by S. M. Dapelo
He put his arms around me again as he sighed, “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I don’t want you to be surprised at the meeting. We run a security company. We take contracts from various government agencies because we don’t have to follow the same rules. We get the information other agencies can’t because we aren’t hamstrung by red tape. Since it’s a private company, I make a lot of money. There’s only one other company in this country that comes close to doing what we do, and they do it on a much smaller scale.”
“You’re spies,” I said in a quiet voice.
“Security consultants,” he corrected me. “But basically, we’re mercenaries in designer suits.”
“Do you hurt people?” I could feel my fingers going cold.
His gray eyes turned cold, “I do what I have to do. I might technically be a good guy, but a lot of the time I stop terrible people by being a bad person. I keep the world order safe, and I stop the worst of the worst from taking over. I have no illusions of who I am, Sugar. You shouldn’t either.” He stared at me, “I’m also your husband, and I will not allow anyone to hurt you again.”
I pulled away, jumped out of bed, then shook my head, “No. I don’t believe you do terrible things. You took care of me for the last week. You were gentle, you’re the type that helps people.”
Ethan got out of his side of the bed, “Who’s saying we’re not?” Ethan threw his arms wide, “We just go about it differently. Who’s to say people aren’t safer after we accomplish our goal? Soldiers kill Samantha.”
I pulled back, “Are you saying you and Tanner kill people? That’s the goal?”
“No, the purpose is to stop the destruction of democracy. But sometimes you have to be bad to stop an even greater evil,” he growled. “Listen, our jobs, they’re in a world where good guys look like bad guys and vice versa. It’s covert ops Samantha, and it’s illegal by description.”
“How is that illegal? The CIA isn’t illegal.”
“If they weren’t illegal, they wouldn’t be covert,” he gritted out. “That’s why when an agent gets picked up in an enemy county, it’s so easy to arrest them.”
I licked my lips as I tried to wrap my head around this, “So you run an illegal operation and we’re going into a government agency?”
“No, I run a security consulting business. I have contracts with these people. They won’t try to arrest us today, but I need to know what they know. We’ve had too many leaks. The Sacristy has to have someone inside the agency.”
I took a shuddering breath, “Who exactly is the Sacristy?”
Ethan ran a hand through his hair and shook his head, “I did not want to get into any of this with you yet. Damnit, I should have kept my mouth shut.”
“Who are they, Ethan?”
His hands curled and uncurled into fists, “They’re a group committed to upending the world order. They want complete and total anarchy. They believe that’s the only way for true freedom. And they accomplish this by toppling regimes and putting their puppets into power.”
I noticed my hands were shaking and I took a stuttering breath, “I don’t know how to process this.”
Ethan walked over to my side of the bed and tilted my chin up with a finger, “Is this sparking any memories?”
I looked up at him, “No. Should it?”
He pulled me into a hug, resting his cheek on the top of my head, “If anything would have, it would have been this conversation.” He was quiet for a moment, “Crap, I think you lost your memory for good.”
“So, you were making that up?”
“No. I run a security consulting business. Tanner’s my second, Berto’s computers and Lyssa is … complicated.”
“What does she do?” I pulled my brows together and stared at him.
“You’ve had enough for now. Take a shower, I’ll grab you some clothes, and we’ll go over the plan at breakfast,” he kissed the top of my head.
“Can I cook?”
“Will it help you process,” he leaned back and met my eyes.
“It can’t hurt,” I shrugged, and he gave a small smile.
“I can do without Lucky Charms today.”
Chapter 11
I made omelets for everyone but myself and headed back to the kitchen after delivering them. Ethan followed me, “Aren’t you eating with us?”
“I’m not hungry,” I commented as I cleaned the pan. “I’m a little thrown by everything.” I took a breath, “Is Xavier coming with us?”
“No,” Ethan walked up next to me and put his plate on the counter. “I need him to keep an eye on everything here.” He sliced off a piece of his omelet and held it up to me.
“I said I’m not hungry.” I tried to push it away, causing him to raise his brows at me.
“Take one bite, Sugar. You’re worrying me. You’ve been losing weight.” He held the fork up and I took it. He kissed my cheek, “Good girl.”
“This is what I’m talking about.” I looked down and started scrubbing the pan. “You make sure I eat, take my meds, get my exercise. That doesn’t jive with you being a spy.”
“What do you imagine a spy is like? And for the record, I’m a security consultant and run a national conglomerate.”
“Spies are mean. They blow things up, they kill and torture to find out information,” I shrugged.
“You know, most people like James Bond. They think being a spy is exciting,” he gave a small smile at me.
“I don’t know who James Bond is,” I frowned.
Ethan sighed, “I know, but where is this opinion of spies coming from?”
I thought for a moment, then shrugged, “I honestly don’t know.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear causing a small thrill in me, “I might. The fact you said torture is especially telling. You’re confusing us with the Sacristy. The people who kidnapped and hurt you. They weren’t nice when they put that thing in your head, I guarantee it.”
I looked at the floor, “We don’t know what happened. We assume…”
“Sugar, we know what happened. Berto found a video on the dark web, that’s how we knew about the implant. That’s why we rushed you to the hospital.”
