Triumph (The Bellator Saga Book 6)

by Cecilia London

  Gerard’s oldest daughter, Marguerite Baumann, will turn eighteen in March. She is a poised young woman whose demeanor reflects her mother’s influence as well as that of Sullivan. She expresses her aspirations to find the American rebels or in the alternative, receive permission to join the Canadian Forces. Although she had held out hope that her parents had survived the brutality of the Santos regime, she told us she was not surprised her mother had been captured by federal agents. We asked her how she felt about the documents released by the rebels.

  “My parents were doing important work. Their primary concern, aside from their two children, was always the welfare of the people of the United States. My mother dedicated her life to working for justice and defending freedom. Caroline Gerard died a patriot.”

  Senator Sullivan has a similar perspective. “Caroline and Jack fought for the cornerstones of American democracy. It is my sincere hope that the rebels in California, aided by the international community, will bring our home country back to its most basic values.” Sullivan tears up as she speaks of Gerard. “Caroline revered the United States Constitution and the Rule of Law, and what she learned about Santos and his intentions was terrifying enough that she was willing to lay down her life in order to try to prevent him from devastating the country further. I hope that the valor Caroline and others showed in the face of tremendous adversity and personal jeopardy will be enough to inspire global governments to become more involved in this battle.”

  Gerard’s younger daughter, Sophie Baumann, is almost fourteen. She is quiet and shy, but unfailingly polite. When asked about her mother and stepfather, she simply said, “I miss them and I love them. But I’m also proud that they stood up for their convictions until the very end.”

  Marguerite is by far the more outspoken of the two siblings, but both of Gerard’s children resemble her in many ways. According to Sullivan, Sophie in particular has struggled with the confirmation that their mother was, in fact, killed by the American government she dedicated much of her life to serving.

  “It’s been hard for her,” Sullivan said. “For both of them. They were very close to their parents. They hold their mother in the highest regard for having the courage to do what she did. We are all determined to make sure her efforts were not in vain. We want to go home.”

  Sullivan leads a small coalition of former American politicians and staffers residing in Ottawa. Their group has increased lobbying efforts to encourage worldwide involvement in overthrowing the Santos regime and returning America to its proper status as a democratic republic. Only time will tell if they will succeed. But thanks to the American rebels, they have much more compelling evidence with which to make their arguments.

  Caroline had stopped reading several times, afraid her tears would blur the article. Afraid to speak for fear she would lose control of her emotions. Her hands had been shaking so hard that she’d had to put the paper down on the table. She couldn’t believe what she was reading.

  Tom and Jess and their forever smiling faces were indeed gone. They’d given their lives for her children. She tried to suppress that fresh grief, tried not to imagine what her girls and Christine had gone through to make it to Ottawa. All she wanted to focus on was that they were living, breathing, and in one piece.

  Jack threw his arm around her, and even though he was crying he was laughing too. “They’re alive, baby. They’re alive.”

  He’d been reading over her shoulder. Caroline put her head down on the table and began to weep. “We have to go there,” she said, her voice muffled. “I want to see them. All of them.”

  “We’ll figure that out. The U.N. can help.”

  They’d damn well better. Caroline let Jack hold her, only bringing her head up when Beatriz poked her head in.

  “Everything all right in here?” she asked.

  Jack flapped the papers in the air. “Is there any reason to believe this article isn’t legit?”

  Beatriz sat down next to Caroline, patting her on the back. “I don’t think so. There was no documentation with it. To my knowledge, it hasn’t run in the papers. We would have heard about it if it had.”

  “It can’t,” Caroline said. “Not now that we’ve given our testimony. It puts them at too much risk. We have to get to Canada immediately.”

  “I understand.” Beatriz started typing on her phone. “I don’t know the status of your visas but perhaps we can make alternate arrangements.”

  There was no way Caroline was going anywhere, whether it was California or Washington or Mars, without getting her ass to Canada first.

