I turn around and run back to the house, feeling the final nail in the coffin of Wyatt and I pierce my heart.
***
Once I get back to my house, I notice the four rental vehicles that currently belong to Cale, Ken, Sunny, and Chip and I am pissed. I can’t handle putting on a dog and pony show for them right now. When I walk through the door, the scene that meets me has me instantly alert.
Mav was pacing up and down the living room and Cian and Seamus are sitting between Cale and Ken, and they have been crying. No they haven’t been crying, they still are balling their eyes out. “What is going on?” I move to squat in front of my two youngest sons who fall instantly into my arms.
Cale finally notices me. He and Ken share a look and get up to give me a second with my boys before he walks back over to the couch to get my attention. The look on his face as he walked over to me told me something was really wrong; really, really wrong. Once he was standing right in front of me he gently grabbed my arm and led me into the kitchen.
It was only after he went to the sink and turned the water on that he began talking in a low, hushed voice. “There was a home invasion Kye and Tiarnan was taken.”
My heart fell to the floor. I was sure I hadn’t heard right. “What? What do you mean “taken” Cale? You don’t mean…?”
Cale pulls me into a tight hug. “No. I don’t mean taken like taken from this mortal coil, I mean taken like kidnapped or abducted. Good God little girl, I am sorry.”
As I work at controlling my breathing, I ask Cale to tell me exactly what happened. “About twenty minutes ago, Seamus called my cell and told me he needed us. That some bad men had broken in, hurt Mav, and taken Tiarnan. Ken and I busted are asses to get here. So what’s the plan? How do we get him out?”
“First, who has him?”
Cale reached to his back pocket and pulled a folded piece of paper out. He very hesitantly held it out to me. The note is short and simple, but still caused my blood to turn cold.
Kyliana,
You made a deal with me five years ago: A life for a life. I have come to collect. I will only let MY son go when you pay your debt.
Z
Oh my God!!! Zandoville is back. How do I get my son back from a man who wants me dead? Five years ago I made a deal with him that if he let Wyatt go I would take his place. There had never been any intention for me to stay, just buy the platoon enough time to get Wyatt out. Now I have to find a way to keep all my sons safe, regardless of what it costs.
25
“Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice.”
William Barclay
Cale
I have always been fascinated by Kye. I remember the first time that I met her was when I got back from a mission that half my platoon and I had been sent on with Toby. Joint ops with the DEA were fairly common, given that we were part of the team that mainly handled conflicts of interest to the U. S. in Latin America. I had become friends with Toby during our op, and when he asked me to go home to have dinner with his family when we got back to the States, I readily accepted. At the time I needed a distraction from the “work hard, play hard” life of a Seal, and his invitation had provided the perfect opportunity.
I was expecting to meet his wife and maybe one or two kids, so when he introduced me to his best friend Kye, I was completely blown away. I mean I could tell they were close, but I had never really thought that a guy and a girl could be “just friends.” When Kye had brought out a six month old Seamus, and I realized that Kye was helping Toby raise him after Seamus’ mother had died during childbirth I had thought that she must be secretly in love with Toby and grasping at straws to remain close to him.
By the end of the evening, I realized how wrong I was. Kye looked at Toby like he was her best friend, and I could tell they shared a special bond; but I couldn’t pick up on any romantic overtones radiating from Kye. Toby; now he was another matter entirely.
He never allowed Kye to pick up on it, but I caught him a couple of times that night staring at her when she wasn’t looking, and I don’t know if even he realized the longing that had been on his face. At first I believed that Kye was using Toby. Leading him on and faking her affection for his son so that she could be taken care of, but I soon realized that was so untrue it was laughable. Why would a young, beautiful woman who was intelligent enough to have earned an MBA from Oxford, was well versed in Spanish, French, Arabic, Swahili, Anatolian Turkish, and Hebrew, that had passed the FBI’s BAU program in flying colors need someone to take care of her? After one evening in Kye’s company, I could see how genuine Kye was. She loved Seamus; you could tell by just by watching her interact with Seamus. I became friends with the two of them and became an “uncle” to Seamus, and later Cian and Tiarnan as well. I had helped Toby get rid of Christien on some of the countless times that he had shown up to try to win back Kye, and I had listened to Toby drown out his worry about Kye getting over the shit in her past enough to realize that Toby was in love with Kye; even if he hadn’t owned up to it yet to himself or anyone else.
