a process, and everyone knew what to do. Danny handed her backpack and laptop bag to her. He pointed to a silver pickup truck. “That’s mine. It’s unlocked. Take what you need to go shopping, but you can leave rest of your stuff in the truck.”
“Nice ride,” she said. “I like the stars and stripes on the lettering.” The F and the dash had blue and white stars, the 150 had red and white stripes. This reminded her that he was a United States Marine. He was proud and patriotic.
“Thanks,” Mother said. He ushered her through the door. He could hear the others in the Team Room, stowing their gear. She didn’t need to see that room. Sloan was stowing his bags in his locker for him. He led her to the elevator. “This is a secure building. Stay with me or Brielle at all times, okay?”
“Sure,” she agreed.
They stepped off on the fifth floor. Danny motioned her to the hall to her left. It didn’t look any different from any other office building except it was quiet. There was no one in the hall. They passed a conference room. The lights were not on. There were several closed doors, and then they came to a kitchen. The lights were on, but no one was within. As they stepped further down the hall, she heard quiet talking and laughing, two female voices. In a small open area office to the left were two women, the source of the conversation and laughter.
“Good, you’re back. You must be Annaka. I’m Brielle.” She offered her hand.
Annaka noticed that she had the same southern accent that Sherman did. She shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Hi, I’m Angel,” she greeted with a smile.
“It’s nice to meet you too,” Annaka said, taking her proffered hand.
“I want to see Brian before we head out,” Brielle said.
“He’ll be up in a few,” Mother replied. “They’re just stowing the gear.”
“I wish I could go shopping with you,” Angel said.
“Where’s Sammy? Taking his nap already? It’s a little early, isn’t it?” Mother asked.
Annaka was surprised by Danny. He obviously had a close relationship with both these women. No, she didn’t feel jealous. But she thought back to what Danny had said at Christmas about feeling lonely. She wasn’t sure how he could have been. He clearly had good friends, including these two.
“No, he’s not sleeping. Elizabeth is in. She has the kids down in the gym, running off some energy,” Angel said.
“You’re starting to show,” Mother said, nodding to Angel’s belly. “Is the morning sickness calming down?”
“Yes, finally. I never felt this sick with Sammy.”
“And how are you feeling, Brielle?” Mother asked her as well.
“Good. I’ve only felt a little nauseous a few times, but the fatigue has been bad. I can’t stay awake past twenty-one hundred these days.”
“Oh, if you’re struggling with having enough energy, please don’t feel obligated to take me shopping,” Annaka said.
“Are you kidding? I’m looking forward to it,” Brielle said dismissively.
Annaka saw Brielle’s face light up. She followed her gaze down the hall and saw that Sherman approached. Annaka watched him swallow her up in a hug while pressing a kiss to her lips. “Momma, I am so glad to be home to you.”
“I missed you,” she whispered.
“I missed you too,” he replied just as softly.
“So, you’re going to drop Annaka off at my place after your shopping trip, get her inside, and show her the place, right Brielle?”
“Yes, I sure will. Don’t worry, Danny.”
“Make yourself at home. I’ll text you when I’m on my way,” Mother said. “Have fun shopping.” He pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
“Do you have any food at your place? I need to swing through the grocery and pick a few things up,” Brielle said.
Mother smiled. Brielle knew him well. Then his gaze shifted to Annaka. “Can you maybe pick up something for us for dinner tonight? I don’t have a lot of food at the house, no fresh vegetables or fruit.”
“Sure,” she confirmed.
“It was nice to meet you, Annaka,” Angel said. “We’ll have to get together soon, lunch or something.” She turned to Mother. “Danny, make sure you give her my number.” Then her gaze shifted back to Annaka. “Call me if you need anything.”
Annaka smiled. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” Brielle had already taken a step down the hall. “I’ll see you later,” she said to Danny. Then she followed Brielle.
Mother and Sherman followed a few steps behind.
As they neared the elevator, the other members of the team came up the stairs. The office door in the corner was now open, and they all entered. The elevator chimed, and the doors opened. Madison and Cooper and a young woman were inside. Madison held a toddler, a girl with brown hair. Cooper held a boy a year or two younger than the little girl. He had a headful of black curly hair. They were both adorable. The other woman held an infant. They all stepped off and into the hall.