  “We need to charter a flight,” Jack said. “Is that an issue?”

  “It won’t be,” Beatriz promised. “Quite honestly, I don’t see how anything you do won’t result in some international action.”

  “Our assistant was in the process of making arrangements to get us a meeting with the Prime Minister,” Jack said. “Before he tracked this down and got on a flight to Amsterdam.”

  Beatriz kept typing. “Be sure to tell him that indictments are forthcoming.”

  Caroline tilted her head. “The decision’s been made?”

  The other woman nodded at her. “Not sure about the extent of the charges and the depth of each narrative, but we have solid cases against Mr. Powell, Mr. Murdock, and of course, President Santos. We should have warrants in the system within a few days.”

  “Do you know where Murdock is?” Caroline asked.

  “We’ve heard rumors,” she said. “But we don’t know anything for sure.”

  “I assumed he was still in Washington,” Jack said. “But we never know what’s accurate and what isn’t.”

  “He could be anywhere,” Beatriz said. “We’ve heard hints that Gunderson is no longer Vice President. We don’t know who replaced him. You likely have more reliable information than we receive here in Europe. There’s no way of knowing exactly what’s going on in the United States.”

  “Except now you have someone willing to speak about what has already happened,” Jack said.

  “Yes. Thanks to your wife.” Beatriz stood up. “Let me see if I can check on the status of incoming aircraft from California. Would that reassure you a little?”

  Caroline was flying high regardless. “Can you show Schroeder in when he arrives?”

  Beatriz backed out the door. “I will. Do you need anything else?”

  “We’re fine,” Jack said, but there was an edge to his voice that grew even sharper when their assistant appeared a couple of hours later in full uniform. Caroline wondered if he owned normal clothes.

  “I’m sorry,” Schroeder said breathlessly. “I got here as soon as I could, didn’t want to say too much.”

  “You said practically nothing,” Jack snapped.

  Caroline put her hand on his shoulder. “Jack, calm down. Let him explain himself. You have no reason to be mad at him.”

  Jack waved the papers around again. All that waiting and he had yet to let go of them. “I have every right to be mad.”

  “You weren’t mad at me or Beatriz.”

  “You’re not at fault.”

  “Don’t pick an easy target because he’s standing here. We’ve had a stressful week.”

  Jack pushed her hand away. “You are going to tell us everything you know about this article, opinion piece, whatever it is.”

  Schroeder smartly took a chair as far away from Jack as possible. “It was supposed to run in The Globe and Mail this weekend. I convinced my contact to have the newspaper pull it back.”

  “Bully for you. How’d you swing that?” Jack asked.

  “I told them it would compromise the rebellion,” Schroeder said. “I didn’t breathe a word about you or Commander Gerard.”

  “Why are we just hearing about this now?”

  “I’ve been searching for weeks, sir. Going through my contacts in government and the media. I didn’t-”

  “How the hell didn’t we know this months ago? This article couldn’t have been written ov
ernight. Especially if the information is completely accurate.”

  “I’m sorry, sir. In light of what I feel is a dereliction of my duty, I’m prepared to offer my resignation.”

  “Good,” Jack said. “Caroline, give him your notepad so he can make it official.”

  He needed to slow down or he’d give himself an aneurysm. Caroline steadied his hand, removing the papers and putting them in her coat pocket. “Jack, take a deep breath.”

  “I will not. Captain Schroeder, I’d tell you to get us on the next flight to Canada but it appears as if the U.N. is expediting our visas, which is more than what you were able to do.”

  Schroeder gave him a remorseful look. “Sir-”

  “I can’t believe we didn’t know about this. We have fucking spies up there.”

  Caroline put her hand on Jack’s shoulder again. A safe gamble, she thought. “Don’t take your anger at yourself out on someone who doesn’t deserve it. Stop.”

