Allure (Mercenaries Book 1)
Page 36
“That’s enough for now.” Sure is. “Kylie here is ecstatic for the chance to help; I guess you’ve done the same for her?” Oh, yeah, that’s right. “Go back to sleep.”
Wendy felt nothing after the pin-prick of the needle.
Doctor Ardan reviewed her thoughts as she waited for Jamse. She’d asked him to visit so she could give him the status.
All the girls would physically heal. The girls, except for Sydney and Ashley, generally had superficial injuries—If I don’t count the psychological ones from being forced into prostitution. She expected the physical effects of the sex would pass in a few months. Ana and Rosa both worried her; she feared not to be able to prevent scarring. Kylie’s skull fracture did appear to be healing well.
She’d invited specialists in internal and orthopedic medicine to the Nest. The internalist specifically to look at Sydney and Ashley, but all the others, just to make sure. The victim of Derek’s cabinet attack was the only real candidate for the orthopedic doctor. Li Fam had told her she wanted to dance again. The surgeon would have her work cut out for her.
The team’s injuries gave her only minor angst. Of these, Jamse’s worried her the most; head injuries with loss of consciousness always were bad. But he seemed to be fine, and getting him to sit down for any tests… He’ll probably ignore any orders I give him.
She’d ordered Kevin to the wheelchair for two weeks to allow his leg to heal, but expected Shalin to have difficulty keeping him in it. She’d need a chain, Ardan reflected, with a lock of chastity to hold him down. She was also concerned that Wendy’s blood could have contaminated his; she would drag both Kevin and Shalin to her office for a long, hard discussion about those risks.
Sue’s wound: She and Mike had done a neat job closing it; it would make a nice counterpoint to Sue’s other scars.
Along with the physical injury doctors, Ardan had requested help from clinical psychologists and specialists in youth sexual trauma, in the hope that they could recommend treatment plans as well as determining which of the girls would benefit from more than a minimal course.
The orthopedic surgeon arrived mid-afternoon. She reviewed the patients in inverse order of need, so took Mike first, for two minutes. “Stay away from heavy lifting and twisting for six weeks. Doctor Ardan tells me your girlfriend is here, and very solicitous,” she told him with a knowing grin. “Keep the passion vertical for a month, anyway, a full six weeks would be best, and I won’t suggest to your parents to keep you apart.”
At Wendy’s bedside, the surgeon used Kylie’s torso for her demonstrations. “This is where I’ll get the bone fragments from your rib. That’ll be tomorrow or the next day, depending. When I get in there, I’ll know if I have to put in an extension to replace the missing section. You’ll be fine in short order, though swimming this summer is out. After we take the dressings off, we’ll get the plastic guy to reduce the scarring, though Doctor Ardan’s knife work was quite neat, under the circumstances.”
“‘The plastic guy?’” Wendy whispered.
“Oh, sorry. A plastic surgeon. Doctor Carver, believe it or not. He specializes in scars of the type you’ll have if we don’t do anything. Best to get it done now; ruin only one year for you.”
She turned to Kylie. “They’ll make some more X-rays of your skull later; make sure there’s nothing got missed. And a neurologist will be here tomorrow, Doctor Ardan said, to see what ill effects might have arisen from bouncing your brain around. I have to say, though, after examining you, we’re all pretty sure that will be a non-event.”
The most critical need was that of Li Fam. Her ankle was in multiple pieces; with no delay the surgeon had walked into the operating theater to verify that all was in order before agreeing to bring the girl in. Once she approved it, however, Li Fam was in and her ankle evaluated and repaired. The surgeon completed her work later at night; Li Fam would likely have full use of her leg, even to dance, by the end of the year.
At the End of the Year
IN ARIZONA, THE NEW POOL on the bluff had been posted as private property and extremely hazardous once the initial recovery teams brought back a few artifacts and some remains. The chemical reaction which the grenades had precipitated wasn’t fully explained, nor was the existence of a tunnel connecting the nearly-drained lake to the apparently man-made cavern.
The police cars found at the site gave rise to investigations, none of which proceeded beyond providing assurance that the principals had been dealt with. No evidence remained to implicate others. The investigation would continue, but produce little beyond increased tax bills.
The California girls and their parents accepted that no more retribution would be forthcoming with better grace than some had feared. The few girls needing therapy funded it out of the compensation; for most, that money was a reason to look at higher tier colleges and universities.
Wendy had taken such a ribbing about the scar across her torso, even after Doctor Carver did his thing, that she had pestered her parents to be allowed to get a tattoo of a bullet pointing in on her left side and exiting on the right. Kylie, whose headaches had finally ended, thought Wendy’s idea “gross” but continued to tease her nonetheless, until Beckie in one of her e-mails had suggested the magic word: henna. Small brown drawings of slugs decorated Wendy before the bare midriff weather passed; Kylie’s ribbing changed nature. Wendy didn’t have the dye reapplied.
Investigation proved that Megan had arrived in the brothel with the complicity of her parents. In spite of that, she did not want to involve the authorities. Jamse sent a small team to visit: as long as they went on as if Megan no longer existed, no notice would be taken. Wendy’s parents accepted Megan as a foster child.
