by L. Ann Marie
“So now you’re anyone’s? My turn is next princess.”
“I am Jessie and Dakota’s.” She’s looking right at him and there is no mistaking her dislike for him. This is not their first meeting.
“Looks like while your man’s away you’re out playing. Tomorrow you play with me.”
I turn and swing my elbow up then step over him. “Her cut will say James-LaPonte and Lightfoot. Neither of us will allow you anywhere near Jessica. You do not get another warning.”
When we’re outside she stops me. “How do you move so fast?”
Fuck. I look up the road. Security is standing at the door. “Can we talk about it at home?”
She nods and kisses my lips. I get us on the bike and think of what I am going to say. Co said to be as honest as I can, but guard my knowledge because it can be used against her. I believe that means her knowledge of my abilities can put her in more danger than she already is because of Mitch’s abilities. I wish Jessie was here.
Chapter Fourteen
One week
Jessie
I show Rich the pictures Dakota sent. “She looks happy Jessie. I’m happy for you. Did Patches get you the list?”
“Yeah. We’ll go through it when I get home.” He gives me a look. “They’re waiting for me to get home.”
“That’s good. Can he read you?”
Shouldn’t he know this shit? “Only at work or with stupid shit. Prez said he can’t read where his heart is clouded or some shit.” Fuck that seems so long ago. I don’t even know what day it is.
“It’s Friday dipshit.”
I laugh. Cloud and Uncle Danny come in. “Cloud can you give me a ride home?”
“I would, but Jared is here. Little Ben sent him up for you. He said he needs you on Monday and you need some time off before that.”
“Thank Fuck. Love you guys, but I’m fuckin’ tired.”
They laugh at me. “Is Jared at the hangar here or at Baxters?”
“Here. You need to give him an hour, I think Mitch got wind and has a dinner thing happening.” Cloud says.
“Thanks Brothers it’s been real. I need to go say bye to the kids and Mom.” I hug Rich and Uncle Danny and fist bump Cloud.
I walk into the house and Mom points to the patio. I kiss her and walk out. “Dad, I was hoping to catch you here. I wanted to tell you what’s been happening with me, Jess and Dakota.”
His smile lights up his face. Mom is a smart woman. The only time I’ve talked to him has been on Ops during the day. I spend fifteen minutes telling him about current events and show him the pictures Dakota sent. Then I have to send them to him so he can show who the fuck knows, but he’s smiling as I go to see Mom and the kids.
Alex and Ally tell me about their jobs. They’re still so fuckin’ cute. I send Ally Jess’ picture and she prints it to hang in her treehouse. Uncle Danny built her a bigger one to fit her bed and she loves it smiling the whole time she’s hanging her new picture. I’ll never get tired of seeing that smile. Devan and Brenna tell me to be safe with hugs and kisses for Darren and Little Ben, and Dad and Mom hug me one more time.
I’m exhausted and not sure if it’s from the long nights and days running together or the love from my family. Since I’m smiling all the way up to the hangar I think it’s the long hours. I fuckin’ love my family.
While I’m waiting for Jared I call my dad and tell him I love him. I can’t remember if I told him before I left. He says I did and laughs.
I call Dakota telling him I’ll be home, but it will be late. I can hear Jess screeching and I’m glad she isn’t on the phone.
Prez is with Darren and sounds distracted, but tells me to come to Security when I get in.
I’m out of people to touch base with when Jared shows. Perfect. As I’m climbing in Jeremy calls me. “Wait.”
I laugh. I tell Jared we’re waiting for Jeremy then call Cloud. “Jeremy has us waiting for him.”
“Fuckin’ kids. I need a full time assistant to keep track of that one. Why is he going back?” He’s pissed.
“His exact word was ‘wait’.” I’m smiling while he runs through every fuck he knows. “So my job is done right?” I swipe my phone off laughing.
“You don’t poke a bear and you don’t piss off the SEALs, especial the angry Indian SEAL. He’s having trouble keeping track of Jeremy and he’s nervous about that.”
