“Not like our mothers come visit,” Cory said stubbornly.
“No, but what Jake’s saying is that the girls we bring home might notice, Cory, my man. He’s trying to help us out.”
“Shit, don’t do us any favors, Jake.” Cory had an extremely tough chip on his shoulder. “At least we’ve not been married three times.”
“Two.”
“I can count, shit-head,” Cory said as he followed Jake and Ryan out the hallway toward the parking lot. “One: Ginger. Two: Karleeeene! Sweet Mother of God, she was fine. And then there was Monica.”
“I never married Monica.”
“Well, doesn’t that make you goody two shoes, asshole?”
Jake stopped and grabbed Cory by the collar. He towered over his brother SEAL by at least five inches. Cory was built like a soccer player, all muscle and could run like the wind with more stamina than Jake and Ryan combined, but he had a nasty temper and was the first to complain about everything.
“I didn’t screw girls in the back pew of my father’s church. I didn’t get married in a double ceremony with this asshole,” he said pointing to Ryan, “by an Elvis impersonator singing Nearer My God To Thee.”
“That was a mistake. He was supposed to sing How Great Thou Art.”
One thing in Cory’s favor was that although he had a nasty temper, when he was challenged, he backed down every time. He grinned and wiggled himself out of Jake’s enormous paws.
“Just got the music mixed up is all,” he said as he adjusted his clothing. “Singing from the Book of the Dead instead of wedding hymns sort of put a jinx on the whole marriage.” Cory adjusted his shoulder and started to chuckle.
“We did have a laugh about that, Jake,” mumbled Ryan. “Cory wanted his bride to hear How Great Thou Art and take the true implication of those words to heart.”
“My daddy always said being well hung was a curse in our family. I didn’t see it that way at all.” Cory continued talking to himself while he headed toward Ryan’s Hummer. Jake hit him on the back of his head.
“You are such a dumbass.”
In the second seat of the Hummer, Jake looked at his two buddies and realized what a mistake it had been to room with them again. It was one thing when Lucas and Alex were bringing nice girls by. They helped with the cleanup and actually were fun to be around. But Cory and Ryan needed to get married so someone would take care of them. They didn’t need a wife. They needed a mother.
Kyle Lansdowne was front and center, as was usual. A couple of the Viking crowd, Tay and his Team brother Kerk, stood off to the side, their blonde hair and striking tall bodies looking nearly like twins despite their difference in years. They didn’t say much. Ever. Ollie had taken to standing with Tay during most off times, but Kerk was a true loner.
There were a couple local detectives and a gentleman from Naval Intelligence. It wasn’t common to see the Commander show up for these meetings.
“Listen up,” Kyle began. “We’re doing a cleanup operation and the Commander thought perhaps you boys could help out. This is a mission of indeterminate length, and you’ll be briefed on a need-to-know basis.”
“As some of you have heard, we encountered another guns-for-drugs ring operating out of San Diego, smuggling guns into Mexico, and returning with drugs, mainly for US consumption. The cruise ship operation a handful of you went on several weeks ago was highly successful. But, as you know, it was only a drop in the bucket.”
Jake knew Fredo, T.J. and Cooper were part of that raid and operation, which had occurred in international waters off the Mexicali coast.
“Last time, as it turned out, the guns were dumped in the waters off Baja and picked up by a troller. Our Navy halted a lot of the Mexican operation with the seizure of that ship. The crew are being tried and dealt with. Our government has isolated a few of these with long criminal records at some of our Supermax prisons. A few have been sent to Gitmo.”
An intelligence officer, probably CIA, stood up. “You didn’t hear that, gents. No one went to Gitmo.”
Kyle looked annoyed.
“Okay, strike that. They’ve gone to places unknown.” Kyle smiled down at the man in the gray suit. “They’ve been questioned. Some are cooperating. In the process, we’ve learned about some rather disturbing details of drug gangs in this area again working with disgruntled military, buying equipment and guns from active duty or retiring service men and women.”