And I could tell that she loved Toby; she might not be in love with him, but she did love him. That was why it had shocked me when a couple of months later she had showed up in Peru with this idea on how to get Wyatt out of Zandoville’s dungeon. I didn’t understand why she would do this, until she told me that she knew Wyatt, and didn’t want him hurt. I would have questioned her feelings for Wyatt, if Toby hadn’t moved in with a ruthless determination to get Kye to begin a romantic relationship when we got home. Less than six months later, Toby was gone, and Kye never seemed to look at anyone with any kind of interest again.
But through all the time that I had known Kye, and all the surprising truths about her I uncovered, I have always been astounded by the single minded determination she shows when protecting those she loves and cares for, and this meeting tonight is no different. After reading the letter from Zandoville, she had a small breakdown for a couple of minutes. She had then picked herself up, told the boys she would get their brother back, but that she needed them to go with their “Unca Rash” to see their grandparents. After they had left, with Mav acting as an extra bodyguard, she said she had to be alone for a while to plan, but once she had a plan, she would call us.
And now, Chip, Crow, Sunny, Ken and I were walking into her house to find out what we were going to do. The fact that five Seals had never even tried to help Kye plan the op was a testament to her tactical skills. We all knew Kye was one of the best, and we all knew she wouldn’t let anything happen to any of her sons.
We all sat down at the kitchen table as Kye proceeded to tell us what was going to happen. “Ok, I have been able to uncover where Zandoville’s compound is, and acquire satellite and infrared images of it as well. In three hours, we are going to wire the main house on the compound with enough explosives to send everyone in it to hell and back and back to hell again. Then I am going to go in and try to make a deal with Zandoville; Tiarnan’s life for mine. Now I know he won’t go for it, but he will use the opportunity to bend me to his will in front of his followers. After two hours you and the guys will go in and extract Tiarnan. Once you are all safely off the compound you will blow the fuck out of it.”
This sounded like a good plan; there was just one thing missing. “Ok, so far so good, but how do we get you out?”
I knew something was wrong when Kye refused to look me in the eye. “You and I are going to talk about that plan while everyone else goes to get everything we need ready.” As the guys quickly left, I grabbed Kye, by the arms and looked at her until she looked at me. That is when I knew. “You don’t have a plan to get yourself out do you? Damn Kye, you can’t just plan to die, and not expect any of us to do anything!”
Kye quickly walked to look out the window over the sink. I could tell her shoulders were shaking, but I couldn’t decide if it was from crying or trying to get her breathing under control. After a long silenc
e she said in a soft voice, completely devoid of emotion, “To make sure he never bothers any of my boys again, I have to be there to watch him burn. I have to make sure he is dead. This is the only way it works. He will be expecting me to be quickly extracted. It is what we did last time. I have to stay in long enough to make sure that he and all his minions are in the main house to see my downfall, and the only way that I can do that is let him kill me. This is the only way. Please don’t do anything that will put any of my sons in jeopardy.”
I am pissed. Not because I know she is right; she is, and even if it sucks I have to accept it. But mainly I am pissed because I know that if she hadn’t gone to save Wyatt, extracting her after we get her son would have been a lot more possible. “God damn that mother fucker straight to hell!”
Kye looks at me with a sad look on her face, “Hopefully tonight that is exactly what I will do.”
I stop the erratic pacing that I have fallen into; “No not Zandoville, even though I know there is a special place in hell with Hitler getting ready to push pineapples up his ass waiting just for him. No, I mean Wyatt. If you hadn’t gone to Peru to save him, we could have used the plan we used before and you both could be safely extracted.”
