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by Xavier Neal

  “For you to pee? Because you should've peed in the ocean like an adult.”

  “Adults don't pee in the ocean,” I add to the conversation grabbing the towel that was left for me to dry off my own hair. “Or in the pool.”

  “We have to stop Glove by Mandy's sister's wedding.”

  “No,” Jazz denies. “Absolutely not. We're expected back at HORN immediately.”

  I try, “Jazz--”

  “No.” She cuts me off. “Sorry. But it's not happening. Director Shepard times the routes, and monitors the vehicles paths--”

  “With the exception of missions. Which we are on, meaning there will be no record that you took an alternative route.” Grim argues.

  “Why would I need to take an alternative route?”

  “Because Glove mentioned he felt like we were being followed.” He shoots me a glance.

  Quickly I look behind me. “Yup. Followed. Red car. Suspicious.”

  Jazz shoots me a harsh look in the rear view mirror. “There is no red car.”

  “It was there a second ago.” I wink.

  “For the love of God,” she mumbles under her breath.

  “And according to protocol if there is any suspicion that you're being followed you're to take detours and alternative routes to shake possible tails.”

  “I hate you,” Jazz sighs, switching lanes to take a different exit.

  “We love you too Jazzabelle.” I lean around the seat with a smirk.

  “If I lose my job over this, I'm taking both of you down with me,” she grumbles. Knowing we've won I smile wider. “Tossing you under the bus until you're run over several times. God! No wonder The Director's worried we're too close. We are. I should have no problem telling you two no.”

  “But you don't because we're family.” Grim says.

  “Another problem,” she mumbles. “That's not how we're supposed to operate.”

  “Which is why we operate better than the other teams.” Grim points out to her. “Now stop your bitching. It's only gonna make the three hour drive even fucking longer.”

  “Do you forget that I'm your team leader?” He sarcastically looks at her. “What! I am!”

  “Wait,” I interrupt their conversation. “We have a problem.”

  “We don't,” Grim informs me. “Your penguin suit is laid out securely under the seat in a garment bag.”

  Smirking I lean back and sigh relieved that life is on my side tonight. “Quack. Quack.”

  “Penguins don't quack!” Jazz gripes from the front seat causing a warm smile across my face. One I need. One I deserve.

  Arriving as close to the closed off wedding area as we can, Jazz puts the car in park and turns around sharply. “You have 15 minutes. Get your ass up through security. Show your face. Get back here. One minute after and I mean one fucking minute after, and I'm not only selling you out to Director Shepard I'm not giving you a ride either. I'm gonna make you run behind the car the entire way back.”

  I adjust my tie. “Love you too Jazzabelle.”

  “I hate that name.”

  “I know.”

  Grim turns around and points, “Tie is still crooked.”

  “Damn it,” I grumble getting out of the vehicle.

  Fixing it again, I hustle up towards the entrance of the outdoor event being stopped by security with a hand.

  “This is a closed event sir.”

  “I know.” I push hands in my pockets. “I should be on the list. Michael Love.”

  The security guard says my name into his sleeve. After a moment he moves out of my way allowing me to proceed into a wedding that feels like it's for royalty. Between the older women in extravagant hats and the middle aged ones in ball gowns, I feel under dressed even though I know I'm not. The posh atmosphere is filled with black and white décor along with what I assume are crystals. Or maybe those are fucking diamonds. Not knowing the difference makes me even more uncomfortable.

  Quickly I start maneuvering around the faces I don't recognize in search of the one counting on me. Bumping into a body on accident, I apologize profusely, “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to--”

  “Glove,” Haven giggles while steadying herself. “You made it!”

  “Kind of,” I mutter knowing the clock is ticking. “Do you know where Mandy is?”

  “Oh...” she breathes out slightly sad. “Being torn to pieces by her family.”

  “For what?”

  “Basically for being trouble on her sister's wedding day.”

  “Trouble?”

