Bobby finished his beer then sat with perpetually rosy cheeks while we finished our rare second glasses. Ms. Kramer got quite an earful – most of which could never be aired on the news. The men had a great time. Even Vincent and I managed to have fun.
Leaving was an interesting procedure. There were the toasts and all the handshakes and backslapping. Bobby insisted on walking Ms. Kramer to her car. That meant we all had to go. The three of us were quite certain that Bobby couldn’t make the return trip alone. He lasted until after Ms. Kramer’s car was out of sight before we had to book end him to Remak’s vehicle then into the house.
“Thanks, Ouida. We’ll see you tomorrow,” I said before we ambled to the door.
“Thank you. Goodnight,” she said.
“I’m not a lightweight, you know,” Bobby yawned once we were inside. “I’ve been up for 16 hours.”
“I’ll give you that,” I said. “We’ll sleep in tomorrow, I promise.”
“Thanks, Rik. And thanks for letting me come out with you guys.”
“Sure thing, squirt.”
I stood in the livingroom trying to figure out what to do with myself while Vincent helped his brother get into bed. I didn’t succeed in making a choice.
“Shower with me,” Vincent said softly as he closed Bobby’s door.
“God, yes,” I sighed.
I stepped under the hot spray just as Vincent entered the bathroom carrying fresh towels and our robes. He made quick work of his clothes and freed his hair to join me. We said nothing as we carefully scrubbed the dirt and sweat and blood from each other. As usual, I shampooed Vincent’s hair. The task soothed and calmed me as much as it did him.
As soon as I closed the bedroom door, Vincent’s arms were around me. His lips pressed against mine, and he was slipping off my robe. I let him pull me to the bed and gently push me back against the mattress. The sheets felt cool and crisp on my back. Vincent’s mouth was all heat and sweetness. I gently grasped his forearms, but let him take me over.
Vincent made love to me gently and slowly. I was surprised at his patience and restraint. Soon, I couldn’t think about anything save for his lips and his hands on my skin. Ultimately his hard length filled me and pleasured me until I came with a burst of blinding, shimmering light.
Later, much later, Vincent held me against his strong, slim body stroking my hair.
“Raden talked about fragging you all the time,” Vincent said softly. “I thing the only reason he didn’t was fear of the Generals.”
“Why would he want to kill me?” I wondered aloud.
“He was fucking nuts,” Vincent replied. “He blamed you for some of the nastier campaigns we were in. But then, I used to do that, too.”
“Oh? Sounds like you changed your mind at some point,” I replied squeezing him.
“I got straightened out but good,” Vincent said. “Remak reamed me big time when she overheard me bad mouthing you before a big campaign. After that, I started paying more attention to what you did before we fought. I realized you risked yourself with the brass to protect us.”
I smiled at that. “But you still fought with me. Everyone in the squad thought my name was bastard because of you.”
“Hello? I was having a problem with you making me feel funny in my pants,” he retorted softly.
I actually laughed at that. My heart lightened considerably.
“Did you really think it would take a long time to seduce me?”
“I did. There was no way I trusted what I was feeling from you. As I recalled, you were always so shy about being touched,” I replied nuzzling him. “I should have trusted in the horniness of youth.”
Vincent laughed. “Horniness definitely trumps shyness.”
“I was so glad of that. I was having trouble keeping my hands off you when we were cooking that first night. I wouldn’t have lasted long sharing a bed with you,” I admitted. “You drive me crazy.”
“Same here,” Vincent said with a contented sigh.
I felt better. And once free of emotional turmoil, the events of the long day finally caught up with me. Vincent felt me relax.
“That’s it,” he said with a big yawn. “Go to sleep. We’re safe. And I love you.”
“Love you...” I managed before sleep finally claimed me.
11
I was true to my word. We did not begin to greet the day until noon. The shower was running when I stumbled into the kitchen to make coffee. Vincent came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me from behind, resting his head between my shoulder blades while I watched the carafe fill.
“You can go back to bed, love,” I said softly. “There isn’t anything pressing today.”
“M’okay. I want to make breakfast,” he mumbled into my back. “And I don’t like sleeping without you.”
“I like hearing that,” I replied.
“Are you calling Lieutenant Remak about the car?”
“I was just about to. Why?”
“We need a few things. I don’t feel like going out,” he yawned. “You think she’ll mind?”
“I doubt it. I’ll call her now.”
Remak seemed pleased and relieved to hear from me. We glossed over the awkwardness of yesterday’s accusations with a professional tone and next week’s schedule. Vincent took over the call with his shopping list. As long as there were tasks to do, there was no need to dwell on the harsh words or thoughts that passed between us.