Kye turns to me and smiles. She quickly reaches out to hug me. When she begins speaking, I can barely make out what she says; it is muffled by my chest. “First; thanks for the Little Nicky reference. I needed that. And second; don’t be mad at Wyatt. Barclay had it right. ‘Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice.’ I love Wyatt, so I did what I had to do to make him safe. I love all my sons, so I will do what I have to do to make them safe as well. Now go get ready. Wheels up in an hour, and I have a letter to write before we leave.”
As I walk out the door I can’t help but to shake my head in wonder. Maybe if I had had a little of Kye’s ability to love and give it all for love I wouldn’t have lost the best thing in my life.
Once I reach my car, I notice a figure standing a few hundred yards away. At first I am tense, and reach for my gun, but when I can make out who it is, I know having my hands on a gun right now wouldn’t be a good idea; why tempt my self-control that way?
As he gets closer, I can make out his face. He is wrecked, and he deserves to be. “Look at me and know Fucktard, none of us have the time to deal with your shit. Leave.”
Wyatt looks down at the ground and then slides his gaze to the house I just left. “I wanted to give us another shot. I love her, and all she had to do was stay away from the kid she fucked. I would have loved both her boys, because they were a part of her, but I couldn’t stand to see him and think of them together, so I told her she had to stay away from him. She wouldn’t do it.”
As soon as I hear him say, ‘both her boys,’ I knew he didn’t realize that Tiarnan was her son also. But right at this moment, I could care less what he thought. Because of him; because of her saving him, I knew she was going to her own execution tonight. All I could think of to say was “Fuck you and your dumbass.” Then I pushed him away, got in my car and left. I couldn’t put up with his whiny bullshit when I was going to lose one of my best friends tonight.
26
“I have more important things to do.”
Kye
Kye
As I finish my letter to Tiarnan, I can’t help but let a wave of sadness take me under for a moment. This was not supposed to happen. I was supposed to grow old and watch my boys grow into good men; not have to trade my life for one of my sons. I wasn’t going to see my boys grow up, and I wasn’t going to be there to protect them. At least I would be able to neutralize one potential threat before I go.
I really don’t understand how Zandoville found me. I thought my cover had been air tight; I know that I hadn’t gone to any of his or his minions typical hangout spots. I had stayed out of the news; it just didn’t make sense.
Yeah, I was supposed to be doing a little clandestine recon to see if Zandoville was making progress in his quest for European domination of the Cocaine market while helping out with the training exercise, but I had been careful. He shouldn’t have seen me. As I methodically get ready for tonight, I can’t keep from racking my brain to see where I could have possible have messed up. That is when it hits me; the bitch with Wyatt.
I remember the day that she came to get Wyatt and the shock she had shown when she had seen Tiarnan. She was the one; the woman that had used my boy to get back at his father. She was the one who had made him believe that Cian was his son. That fucking bitch!!!
As I think about her relationship with Wyatt, both professional and personal, it all makes complete sense. Zandoville needs a company to transport his product, and Wyatt’s family owns a shipping company.
I can’t say that it doesn’t hurt that Wyatt believed me capable of such heinous atrocities, while at the same time he is involved with the woman who actually has committed these crimes. It does, but even so I still love him and want him safe. I still have to fight down the urge to call Wyatt to warn him. Even if he doesn’t deserve it, I love him and always will. Even though I love him, I still don’t call. Not because he had hurt and this is my way of getting revenge. No, the real reason I don’t call Wyatt to warn him is simply that I don’t have time. I have more important things to do.
27
“Just when you think it can't get any worse, it can.”
Nicholas Sparks, At First Sight
Tiarnan
As I sit on the cold hard ground out my dubious father’s unfinished basement in the main house of his compound, I can’t help but think of the downward spiral that my life has taken in the last few days.
