by Margaret Kay
“And you didn’t want any of it. I know that.”
“All I wanted was to protect my family,” Juan Carlos insisted.
“Let me help you do that. We’ll get them out and make her brother believe they’re dead. You have my word.”
“But you need for me to be a rat and tell you everything first.” He grimaced and shook his head. “What guarantees do I have you’ll hold up your end after I talk?”
“Promise me you’ll cooperate, and we’ll get them out first. We’ll stash them in a secure location and let you see them. But it’s going to cost you everything you know, every name, every place, every piece of information you’ve ever known. And if you withhold anything, lie, or even misrepresent any facts, you will never see them again. We’ll move you away from them and bury you in a cell at Gitmo for the rest of your life.”
“Do you really think I would hold back if my family is safe?”
“No, I don’t. That’s why I think this is a good offer to make you. I think you will do exactly what you promise to, if your family is safe. Juan Carlos, I’m telling you, we will get them out and you can be with them. But you have to accept my offer right here and now. The offer is gone when I walk out that door.”
“I can’t talk with Rosa first?”
Garcia shook his head. “Certainly, you know if she’d want you to do this or not.”
Juan Carlos nodded. “When your men go in for her, she’s going to be afraid.”
Garcia opened his tablet and flipped it towards Juan Carlos. “You’ll record a short message for her. Our operatives will play it for her when they move in.”
Yankee
Sienna could say she was excited, legitimately excited. She smiled at her reflection. Her hair turned out perfect, her makeup looked good. Her eyes shifted down her reflection to the new light blue sundress she wore. It had a sweetheart neckline, a tailored bodice which was flattering, and the flowing skirt made it look cool and comfortable. She’d gone shopping with Angel a few days before at that mall she had gazed at from the Shepherd Security building. They’d had a fun day and it was the first she felt normal, free, and out of danger since the day she found Greg.
Anthony came up behind her and nuzzled in close. “You look beautiful,” he whispered.
Her eyes took him in as well. “You look great, yourself.” He had on a long-sleeved dress shirt, a darker shade blue than her dress, a darker blue tie, and black dress pants.
“Your outfit is missing one thing, though,” he said with a big grin.
“Oh?”
He dangled a necklace in front of her face. A delicate diamond encrusted heart dangled from the beautiful chain. “My heart, because it’s yours.”
She smiled as tears filled her eyes. “It’s beautiful.”
He slipped it around her neck and fastened the clasp. Then he embraced her from behind, viewing her reflection. “I love you Sienna. I know I do. Stay with me. Move here and let’s give us a shot.”
It was the first time he had said he loved her. He watched her intently. He couldn’t read the expression on her face. He’d put it out there and couldn’t pull it back. The last week they’d spent together since the mission was over had been amazing. He’d taken a few days off work and they’d spent the days like tourists seeing the sights in Chicago as she’d never been to the city. Even on the days he worked, coming home to her at his place was exactly what he wanted everyday for the rest of his life.
There was a long pause. “Anthony, you know I want to see where a relationship can go between us. I love you too,” she said with a shaky voice. “But I’m not ready to make this decision yet. Please respect that and give me some more time.”
He turned her around so he could look into her eyes and he embraced her. She loved him! “Sweetheart take as much time as you need. Just knowing you feel the same is enough.” He kissed her. The kiss lasted a long time. He wanted to peel the clothes off them both and take her back to his bed.
As he trailed kisses down her neck, her eyes caught sight of the clock on the bedside table. “Shit, we’re going to be late,” she moaned.
He raised his left wrist to view his watch. He moaned too. “We could say fuck it and go back to bed.”
“You know we can’t do that!”
Garcia chuckled. “I know.” He kissed her lips one more time and then pulled away. “We’ll finish this when we get home.” She loved him! He couldn’t wait to make love to her later.
They drove the short distance to the restaurant parking lot. The only vehicles in the lot, Garcia recognized as belonging to Shepherd Security personnel. The restaurant was closed. It didn’t open until four pm on Saturdays. The owner was a friend of Shepherd who had catered Jackson and Angel’s wedding and had offered even then to have the affair at his establishment outside of regular business hours. When he was contacted a week earlier, he agreed to have the event there, before he even knew if he could get enough of his employees to work it. He’d told Shepherd he would make it work even if he had to cook and serve everything himself.
They held hands as they walked to the front door. It was a beautiful day, seventy-eight degrees without a cloud in the sky. The door opened as they approached. Mother and the Birdman stood guard just within the entrance. They were both dressed in dress shirts, ties and dress pants. The Birdman had even shaved.
Garcia rubbed the back of his hand over the Birdman’s face and grinned as he whistled. “Smooth as a baby’s butt.”
“Fuck you,” the Birdman whispered.
Garcia and Mother both chuckled.
The Birdman’s gaze shifted to Sienna, who wasn’t laughing. “Sorry, ma’am.”
Her smile spread. “No worries.”
“That’s right, you’ve been subjected to Razor. You don’t have virgin ears, that’s for sure,” the Birdman said with a laugh.