Li Fam and Derek continued their correspondence. In addition to dance as she’d told Sue, she also competed in field events; she would be able to compete in the spring. Derek promised to bring his wiry ginger hair along with his family to watch her.
Erin and Erica, the twins, had no problem with recovery. After three weeks for the physical effects to pass, they were returned to their parents in Vancouver. Now, enjoying winter, they were skating and skiing with family and friends, the weeks in Arizona deeply buried. Righteous anger is a powerful balm.
Kiel Lot reported regularly on the foundations funded by the team, and on the girls he had helped place. For the most part, these were successful; he was committed to the exceptions.
Meili and the Go’s had been a successful match, so far at least. Meili’s English improved daily, and the minor aggravations she visited on her new parents filled them with joy—once the frustration passed.
Semester break had come happily for Beckie, Mike and Melissa. The Christmas season was in full swing, snow on the ground, ice in the air. Mike had fully recovered; he was wrestling and playing basketball better than he’d expected, and he could accept and return Lissa’s embraces as tightly as they wished. They were not discussing their relationship, Melissa not even with Beckie on the times the two stayed over together. Beckie on the other hand was almost aggressively unattached. She spent considerable time studying current events, especially those with social concerns, and more time on the phone with Sue, Elena, Derek and Jamse, on what the group thought about things, what they were doing.
She asked Jean-Luc to fly her down to the Nest every other month, to spend time with Meili mainly, although she would corner anyone not absent working on a project. The team welcomed her participation. On the off months, Jean-Luc flew the same route, but with Meili and Xia as passengers, bringing them to Minneapolis, giving them a chance to interact with Beckie and her family in an environment at once both foreign and strangely familiar. Meili especially liked to curl up with whomever would join her next to the fire. Xia told them it reminded Meili of her home in China, a little.
The late December day dawned fine and clear. Jamse was visiting Kevin and Shalin; they were sitting in Shalin’s big kitchen sharing an afternoon tea. Jamse was gazing at the cottage across the dune.
“Don’t be silly, Kevin,” Shalin said with a laugh. Then more serious, “Why don’t you go and ask her, Ian? She’s of age, and ready.”
“I fear she would never be interested in one almost twice her age,” he said wistfully.
Shalin hugged Kevin so tightly he thought she might crack one of his ribs. With a huge smile, she said “Some would, Ian. Some would. Go.”
The snow had been falling for two days the day before Christmas. Beckie and her family were enjoying the pre-Christmas spirit with Meili and the Dursts. Just before they were to leave for midnight services, a knock on the door heralded a visitor.
Jamse stood on the doorstep. “M. Fereré was kind enough to give up his holiday so that I might be here, with you. Even though I am unannounced, I hope you can forgive my intrusion.”
Beckie ran to hug him before he finished.
“Get in here!” she demanded. “And Jean-Luc? What’d you do with him? He’s not sitting in a car somewhere waiting for you? Or on the plane?”
Jamse entered, pushing the door closed as he did. “No. He has made friends here during the trips he makes back and forth.” He greeted Meili, then the others.
“We could’ve made arrangements if you’d said something,” Beckie said, “but I’m glad, even unannounced.” She ended in a whisper, lips next to Jamse’s ear, “Best present ever.” She emphasized those words with a hug.
“It was very much a last minute decision,” he explained. “I found there is an important discussion I need to have with you.”
“Well, I hope it can wait a bit,” Jim said. “It’s just time to go to the church.” He looked at them with the beginnings of a smile. “I hope you two will be able to join us?”
Beckie smiled at his obvious recognition of her attachment to Jamse.
“What do you think, Ian? Shall we put off your discussion for an hour or so?”
“I believe that would be fine,” he agreed, giving her the smile Beckie loved.
Following the service, Beckie took Ian’s arm under hers as they walked through the flurries to her car. While Mike and Melissa had ridden to the service with them, Melissa took Beckie’s first hint and pushed Mike toward her parents’ car.
“That was neatly orchestrated,” Jamse said with a grin. His words showed in the cold air.
“Thank you,” she replied with a little bow.
As she drove, she suggested, “Perhaps you can begin with the discussion?”
Beckie didn’t pay full attention as she brought her car to a stop at a favorite lakeside overlook where her friends—and Mike and Melissa, too, probably—watched the submarine races during the summer. Nosing the car to the fence, she realized that he’d not responded at all. She dragged on the parking brake and shifted out of gear, then turned to look at him.
“Golly, Ian, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re here.” She frowned as a possible reason for his visit struck her. “Everyone’s ok, right? You didn’t come to tell me—”
“No! No, that is not the reason at all.”
“That’s a relief. And you’re not gonna fire me, I hope?” She took his arm and squeezed it.
“Not that either. Perhaps I should allow you to guess, to see if—”
“No! This is my last guess: you want me to do something…”
He smiled, but this was a funny smile, one that Beckie didn’t recall seeing before. It filled her with a sudden hunger, and she reached over the console, took his head and kissed him.