“Oh, hey,” Brielle greeted them. “Elizabeth, this is Danny’s friend, Annaka,” she introduced.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” the young woman greeted enthusiastically. She had a warm, genuine smile. “I’m one of the other wives and I work here too, just part time. I help Angel out at the reception desk and help with the kids.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you too,” Annaka replied. “Are they all yours?” She asked with a smile.
Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, heavens no, just Olivia,” she said leading Annaka’s eyes to the baby in her arms. “Sammy,” she said nodding to the little boy Cooper held, “is Angel and Jackson’s son.”
“And Hahna is ours,” Madison said.
Annaka smiled, completely shocked that Madison and Cooper were parents. The little girl turned to look at her. She had a darker complexion and with the darker hair, Annaka doubted that she was their biological daughter, not that it mattered. “Hello Hahna,” she said. Then she turned her attention back to the little boy. “And hello Sammy.”
“Hahna, Mommy and Daddy have to go back to work for a bit. You’re going to
stay with Aunt Elizabeth a bit longer.” Then she repeated it in Arabic.
“No nap,” Hahna said with a pouty lip.
Madison’s eyes went to Elizabeth. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be.”
“It’s okay,” Elizabeth said. Then she turned her attention to Hahna. “No nap, sweetie, but maybe some quiet time. We’ll see. Let’s go get that snack.” Madison and Cooper set both children to the floor. “Take Sammy’s hand Hahna and let’s go to the kitchen.”
“Thanks Elizabeth. I’ll let you know when we’re done,” Madison said. Then she and Cooper went into the same office the others had. Cooper closed the door. The two children took off running down the hallway with Elizabeth rushing to catch up.
Brielle and Annaka stepped onto the elevator and Brielle pressed subbasement two.
“The kids are cute. Are they always here at the office?”
“Often. I think Elizabeth just brought them in today so Hahna could see Madison as soon as you guys got back. This was the first trip Madison and Cooper went on since they adopted Hahna.” She paused and giggled. “I’m not sure who it was harder on, Hahna or Madison.”
“I didn’t even know they were parents. They didn’t say a word about her.”
“They wouldn’t,” Brielle said as the elevator door opened. Annaka followed her to her car. “They both are the definition of professional when they’re working. But I know Madison was really upset when Shepherd scrambled them for that mission. She wanted a little more time with Hahna before they had to go.”
“What language was Madison speaking?”
“Arabic,” Brielle confirmed. Then she opened her car door and got in.
Annaka followed. “Wow, Arabic,” she repeated. Her esteem for Madison grew.
Brielle laughed as she started the car. “Yes, she speaks like five languages.”
“Wow,” was all Annaka could say. She remained quiet as Brielle drove out of the parking garage, repeating the keypad and hand scan at several points. She steered the car onto the road but promptly pulled into the parking lot of a large mall.
Brielle put the car in park and flashed her a smile. “Are you ready to break the bank shopping? I feel bad for you, that all your possessions were lost, but just think of the opportunity to buy all new things. In a way, isn’t that kind of fun?”
Annaka couldn’t help but laugh. “It would be if I had my insurance check in hand. But I do have a nice open credit limit on my credit card.”
“Great, let’s have fun then! I do want to swing by the baby store. I can’t stay away from it,” she admitted.
“And the grocery store,” Annaka reminded her. “I want to surprise Danny and make something good for dinner. You lived at his house, what are a few of his favorite meals?”
Brielle laughed. “That man eats anything, and he was always very appreciative of anything I cooked.” She turned the car off and then faced Annaka. “Danny is a great guy. And from what I’ve heard, he cares about you deeply. You could put slop in front of him and he’d be happy.”
They got out of the car. Annaka pulled her scarf over her head. Out here in the breeze, it was just as cold as in Alaska. Maybe even colder. By the time they reached the door to the mall, Annaka was chilled. She decided sweaters and heavy clothes were a must. Thankfully, some winter items were already on clearance in many of the stores they went into.
The reality was she needed everything, and she didn’t want to break the bank, as Brielle had said, so she gave what she would purchase today a lot of thought. Basics, including underclothing, socks, a few pairs of pants, some sweaters, sweatshirts, and tops were what she most needed.
Brielle ran the first load of bags out to her car while Annaka tried on intimates in Victoria’s Secret. She wanted pretty underclothing unlike she ever had. She finished her purchase of bras, panties, and even a sexy negligee set before Brielle returned. She was smelling the perfume when Brielle entered. No, it wasn’t a necessity, but it would make her feel good.