“And don’t listen to Anthony. You look good.” She had a genuine smile on her face.
They stepped into the restaurant. Security was tight. Taco and Powder guarded the kitchen and two more of their men were at the back door. Garcia nodded to BT and Miraldi, who sat at the bar to the right. They had their laptops open, monitoring surveillance footage of the restaurant and probably a dozen other things. Two other analysts were on at headquarters monitoring Ops and the restaurant as well. No field teams were out. The majority of the agency was here.
Garcia’s eyes swept through the interior of the crowded restaurant. The tables had been moved so there was a center aisle. Some people sat at tables facing the far wall where the ceremonies would take place, some stood in groups talking.
The volume of the many conversations competing with each other reminded Sienna of a crowded bar on a Friday night. There were smiles and laughter, and the atmosphere was celebratory and casual even though everyone was dressed up. Her eyes were drawn to the front of the room to Angel and Jackson. There was a couple and two school-aged boys with them. She had been told Jackson’s sister, brother-in-law and their two children would be there, as well as Madison’s family and Cooper’s brother. They were the only non-agency people invited.
Near the left side was Madison, Cooper, and her family. Sienna would recognize her family anywhere. The resemblance was incredible. They were all blond and had similar features. Madison was radiant. She wore a white halter dress that hugged her curves, her toned and muscled, athletic build curves. Sienna couldn’t believe how perfect her shape was. Sienna sucked her stomach in a little tighter.
Cooper laughed at something the man beside him said. Sienna had never seen this man. He had the same color eyes as Cooper, but dark hair. Sienna was sure he was Cooper’s brother. Cooper looked happy and relaxed, the guarded edge she’d seen in him, gone. He too was dressed nicely. He wore a perfectly tailored white dress shirt, that fit him like a glove, a black tie and black dress pants.
Anthony kept hold of her hand and led her over to where Doc, Shepherd, and Doctor Lassiter sat. They all wore sharply pressed dress shirts, dress slacks, and
ties. Anthony pulled out a chair for her as she greeted everyone. Then he sat beside her. A bottle of water, crystal goblets, and a small vase with flowers sat atop the white table cloth. It was a simple elegance that caught her eye.
“You look very nice,” Lassiter said.
“Thank you. All of you do too,” she replied shyly.
Shepherd pointed to Garcia. “Bet you wouldn’t have thought this one could clean up this good when you first met him?”
Sienna laughed. “True.” Her eyes went to Anthony. “Sorry, but that biker I met was rough-looking.”
Now Garcia laughed. “I couldn’t stand it, hated the poor hygiene and the long hair.” He ran his fingers through his perfectly cropped hair.
“That first morning we were together, when you put the same clothes back on, including the same underwear, I was grossed out by that.”
All the men laughed, and it was only then that she realized what she’d just said, what she’d just admitted to. Her eyes met Doctor Lassiter’s. He smiled and nodded. His words echoed in her mind. They were both adults and it was acceptable for them to enjoy each other sexually. There should be no shame in that.
“Yeah, couldn’t wait to get a shower that night,” Garcia said. “As I said, I hated the poor hygiene but that was the norm I had to adhere to.”
“We’re about to get started,” Lambchop’s voice called over the many conversations. “Can I get the Godfathers to come to the front of the room?”
“That’s us,” Garcia said, a hand on Shepherd’s shoulder. “You can stay here with Doc and Joe, okay?” He said to Sienna.
She nodded and then watched his back as he moved away, following Shepherd up the aisle that had been made by spreading the tables. The room slowly quieted and everyone took a seat. It was then that Sienna realized no one openly carried a gun like they did in the office. Her eyes swept all the men. Not a gun in sight. She knew Anthony had slipped his into the top of his boot. She had to wonder if everyone here was carrying concealed.
At the front of the room, Landon, the pastor stood. He wore a short-sleeved black shirt that fit his impressive physique like it had been painted on. Around his neck and trailing down his chest was a white stole with a cross near each end. He cradled the baby in his arms. The contrast of the baby’s chubby, pale skin against this big man’s enormously muscled, dark arms, drew Sienna’s attention.
His words reciting the standard baptismal prayers and scripture became muffled as her attention was focused on the contradiction. The baby’s cooing, his chubby hands reaching towards this big man’s face, the gleeful smiles of the baby, his big hazel green eyes locked onto this man’s face with trust and love, struck Sienna as another inconsistency that captivated her. And she couldn’t help but notice the gentle tone in which this beast of a man spoke, his kind eyes peering into those big innocent eyes of the baby he held.
This man, the pastor, the warrior, he was an enigma. Sienna saw his gentle nature now, but the fierceness of his action’s while she viewed the footage in that warehouse, were etched in her brain. He had been decisive and hadn’t hesitated. He shot several men dead. He was menacing and skilled, but he was also a man of God, faithful and calm.