I looked up at Ethan. I could feel my blinking increase, “I want to see it.”
“No.”
“Ethan,” I started.
“Sam, no. We’re throwing a lot at you right now. More than we want to. I’m scared of overloading you, but I need you to be prepared at this meeting. When I think you can handle it, I’ll let you see the video.” He took another piece of the omelet and held to fork in front of me. I just shook my head. His eyes narrowed for a split-second, then he let out an exasperated sigh and ate it himself.
“I didn’t tell the people we’re meeting with today about the memory loss. I need to prep you.” He took another piece and offered it to me, a single brow raised in a challenge. I sighed and bit it, making him smile.
“Prep me how?” I asked.
“Well, for starters our anniversary is May seventeenth,” he said.
“You remembered?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, “I pulled the license.”
“Of course.” I sighed, “What else?”
He pulled his phone out and hit something, “This is the song you walked down the aisle to.” The song was some pretty tune, not traditional at all.
“Oh God, tell me we’re not watching that slop on movie night,” Tanner stood in the doorway with his plate, his eyes wide with horror.
“It’s from a movie?” I looked at him.
“I refuse to watch any of those,” Tanner put his plate into the dishwasher. “Vampires. Do. Not. Sparkle.”
“We’re not teenage girls. Of course, we’re not watching them,” ground out Ethan. “I was letting Samantha listen to the song she used at the wedding.”
“Oh.” Air whooshed out of Tanner. He glanced at Ethan, “Sorry man. But I still have flashbacks from when Lyssa made us take her to all four of them when she wa
s a teen. I’m changing, then I’ll meet the two of you in the library,” he gave a small smile and walked out.
“What’s going on?” I looked at Ethan.
“Prep,” he stated. “We only have a small time to go through this with you.”
I rinsed off the pan and set it in the drying area, “Are you sure you want me to go? Won’t this be dangerous if you don’t want anyone to know about my problems?”
“They already know about the chip. We sent them all the records and the video. However, they’re having issues with our versions of things.”
“How?”
“We kept the marriage secret from everyone but family. In our business, if they know there’s a weakness, the enemy exploits it and sometimes so do your allies.” He stared into my eyes, “The Sacristy found out, so I don’t care who knows now.”
I nodded, “That makes sense.”
He smiled, “I’m horrible with dates. I do remember the first song we danced to. That’s when I knew you were the one.” He hesitated for a moment. “The one thing you need to always remember is when I’m in, I’m all in.” He hit something on his phone again and I listened to another song, this one oddly haunting.
“It’s pretty,” I smiled at him.
“I thought so.” His gray eyes grew intense, taking my breath away. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine. I had just leaned into him when I heard a throat clearing. I pulled away and looked at the doorway to see Berto in a band t-shirt and jeans.
Ethan looked over and did a double-take, then his brows came together. “Why haven’t you changed yet?”
“I’m not going. I told you this already,” Berto crossed his arms across his chest.
Ethan stared up at the ceiling, “Yes you are. We need you to explain what you found and how you found it.”
“You explain it to them,” Berto’s jaw jutted out. “If I walk into a government facility, they’re gonna deport me.”
“To where?” Ethan ground his teeth, “You were born in Colorado. Your parents were born in Texas, same with your grandparents.”
“All they’re gonna see is my heritage when they look at me,” Berto’s nostrils flared.
“I’ve explained this before, and I’m sick of going through this every time.” Ethan ran a hand through his hair, “They have all our birth certificates. They’ve done background on all of us. Nobody’s deporting you. You’ve been to this place a dozen times already. For fuck’s sake, the know you. Now get ready.”
Berto pointed at Ethan, “If they deport me…”
“We’ll sneak you back in,” finished Ethan. “Stop watching those conspiracy videos Lyssa shows you. You’re easily influenced. Last year you were convinced CERN brought down a plane.”
“I said they messed up the Earth’s magnetic field and caused a time warp making the plane to go off course,” Berto frowned. “I’ll get dressed, but I’m doing it under protest.”
“Duly noted,” sighed Ethan. “I’ve got a headache already,” he muttered rubbing his forehead.
“I’m sorry. I made everything worse on you, didn’t I?” I bit my lip.
“This is going to be a hell day, one way or another. Just don’t ever let Lyssa show you any videos unless I, Tanner, or Xavier have pre-approved them.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and herded me toward the back stairs, “Let’s get changed. I think the Armani will send the right message.”
Chapter 12
We walked into the library with me in a navy belted dress that hit my knees and Ethan in a well-fitting suit, including a waistcoat, in the same color as mine. It just screamed expensive. Tanner was already waiting in a black well-cut outfit working on a computer. He looked up, “I found the videos we might need.”
I turned to Ethan, “Are you going to show me the operation?”
“What operation?” Tanner gave a confused look.
“No.” Ethan answered me, then looked at Tanner, “She’s wondering about the video Berto found.”
Tanner’s lip pulled back, “Fuck no you’re not seeing that. Hell, I’m not watching it again.” He took a breath and leaned back in the chair.