My life should have been going great, and it had. I had finished my Bud’s training; had become best friends with my swim buddy and that was just the beginning. As soon as we finished our initial Bud’s training we were sent on an assignment that would allow me to see my family.
My family. Hands down, the best thing that ever happened to me was my family. Four years ago, when I took the baby that hadn’t even been named to the woman that TB had told would give him a good home, I never had realized that he had actually planned on me having a family and a home as well.
It had taken awhile, but I finally realized I couldn’t leave. I couldn’t and Kye wouldn’t let me. Even when I tried to keep my distance, she wouldn’t let me. She refused to let me relegate myself to the periphery of our family, and overtime I realized that I needed her and my brothers’ love to make me feel…well human, and I did for the first time in my life.
Not to say I wasn’t scared as shit that it would be taken away from me. For the past four years I feared the day that she realized I was Cian’s father and not his brother. I just knew that she would see me as the no good piece of shit that I really am and ban me from my family.
When we ran into Sable with the current project she was working, I had been scared. To find out that Kye had always had an idea of the demons I faced was surprising, but that she loved me anyway was humbling.
The thing is, I should have always known that Kye loved me, hell she was more of a mother to me than the junkie whore that pushed me from her womb ever was. And now it was too late to make it up to her, to even let her hear me call her Mom, and not that half assed Mamacita shit that I usually said. Now as I sit here, waiting to find out what Daddy has planned for me, I wish I could just get one chance to tell my Mom that I love her.
I am jerked out of my morose thoughts by a few of Zandoville’s henchmen coming in the room I have been put in. The looks of maniacal joy on their faces as one pops his knuckles and the other pops his neck make me realize that I am not going to like what happens next.
Damn, I should have remembered; just when you think it can’t get worse; it can.
***
As I crawl to a sitting position, I spit out the blood that is pooled in my mouth. Looks like I am not the prodigal son after all. I sit on the floor for a minute, with my head resting on the wa
ll trying to catch my breath. Suddenly I hear a commotion coming from outside the room and groan; not again! Right when I get to my feet, the door opens and I almost collapse to the floor in relief. “You know, your ugly mugs have never looked so good right now. Where’s Mom? Is she ok?”
Chip, Crow, Ken and Sunny look at me in surprise; I have never called her that, just Mamacita. Their surprise is quickly overcome with happiness.
Putting his arm around me to help me walk out, Ken slaps the top of my head. “You finally got your head out of your ass boy. I am glad. Once we get you out of here we can worry about getting your Mom back.” I don’t understand what they are trying NOT to tell me, but it whatever it is, I bet it is not good.
I don’t like the sound of this, and my face tells them that. Cale, who has been quiet this whole time finally says, “Zandoville has wanted your mom for a long time, kid. You know this. So not long after his goons took you, a note was found; her life for yours. She took the deal.”
At this Crow starts yapping incessantly. “But Kye and Cale worked out a plan; we’ll get her back.”
Something just doesn’t feel right. I look to Cale and raise my eyebrow as much as I can, which isn’t much considering the black eye beneath it. Cale turns his head away from me, and somehow I know. “There is no plan to get her out, is there?” He doesn’t say anything. Just slowly reaches in his pocket and pulls out an envelope that has me suddenly remembering a conversation I had overheard her have with Cale about the letter that I had given her that day at the cemetery. “He knew Cale, he knew he was going to die. That is why he wrote me that letter. He went into that mission knowing he would never come back and he wanted to let me know that even though he had known that he wouldn’t make it back he still loved me.” I have always heard it said that the bond between mother and child was so strong that the mother always knew if her child was in danger; well the same is true about children knowing if their mother is in danger I guess, because the fear that threatened to take me into the abyss was the strongest emotion I had ever felt. “Fuck no. She is not going to leave this world without hearing me call her Mom. That shit just ain’t gonna happen.” I purposefully stride to the door, but am stopped by Cale’s hand on my shoulder.
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