by Kymber Jones
“Being the only female in your Team, raised in a Spec OPS lifestyle. What was it like for you?”
“It wasn’t bad if that’s what you wanted to know,” Chrys said. “I can’t say it was all fun and games because we both know that’s bullshit, but it wasn’t bad. I have the best family a girl could ask for. I have people I know I can turn to regardless of what happens, and I don’t have to worry about feeling neglected or unwanted because the guys let me know all the time how much they love me. I consider half of them my brothers, the other half I consider my Dad and Uncles. And I know they would all do anything for me to help keep me safe and happy.”
“You’re lucky to have a family like that. I’m sorry it came about the way it did, but I’m glad you have people like your Team members you can count on and consider your family.”
“Thank you. But like I said before, there’s nothing to be sorry for. What happened, happened. All we can do is accept it and move on. We may not like what occurred, but we can learn from it and do our best to prevent it from happening again.”
“How the Hell did you end up with such an easy-going attitude about life?” Bret wondered.
Chrys shrugged. “It’s either that, or I become bitter and angry about everything, and I refuse to let that happen to me.”
Bret shook his head. “You are an amazing person. You know that?”
“No, I’m not.” Chrys protested, blushing again. “I’m just me, trying to live my life.”
“I can’t say the same about me. I would have been angry at the entire world.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do. I was angry for a long time after I joined the Army.”
“Why?”
“I joined to get away from my family. Both my parents were druggies. My Father would pimp my Mom out when he needed more money to get his next fix, and she never seemed to care because she was always too damn high herself. I came home from school one day and found both my parents dead. My Father’s drug dealer came over to collect his money; only my Father didn’t have it, so he killed everyone in the house that day. I grabbed a few clothes and went to the recruiter’s office that same day. I DEPED into the Army, stayed with a friend until I got my diploma, then I left the day after graduation. I never looked back. But I was angry. Angry at the man who killed my parents, angry at my parents, angry at everyone.”
“I can understand that. Something like that would make anyone angry. But you seem to have mastered your anger.”
“I like to think I did. It took a while, but I like to think I can manage my anger now.”
Chrys took Bret’s hand in hers and smiled. “Maybe we can help each other with our anger issues when they pop up. If you need someone to talk to, I’m always available.”
“Thanks, I’d like that. You know, you’re the only person other than my C.O. who knows everything that happened.”
“Really? I‘m honored.”
“I don’t know how you got me to spill my guts, but you’re easy to talk to.”
This time Chrys laughed, snatching her book back from Bret’s hands. “Yeah, so I’ve been told,” She said. “I think everyone’s done. We should probably start getting ready to head back to the house.”
When everything wound down for the day, and everyone started heading home, Chrys watched as Bret and her family continued to grow closer in their newfound friendship. While Bret was familiar with some Italian liquors, he was never a massive fan of them. Still, now it seemed Campari was one of the few liquors they appeared to drink together, preferring to drink it with grapefruit juice or straight, but sometimes they added Vodka if they wanted a little extra kick.
The Monday after the picnic, the Hellion Division and all of their guests boarded their plane to Italy to meet Chrys’s biological family.
“Oh, God.” Stella cried as she threw herself into a seat next to Chrys. “Did we thank you yet for bringing us on this trip?”
Chrys laughed. “I think this makes the hundredth and third time.”
“Really?” Stella asked. “Well, this time one-hundred and four.”
“It’s no problem, honest,” Chrys told her.
“So, where exactly are we going?”
“It’s a Villa in Naples. It’s my house, but I use it as a hotel. Each of us has a room of our own. I also had them block off a section of the place for all of us while we visit this trip.”
“It’s a hotel?” Stella made a face.
“It’s my house, but I am using it as a hotel. It’s big and old and has too much space for just us. So, all the extra rooms are being rented out. You’ll like it there, I promise. You’ll be able to do anything you want outside too.”
“That sounds like fun. Is there a town close by?”
Chrys nodded. “There is actually. It’s a fifteen-minute walk, but believe me, when you’re there, you’ll never realize you walked that far.”
Abe and Ben walked over and sat down next to Chrys and Stella, joining in their conversation.
“You never did say what this property is called,” Ben told Chrys.
“It’s the Villa di Faraglioni.”
“Scusami (Pardon me)?” Benito choked on the sip of iced tea he just took a drink of.
“The Villa di Faraglioni.” Chrys repeated. “I bought it from a private auction from the Province of Napoli, Neapolitan. I negotiated a deal that allows me to purchase the property, but I use part of it as a historical landmark. I don’t pay taxes on the property, and the government keeps half of the monthly profits. And because of how much business the place generates, the profits give the government the most money.”
“And what if you lose business?” Stella asked.
“Then I would start paying taxes.”
“We were wondering who got that property.” Abe laughed. “Vita was not happy when it slipped through his fingers. He kept trying to get someone to tell him who the new owner was, but no one would budge.”
“They wouldn’t dare give out my information.”
“No,” Ben agreed. “I don’t think they would.” He said, then called out. “Vita, that property you are upset about in Naples. What is it called?”
