Standing up, he kissed the top of his wife’s nose and wandered into the kitchen. He pulled the plates out from the cupboard and headed back to where his brothers were sweating over the grill. They piled the plates high with the cooked meat and placed the steaming heaps back on the table. The mothers called out for their children and when they popped up, they all seated themselves around the table. Red, Ace, Van, Tom and Mia jumped right in, piling their plates high and devouring everything in sight. Jennifer and Rachel, now used to the beastly sight of the Baileys eating, gave each other knowing glances before tucking in themselves.
Red finished first and leaned back in his chair, taking in the sight of his family in their little clubhouse. It brought him joy to see his wife and child looking so content surrounded by his brothers and Ace’s family. Everyone around the table was smiling and talking as they enjoyed the food. It was a perfect scene, one he never thought he’d ever experience after all the drama in his life. He would never forget the day when he almost lost both Rachel and his child. Miraculously, they had both pulled through at the last moment and now, here they were, happily married.
Who knew that Red Bailey would find a happy ending like this?
The End
The Bailey Brothers
PROTECTED BY VAN
Prologue
VAN
Wind rushed through his hair as the heavy bike roared underneath him. It was only midday, but he was already exhausted and ready for bed. It was sweet to finally be home. The garage door opened and he parked the bike inside. He was sore from hours of driving and his limbs hurt. While waiting for the garage door to close shut, he did some much needed stretching out and cracked his knuckles. He could hear his bed calling from the other room and it was like music to his ears. But it ended abruptly.
“SURPRISE!”
A chorus of female voices and children’s yelled out in unison while two men stood grinning behind. Van’s instincts made him reach for his gun, but when he registered their faces, it all fell flat. His heart was still pumping. A couple of deep breaths later and a smile spread all over his tired face.
“Well, I’ll be damned. I didn’t expect to have all of you waiting for me here. Almost gave me a heart attack! Remind me why I didn’t take your keys when you moved out?”
Ace stepped forward, patting him on the back, “Because this is still our clubhouse and we all belong together, you know that. Even when you disappear off the face of the Earth for weeks on end. The twins really have you working hard nowadays. Trying to pick up the slack from where Red and I have slowed down?”
“Isn’t that the truth,” Van grinned, “I’m always cleaning up your mess. It’s a damn good thing, you got two gorgeous families to make up for it.”
“Uncle Van, thank you for my new bike. Mommy says that I go too fast on it, but I want to be like you and daddy. Will you get me a real motorcycle when I’m older?”
Van looked down at the little red-headed girl, pulling on his t-shirt. He grinned and picked her up. Even at eight years old she was a petite thing. The doctors said her growth may have been slightly stunted by the violence during early pregnancy, but that did nothing to affect her intelligence. He was proud of how smart his niece was.
“Hey there, Mia! I’m glad you like your bike, but I don’t think mommy would like me getting you a motorcycle just yet. Then again, she doesn’t have to know when you’re a big girl. Right? We’ll keep it a secret between us.”
Mia was just about to say something when another small hand gripped around Van’s wrist. The freckled boy had a serious look on his nine year old face. Van placed his niece on the floor before directing his attention towards his nephew.
“Let me guess, you want a motorcycle when you’re older too?”
Tom’s voice was very determined, “If she’s getting one, then it’s only fair that I get one too. Mom said it’s not fair to pick favorites. That’s why she treats us equally. Although, I don’t understand why, since Daisy is so useless.”
Van laughed and looked over at the four year old clambering up the dining room chairs. Daisy was the most mischievous out of the three and she was always getting in trouble. Van was about to prevent her dirty hands from reaching for the food when Jennifer swooped in and bundled her away.
“She’s not useless, she’s just a little naughty. You were similar at her age, except you had your cousin’s help to misbehave. I remember when you and Mia found some spray paint in the garage and went wild. It was just pure luck I had my bike covered, or you two would have been grounded until you were twenty. I still have marks all over the walls!” Van winked at Tom.
Tom laughed before walking away to join his cousin in a heated discussion. It gave Van the opportunity to look around the room and take note of everyone there. His younger brothers stood starving close-by the food while Jennifer, Ace’s wife, kept active trying to get a hold of Daisy. Rachel, Red’s wife, was laying out the final dishes, before she called for everyone to grab a plate and dig in. The family had grown so much that they could no longer sit and eat around the dining table as they used to. A mismatch of chairs outside on the porch made up for it. After heaping his plate full of chicken wings and sweet potatoes, Van headed out to join the others in the garden. There was silence between the brothers and the children as they shoveled down their food. The women were more modest in their consumption, but slowly catching up with the Bailey brothers. After finishing, Van put his plate in the kitchen and collapsed back into his chair on the porch.
“So, where did they send you this time? You forgot to text us the details again,” Red called over to him from his seat.
“They had me up in their new warehouse on security. They have pretty good connections within their new territory, but they can never be too careful. Nothing much happened though. A couple of down-and-outs came snooping around and some curious kids, but we scared them away pretty easily.”
