Because of You: Covert OPS 1

by Kymber Jones

  “Of course you do. Only you would take what would be a two-year process, minimum, and fast track it to a few months.”

  “What can I say? I’m good.”

  “You’re something alright. I don’t know about good.”

  “Hey!” Chrys protested. “I resemble that!”

  “Yes, you do. Now, let’s go inside and get a drink for everyone. That way, we can get back to our rooms at a decent hour. Tomorrow we get ready to kick some ass; that’s been a long time coming.”

  “Oorah!” The group shouted altogether before exiting the vehicle and making their way inside JR’s.

  Chrys hung back a bit as she watched her brothers take everything in, not knowing what to say.

  “It’s a bit overwhelming, isn’t this?” She asked them.

  Vita reached out an arm for her as they all agreed with her statement.

  “It is, but in a good way,” Vita said, smiling at her. “We had been looking for you almost your entire life, and now we have you back. We are very thankful. It is just strange to think you have another family besides the one you were born into, but watching you with them, it is obvious they are your family - that you would do anything for each other, and we appreciate that. Our parents will appreciate that even more.”

  Chrys’s eyes lit up at the mention of their parents.

  “When do you think I might be able to meet them?” She wanted to know.

  “I would say in two days, but with everything going on with your job, I don’t know. We can, however, facetime them and get them to use the tablets for the time being since I bought those for them, and they never seem to want to use them.”

  “I would love that. Then as soon as this is done, we can all take that vacation everyone wants in Italy. I can have an honest excuse to abandon the guys when we get there and leave them to get into trouble on their own this time.”

  “It sounds as if you get into enough trouble on your own.”

  “I do not!” Chrys laughed. “Who told you I get into trouble? It was that louse, wasn’t it? I’ll teach him not to rat on me.” She mumbled. “You rat! You’re dead, you rat!”

  This time all the men looked back at Chrys and visibly gulped. Without hearing her give a name in her threats, they knew them being directed at any one of them was a bad sign. They just hoped they could figure out who the threat was referred to, or at least appease her enough to make her forget she was upset in the first place.

  “You know you love us, Brat,” Sven told her as everyone made their way to JR’s bar.

  “I don’t know why. You’re all Assholes.” Chrys grumbled.

  “Sure, but you’re a bigger Bitch.”

  Chrys shrugged. “That’s true,” she grinned. “Now, who’s going to order the drinks?”

  “You. I’m going to go and grab that last table before someone else has the chance to snatch it from us. Everyone else can go choose their songs to sing. The minimum number of songs is two each, so make them good. And the only person who’s allowed to do any sappy shit is Chrys.” Sven paused for a couple of seconds before adding, “And maybe her brothers. They can do a sappy song one time. If they fuck it up, their sorry asses are banned from them too.”

  Vita looked at Sven and shook his head. “Thank you, but no. I do not do karaoke. That is something Ben and Nico like to partake in when they go out with their friends, but I find it to be too juvenile for my liking.”

  Abe put a hand on Vita’s shoulders and gave him a firm squeeze before switching their conversation to their native Italian. “Vita, fratello, non devi restare qui per questo. Puoi tornare nella stanza e riposarti per la notte. Nessuno penserà meno di te (Vita, brother, you don't have to stay here for this. You can go back to the room and rest for the night. No one will think any less of you.)."

  Vita shook his head curtly before replying, “No, siamo qui per conoscere la nostra sorellina. Non ho intenzione di rovinare la sua prima notte con tutti i membri della sua famiglia, interrompendo la buona serata che tutti stanno vivendo (No, we are here to get to know our baby sister. I am not going to ruin her first night with everyone in her family back, by disrupting the good evening everyone is having.).”

  Chrys stepped close and gently put a hand on Vita’s back. “Non rovinerai niente Vita. Se hai bisogno di tornare nella stanza, torna lì. Non devi spiegare niente a me o a nessuno dei ragazzi (You won't ruin anything, Vita. If you need to go back to the room, then you go back. You don't have to explain anything to me or any of the guys.).”