Her eyes slid to Jackson and Angel beside the pastor. Their excited and proud posture, the love for their son evident, their comfort with this muscled, deadly man handling their tiny child. Seated in his wheelchair, Shepherd, one of the Godfathers, a large man who threw off a dangerous vibe, chair and all, with a calm demeanor that contrasted with that vibe. Beside him, Anthony. Her Anthony, a man who she knew had many facets below his handsome surface.
Those at the alter all reached their hands to lay them on the child. Sienna momentarily glanced around to see the contented and adoring smiles of each person in the room. And then in what appeared to be slow motion, Lambchop lowered the baby into the basin of holy water. The baby’s startled cry pierced the silence, followed by the quiet chuckles of the mostly male voices of those assembled in the room. This brought Sienna back out of her own head.
She smiled warmly at Anthony, who’s pride was visible. The baby was just over three months old and his parents had waited until Anthony was back to be involved in this ceremony to baptize him. It was important to them that he was here for it, and it was important to Anthony to be here as well. This was Anthony’s family, and Sienna realized that she had been accepted into it. Tears filled her eyes as this realization struck her.
“Welcome, precious child. So divine from God above. Christened today in Jesus’ name, Held in His arms of love. May angels guide your tiny feet on your journey in life and bring you smiles to wear, and may our Heavenly Father always keep you in His care. May you have the gifts of laughter and song and be filled with dreams that make you reach for distant stars. May you live and care with kindness and grace, and know within your soul, courage and faith. You will be wrapped in the warmth of your family and friends, protected by all present in this room. The rays of love will shine on you without end.” Landon ‘Lambchop’ Johnson made the sign of the cross over the child. “I present to you, Samuel Anthony Jackson, a son of God.”
Claps and whoops, even a few whistles erupted from those present. Sienna couldn’t help but smile. Lambchop kissed the top of the baby’s head and then handed him back to Angel. Lambchop then came and stood in front of the water tub as all those at the altar disbursed. Several of the waiters came and took the water tub, replacing it with a large flower display. Other people in the audience moved positions. Cooper approached the pastor.
Sienna watched as the man Anthony had pointed out as Cooper’s brother, Michael, went and stood beside him. Shepherd rolled his chair up beside Michael, followed by Doc, and then Jackson stood on the other side. She watched Angel hand Sammy to her aunt and she and Michaela moved past her and went to the back of the room. Anthony came beside her.
“First a baptism and now a wedding. Two blessed ceremonies in one day,” Lambchop announced.
“I thought you were standing up for Cooper,” Sienna whispered to Anthony.
He smiled wide. “I am. And you are needed too.”
He led her to the back of the gathering where Madison, her father, her sister, and the other three women were. “Would you please do me the honor of standing up for me as I marry the man I love?” Madison asked Sienna.
“Really?” Sienna asked, overcome with emotion. Her eyes flickered back to the alter to see Anthony taking his place between Doc and Jackson. “You want me to be in your wedding?”
“Of course, I do,” Madison said, giving her a hug.
“Just follow me up the aisle,” Angel said, handing Sienna a small bouquet of flowers. “Then after the ceremony, you’ll link arms with Anthony and walk up the aisle behind Doc and Michaela.”
Sienna’s eyes swept over the women. They were all dressed in a different pastel colored sundress. Angel wore aqua, Yvette green, Michaela purple, and Megan, Madison’s sister wore coral. Angel had to know that she’d be asked to stand up. That was why Angel insisted this light blue dress was perfect.
Music came from the speakers on the boombox at Lambchop’s feet. Angel gave Madison a hug and then started up the aisle. Sienna did the same and then followed her. She felt out of place and awkward, participating in this wedding. She hadn’t known Madison long enough to be a part of her wedding. Halfway up, her eyes locked onto Anthony’s and nothing else mattered. She was where she was supposed to be, with him, and this realization brought her an incredible amount of peace.
In the rear of the gathering, Madison hugged each of her friends, and then her sister and watched them walk up the aisle. Then she turned to her father. “I love you Dad,” she said with much emotion. “I’m so glad you are here today to give me away.”
“Oh, Maddie. You are your own woman. You do not need a man for anything, and you surely don’t need me to give you away. But I am very proud to walk you down the aisle at your wedding. John Cooper is a hell of a man, probably the only one I’ve ever met who
deserves you.” He kissed her on each cheek, which were glistening with tears. Then he walked her down the aisle to the traditional wedding march as all assembled stood.
Cooper couldn’t take his eyes off Madison as she came towards him. She was his, the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, a spitfire he would have thrown his career away for, the only woman who had ever had his heart. He was the luckiest man alive and it showed on his face.
“Mom would have loved her,” Michael whispered to Cooper, bringing tears to his eyes.
“Yeah, both Mom and Dad would have.”
Madison saw the tears in Cooper’s eyes and hers increased. And she thought she wouldn’t cry? Huh! Her eyes glanced at her mother, standing in front of her chair in the first row. “I love you,” she whispered. Then she and her father were at the altar.
“You may be seated,” Lambchop said.