  Haven shakes her head, “They're all a little drunk and just complaining that she's not enough like Melissa, who for the record, I'm glad Mandy's nothing like. Melissa drives me crazy.”

  “Is that why you came to her wedding?”

  “I was invited,” she sighs. “Mandy threatened my life if I didn't show up.”

  With a smirk I ask, “Can you point me in her direction?” Haven's hand extends towards the route I need to go. Afterward I whisper, “Take the front entrance past the guard with the goatee. Hang a hard left and keep walking until you see an SUV with it's windows cracked.” She prepares to ask why when I give her a wink. Excited she scurries off as I head towards the direction she pointed.

  Making my way around the crowd, I arrive in the room just in time to see Melissa and Doctor Dave dancing around the floor alongside her parents. The other bridesmaids and their dates are also moving around, the signature dance, the one I know Mandy was dreading most. My eyes find where she's sitting at the long banquet table alone. Swiftly I make my way over to her.

  Leaning down so my lips are beside her ear I say, “Are you going to dance or pout all night?”

  Surprised she gasps turning around to see me. “You came.”

  “I'm sorry I'm late.” I extend my hand for her to take. “And I'm sorry I can't stay.”

  Mandy looks disappointed already. “You can't stay?”

  “I have to get back to work.”

  “But--”

  “Please don't fight with me.” I kiss the back of her hand, not only because we're drawing attention but because I've missed her. Really missed her. Missed everything about her from the moment she left with that other asshole. “Not now. One dance is what I have time for. Let's make it count.”

  She agrees, lifts the edge of her dress, and allows me to escort her to the dance floor. When she motions to place her hand around my neck, she grazes the fresh wound and I hiss.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I'll be fine,” I speak through the ache.

  “Are you hurt?”

  “Hazard of training,” my words are followed with me leading her to the start of a dance, my hand on her hip.

  “Do you need medical attention?” the concern in her voice brings a smile to my face.

  “So you care if I get hurt?”

  “Of course I care if you get hurt!”

  “Physically or emotionally?”

  The questions causes her to look away.

  “Look at me,” I demand and she does. “I told you I wouldn't be another broken promise in your life. Here I am. For you.” Tears start in her eyes. “And here is where I would've always been had you given me the chance, but you didn't. You're the only person in the entire world who knows what I'm like when the jokes are dropped. What I'm like the morning after a nightmare. You're the only fucking person in the world who knows that I question how much my life is fucking worth every morning I open my goddamn eyes. I believed you when you told me I was saving you, but I realize Mandy... You can't save someone who needs to save themselves. You couldn't save me. I needed to prove to myself I was more than a fuck up. That I wasn't one giant fucking failure. Because I'm not. I'm human and that's okay. Maybe a little super human,” the comment causes a teary eyed laugh to come out of her. “You couldn't save me and I can't save you. But when you're ready to let me, I'll love you.” Her mouth slips open. “And I'll keep loving you until you don't let me anymore.” Dropping a soft kiss on her lip
s I softly push my tongue against hers, the ticking of an internal buzzer going off. I pull my lips away and whisper, “Goodbye Mandy.”

  “Goodbye?”

  My body moves away from hers as the music changes and the crowd gathers to the dance floor as well.

  “Michael wait!” She yells after me, but I don't turn around. I keep my eyes focused on the direction I came, desire to get back to Khloe pushing speed into my feet. I meant every word I said. I can't save her, but Khloe, I still have a chance of rescuing.

  Day After The Wedding

  Leaning back on the leather couch in the main entrance room where the security TV's are, I stare at the one in the corner Merlin turned so that I could watch Khloe sleeping in the medical center. After being brought in she had to be heavily sedated to withstand a physical examination. She kicked and screamed bloody murder. My heart broke having to be the one to hold her as he stuck her with a needle, but I didn't have a choice.

  I drag a hand down my face trying to wash away sleep that's knocking with a heavy pounding. “You wanna go in and see her?” Grim sits in the couch across from mine.