His reaction stunned her. With a look of complete surprise on his face, he jerked away, but then instantly returned her kiss.
When he released her, she relaxed in her seat, grinning ear to ear. Wow! Never been kissed like that. I guess he liked it, too, as she looked at his flushed cheeks. She couldn’t suppress a giggle. “I can’t believe that you’ve never been kissed before.”
“True, but never by…”
When his voice trailed off, she asked, “By what? Or who, I guess?”
“This is not the way I thought our conversation would go, Rebecca. Neither Shalin nor Kevin suggested that you…”
“That I’d what? Ian, this is getting a little strange.”
“I am not well suited to subterfuge, I fear. And I am not sure that I should have this conversation with you before talking to your father.”
Beckie’s heart stopped, then raced. The only reason she could conceive for… He was still speaking.
“… ask for your hand. Will you marry me?”
Her heart stopped again, and raced a second later. She threw herself over the console to hug him. Her tears wet both their faces as she kissed him over and again.
‘But,” he asked when she paused, “is that—”
“YES! Yes, yes, yes. If you’ll have me, I’m yours forever! I love you, Ian. I have since you dumped us in that box, I think.”
He gave her a long look. “That is not the reaction I expected.”
“What?”
“I meant the reaction to being buried.”
“It was more what you said, actually.” She played with her gloves for a second, then looked up into his blue eyes with a smile. “I’m not going to consummate this proposal here in my car. Let’s—”
“I agree, fully. Where should we go?”
“I think I better take you home. Dad at least will be worried, and Melissa will be beside herself to find out why you’re here.” Beckie knew her smile was huge. “Not sure she’ll believe it.”
“I should take a room at the hotel.”
“Much as I want you right beside me for ever and ever, I think you’re right. Let’s go there now, and check you in, then go home. I’ll bring you back after the gift giving.”
“I do have a small gift.”
Again, Beckie couldn’t speak as she took the small velvet covered box. Her heart pounded. “Should I open it now, or wait till we’re with the others?”
“I cannot judge that.”
“It’s not an extravagantly huge ring, is it? Something that I’d be afraid to wear?”
“I took Shalin’s advice, but that is all I can say…”
Beckie smiled and pressed the box back in his hand. “If you took Shalin’s advice, it will be wonderful and everyone will be surprised with me.” She pulled his head to her lips. “I love you.” A big grin followed her kiss. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of saying that!”
“I hope not; I will never tire of hearing you say it.”
End of
Allure
Beckie and Ian Return in
Freedom Does Matter
Read Excerpt Here
Buy Freedom Does Matter here
Appendices
The Nest
THE NEST IS A FICTITIOUS archipelago sited in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is described by the map in the front matter, as well as here.
Cartography based on “Eastern Caribbean.” 21.680164° N and 73.463645° W. Google Earth. Image date not given. Accessed April 7, 2013.
There are seven islands, listed in order of decreasing size.
Port Cay: 11050 feet by 4050 feet (largest dimensions in two orthogonal directions). Average elevation is 15 feet, and the maximum elevation is 50 feet, both above mean high water (mhw). Port Cay houses the team’s airfield (8000’ by 200’ asphalt runway, heading east-west, east end is 18’ elevation, dropping to 12’ at the west end.). The island was artificially extended to accommodate the runway. To support aircraft operations, the island also has a hangar. The Nest’s communication and radar facilities are adjacent to the hangar.
Bon Secours Cay: 7000’ x 2000’, avg. ele., 15’; max. ele., 40’ mhw. The name denotes the home of the team’s hospital. The camp’s administration and security offices are adjacent to the hospital. Homes occupy most of the other area.
Nord Cay: 4100’ x 1940’; avg. ele., 15’
; max. ele., 25’ mhw. Northernmost island. Team member homes.
Sud Cay: 2000’ x 3000’; avg. ele., 18’; max. ele., 40’ mhw. Southernmost occupied island. Sud Cay has the only deep draft dock on its eastern shore. More homes and storage facilities.
Home Cay: 3200’ x 1580’; avg. ele., 13’; max. ele., 20’ mhw. First island settled; Ian Jamse and Kevin deVeel’s homes are there.
Cottage Cay: 2600’ x 1200’; avg. ele., 10’; max. ele., 30’ mhw. A community of cottages for single or unattached team members. The southwest shore has a protected lagoon; the team’s small boat anchorage is there.
Tiny Cay: 2000’ x 1000’; avg. ele., 8’; max. ele., 10’ mhw. Uninhabited with only brush, Tiny Cay lies about two miles south and slightly west of Sud Cay. It is used for training.
All islands except Tiny Cay have a dock with boats capable of navigating between islands. Bon Secours has three of them due to its relatively central location.
Cell phone and WiFi service are provided, with a connection to BTC. Security monitors all coastlines for intrusions as well as passing traffic.
The team’s aircraft are leased, including two Gulfstream g150’s, a B737-700C and a Piper Mirage. The team owns outright a Lockheed C130 retired from US Air Force service. The hangar is capable of protecting these as well as a Eurocopter EC-135.
Cast
IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
EXPOSURE
April; follows Sandfall by 18 months