  “Two years, Caroline. They’ve been up there two years with no word and all of a sudden, we only find out when their location and identities might be compromised? This is unacceptable. What’s the point of having contacts if they aren’t straight with us?”

  “Sir,” Schroeder said. “They have been straight with us. Our operatives didn’t have that kind of clearance. Hardly anyone does.”

  “That’s not good enough.”

  “It was the best I could do, sir. That we could do.” Schroeder took a deep breath, pulling an envelope out of his pocket. “I have already drawn up a resignation letter. You are free to discharge me from this unit or reassign me to a position that better suits my abilities.”

  He was deferential, remorseful, and reasonable. Even when confronted with Jack’s uncontrollable anger. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not your fault,” Caroline said.

  The look on her husband’s face indicated he was disinclined to agree. “The hell it isn’t. This is a colossal fuckup.”

  “It’s been remedied. There is no one else on base remotely capable of dealing with us on a regular basis. Especially you.” She smiled slightly. “And there’s no fucking way I’m going to take over his duties.”

  Schroeder remained expressionless. “Thank you for your support, Commander, but I think this is best.”

  “I agree with the captain,” Jack grumbled.

  “You think the Canadian government knew for certain whether they could trust our men?” Caroline asked him. “For God’s sake, Jack, it’s not like they knew we were running the show. They had no obligation to give us that kind of sensitive information.”

  “We should have been told,” he said. “What use are our connections if they can’t get us that sort of valuable intelligence?”

  “Highly classified intelligence,” Caroline pointed out. “They had no way of knowing the intimately personal reasons behind our requests.” Tears welled in her eyes again. “They protected our children. And Chrissy. We can let their lack of candor slide.”

  “We should have known,” he said. “It wasn’t fair to you.”

  And him too, if his furious response was any indication. “Other governments owe me no duty of anything,” she said. “Don’t make this about us when it’s not. They don’t know we’re alive.”

  “They will soon enough.” Jack caressed her cheek. “I don’t like to think about all that wasted time.”

  She didn’t want to think about it either. Not when she could move forward. “We can remedy it now.”

  Schroeder handed her the envelope. “I’m very sorry, ma’am.”

  Did he think she’d actually accept his resignation? She ripped it in two. “I refuse to cast blame for something that isn’t your fault.” Jack cursed under his breath and Caroline scowled at him. “You think you’re going to find a better assistant than Captain Schroeder?”

  “Caroline-”

  “Well?”

  “No,” he said quietly.

  She handed the two halves of the envelope back to Schroeder. “I’m sure you know how to dispose of this.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “We’ll need you to go back to California to handle things while we’re in Ottawa.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Michael-”

  Schroeder smiled at her. “Yes, Caroline.”

  Jack threw his hands in the air. “Do I get to say anything?”

  “Not if you’re going to be a dick about it,” she said.

  Her husband shook his head, but she saw him trying to hide a smile. “Captain Schroeder, go find Ms. Robles and check the status of our charter flight to Ottawa.”

  Caroline poked him in the chest when Schroeder left the room. “Were you this much of an asshole to your staffers when I wasn’t around?”

  “All the damn time.” He sighed. “I should go talk to him.”

  “Yes. You should. Just let yourself calm down first,” she said. “Your emotions are more likely to manifest in anger than sadness. It’s okay.” She stared at the article again. “This is really real.”

  Jack wiped his eyes. “Looks that way. Only one way to find out for sure.”

  Holy shit, what a morning. “I – they’re alive,” she said.

  He smiled at her. “Then let’s go get them.”

  Chapter Eight

  They finalized and reviewed their statements before going back to their hotel. Jack went into a room with Schroeder for about twenty minutes, so Caroline considered the situation resolved. Their chartered flight was scheduled to depart the next morning with Gig, Jones, and Crunch traveling along with them. Mounties would be waiting at the airport to take them directly to a meeting with the Prime Minister.

  “You’re going to have to sleep on the plane,” Jack said. “Bring your ‘A’ game to Ottawa.”