“Sugar.” Ethan turned me to face him, “We might need a diversion while we’re there. We’re planning on keeping most eyes on Tanner and me, but we need Lyssa to plant bugs in some rooms.”
“What kind of diversion?” I looked between them.
Tanner started, “One of your strengths is you can see something, then copy it. Accents, dance moves, fighting techniques; it’s your superpower.”
“That’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard,” I stared at him.
“You had an eidetic memory,” Ethan continued. “Yours just presented differently.”
“And now I can’t remember anything. That’s irony,” I crossed my arms.
“We think it’s still there, just your hard drive got wiped when the juice hit your brain,” Tanner said.
“Hard drive? Juice hit your brain?” Ethan stared at him.
“I watched Suicide Squad last night after we got in and was talking to Berto before I came in here,” Tanner had the good grace to look embarrassed.
Ethan shook his head and after a minute finally turned to me. “His metaphor’s not wrong. We think your ability is still there, but you're starting new.”
“Okay?” I looked between them, “So what kind of distraction are you wanting me to pull? It is me you want to do it?”
Ethan nodded, “We want you to fake a seizure.”
“So, I pulled videos of people having seizures, and thought you’d watch a few and see if this is something you still can do,” smiled Tanner.
My mouth fell open, “There are videos of people having seizures?”
“You can find anything on the Internet,” Tanner said.
“That’s what you’re worried about?” Ethan stared between the two of us, “What you can find on the internet?”
I gave a sheepish look, “Sorry. But it just stuns me. Why are people taping instead of helping?”
“Most of them are recording so they can use it as education,” Tanner replied. “But there’s also just a lot of callus people.”
We sat through several and I just shook my head when I was done, “I don’t know. Why wouldn’t they think I’m faking?”
“Because they’ve watched the video of your operation and by now their physicians have told them the side affects you might have, including seizures.” Ethan was watching me, “Samantha, we were warned by Rich you could have them. It’s why we don’t leave you alone. Now let’s see if you can pretend to have one.”
After watching a few videos and one try, Ethan was staring at me, his face kind of green, “I don’t know whether to be proud or terrified. It looked real.”
“She can pull it off.” Tanner looked at Ethan, “Now tell her the rest.”
I turned to look at Ethan, who looked pained, “A lot of the people with the agency won’t welcome us. They don’t like consultants because we get paid a lot more. They don’t fully trust us. They consider you a traitor of sorts because you worked there at one time. We kind of snaked you.”
“You totally snaked her,” Tanner stated, closing the laptop.
Ethan’s jaw ticked, “Sam, just stay close to us, follow our lead, and don’t react to anything that’s said.”
“They’ve never put together our family ties,” Tanner added. “That’s a good thing. They assume Lafferty’s a common name, and to a point it is.”
“My maiden name’s Lafferty?” I put my head to the side.
Tanner scowled at me, “Did you develop ADD, too?”
I crossed my arms. “I’m just learning a lot, and my maiden name seems to be one of those things I should know.”
“It is.” Ethan put an arm around my waist, “We’ve thrown a lot at you in a short amount of time. Things we didn’t want to get into yet, but we need the agency’s help. We’re going to find this cell of the Sacristy and they’re going to wish they never targeted you
.” He smiled at me, “Put your right hand out.”
I did as he said, palm up. He sighed, turned my hand over, and put a huge diamond ring on my ring finger. I stared at him, “What’s this?”
“Your engagement ring. We do simple bands for wedding rings in my family, but go over the top on the engagement rings,” Ethan said.
“Why’d you put in on my right hand?”
“Because after you get married, the engagement ring moves to the right hand,” smirked Tanner. “You’re supposed to be married. Try to keep up.” I glared at him.
Xavier knocked at the door, “Ethan, the chopper’s here.”
Ethan took a breath then smiled, “Game faces everyone.” Then he took my hand and led Tanner and me to the front door, where Berto and Lyssa, both in suits, fell into pace with us.
Chapter 13
I was never riding in a helicopter again. I held onto Ethan’s arm as he just stared at me with his steel-colored eyes. We landed behind what looked like a normal ten story office building. Nothing screamed ‘secret government agency’, but that might have been the point. We were scuttled through security by men with badges. I could feel eyes on me but ignored them. Ethan had been holding firmly onto my hand from the moment we got on the helicopter.
A small bald man with sharp eyes approached us. “Ethan, glad your group could make it,” he shook my husband’s hand.
“Senator, glad you could too. I’m sure you’ll want to see what we found, and I’m also sure Director Hill wouldn’t have informed you about it unless forced.” Ethan gave an easy smile, “You remember Samantha. I think you heard the news.”
“I did.” The man turned and faced me, his smile warm, “I hate that I just heard but Ethan tries to keep his personal life private.”
“I think the video showed why,” Ethan remarked.
The man’s eyes suddenly showed pity when he looked at me, “Yes. I’m so sorry my dear. No one should ever go through what you did.” I gave a nod and a small smile. “Well, let’s get this over with. You want answers and so does the committee.” He turned and started toward the elevators, “Any chance of you bringing them in alive? The committee would like them to be questioned thoroughly.”