  “Yeah. But she's still out.” Swallowing sadness I shake my head. “She's not like Haven, Grim. She's not strong enough to sit in interrogation.”

  “I don't think so either.” Jazz appears out of what feels like nowhere and sits on the edge of Grim's couch. “And that's a problem because Director Shepard is demanding it.”

  “He can't just--”

  “He can,” she cuts me off. “And you are under strict orders to follow.”

  “Me?”

  “I convinced him to let you lead the questions.” She hands me a folder. “Familiarize yourself with those. Don't take that in there with you. It'll make her feel like you're questioning her for us, which isn't what we want. We want her to feel like you're questioning her for you.”

  “You want me to manipulate a 13 year old?”

  “It's that or send your best friend in to grill her like a criminal. Pick your fucking poison.” I shut my mouth tightly. “The more information we can pull out of her in what feels like a free fashion the better. Mentally, she's not 13 when she sees you. She's that scared 9 year old little girl wanting her big brother to protect her. Use that to your advantage and extract the most information possible. We'll be watching with Director Shepard on the monitor.”

  “Thanks Jazz,” I whisper.

  “Don't thank me yet.” She stands. “Grim.”

  “Yes ma'am.” He rises to his feet to follow. Before walking away he says to me. “You can do this Glove.”

  I look down at the pages of paperwork to study while she continues to sleep, sorrow clogging my throat at the things this fucking job requires me to do. How at times it requires you to be inhuman. If this is even half of what Grim went through when Haven was here, I owe him more respect than I already do.

  About an hour later, the doctor alerts me she's waking up and escorts me down to medical where she's sitting up in the bed.

  Upon seeing me a smile comes on her face. “Michael!”

  “Not mad at me any more huh?” I question as the doctor closes the door with himself on the other side.

  She shakes her head, blonde hair shaking around her face. “I'm sorry I screamed. And kicked. I was scared.”

  “Don't apologize for being scared Khlo'.” I sit on the edge of the bed. “You had every right to be. After what you've been through--”

  “I don't wanna talk about it.” She closes down already. Not a good start. Not a fucking good start. Pulling her legs to her chest she rests her head on her knees. “Ever. I just wanna pretend it never happened.”

  My hand gently touches her blanket covered foot. “I feel the same way about playing dress up.”

  She giggles and covers her mouth to try to stifle the laughter.

  “I know I look good in anything, but plastic Cinderella heels just weren't for me.”

  “You looked so funny,” she recalls. “Oh and the tu-tu.”

  “Let's not talk about the tu-tu.”

  “But it was so small!” She laughs more relaxing again. “It was....just so funny.”

  “The things I would do for you back then,” I try to steer the conversation. “And now.”

  “Would you put on a tu-tu again?”

  “I look good in pink.”

  “Boys don't look good in pink,” she argues.

  With a smirk I shrug, “Debatable.”

  “No,” she denies. “Besides I don't like pink anymore.”

  “How come?”

  “He always made me wear it,” the bitter words come out of her. Instantly my mind flashes back to the color of the nightgown she was wearing when we rescued her. “Told me I looked like a doll and should dress like one.” Fighting the rage building up I adjust myself on the bed knowing it I don't a violent rush will ooze out. An action she doesn't need to see. One she doesn't need if I want her feeling safe.

  “He's a sick man,” I start. “And I'm sorry I couldn't save your friends.”

  “They weren't my friends!” she yells at me. “They didn't even like me! They hated me!”

  Cautiously I ask, “Why?”

  “Because I broke the rules!” She screams again. “I was always breaking the rules! And if one breaks the rules we all get punished.”

  “What rules Khlo'?”

  “Don't ask questions. Don't eat until told. Don't whine. Don't beg. Don't wear underwear unless told. Don't make eye contact with his men.” Her face falls.

  Using my hand I gently touch her foot again so her eyes lift to mine. “He had other men around you?” She nods. “What kind? Men he let...let....” I make a hand motion.