  They’d been trying to stay light. Airy. Fresh. For the most part, they’d succeeded. Although she was antsy about flying and even more anxious about what they’d find in Canada, Caroline felt joyful, almost buoyant.

  “I make no promises,” she said.

  “I think Ms. Robles was sad to see you go.”

  The attorney handling her case had given her a half hug before she left. Completely unexpected. “Maybe. Guess she got attached to me.”

  He kissed her cheek. “That’s easy.”

  Caroline zipped her suitcase shut. She was almost done packing. The rest could wait until morning. “Today was pretty good.”

  “I’d say.”

  “Hopefully we’ll have more days just like it.” She picked his glasses up off the desk. “I know you hate these but they’re such a turn-on.”

  “Oh, really?”

  Caroline sat on his lap, putting the frames in place. She assessed her handiwork with a critical eye, adjusting them slightly. “They make you look incredibly intellectual.”

  “Are you implying I wasn’t intellectual before?”

  “Oh, you are. But the glasses add a touch of sexy.”

  “Don’t you mean nerdy?”

  She backhanded his shoulder. “I used to wear glasses.”

  He nipped at her neck. “Laser surgery was the best thing I ever convinced you to do.”

  “That’s quite a statement, considering everything else you’ve sucked me into. I miss my glasses sometimes. Easy to hide behind them.”

  Jack tucked her hair behind her ear. “I bet sometimes you wish you could fade into the background. What’ll it take for you to feel safe again?”

  The million dollar question. “There’s no magic fix.”

  “Doesn’t stop me from working at it.”

  Protective, doting, alpha, and still incredibly intuitive. Caroline tugged playfully at his goatee. “You’re good at playing the introspective college professor. Maybe it’s time to admit you’re a closet liberal.”

  He slid the glasses down his nose and waggled his eyebrows. “I’d prefer stern headmaster.”

  Subtle. Very subtle. “Does that make me the lonely teacher dreadfully in need of a man?”


  “It’s our last night here,” he said. “Want to make it count?”

  “Let’s see. The worst of our trip is over, we’re going to Canada, our children are alive and waiting for us…I can’t think of a better time to celebrate.”

  Jack skimmed a finger across the top button of her blouse. “I completely agree.”

  “I’m not one for interdepartmental affairs so I’d prefer to be the flunking student seeking some…extra credit.”

  “Naked, flunking, horny student is fine,” he said. “I can be the lecherous anthropology professor, using my intellectual abilities to properly evaluate my students.”

  Caroline unzipped her skirt. “Pervert.”

  “Take it easy with those clothes. I told you, they’re going with us.”

  “Want me to start wearing evening gowns and business suits on the base?”

  Jack pulled her onto his lap even though she was still half dressed. “Only when we’re alone.”

  “I’m not naked yet.”

  “Soon enough,” he said, stilling her hand when she moved to unhook her bra. “Leave your blouse and bra on for now. Half naked is sexier than no clothes at all.”

  “Really?”

  “If we’re playing out the fantasy, yes. You go to the professor’s office, wait for him, start undressing, and he walks in and…”

  “Catches me in a moment?”

  “You found his secret stash of ancient cave drawings, which are one of your many kinks.”

  “I like to touch myself while looking at Neanderthals?”

  He shrugged. “It’s your fetish, not mine.”

  She wriggled on his lap. “I’d like to think she has a serious oral fixation, not a caveman obsession. Both have their merits.”

  “Would that be a penchant for receiving oral?”

  Caroline started sucking on his neck. “No,” she whispered. “Although that has its moments.”

  Jack toyed with the collar of her blouse. “Are you sure?”

  She slid off his lap onto the floor, rubbing her fingers up and down his legs. “I can show you.”

  “Sweetheart-”

  He was going to turn her down after that enticing discussion of fantasy and fiction? She fumbled with his belt. “I’m mad you didn’t get any suspenders.”