  Vita looked at Chrys and smiled. “Thank you, Bambina, but that will not be necessary. I will be here with you and everyone else until the entire group heads out for the night. Just because I do not sing does not mean I cannot enjoy listening to others sing.”

  Chrys laughed. “Oh, you’re going to regret not leaving when you had the chance.”

  “I think I will take my chances.”

  “Just don’t say I didn’t give you a fair chance to save yourself.” Chrys laughed then asked what her brothers wanted. “I know what these lazy asses want to drink, but what about you four?”

  “We will take a Moscow Mule, a Gin and Tonic, and two Bud Lights.”

  “Alright, I’ll have those drinks coming right up.” Chrys smiled and made her way over to the counter to order everyone’s drinks.

  Waiting in line, Chrys watched two couples as they tried to dance on what passed for the dance floor at the back of the establishment as a young woman made a mockery of one of the most sacred songs out there, Sweet Home Alabama. Someone needed to run that woman off the show floor, if not out of the State, because Scuttles was beginning to look like an absolute priceless find when he tried to help Ariel and Eric fall in love on the canoe ride in the Little Mermaid compared to her.

  “Well,” Chrys muttered to herself, stepping up to the bar. “I know one of the songs I’m going to be singing.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.” Chrys heard from the bartender. “What did you want to drink?”

  Chrys smiled at the bartender. “I didn’t order. I said I know one of the songs I’m going to be singing. One of the guys in my group is choosing songs for me to sing, and he’s going to have me sing this song over just to get this version out of our heads. God, someone needs to do everyone a favor and shut her up.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” The bartender laughed. “The girl comes in every week, and every week the girl thinks she’s the next Shania Twain or something.”

  “Hmm, well, she’s about to find out you don’t fuck with the Legends. Sven is about to have her put in her place, I’m afraid.”

  “That doesn’t sound good.”

  “Only for her. So, I need a White Russian - with cream, not milk - I need a Moscow Mule, two Gin and Tonics, an Old Fashioned, a Whiskey Sour, Boulevardier, a bottle of the Russian Standard Premium you have back there, and two Bud Lights.”

  “First of all, do you have an ID?”

  Chrys reached into her back pocket and pulled out one of her Military IDs.

  “Of course.” She said as she handed it over. “Is there a problem?”

  “No, you just look very young for your age. Happy Belated Birthday, by the way.”

  “Thanks. This is my first time out drinking. The guys are bringing me out to celebrate. I’ve been stuck on different bases for non-stop training since I joined. I haven’t had a chance to go anywhere or do a damn thing yet. I wasn’t going to risk it until I got my pins. Which, I just got!! Hell yeah!! I fucking did it!!”

  “Hooyah!” and “Oorah!” Both sounded out when Chrys finished her speech excitedly.

  “We’re going to bring this place to its fucking knees!” Chrys continued, handing over a black American Express card which caused the bartender to raise an eyebrow.

  “Do you want to pay for everything now or keep your tab open?” He asked, curious.

  “We’re going to keep the tab open.” Chrys smiled at the bartender. “And I know you’re aware of those who can afford their
drinks or not. And I’m not talking about having cash on them. I’m talking about those that are struggling to make ends meet and such. They are to have an open tab on me.” Pause. “Hell, give everyone two drinks, but make sure those I mentioned can have more if they want. The only caveat is if they have already been drinking, they have to hand over their keys to you. If they have more than the two drinks, they have to hand over their keys to you, or depending on the types of drinks; they have to hand their keys over. We’ll make sure everyone gets to where they need to go for the night and have their vehicle either safely delivered to them or make sure they can come and pick them up at no cost to them; the choice is theirs. But they HAVE to hand over their keys to drink.”

  “Brat!” Sven shouted above the music blaring and Chrys talking to the bartender.

  “What?!” Chrys replied, not even turning to look.

  “We’re celebrating! Just make it an open tab for the entire fucking place, and let’s get on with it! You’re up next!”