Vita grumbled, glaring at his brother. “You know very well what property it is. Why do you ask?”
“Have you found out yet who the new owner is?”
“No, but when I do, they’re going to find out why you don’t mess with me. I had that property all set up, and then it’s sold out from under me.”
“What would you give me if I could find out the owner’s name?”
Vita paused for less than a second before saying, “You already know who it is. How did you find out, and I can’t find anything?”
Ben pointed at Chrys, laughing.
“Chrys?!” Vita demanded, almost unable to comprehend what Ben told him.
Chrys shrugged. “What can I say? I don’t play around when it comes to what I want.” She said. “Besides, I had no idea who any of you were or that you were trying to purchase the place.”
Vita groaned. “Of all the luck. Outbid by my sister.”
Laughing, Chrys said, “Look at it like this. At least this way, it’s in the family, and everyone has a place to go to when they want to get away.”
“Well, Mamma e Papà (Mom and Dad) are going to get a kick out of hearing how you got the Villa instead of me. They’re going to love knowing I was outsmarted by a damn eighteen-year-old.”
At the sound of her age, Bret’s ears perked up. “Eighteen?” He asked. “I thought your ID said you’re twenty-one.”
“Yeah, it does, but I have an ID for every branch of service, and each ID has a different birthday on it. I turn eighteen years old in a week and a half. We are looking at having a party on the beach to celebrate with the family.”
“So I’ll be around for your big day?” Bret asked.
“Yep.”
“Good.”
“This birthday is going to be the talk of the decade for the city. The fami
ly will be flying in from everywhere to attend.”
Chrys rolled her eyes, groaning. “Great,” she moaned. “That’s all I need. To be the entire city’s talk of the decade: maybe we should just turn the plane around and go back home.”
Captain Hopkins laughed at his daughter. “Don’t you dare! I don’t want to listen to everyone bitch about this trip being canceled or you ruining everyone’s fun. I will tie you down and force you to go on this trip if I have to.”
Chrys mocked glared at her Dad. “I hate you.” She laughed at him, knowing he meant what he said.
“I love you too, Brat.” Captain Hopkins said, which had Chrys sticking out her tongue and everyone laughing at her.
“Ugh! Alright, alright!” She cried. “I’ll do this damn party! But don’t expect me to like it!”
“You’ll like it,” Vita told her, smiling at her actions. He loved how grown up Chrys was, how mature she was, but at the same time, how she was able to enjoy life and play around with those, she considered her family. He had a feeling not too many people outside of those she called family saw her fun side.
“And how would you know, Mr. I’m the Boss of Everything?” Chrys asked, making Daniel roll in laughter.
At first, Chrys’s biological brothers scared Danny more than he wanted to admit to anyone, but as he started to get to know them, he realized these people were some of the best people he could know. Yes, they were scary, and they did some things most people would consider wrong, but they also loved fiercely, and once they gave their loyalty, it was iron-tight unless someone did something extreme to break it. Overall, Danny thought Chrys was very lucky to have them as her brothers, and he was lucky they considered him a brother because of his relation to her.
“Because I’m the Boss of Everything.” Vita smiled.
“Yeah, you keep thinking that tough guy,” Chrys smirked.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to land at Naples International Airport. If everyone would please remain seated, buckle up, and put their seats in an upright position, we will be landing in fifteen minutes.”
Bret looked over at Chrys, picking up one of her hands and giving it a gentle squeeze.
“You doing okay?” He asked her.
She nodded. “Yeah,” She said. “I just want to puke, but I’m doing great.”
“Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine. Your parents are going to love you. You know that.”
“I know. I just can’t believe I’m going to be meeting them finally, after all these years.”
“Well, in forty-five minutes, your family will finally be complete. You’ll have both sides of your life together, and no one will be able to stop you from living your new life.”
“How did I get lucky enough to meet you?” Chrys wondered.
“I don’t know, but I think I’m the lucky one here. You just keep surprising me with everything you have to deal with.”
“You do the same with me, you know.”
“Then we’ll just have to keep surprising each other. What do you think?” Bret asked.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Chrys said. “But you’re going to have to deal with all these lousy Bastards first. You have to know they’re not going to let you anywhere near me if you ever breathe the words date or marriage, or anything like that, right? Especially Sven. He’ll go Berserk on your ass.”
“When I ask you out then, we’ll just have to make sure to outrun him. I think we can manage that.”
“Uh-huh. That won’t be as easy as it sounds. The Lug’s a fucking sprinter from Hell, and he can run forever. He loves to run, and that’s like the one thing I hate.”
“So I take it, challenging him to a race is out.”
“Damn right it is!”
“Good to know.”
Before Chrys knew it, the plane touched down, and the Captain welcomed everyone to Italy. The door opened before Chrys could take a deep enough breath to fortify herself and get ready to start a new chapter of her life.
“Ready?” Vita asked as he stepped up next to her, helping to escort her off the plane.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She admitted.
“Then let’s get over to the house so you can meet the genitori (parents).”