The next stop was the baby store. Brielle showed her the two bedding sets she was in love with depending on the gender of the baby which could not be determined yet. It was still too early in the pregnancy. Annaka saw the smile and delight on Brielle’s face as she held them up.
“When are you due?”
“Not till the middle of July. I know I have a long way to go yet, but,” she paused, meeting Annaka’s gaze, “but Brian and I are just so excited. I didn’t think I wanted a baby this soon, but it just feels so right, you know what I mean?”
Annaka wasn’t sure she did. “I think that if a baby is wanted that it is always the right time. When are you and Sherman planning to be married? Not that you have to be married before the baby comes.”
Brielle shrugged. “I have a dress that will fit over my stomach and hips, no matter how big they get. So, whenever it works out, I’ll be ready. We’ll have a double ceremony with Kaylee and Gary. Besides the team and Brian’s brother Bobby, we don’t have anyone else we care to invite, but Kaylee and Gary both have family they want there so it will be a little more complicated to schedule.”
“I don’t understand,” Annaka said.
“Operationally, to have Shepherd Security pretty much shut down for a day is hard to schedule, I’m told. There is minimal notice when it happens and that might not work for Kaylee and Gary’s families. And they’re not local, so the weather this time of year will be a factor too,” Brielle explained. “But it’s okay. I don’t need a piece of paper to confirm that we’re a family. I used to be Catholic, but I’m not any longer so I don’t need the church’s blessing declaring we’re married. God knows that Brian, and I are committed to each other.”
This was the first time Annaka heard the name of the agency. Shepherd Security. “So, when do you think it may happen?”
Brielle shrugged again. “I don’t know. At some point I may just say let’s have Landon marry us with just whoever is around. I’m told that is what happened for Elizabeth and Doc. I don’t need a big ceremony, but I know Kaylee wants one.”
“You’ve said, I’m told, a few times. You work for the agency too, don’t you?”
“Yeah, for like two months.” She pinned Annaka with a stare. “I thought Brian or Danny told you?”
“Told me what?”
“I’ve only been here a few months. Brian and the team helped me. I was lucky to get a job with them when it was over, but I’d already decided to move here even without the job. I was in love with Brian.”
Annaka wasn’t quite sure she understood, but she asked nothing further. “Oh, okay. I guess I just assumed you’d been a part of the agency a lot longer.”
Brielle chuckled. “Yes, I became pregnant right away, fertile Myrtle I guess, but it’s not what you think.”
“Oh, I didn’t think anything,” Annaka assured her.
“Yes, you did,” Brielle corrected her with a smile. “Look. I love Brian. I didn’t think I wanted a baby at this point in my life, but being with Brian changed that. We’re not just getting married because I’m pregnant.”
Her last statement confused Annaka further, but she wasn’t going to ask any questions. And she certainly didn’t want to pry. “I don’t think two people have to justify their marital or parenting status to anyone, least of all me. Believe me, seeing the two of you together, no one would think you do not love each other. The way he looked at you in the hallway, and the way your whole face lit up when you saw him would convince anyone.” She paused and gave Brielle a warm smile. “Hey, it’s nearly lunchtime, how about I buy you lunch as a thank you for helping me today?”
“Lunch sounds great, thank you.”
In Shepherd’s office, the eight Operators settled into their chairs. Besides Shepherd, Garcia was there. Mother wasn’t surprised when they went over the DEA Partner Mission first. Not only had they prevented a lot of drugs from making it onto the streets, the DEA seized eighty-five thousand in cash, two dozen weapons, and when they were done, they turned the crime s
cene over to the Las Vegas Metro Police to also file charges for the chop shop that they were running.
“Enterprising, I’d say,” Mother remarked. “Running two illegal operations out of one location.”
Lambchop laughed. “Fiscal responsible use of real estate.”
“I wish I could have been there,” Garcia said.
“You can take my place next time,” Sherman offered.
The corners of Shepherd’s lips tipped into a grin. “That’s right, you’re fucking tired of getting shot.” The rest of the group laughed. Shepherd let them enjoy it for a few seconds. “We did good work on this one. The armory at Nellis Airforce Base didn’t even know a box of their HK416’s was missing until we reached out. They’re doing an internal investigation.”