He’s right. “I know you’re right, but the fuckin’ guy never talks and he’s funny when he’s pissed. I heard every fuck he knows.”
He laughs. “It is funny when he goes through them. How many do you think he knows?”
I shrug. “I only know it in five languages. He’s been all over the fuckin’ world.”
Jeremy rides right into the hangar and leaves his bike against the wall. I wonder who collects his bikes. He’s got to be the most high maintenance person I’ve ever known, but he’s worth every bit of it. He’s saved more people and sees shit no adult should see, but keeps going. He’s pissed when he climbs in. “What’s wrong?”
“Geek!” He throws himself in a seat and buckles the belt. Jared looks away fast, but I see him smiling.
I squat down in front of him. “You want to be left alone or you want to talk it out?”
‘He’s going to Disney again! They already went!’ He’s yelling in my head and I push everything away trying not to laugh.
“Brother that was a while ago. Most people with kids go to Disney like once a year.”
‘Why?’
I laugh. “Kids love Disney. Parents do too. It’s the one place on earth that you can be a kid the entire vacation.”
‘I didn’t love it. I loved the beach and blue water.’
“I didn’t either. I was done after once. You’re not exactly a normal kid Jeremy. You’re smarter than most adults and the things you find interesting are about making the world better not yourself happy.”
‘What would happen if I was a selfish spoiled kid Jessie?’
I laugh. “Brother I’m not sure you know how to be selfish. You heal people giving them a chance at life. You’ve saved us so many times. You got us Aubrey and Marty back. I don’t want to imagine a life without the you I know in it Jeremy. Too many of the people I love wouldn’t be here with me.”
He smiles and hugs me. “Brothers always.”
“Always little man. Always.”
‘Aubrey isn’t selfish, but she likes the princesses. Maybe it will be fun for her. She’s excited for the boys to see.’
I sit on the side of him. “She’s still young Brother.”
‘Yeah. I have to wait for her to grow up Dad said. She’s worth the wait. Like Jess.’
“Yeah Brother.”
He smiles and closes his eyes.
***
Eagle Eye
Prez calls me in just as we’re settling down for a movie. Jess gets her laptop while I slide my gun on. I kiss her telling her I will be back when I can.
“I have some things to work out. I’ve been saving things just for this reason.” She smiles.
I kiss her head and leave thinking about her work. Her mother sends ideas and models for her to make better or easier. She is an engineer for Baxters, but spends most of her time on her mother’s designs. This makes her almost as big of a target as her mother. With the abilities I understand what that prison feels like. I am happy that she lived with happy people doing everything to lift her to where she needs to be.
We need to change out the lights, you need sunglasses to drive under them. I stop at the gate and wait for Security to get here. The guard tells me two of the neighbors moved. I look at the property. This would be a good location for some of the younger Security staff and Prospects. I make a note to talk with the last neighbor and realtor.
At Security, I am directed to the meeting room by Ops, my thumb gets me in. Darren and Prez are watching the board. “We have a problem in the next town. Security was clearing a block and got hit from a building that was supposed to
be abandoned. Graffiti points to a gang affiliated with the one we moved out of here.”
I nod and watch. “There was no one left from here. Is this family?”
Prez looks at me. “Why would you think family?”
“To sit and wait would mean a passion to strike out. A new gang would just move in, taking over territory and defending it. An offensive move would mean passion with retaliation or vengeance as a motive.”
Darren laughs. “We need the quickest way to remove them before this turns into another war.”
“The PD is giving us complete control. The Chief has an officer in critical condition and isn’t willing to lose anymore,” Prez says in that monotone way. He is not happy with the Chief.
I don’t blame him, this is his town and he pledged support to remove the gang and drugs now he pulls all support leaving it to us. Prez will not go back on his word, but he will not be happy about it.
I watch the board and see movement in the buildings. “If we level the buildings they have nowhere to hide.” Prez looks at me and nods.
“Darren make sure utilities are cut off and get Security in. One shot collecting pussies as they are running out. I want the building surrounded so call in everyone and get me Driscoll.” He looks at his watch. “Get your flight crews and be ready in thirty. Make sure you’re fully loaded and have the supplies and artillery ready for Jared when he gets here. I’ll call our coward and get the roads closed in a half mile radius.”