  Chrys sighed. “Well, never mind. But keys are still a requirement to drink.”

  “You’re sure about this?”

  “Absolutely. As that Galoot shouted across the room, we’re celebrating. And it’s on the Government’s dime, so we’re going to do this in style.”

  “Well, to give you a head’s up, I’m going to have to call this card in and verify you have the authority to use this card like you believe you do.”

  Chrys shrugged. “Go ahead. Here,” she pulled out her phone and scrolled to a number. “This is the customer service number. It goes directly to a Manager. I suggest you call the number on the back then ask to be transferred over to this extension. Put the call on speaker. I’d like to hear who’s there and say hi.”

  The bartender nodded and dialed the number on the back of the card, then waited until someone answered.

  “Thank you for calling American Express. How may I help you?”

  “Can you connect me to extension 21905, please?” The bartender asked.

  “Is there a problem I can help you with, Sir?” The woman wanted to know.

  “I need to be connected with the Manager, please.”

  “I’m sorry, it’s against policy to connect people directly with the Manager. We have to follow a protocol. If you have a problem, I would be more than happy to assist you.”

  Chrys sighed. She hated going through this hassle. That was why she got the direct number to the Manager, to begin with, but understood the bartender had to verify for himself that she wasn’t going to waste his time.

  “This is Crystalline Hopkins,” Chrys spoke up. “I need you to connect us to the Manager on duty immediately at extension 21905. You tell the Manager Chrys is on the line and has someone who needs to speak to him. Who is on duty right now? Is it James, Chris, or Tayven?”

  “I’m sorry, we’re not allowed to give that information out. If you have an issue, I would be more than happy to help you out, though.”

  “I do have an issue. I need to be transferred over to the Manager. If I have to hang up and call the number directly, which I am about to do, you will not be happy with the results, I guarantee it.”

  “Then I suggest you call the number, because….” Chrys began to motion for the bartender to disconnect the call as she dialed the Manager’s number on her phone then thought otherwise. She was going to let the woman hang herself.

  “Thank you for calling American Express. This is Tayven speaking.”

  “Tay, it’s Chrys; how are you doing?” Chrys asked, handing the landline back to the bartender.

  “Chrys, good to hear from you. What’s going on?”

  “I have a gentleman here on the phone with one of your women asking to be connected with you, but she wouldn’t connect him to you.”

  “Do you know her name?”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Wait, one.” Chrys covered her phone and asked, “Ma’am, can I get your name, please? Tayven would like to know who we’re speaking with.”

  “My ID number is 076896.”

  “Chrys, I heard what she said. Don’t tell her I’m on my way to visit her. Just keep asking her for her name and stay connected to me. But you said you had two issues. What’s the second issue?”

  “I’m going to pass you over to someone that needs to speak with you.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Chrys switched phones with the bartender once again, trying to get the information Tay had wanted her to get while he made his way over to her desk.

  “Yes, Sir, this is Bret, the Manager of the bar JR’s in Sierra Vista, Arizona. I’m trying to confirm that Crystalline Hopkins is authorized to spend five thousand dollars on her card.”

  Tayven laughed. “How I wish I could go to one of the parties this group throws. But to answer your question, yes, she’s authorized for that amount. I have to say it’s been a while since they’ve had any sort of party. Enjoy, man, I’m jealous as hell.”

  “I don’t know how much I’ll be taking part, but I’m sure the folks here will love her for it. I appreciate your help; I’m handing you back to the lady in question.”

  “No problem, glad I was able to help you,” Teyvon said.

  With the phone back in hand, Chrys put it back on the speaker and said, “Tay, you’re on speaker. Thanks for your assistance.”

  “Don’t go anywhere yet. I want you to do me a favor and ask LaToya for her name again. I want to see if she has the same response as last time.”

  “Sure.” Chrys pointed from Bret to his phone, silently asking if the woman from American Express was still on the line.