“The Romanos are expanding their territory? That’s the first I’ve heard about it! Where’s all the paperwork? It should have been over my desk weeks ago!” Rachel moaned.
“Don’t tell them I’ve told you just yet. They’ve got some plan to strengthen the bond between the cities before they go announcing anything. They don’t want any of the others finding out about it and come interfering before it’s all stabilized. And anyway, what would you do for them? Isn’t your area of expertise busting people out of jail?”
Rachel shot him a withering look, “I’m not just an attorney, and I have practiced in other areas of law too. Not to mention, I have plenty of lawyers at my firm who are specialized in the property sector. They should at least have given the contract a read-through before the twins bought it and started new operations. How do they expect us to help them, if they keep us out of the loop?”
Van lifted his hands in defense, “Hey, you take it up with them when they announce it. For now, just feign ignorance and let’s see what happens. Jen, what’s been happening with you lately? Your face is plastered up all over the city!”
“Have you been living under a rock for the last two years? You know Demon Hunters 2: Lucian’s Revenge’s premiere is next week? I gave you tickets over a month ago! You’re still coming, aren’t you?”
“Oh damn. It completely slipped my mind. Sorry, Jen! Yeah, I should be able to make it, if I’m not working.”
“You’d better not be working, Van. You know this movie means a lot to us after all the memories behind the prequel. You almost died for the first movie! How could you miss the second?” Ace called out.
Yes. Almost literally died. I still remember the searing pain of that fucking bullet tearing through my flesh. Watching blood pour out of me as everything turned black.
Van forced a smile, “I’m afraid one of the tickets will go to waste though, Jen. I don’t have anyone to bring this time around.”
Rachel butted in, “I would let you borrow Alyssa again, but she’s gone to Europe with her girlfriend for the summer. Why don’t we try find som
eone for you? There has to be someone the Romanos can set you up with in their extensive network?”
Van’s brow furrowed, “Ask Pearl to find me a date? I’d rather take an inflatable doll. Thanks, but no thanks. I’m fine to go alone as it is.”
Silence fell between the adults as they watched their kids run around in the garden. Daisy had a fascination with water and was currently attempting to throw entire cups of it onto her brother and cousin. Jennifer, exhausted from running after her daughter all day, laid back and watched the chaos enfold.
I wonder what it would be like to have kids. I think I would make a decent father. I seem to make Tom, Mia and Daisy happy enough. But then again, I would have to have a romantic relationship first. I don’t remember the last time I shared a bed with a woman. Work has been so hectic lately.
As though on cue, his phone started buzzing in his pocket. He tugged the device out and checked the caller ID. Pearl Romano. Pressing accept, he held the phone to his ear.
“Hey hot stuff! You had a chance to rest?” her voice was shrill and piercing as usual.
Van winced, turning down the volume, before replying, “Not yet. The family has showed up as a welcome home surprise. Not sure why. I’ve only been gone a couple of weeks.”
“Well you Baileys have always been rather dramatic. Not always to my advantage, but all is in the past at this point. Talking of welcoming home, I’ve got a very important job for you tonight.”
“What is it?”
“I need you to pick up my little sister from the airport. She’s arriving back today and we haven’t seen her in years. You’re the best man for the job, considering you’re the only Bailey brother I can trust around women.”
“Your little sister? I didn’t know there were any more Romanos,” Van was confused.
Pearl’s voice was snappish, “Well, of course you didn’t. You think in our line of work we go blabbing about our family members? At any rate, she didn’t exactly take the same path as Joe and I. She wanted nothing to do with the family business and joined the bloody army of all things. She’s a nurse but be warned, she’s just as dangerous as I am. That’s beside the point. You should get some rest. Her flight lands at 3am.”
“And how will I know what she looks like?”
“She’s the complete opposite to me – blond, skinny and wearing a conservative army uniform. Just be ready to bring her straight home. I’m sure she’ll be absolutely shattered from her flight.”
“Alright, Pearl. I’ll have her back before you and Joe wake up.”
“Good. See you later.”
The phone line went dead and Van tucked it back into his pocket. The room went quiet and everybody looked curiously at him.
“What did Pearl want?” Ace called out.
“Did you say they had a little sister?” Rachel raised her eyebrow.
“Yeah, I have to pick her up at 3 am tonight. Turns out she’s a small blond thing and, get this, is in the army! Little sister wanted nothing to do with the family business and took off to travel the world as a military nurse. I can’t wait to see what the mysterious third Romano looks like.”
“If she’s anything like Pearl, we’re all doomed!” Jennifer groaned, “Pearl is more than enough for this world on her own, let alone there being two of them. Should I start praying now?”
Ace laughed and wrapped an arm around his wife, “There’s no point praying now, it appears a new Satan has arisen to take over the city. Lord have mercy on our souls!”
