“That’s good news,” Jasmine said.
“So what’s the bad news Kennedy?” Claire asked.
“The jailhouse suicide was more than just a murder to take out Samuel for confessing to his crimes. It was a ploy to get Ethan, Trujillo, Trent, and Townsend back into the jailhouse. Ethan had ordered a roundup of the Red Vipers the night before. They took over the jail and are holding them hostage. Your girls weren’t the target, Ethan was. It’s me and a few FBI agents left to get you to safety, then I am joining the others as we try to force our way inside.”
“Come on lets go,” Jasmine said.
Kennedy got them both to Blake-Moore Estates in record time. Jasmine and Claire ran into the house, were everyone was gathered.
Ethan, Trent, Trujillo, Townsend and Jamieson had barricaded themselves in a small room. Trent and Townsend moved quickly placing a desk under an air vent. Trujillo climbed up and removed the air vent and two tiles surrounding it. One by one they climbed into the ceiling then they replaced the tiles, and air vents. It was only a matter of time before the Red Vipers were inside the room. Trent had called Kimberly and made her aware of the situation. Michelle was working on getting them the floor plans to the police department and FBI had been called in for back up.
“We missed something with our Intel,” Trent said.
“I just figured it out,” Ethan said. “I am the target.”
“Dammit,” Trujillo said. “How did we miss this?” he asked.
“Easily, he said that he wanted to take someone close to Jasmine, so that she would always have to live with the pain. We assumed it was her daughters,” Townsend responded.
“Look, I will stay behind and hold them off as long as possible. You guys get out and come back with help,” Ethan said.
“Hell no,” Trent said. That is the stupidest plan I have ever heard of.”
“I am with Trent,” Trujillo said. “They will have to take us all out. You are my brother and I will not leave you behind.”
“We are sitting ducks right here,” Ethan said.
Trent stepped in, two to the right and two to the left. Jamieson you have to go all the way to the last tile and get out and let the cavalry in. On my single, which will be as soon as they come through the barricade, Team A will shoot the incoming and Team B will shoot the ones waiting on the other side to get in. Shoot to kill, because if we don’t then they will kill us. Everyone’s ammo is straight and protective vest are on, correct?” Trent asked.
The men nodded in the affirmative.
“Jamieson, go and do not fail,” Trent commanded.
The few more minutes, it took the Red Vipers to get to the barricade seemed like an eternity. When they finally burst through the door, Ethan lit them up from one end and Trujillo from the other.
When they realized they had been set up, they began to scatter like roaches trying to find cover.
Every time one of them attempted to move, Ethan, Trujillo, Trent and Townsend picked them off.
Jamieson had made it to the outside, and informed the team on the ground of the location of the barricade based on the floor plans. Kimberly, Stacy, Kennedy and Jamieson, went around the outside perimeter and threw in gas bombs to smoke them out.
Trent, Ethan, Trujillo and Townsend followed the trail that Jamieson had used to get away from the gas and exit the building.
Trent looked at his team and said, “I am getting to old for this mess.”
The police helped them get to the ambulance bay, as the doors were swung opened and FBI and local law enforcement moved in.
When the dust settled, there were twelve casualties, several injured and few treated for gas inhalation. The team from Blake-Moore and Associates had survived with no injuries or casualties.
Jasmine had been so grateful to see them all walk through the door, later that evening. It was over.
Ethan came to the villa and soaked in a hot tub of water Jasmine had run for him. Everyone met back up at the main house, where Jasmine had warmed up her stuffed shells, made corn on the cob, tossed salad, and garlic bread, served with her signature iced tea.
They ate their meals, and Kennedy went on and on about how good it was.
If someone would have told her that the day would end with all them sitting around a table, enjoying a meal. She would not have believed it. A single tear slid down her face then was followed by many more. Jasmine got up and excused herself from the table.
Ethan followed her out.
She felt him before she saw him. She turned and said, “I am happy, these are happy tears, I promise. I was scared, scared that I had lost you when I had just found you.”
“You don’t have to worry about that anymore,” Ethan said.
“The assignment is over? You guys caught the bad guys? You will have other missions,” Jasmine countered.
“And hopefully, I will be able to come home to you and our kids at the end of the day,” Ethan responded.
“What you are saying Ethan,” Jasmine asked.
“Marry me. Be my wife,” he said looking down into her tear filled eyes. “I know it’s sudden, but I know you are the one that my heart longs for,” Ethan said.
“We were supposed to take it slow,” Jasmine countered.
“It took us a lifetime to find one another. I want to tell you every day that I love you, provide for our family, and protect you all always,” Ethan said.
“Yes,” Jasmine said. “Yes.”
“You have just made me the happiest man on earth,” Ethan said before kissing her deeply.
“We don’t have a house,” Jasmine said.
“We will buy one. One with a big backyard, so we can have a dog,” Ethan said. He was holding her hand and smiling down at her.
“Can it be in Emerald Grove?” Jasmine asked.
“Yes, baby. I don’t care where we live as long as it’s together. It has to be big enough for more children,” Ethan said.
“You want more children,” Jasmine smiled up at him, enjoying the life that he had planned for them.
“Yes, I can’t wait to see your belly round with our child,” Ethan said. I want it all, baby.”
Jasmine stood on her tip toes and said, “You can have it baby.”
Ethan wrapped his arms around his future bride and kissed her slowly and deeply.
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To Love & To Protect Page 12