“Several have told intelligence a large group lives in a gated community in one of the luxury resorts in Baja California where they can mingle with the tourist population and attempt to find new recruits. They pose as resort employees. They are both American and Mexican Nationals, as well as others.”
He went on to explain that half the squad would be heading down on a “training mission” and wander into the resort town of Baja Nuevo on the Baja coast, but infiltrate under the guise as tourists. They were told Santiago Garcia, a Columbian citizen and drug lord forced to flee his native home, owned a large share of the resort and was using it as his base of operation.
“This isn’t a holiday. And we are doing this under what we hope is top-secret cover with cooperation from the Mexican government. Local authorities will not be privy to our mission, so you are to keep your mouth shut and act like you would, oh, say, going to Las Vegas.”
Mumbling and chuckles erupted throughout the room, as various members whispered and recalled stories of some of their escapades.
“You will reel it in a bit, though. Understood?” Lansdowne added.
General agreement was given.
“You guys know who you need to check on the most. I don’t want any fuck-ups. At the same time, I want just healthy ex-military types who are a little crazy to pose as possible new recruits. I think you guys are perfect for this caper.”
After the meeting, his LPO came over to Jake, taking him aside. When Ryan and Cory tried to join them, Kyle pushed them away. Then he motioned to Cooper to join him.
“Jake, I’m giving you a fairy godmother here. Except she’s way taller and hairier than a fairy godmother.” He pointed over his shoulder to Coop. “I’ve spoken to him about my concerns with your drinking. You know he doesn’t drink. I’m hoping you’ll spend a lot of time with him so we can get you straightened out.”
“Sir?”
“That comment about Las Vegas was intended for your ears, mainly. We want you in the mission, but I almost scratched you, giving you a medical for this one.”
“I’m working to give up drinking. I’ve just made that decision, and so far, I’m doing okay with it,” Jake said.
“Well, that’s good to hear. You been to meetings?”
“Yessir.”
“More than one?”
Jake hesitated.
“So that would be a negative then. It’s not a hard question, Jake. I figured you’d been at maybe five or less. But one sounds about right to me.”
“I didn’t much care for what I saw.”
“And that’s the point. I didn’t tell you to go so you could enjoy yourself. I could have sent you to a Padres game for that, except it would be a bit expensive. I wanted you to get a dose of reality. Not everyone can handle alcohol, and you’re one of them, like Coop here”
Jake didn’t know Coop had ever had a problem with it.
“Now, Coop isn’t going to tell you his life’s story, because, frankly, you don’t deserve it yet. But he’ll lay on you what he thinks you can handle. And if he tells you to come home, you’re coming home. And if he says find a meeting, you find one. If he tells you to go see his father-in-law the shrink, you do that. Is this understood?”
“Yessir.”
“Everything okay with the kids and the three ex-wives and all?”
“Two.”
“Pardon?”
“Two ex-wives. I didn’t marry the last one.”
“Fuck you, Jake. You think that makes a fuckin’ ton of difference?”
“No, it’s just everyone gets
it wrong.”
Kyle stood within an inch of his face and poked his chest so hard it nearly sent Jake falling backward. “No Mr. Fuckin’ Special Operator Green, you’re the one who gets it wrong. About time for you to start getting it right.”
As Kyle and Calvin Cooper walked away, Jake realized he’d just dodged a bullet and had very nearly ruined his career with his behavior. He wasn’t proud of the fact that he was on Kyle’s shit list. He was relieved he was being given a second chance to become the SEAL he wanted to be. The only thing that made him nervous was whether or not he really had the stones to shape up and fly right.
With four successful tours under his belt and nearly eight years of service, at nearly thirty years of age, he finally had to become a man.
A real man.
Chapter 10
Ginger greeted Burt Green, who came home early from the office. She was exhausted from chasing the girls and the puppy all afternoon and listening to her mother-in-law’s incessant gossip, which bored her to tears.
“So you see what Adele went and did, then?” Mr. Green asked as he passed her in the hallway, setting down his briefcase.