* x * x * x * x * x * x * x * x *
“This place is stunning!” Melodie told Chrys as they walked around the outside of the Villa, the sea waves crashing to one side of them, the other side showcasing the majestic gardens surrounding the Villa.
“I love it here,” Chrys said. “I’d been here a few times and fell in love with it. When I heard they were selling it and it was possibly going to be torn down, I bought it and came up with the conditions. I don’t know why, but this place always felt like home when I came here.”
“Maybe because this is where you came from, even if you were unaware of that fact.”
Chrys nodded. “Maybe. I was thinking along that line too.”
“So, are you still going to build in Elgin, even after buying this gorgeous place?”
“Definitely. Uncle Jack and Uncle Tate wouldn’t think of being anywhere other than with Stella and Spence, and we both know they won’t leave your daughter.”
“That’s true. What you’re doing for them is truly remarkable, you know that.”
“I don’t know about that. They’re family. We do what we can for our family.”
“But not too many people go to the extreme that you are for their family.”
Chrys shrugged. “My family’s gone to Hell and back for me. I won’t do less for them.”
“My point exactly,” Melodie said. “Now, I believe I see two very nervous people standing at the veranda there, so you better be ready to greet them.”
Chrys looked at where Melodie was looking; her eyes transfixed on the couple standing under the canopy, waiting for Chrys and her group to join them. Were they as nervous as Chrys felt? Chrys couldn’t tell, but it looked like the man had one of his hands covering those of the woman next to him, trying to hold her place.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” Chrys whispered to no one in particular.
“You’ve got this, Love.” Captain Hopkins told Chrys.
“Mamma e papà (Mom and Dad) are more scared than you are right now,” Abe said, giving Chrys a quick hug.
“And Mamma looks like she’s about ready to run up and grab you, so be careful.” Nico joked, though what he said was dead on.
As soon as everyone stood in front of the older couple, Chrys watched in amazement as tears poured down each of her parents' faces unheeded. She had dreamt of this moment her entire life, but she didn’t think about the impact her return would have on the family she was taken away from at such a young age.
“Crystalline,” her mother cried, reaching out a hand, unsure of whether or not to hug her, then threw herself into her daughter's arms. “You’re finally home!”
Chrys looked at her mother, then at Captain Hopkins, and smiled. He was right; she had this. This reunion was something she had always wanted, and now, finally, it was becoming a reality for her.
Returning her mother’s hug, Chrys looked at her biological Father, held out a hand to him, and said, “Sono a casa (I’m home). It’s because of all of you that I’m finally home.”
Afterward
I am FINALLY done with this story!! It took me so much longer than I had ever thought it would, and truthfully, I can’t believe I completed it! I’ve tried so many times over the years to write it; then I would rip it up and write it over again, repeating the process multiple times. I keep kicking myself because I should have held onto the previous editions instead of throwing them away, but I guess that’s part of living and learning.
There are so many people I want and need to thank for helping me to complete this book, but I am going to stick with the six main women: my Mom, Linda Moran, and a good friend and Shipmate, Cheryl DeMont, who have been reading along as I write this. You two have been a tremendous driving force behind th
is story! I love you both so much! A wonderful woman I call my second Mom, who helped watch me grow up and pushed me to keep reading and writing, Rose Quintana, my childhood would have been impossible without you growing up. My Roommate, and another woman I consider to be a second Mom, Lynda Laver, you let me know when it’s time to quit. Thanks. And Elle Boon and T Era Shanley, the two of you are such amazing women! You both help give encouragement and advice, which I need more than you know! Thank you so much!
Now, I hope everyone liked how I ended this story, but I realize there are those out there who will think I left you hanging. Just know, I am already at work on the next book in this series, Due to You, which is about Pryce and her Demon Division of the Covert OPS. Until then, you can always reach me on my Facebook page, Author Kymber Jones, my reading group Kymber’s Kult, or email me at [email protected].
Terminology/Credits
* In military talk, the Landing Zone (LZ) is the actual point where the aircraft land.
**David Goggins was born on February 17, 1975. He is a retired OSC in the United States Navy. OSC is the only person to complete not only SEAL’s training but also Ranger training and is a former Air Force Tactical Air Control Party member. OSC has competed (and won several of them!) over 60 Ultra Marathons and triathlons. OSC is also an ultra distance-cyclist and held the world record for most pull-ups ever achieved until 2017 when he was finally beat by a fellow Shipmate, and at 47yrs old, he still runs between 8-30 miles every day!! He is what my father would have called one BAMF (Bad-Ass Mother Fucker)!
***C-Day - The unnamed day on which a deployment operation commences or is to commence. The deployment may be the movement of troops, cargo, weapon systems, or combining these elements using any or all types of transport. Troops have 24hr to prepare.
****L-Hour - The specific hour on C-day at which a deployment operation commences or is to commence
*****Staging Area - A staging area (otherwise staging point, staging base, or staging post) is where people assemble equipment and materials.
******Rick Riordan - An American Young Adult Author