Ten minutes after ringing off with Remak, General Braun was on the phone. I had no doubt that Remak was under orders to let him know when she heard from me. I didn’t mind that. We dispensed with the pleasantries quickly. Not that I didn’t believe he was concerned about Vincent’s well-being and mine after the skirmish, but I needed to hear about Mueller.
“He’s under house arrest and has been formally relieved of command pending investigation by the Tribunal,” Braun began.
“What is there for the Tribunal to investigate?” I asked trying to hide my annoyance.
“I cannot disclose that at this time.”
“But you will at some point?”
“On my honor,” he replied. “And now, if I may ask you a question?”
“Certainly.”
“There must be a compelling reason that you made Robert Greven your legal ward,” Braun said. “Do you mean to keep him from service?”
A cold chill ran down my spine as I wondered how he found out about that.
“I do not, sir. Nor does Vincent,” I said. “It is entirely his decision. On my word. We just want to make sure that he isn’t pressured.”
“Thank you, Colonel. I’ll keep you informed.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Is something wrong?” Vincent asked as I rung off.
“I don’t think so,” I replied, kissing his forehead to ease away the frown there.
Vincent gazed at me intently for a moment before snagging my wrist.
“Help me make breakfast.”
The morning was leisurely. The three of us read the newspapers over breakfast. Bobby fretted over his alleged drunken behavior of the night before despite frequent assurances that he was a perfect gentleman. I think that might have bothered him more. Vincent’s snickering was of no help whatsoever. Somehow though, it was a pleasant afternoon.
Remak arrived around 1400. The encounter was unintentionally brief. The soldier driving Remak’s car was hyper-curious about us. He saluted me as I stood in my slippers handing grocery bags to Vincent and Bobby. My lover glared at the young man for staring at my scar. I returned the salute once my hands were free. Then I looked at Remak sideways.
“Corporal Schroeder was convenient and eager,” she said quietly.
“He is that,” I replied dryly. “I was going to offer coffee...”
“Unnecessary, sir,” she said with a wry smile. “I have much to do in anticipation of my retirement. I shall see you on Wednesday.”
I came into the kitchen to find a vast amount of food for thr
ee people. My lover had quite a plan, it seemed.
“What is all of this?” I asked mildly.
“Provisions. We’re hunkering in for the next few days at least,” Vincent announced.
“I have school on Monday,” Bobby countered.
“We’ll have your lessons sent,” he replied. “Right now, I feel like we have targets on our backs. We don’t have to go anywhere until the Foundation is ready.”
“True, but I don’t think we should be confined that long,” I replied. “Perhaps we could stay put until definitive word about Mueller.”
Vincent snorted. “Bobby could be graduating college then.”
“Hmmm. Very well, let’s give it until Tuesday. And I think I know a way to make something happen,” I said with a wicked smile. “I think it’s time to have that dinner party.”
“How big a party?” Vincent demanded.
“Us, Remak, Maximilian, Braun and Ms. Kramer,” I said. “That should shake some things up.”
“I’ll have to make another list, but that can wait,” he growled. “Right now, we need to get the turkey in the oven.”
“You got a turkey?” I asked, peeking in the sink where Vincent was working. “That’s enormous!”
“It’s hollow inside, you know,” he muttered. “Bring the roasting pan here and help me get it in.”
Vincent finished drying the beast then maneuvered it over the pan. I helped settle into the rack.
“What else?” I asked.
“Could you cut the onions, orange and lemon into quarters,” he said. “Bobby, peel the garlic like I showed you – about ten cloves.”
“Right.”
We worked in an amicable silence and quickly produced a pile of trimmed vegetables. Vincent was pleased.
“Good,” he said pushing bunches of herbs in our direction. “You know what to do.”
I went about stripping the tiny, tender leaves from the delicate stalks. Bobby watched for a moment, and then deftly mimicked what I was doing. Vincent was seasoning and oiling the bird in some fashion. Next he mixed the herbs with the vegetables, citrus and garlic. Some of the mixture went into the turkey. The rest went into the bottom of the roasting pan. Finally, Vincent used his speed and strength to quickly truss the bird like a Christmas present. Then it was into the oven with a satisfied smile.
“Brother, why do you know how to do this?” Bobby said. “Ma Saxl never made one that big.”
Vincent blushed deeply. That caught my attention.
“I...uh...I learned to do it I could I could have a turkey for the holidays while I was away,” he said softly. “It was smaller cause I was alone.”