“Yes. Thanks in advance for all the late nights I’m going to have with that puppy.”
“I told her she shouldn’t have, but you know Adele.” Green removed his sport coat and poured himself a stiff drink. “You have a good time? Jake was up there, too, or did you already know that?” He took a long drag on his drink, nearly downing it.
He was as stunningly handsome as his wife and played tennis with some of the elite of Coronado Country Club as well as others from neighboring beach communities. Ginger knew of his reputation of being a womanizer, but he’d been careful not to show her this side of him. His good looks and his enormous wealth had no effect on her, though.
Right now she was a little irritated that he knew Jake had been in Las Vegas.
“No.” She decided lying was the best practice, under the circumstances.
He glanced up to her quickly, raising his eyebrows. “And why not?” His directness caught her off guard. She was not expecting the grilling.
Sucking in her pride, she answered the best she could. “That’s classified.”
He threw back his head, laughing. Then he quickly gave her a peck on the cheek, “Well done, Ginger. Your secret is safe with me.”
He walked to the kitchen where his wife and son were discussing something. Gerud had hung around all afternoon as well, and Ginger thought perhaps he wanted to talk to her again in private. That opportunity never came.
Burt Green kissed her mother-in-law and didn’t say anything to Gerud or address him in any way. There were times when Ginger couldn’t imagine what it was like for Jake growing up in this family, with their stingy behavior when it came to affection and understanding. Something about it was very painful and cold. On the surface they appeared to the outside world like one big happy family. She wondered why she hadn’t seen it before and wondered if the girls spending so much time here was actually healthy.
She wandered back into the kitchen. The girls were making the puppy bark, and she quickly came over and quieted him, putting her arms around the girls. “We’re going to leave soon, so get your things. I’ll hold Chelsea Fiona.”
“Fiona Chelsea,” said Jennie.
Jasmine stuck out her tongue at her little sister.
“Oh please, Ginger. I was just making a salad, and I ordered a pizza already. Cheese, with extra cheese!” said Adele Green.
The girls cheered.
“No really, I think we should be going,” Ginger announced.
“Nonsense. You’re staying and that’s that,” said Burt Green.
Gerud looked on like the fifth wheel he was. Ginger felt sorry for him all of a sudden. Her frostiness toward him began to melt.
Adele Green came over to her youngest son, patted him on the cheek and handed him some dishes. “Go set the table, dear.” Her eyes followed her husband as he went into his study and closed the door. “Oh, he’s in one of his moods again,” she said nervously.
Gerud looked like a grown man acting like a teenager, in the wrong place at the wrong time. He said nothing and went about completing the task he’d been given.
The pizza delivery boy arrived. The puppy was put into a kennel and barked for nearly a half hour while they tried to eat, everyone talking over each other. Adele was lavishing chocolate milk on the girls and telling stories, while Mr. Green was grilling Gerud on a real estate deal. Ginger watched it all unfold before her, suddenly missing Jake.
While they were finishing up, Ginger got a text from Jake.
Can I come over tonight?
Yes, was her response. I’m at your mom & dad’s.
Should I come?
Sure. Gerud is here.
Mr. Green frowned at her texting at the table. “New boyfriend?”
Ginger blushed. “No.” She glanced up at Gerud whose expression was not something she could read. His lips formed a straight line as he clenched his teeth.
The ping of the phone interrupted again. “Let me just finish this, and then I’ll shut it off. Sorry. Didn’t realize it was on.” She avoided both Gerud and Mr. Green’s eyes, and looked at Adele. “That was poor manners of me. Sorry.”
At the phone screen she saw Jake’s message.
Don’t tell anyone, even the girls. I’ll come around 9 after everyone’s in bed. Be naked.
Ginger’s fingers had difficulty turning off the phone, and she dropped it.
Mr. Green pointed to her with his salad fork. “See? New boyfriend. She’s a bundle of nerves.”