  Bret nodded, a bit surprised, given he forgot she was on the line.

  “Can you ask her what her name is again?” Chrys mouthed.

  Bret nodded. “Ma’am?” He asked.

  “Yes, Sir.” The woman replied a bit impatiently.

  “Can I please have your name? I want to be able to report you to the Manager when I speak to him.”

  “Once again, Sir, my ID number is 076896. We do not give out our names for security.”

  “Since when is not giving our name to the customer a policy of the company? Or calling the Manager if the customer asked to speak with one of us directly?” Bret and Chrys managed to hear Tay’s demand of Latoya over the phone.

  “Mr. Sevill, good evening, Sir!” Latoya cried out, surprised to see her boss for the evening standing right next to her.

  “Well? Are you going to answer me?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Sir,” Latoya said almost snidely.

  “Would the two people on the line say the same thing?”

  “Sir?”

  “Hang up the phone. We’re going to go to my office and have a small chat about how we treat not just our clients but especially our highest-profile clients. So go ahead, hang up the phone, and let’s go have our talk.”

  “Yes, Sir.” They heard Latoya say softly before hanging up her phone and disconnecting the call.

  “Well, Bret, does that call answer your question as to whether or not I can afford the drinks?”

  “I would say so. You have fun with your group, and I’ll keep your tab open. You want everyone to enjoy their drinks as long as they turn in their keys. Got it. What about your keys?”

  Chrys reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out her keys, tossing them over to Bret.

  “Here. But I’ll be wanting those babies back. We’re walking back to our hotel, not driving, so you don’t need them.”

  “So I take it you’re staying at the Windemere. I’ll be sure you get your keys before the morning. Until then, I’ll just hold onto them for you.”

  “That won’t be a problem. You can walk us back to the hotel to make sure we walk and give them to the front desk. We don’t need the vehicle until the morning anyway.”

  “You know the bar shuts down at two tonight?” Bret asked.

  “Okay?” Chrys asked, laughing. “That gives us three and a half hours of sleep
before we have to get up and go to work at 0700. Unless you get off earlier than that, then we can compromise and leave when you get off work.”

  Bret just smiled and shook his head. “How about I just take your keys to the reception desk and let you pick them up there when you’re ready?”

  Chrys tried to pout but ended up laughing. “Fair enough.” She said, “I like your convictions. Not many people have them. Tell you what, can you have all my drinks taken to that table with all of those monsters gathered together? My cue to get to the front just started.”

  “Sure. Go have fun.”

  “Here,” Chrys handed over a fifty-dollar bill, surprising Bret. “Put it in the tip jar. You’re going to be earning this, I promise.”

  With that, Chrys hurried over to the tables where her group waited for her.

  “About damn time you got over here,” Sven grumbled. “Are you through flirting?”

  “Yes, Daddy.” Chrys laughed, throwing a napkin at him.

  “You set our alibis up for the night?” Captain Hopkins asked.

  “Yep. We’re good. And when we leave, Bret will walk us back to the hotel to make sure we get there safely.”

  “I thought he said he wouldn’t do that,” Lamar stated, a bit confused.

  Chrys shook her head. “Cisco,” she said, using the nickname the Team had for him. “One of these days, you’ll learn about the birds and the bees.”

  Everyone at the tables laughed.

  “What the hell do you know about the birds and the bees?” Sven asked.

  “Other than what she learned in school, she better not know anything.” Captain Hopkins grumbled, causing everyone to laugh even louder.

  “Relax, this Rapunzel is still locked firmly in her tower. There’s no need to get your panties in a damn twist over nothing.”

  “Good. And Rapunzel better stay there until I’m ready for her to be released.”

  Chrys rolled her eyes. “Which will be never.” She stated, causing everyone else to laugh.

  “Precisely.” Captain Hopkins replied. “Now get your ass up front and do your stuff. Your song is up.”

  Jumping up from her seat, Chrys snapped a quick salute and shouted, “Sir, yes Sir! Whatever you say, Sir!”