“Roger Prez.” I turn to leave.
“Eagle Eye take Ghost with you. He’s tired and will want to be in on this, but I don’t know where his head is. He’s a good sniper so maybe he can run as gunner for you on boards.”
“He is a good gunner Prez. I would be honored to have him on my team.” He smiles and throws me chin.
In Ops I have Jason call the flight crews minus Lex. He will not be needed tonight in the chopper, but can be used as sniper. I let Darren know he is available before I leave glad that my people are trained for everything.
The hangar is full of activity when I park my bike. I change while they prepare the chopper and check all the artillery before I do my systems check. I hear the other chopper and let Jared know I need Jessie as gunner. They have the plan and he checks his artillery as I finish.
Air 1: “Josiah at Air Ops control, I have Prez at lead. Prez you’re on with Prince and Halo. I need check in.”
Me: “Air One, Eagle Eye in Prince read you clear. Flight crew at the ready.”
Jared: “Air One, B-Squared in Halo. Read you clear, flight crew ready in five. Waiting on a fuckin’ flight suit.”
Prez: “You were missing a flight suit?” I want to laugh. I look back and Jessie is smiling.
Jared: “Roger Prez. My fuckin’ crew was held at gunpoint while it was stolen.” He is pissed. My crew is laughing.
Prez: “There are spare suits B-Squared.”
Jared: “Roger Prez, but not for the tall thief. He wouldn’t take the shorter suit saying he can’t move without crushing his balls. I sent to storage for suit so my own fuckin’ gunner can move without pain.”
The chopper erupts in laughter. Prez is silent. Fuckin’ Jessie.
Air 1: “Halo let us know when your crew is ready.” We can hear laughing in the Ops room and the crew laughs again. I cannot see Jared behind me, but I see Security pull in and ride toward him. We watch Security ride out of the gate and Jessie readies the crew telling them the plan.
Jared: “Air One, Halo crew is at the ready.”
Prez: “Roll out on my one Halo, Prince on two.” We roger him back and lift off as ordered. It takes ten minutes to be in position.
Prez: “Eagle Eye get me on loud speaker.” I look back and Jessie shrugs.
Me: “Air One you are on loud speaker.”
Prez: “This is Prez from the Princes of Prophecy. You have three minutes to vacate the building before I blow it up. Prince take me off loud speaker.” I hit the speaker off.
Me: “You are off speaker Prez.”
Prez: “Security is in position and Cleanup is on the way. Set your missiles low Prince and fire on my one. Halo your building is marked two. Fire on my one. Have your gunners cover Security Halo. Prince have your gunners cover for snipers.”
Me: “Roger Prez.” I turn. “Ghost at lead, cover for snipers.”
Jessie: “Roger Eagle Eye.” The mounts go up and the gunners are in position.
Prez: “Prince in three, two, one.” I fire into the basement then the lower back wall.
Me: “Missiles away, lifting a hundred for thirty.” The building implodes and I lower us to three hundred.
Prez: “Prince, cover Security. Halo cover for sniper. Fire on my one.”
The gunners are shooting and I see men running away from the buildings. Security is cuffing them and handing them back like an assembly line. The men firing as they come out are shot where they stand. As it slows I am moved to the south side of the next building. It implodes and men are running like rats away from the destruction. Jessie is talking to the crew and I am listening to Prez. Darren must be running Security Ops with Brantley. Prez says something to him then comes back to us.
Prez: “Prince to the south of the building marked three, Halo to the north. Fire on my one.” We acknowledge and move into position and Jessie is pissed. Men are leaving with their hands up. Prez waits until they are away before he orders fire. I rise then lower for the gunners. Two ambulances make their way to the north side of the block. I can see a news van pulling up.
Me: “Air One, media pulling in grid line three at six.” I tell him the coordinates from the tagging program grids.