Everyone laughed and continued talking and picking at food. As it got darker, they decided to move inside. Van, Tom and Mia set to cleaning the dishes while Ace and Red packed away the remaining food into the fridge.
I wouldn’t mind them visiting more often if it means I have such hefty leftovers. Damn, I miss the taste of something which isn’t out of a microwave or takeaway box.
“We should probably be heading off now, big brother,” Van patted him on the back and the other adults followed.
The kids had always gotten favorable treatment and were each scooped up into a hug before being released out the front door to their waiting parents. Van waved them off from the doorway as they drove away, silence descending upon the empty house.
Slowly, Van closed the door behind him and found his way to his bed where he instantly collapsed. He set an alarm before drifting off into an exhausted sleep.
I wish this bed wasn’t so empty.
Chapter 1
LILY
Bullets ricocheted off the crumbling bricks around her. Sprays of dust blurred her vision as she sprinted through the wasted city. She could hear children wailing in the background, but she fought her natural instincts to save them, and kept going strong. Turning a corner, she tripped over an obstacle and fell, sprawling into the mud, grazing her cheek. Quickly, she righted herself, no time to lose, but made the mistake of looking back to see what had made her fall. Her chief nurse lay in a pool of his own blood. His face distorted in a pale mask of horror. Lily quickly checked for a pulse but knew it was futile from the amount of red liquid surrounding him. She went to close his eyes for his eternal slumber when he started screaming. Blood spattered over his face and he tore at her flesh. She tried to hold him back, but he was relentless. Soon she was writhing in the mud with him on top of her, clawing at her face until he finally caught onto the side of her eye. Her scream was animalistic as his finger probed behind her eyeball in an attempt to rip it out from its socket…
“Ma’am, ma’am, are you alright?”
Lily felt arms clutching onto her tightly as she was shook from her dream. Her eyes quickly blinked open to stare into the face of a concerned stewardess. She was disheartened to see the woman looking at her in a mix of fear and pity. Lily straightened herself in her seat and the woman removed her arms.
“Sorry, yes perfectly fine. Just a bad dream. Thank you for your help,” her voice was still groggy from sleep.
Just a dream. I wish it was just a dream.
“Please let me know if you need anything else. We will be landing soon so please buckle up.”
With that the stewardess gave her one final pitiful look before continuing her walk down the aisle to check everyone was ready for landing. Lily buckled herself in before taking some deep shaky breaths. Her ears were ringing and she wondered whether she could still hear the bombs going off around her or if it was just the pressure in the plane. Lily found herself treading the line between what was real and memories lately. It sent her blood running cold.
If only I could have saved him. If only I could have saved them all. I thought I would be numb from the sight of death but it never gets any easier.
Turbulence sent Lily gripping into the armrests tightly as she was swiftly snapped out of her own mind. She soon settled down and looked around her. A couple of her fellow nearby passengers gave her wary looks before trying to cover their staring by darting their eyes elsewhere. Lily looked across to the window and could see the lights of the city get larger. She wanted to feel good about returning home, but an unsettling feeling of dread lingered at the back of her mind.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you.”
The voice over the intercom was static and Lily couldn’t help but think back to the war zone, listening over the radios. She always dreaded being called out to the scene, always preferring to be in the relative safety of the base, tending to patients there. Whenever she was called out, she always knew she was going to witness something unbearable. All those memories did nothing but build up and she feared that one day she would have to release them, she just hoped she would survive the aftermath.
She looked around her and watched everyday civilians go on with their lives. There was a family two rows in front and she could see a baby’s head peeking out
from the aisle, strapped to her mother with a baby belt. The baby mewled unhappily as the air pressure shifted once more. Lily wondered what if would feel like to settle down and have a family. The feeling of carrying a child inside her for nine months. She dreamed of a normal life, but was well-aware that it would probably never happen. She had seen too many horrible things during her time in the army. Those scars would never fully heal. Dreading seeing her brother and sister again, she leaned back in her chair and stared up at the ceiling. She could hear something rattling in the overhead cabin and pinned her thoughts on guessing what it might be to distract herself from her dark thoughts.
“Cabin crew, please take your seats for landing,” the pilot called out over the speakers.
Out of the corner of her eye, she made out the figure of a stewardess hurrying past to pick up the microphone and make their own announcement.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at the airport. Please make sure one last time your seat belt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you.”
The same stewardess then returned to check on the passengers. She occasionally asked people to buckle up, take off their headphones or open the window blinds.
Maybe I should have been a stewardess? I would still have been able to escape home but I would have seen wonders rather than horrors. Imagine all the places I could have traveled to, without having to deal with death and bloodshed. But then… would I have been able to save anyone’s life? Sure, I might have been able to stop someone choking on a peanut or perform CPR here and there, but what about the heroes out in the battlefield? What about the men and women fighting for our country? No. I did my duty and I chose right. I left behind the evils to help heal. I’m sure I chose the right path. I’m sure?
The Bailey Brothers Box Set- the Complete Trilogy Page 36