Vincent sounded so sad at that moment that I was moved to grab him and hug him close. He leaned into the embrace for a moment before pulling back shyly.
“I’m glad you learned,” I said with a warm smile. “Now we can eat for weeks.”
He smacked me hard on the arm. “It won’t last that long, dork. Let’s peel some potatoes.”
“Hooray,” Bobby said dryly.
“Peel,” Vincent muttered.
“Alright...alright...” he groused but pick up the peeler. “Do I really have to stay home into the middle of the week?”
“Yeah,” Vincent said. “I think General Mueller’s gone nuts.”
“And we don’t know who may be loyal to him and who might be still acting on his behest,” I added thoughtfully. “That’s the only reason I didn’t bite Braun’s head off over an investigation. I’m certain there are more people involved that just Mueller.”
Bobby peeled in silence for a few minutes, his brow knit in concentration.
“Do you think that General Mueller is behind the Market attack?” He asked suddenly.
“Why would you think that?” I asked. It was an intriguing suggestion.
He shrugged. “If he isn’t happy with how the Altereds are handled he could get it to change if you did something bad.”
I looked at Vincent. Then we both gaped at Bobby.
“Or I could be wrong,” Bobby said with reddening cheeks.
“No...” I replied slowly. “That’s the kind of warped sense that would appeal to Mueller. If we had destroyed the Central Market to save people close to us, he could have seized control of the Altereds.”
Vincent sighed heavily as he went back to peeling.
“This is where we were two years ago,” he muttered. “Talk about attention deficit.”
“Yeah, well, there were a lot of people amongst the military brass that agreed with the rogue faction’s philosophy,” I said grimly. “In the end, the civilian government couldn’t purge all of them. It was a morale issue.”
“And here we are again – almost,” Vincent retorted. “He tried to frag his ‘valuable assets.’”
“I said it was twisted. Good thinking, Bobby.”
“And I’m not even as twisted as Brother,” he beamed.
“Hey! Peel!”
“Anyway,” I said pointedly. “I’ll call Braun later. Meanwhile, Bobby, we need to have a safe place to take a stand. Mueller has proven that he can make an enemy come from anywhere. Here, it’s harder to take me by surprise.”
“I was planning on working out with you,” Vincent said. “You won’t be bored.”
“There are hundreds of dollars in electronic equipment in your room,” I quipped. “You’d better not be bored.”
“It’s not that,” Bobby said quickly. “I don’t want to be the one holding you back in a fight.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine,” Vincent said more gently. “Now, peel.”
I did not understand the alchemy Vincent did in the kitchen, but I certainly appreciated the warmth and aroma it generated. After an hour, we’d completed the KP Vincent required. I suggested a work out to loosen our muscles, and burn off some of Bobby’s energy. I recorded that workout.
I participated in the meditation and initial katas, but I turned instructor as the brothers sparred. Bobby could use his speed in short burst, but could only do a few during the length of the workout. There was great potential in him to be an excellent combatant even if he wasn’t altered. Bobby sensed that he had done well and was pleased with himself despite being pinned hard by his brother at the end.
The call to General Braun was very awkward for him. That he didn’t strenuously object to the theory told me more than he actually said. He also rang off as quickly as possible. Afterward, I then wrote notes on the workout while Bobby showered and Vincent made lunch and continued work on the epic dinner. I made copies of the recording for Dr. Auerbach and the Foundation. If Bobby decided to enlist, the records would be necessary for the process.
I had just finished when Vincent returned to hand me a sandwich then sprawl against me on the sofa. He read my notes as he munched on his own lunch.
“I’ve never seen these reports,” he said thoughtfully.
“You weren’t supposed to,” I replied mildly.
“You read Bobby well here,” he commented. “I bet mine singed the paper.”
“I think you’d be surprised,” I said. “I’ll let you read some.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” I replied with a smile. “You have to learn my side of the program.”
“You want me to do your paperwork,” he retorted.
I really smiled then. “That, too.”
The afternoon rolled past lazily. Bobby read a required novel while Vincent and I read or dozed on the sofa. I thought about calling the proposed guests for dinner, but I knew I would be drawn into a long conversation. I didn’t feel like being away from the warmth of the hearth and my lover for any length of time. The calls could wait until later.
Dinner was really good, comfort food. The grousing and snarking was well worth the result. Aside from the turkey, which looked and tasted great, there was gravy, fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes and corn that was not mushy from a can. We each devoured a couple of helpings in relative silence.
A Soldier’s Passion Page 18