Prez: “Roger Eagle Eye. Driscoll is on his way. Cover Security Halo. Prince return to the yard. Good job flight crew Prince. Ghost and Eagle Eye report to Security.”
Me: “Roger Air One, Prince disengaging and returning to the hangar.”
The crew scrambles to pull the guns and mounts in while I rise, when the doors close I turn us flying over water before returning to the hangar. The crew is in good spirits and cheer when we set down. I am always surprised with the reaction to positive support from Prez. The Brothers love the acknowledgement. I run my checks and order the artillery restocked and the extra supplies to be returned to the hangar munitions room. The guns are taken in to be cleaned and readied for our next flight. Jessie points out a loose mount and I mark it to be replaced.
With the orders set we ride to Security. Another cheer goes up when we walk in. I throw chin and tell Josiah he did a good job. We watch Cleanup collect the gang and guns. When Jared sets down and Security is headed back we go to the meeting room.
Prez comes in and his phone rings. “Fuck, not even a minute.” He answers with a smile. “Ben Knight.” He looks at the board running the scene from three angles. “Your gang is removed. You’re welcome.” He listens with us watching. We can hear the Chief yelling. When the yelling stops Prez takes a breath and lets it out. “You asked for our help with drugs and a gang in your town. We gave you our support unconditionally with a plan and the Brothers to back it up. When one officer was hit you pulled out leaving us with no support from you. Tell me, now that your gang problem is no longer a threat to you, how you think we should have carried out that plan with no support from your entire fuckin’ force. Be very careful here Chief. You asked us to the party. We didn’t come looking for you.” He listens. “You’re welcome. The buildings were abandoned and condemned, they aren’t a haven any longer. We will let your force do their job and process the bodies and scene as if they helped. If you ever threaten me again I will level your PD and replace it with Brothers that don’t run and hide at the first sign of trouble. I will not give you a three minute warning.” He swipes his phone. “Good job Brothers. We’ll run the drugs out as planned and finish wiring the town.”
Jessie laughs. “Why’d you give them the warning instead of Dakota?” I wondered that as well.
Prez smiles. “Two reasons, one our name went out o
n the speaker to everyone in the vicinity and two, I didn’t want his Indian to make it sound like a request and be misunderstood.”
Fuck. They are all laughing. I wait not knowing what to think. ‘No disrespect, we spent a whole weekend fixing a mistake for a misunderstanding,’ Darren signs to me.
I smile, they did. I stand. “Is there anything else?”
Prez looks at me. “I am going to the hospital for the Brothers that were injured.”
He shakes his head. “They’re with Nick, they will be fine and meet us at the Club.” He looks at Jessie. “Brantley is ordering the wiring, the PD still thinks it’s just surveillance for drugs, we’re doubling the crews before they grow a brain. I need you to follow that and make sure nothing gets missed.” Jessie nods. “I have a job for you, you’ll get the details Tuesday. You’re not needed until Monday, go get some sleep, you look like shit.”
Jessie stands smiling. “Roger Prez. It was a good Op. Later Brothers.” He man hugs each of us before he walks out. I wait.
“Dakota we have a week left on the PD. Driscoll is happy with the men trained, but would like more bikes patrolling. How many will make it in this class?”
I flip through the leaderboards in my head. “Maybe three at the end of this training. The rogues are good riders, but aim is a problem. If they had more time we could bring up the last three.”
He nods. “I’ll get Sheila to work with them starting Monday.” I nod. This will be interesting. “Josiah is very good on Air One. Was that his position before the merge?”
“No, he has never run Air.” He is surprised. “He is a seer,” I tell him. It is not like him to forget.
His brows draw down. “Meaning he sees visions?”
I see why he is confused. “No, not all seers see visions as you are thinking of them. He sees closer in time.”
“Explain.” Darren says.
I think of words they would not misunderstand. “He does not get visions, but feelings of what should be avoided or reacted to.” They do not understand. “If you walk in a door and see something off you raise your gun. Josiah sees you needing your gun before your hand touches the knob.” Darren nods. “Josiah always handled my Ops, the jobs we do not speak of and in Security. I did not have control on Air before the merge.”