Mrs. Green’s frozen stare at her husband was frightening. Gerud looked at his lap. Even the girls were quiet, and then Jennie started to cry. Ginger rose and picked her daughter up and took her to a chair nearby, giving her a big hug. “What’s the matter, Jennifer?”
Jennie stopped crying and squeezed her tight, burying her head.
“Honestly, Burt. You give her a hard time for using the phone at dinner, and then you make up some story about a boyfriend in front of her daughters.” She shook her head and dug into her salad. She practically screamed at Jasmine. “Your mommy doesn’t have a new boyfriend, Jasmine. Your grandfather is a—a—” Realizing she had nothing proper to call him, “—a silly goose.”
Mr. Green hung his head for a while. Ginger knew if she and Gerud and the girls weren’t present, he’d have said something cruel. It was the first time she’d realized the relationship between the two so seriously damaged. She’d been so caught up in her own events, she hadn’t noticed.
“Pop, come on. That’s the booze talking. Leave the girls out of this,” Gerud added.
“You shut the fuck up!”
Everyone was stunned. Jennie burst into tears again and nuzzled her mother. Jasmine ran over to join them. The puppy barked, and Adele threw her napkin across the long table with the huge flower arrangement in the middle, and hit her husband square in his flushed face. Then she stormed out of the room, heading upstairs to the bedroom and slammed the door.
Mr. Green got up and made himself another drink at the mini bar.
Gerud began to clear plates.
Dinner was over.
Chapter 11
The house was dark except for the porch light, which Ginger left on for him. It had been their routine all during the years they were married, since he often came home at all hours of the day or night. When he turned the front door handle, he was smiled to find she had thought to leave it unlocked. She probably knew he still had his house key but wanted to make sure he felt welcome.
And he did.
He locked the door behind him.
Quietly, he tiptoed upstairs to the bedrooms, checking in on both girls first. What he didn’t expect was a growling and yapping puppy that woke everyone up. The girls started screaming, and it was only seconds before Ginger was running to their room, still trying to put on her bathrobe. She had been naked.
“Oh, Jake, I’m sorry.
Forgot to tell you about the puppy,” she said.
“Daddy!” yelled Jennifer. She stayed in bed with the still-yapping puppy, while Jasmine ran to him. He gave her a hug, and then picked up Jennie, puppy and all.
“Who’s this little fellow?” He asked. The puppy was trying to bite his chin.
“She’s a girl,” corrected Jennie.
“Chelsea Fiona,” said Jasmine.
“Naaw. Fiona Chelsea,” said Jennie.
“Girls, girls. It’s time for bed. Daddy just came by to drop something by for Mamma, and he didn’t want to wake you.”
Jake let his hand fall at Ginger’s rear outside of eyesight of the girls, and felt the delicious cleft between her butt cheeks. She struggled with her balance and tried to keep her composure.
“Please stay for breakfast, daddy,” Jasmine asked.
“Will you take Fiona Chelsea out to pee, daddy?” asked Jennie.
He turned to Ginger who gave him a helpless grin and chewed her lower lip. “I’ll come with you.”
“You better.” He whispered to the girls, “Daddy’s afraid of the dark!”
They both giggled and settled back in their beds.
Ginger held the pup, and he followed her downstairs.
“I’m so sorry about that. I don’t know what I was thinking. Actually—”
Jake stopped her with a kiss. “Give me that,” he whispered as he took the puppy in one arm and let his other hand find the opening of her bathrobe. The dog was squirming so their kiss and his feel-up of his wife was cut short.
“She probably does have to pee, Jake.”
“Oh, all right.” He grabbed her hand, and the three of them made it out to the backyard. The puppy ran around the lawn in circles a couple of times before she abruptly stopped and nearly fell over trying to squat. Then she thought it would be a good idea to go for Ginger’s bathrobe hem.
Jake pulled her up. “She’s cute. Where did you get her?”
“Your mom.”
“Ah!” He held the puppy up under her armpits. “So who do you belong to, the Greens or the Greens?”
Band of Bachelors: Jake Book 3 Page 6