  “No,” she denies. “We're his and only his. He would never share us. We rarely saw anyone besides each other and him. There were men he had to bring around us sometimes. We weren't supposed to look at them. But I did once.”

  “How come?”

  “I hadn't eaten in a couple days. If we behaved, we ate well. Slept well. If we didn't we were starved for a couple days to be reminded he was in charge. Forced to sleep in a closet if he felt the punishment fit. He wanted to prove he could give and take away.”

  “Master.”

  “He made us call him that,” she confesses wiping away tears. “I was so hungry that day and the man was eating peanuts. The kind where you have to crack the shell. I remember wondering why anyone would want that much work for food.”

  Something inside me twitches. “Peanuts? Still in the shell? Was it a red bag?”

  “With funny yellow writing.”

  “Do you remember the size of the man? Was he big like my best friend Lordy who rode with you? Or smaller than me?”

  “More like Lordy...” she whispers out. “But Lordy smells better.”

  “He steals my cologne.” Khloe giggles, easing some of the obvious rising tension inside of her. “What did the Peanut Man smell like?”

  “Sweat. Strong sweat. He had told Master he had just come from training. He also had a bandage on his arm from 'some bitch who will pay for the day she didn't pick me'.” Without allowing me to ask any more questions she blurts out, “I don't wanna talk about it anymore Michael. Please don't make me.”

  “No, no Khlo',” I insist. “No more. You hungry?” She nods quickly and I suggest, “What sounds good to you? Pizza? Ice cream? Chocolate milk?”

  “Peanut Butter and Jelly,” the answer pulls my tears that were hiding underneath the surface.

  “I think I can arrange that.” My hand gives her head a soft pat. “I'll be back shortly alright?” When she nods again I add, “Try to get some rest until then.”

  Khloe stretches her legs out and I tuck her back in suddenly no more than 18 all over again. Looking up at me through her heavy eyelashes she whispers out, “Protect me from the monsters please.”

  “Always Khlo.” I plant a soft kiss on her forehead. “Always.”

  I exit her room to see Grim on the other side of the door. Imme
diately I mumble, “I know our leak. And we have a bigger problem than just that.”

  “Director Shepard wants us in his office. Now.”

  “Good,” I agree and hurry alongside him.

  The minute the two of us are in the Director's office, he locks the door, hits the button and I state in a low voice. “I know the leak.”

  “We have a leak?” Jazz snaps quietly at the Director. “I thought that was just a passing thought.”

  “I didn't know we had one.” Lordy looks hurt. “How did you know we had one?”

  Director Shepard sighs, “I trusted Grim and Glove to find it and plug it. You found it?”

  “You didn't trust me sir?” Lordy's tone still clear he's slightly upset.

  “I didn't know if I could completely trust that it wasn't you.”

  “Why not?”

  “You handle our translations,” Director Shepard explains. “You could easy smudge a word here and there, keep information to yourself, plant the information you wanted us to have.” Lordy tries to look like he understands but it's clear he's still pissed.

  “And me?” Jazz's eyes have the same glaze that Lordy's does.

  “Too easy JZ. Behavioral analysts are often the most easy to manipulate. You know everyone's weak spot to exploit. Exploit the right one you can gain anything you want. Money--”

  “I don't need the money.”

  “Power. Position. Anything. And I never said I thought it was you. Or Lordy. But the leak was coming from this division of HORN. I did what I had to to find it.”

  “So these last couple of trips?” Lordy questions.

  Jazz asks, “And burying me in a scavenger hunt of paperwork for an identity that doesn't exist?”

  “I did what was necessary to protect this unit.”

  “Can we focus?” I interrupt.

  “Proceed.” Director Shepard waves a hand at me.

  “Tyger is your leak,” I inform him.

  “I fucking hate that guy.” Grim folds his arms across his chest. “I will gladly take him out.”

  Director Shepard holds up a hand for him to calm down. “What makes you believe that?”

  “Khloe said the man she saw was eating a red bag of peanuts still in the shell--”