Generation Lost (Gray Wolf Security #17)

CHAPTER TWENTY

“I can’t believe how much progress you’ve made,” smiled Matthew, looking at all the completed homes. “I never had any doubt at all. Amazing, Grant.”

“It’s not me, Matthew. This new group of men and women we have are truly skilled craftspeople. They were willing to work overtime, weekends, anything to get these houses done. We’ve still got a lot more, but for now, the folks out at Belle Fleur can come home. Erin, Lauren, Alexandra, Faith, and Grace have already furnished them with everything they could possibly need.”

“That’s good,” nodded Matthew. “People deserve to be in their own home, creating new memories in a space that belongs to them. I asked the girls to make sure it felt like home for them. These folks deserve it.”

“I’ll never fully understand you, Matthew, and what you’re able to do or why you’re able to do it, but I’m grateful every day you let me have a small part in all of this,” said Grant.

“Grant, you’re a special young man. You always have been. Do you know what kind of pain your parents felt when you were rejected by the Navy because of your hearing? They knew it might happen, but to see it and to watch your pain was unimaginable,” said Matthew, shaking his head. Grant stared at him, unable to remember if he’d told him that story.

“I-I know it was hard for them,” he said in a whisper. “It was devastating for me as well.”

“I’m sure it was. But your father worked with you all through school, summer vacations, through college teaching you what he knew about building and doing things right. He was honest and helped those in his community.”

“Yes. I guess he did,” nodded Grant. He was still trying to walk through his mind how much of that he’d told Matthew over the decades.

“I know for a fact he rebuilt three homes that were destroyed by fires. Free of charge. Their insurance wouldn’t cover the full amount needed. Your father didn’t care. Your mama, she took them food, blankets, anything they needed. She even started a fundraiser through the church and got them enough money to buy second-hand furniture. Do you remember what he said to you when he asked you to come work for him for the summer? You weren’t sure what you wanted to do.

“He said, ‘you are destined for great things, Grant. It may not be the SEALs, but I would venture to say that you will grow up helping people achieve their dreams. You will be part of something so amazing, so selfless, the world will take notice. No matter what happens, Grant, you’re my son. I love you, and I’m so damn proud of you.’ I’m proud of you as well, Grant.”

“H-how… How could you possibly – you know what, never mind. I guess that doesn’t surprise me, what they did for those people, and it doesn’t surprise me that you know every word my father said to me,” he smiled. “They were great parents to me, and so are you, Matthew.”

“Yes, they were, and they would have loved Evie. There are angels everywhere, Grant. Most are just walking among us here on earth. We walk by them on a subway or in the streets and ignore them or refuse their requests for help. They ask for nothing more than a dollar or two, a cup of coffee, or a plate of food. Something so basic, so small, and yet our cynicism says they’re scamming us. They’re all capable of working. It takes a real man or woman to notice and not just walk by. I count you and Evie as two of those angels.”

“Us?” he laughed. “Matthew, I love you, but I am no angel, and as much as I love my wife, she doesn’t always exhibit angelic qualities. That woman is a firecracker personified! Don’t you remember my stupid act in the jungle? The one that almost lost me a hand? If it hadn’t been for Gabi and the others, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”

“Stupid act? You saved Claire. Claire, Grant. A woman that’s part of our family now. That wasn’t stupid at all.”

“No, I guess it wasn’t,” he smirked.

“One day, you will all learn that everything that has happened in your lives is for a reason, for a purpose. You may not understand it now, but rest assured, you will.” Matthew gave him a hug, slapping his back.

“Matthew? I know it’s selfish of me, but will you be here, I mean around us, for a long time? I need you here. I need your guidance. I just need to see your face every day and to hear your wisdom, your words that seem to make everything right in this world. It’s terrible of me to ask, but I just need you here.” Matthew smiled.

“I’ve already been here longer than a man could hope for,” he said. “I will be here for as long as I’m needed, son. Now, let me speak with some of these fine men and women and thank them.”

Grant watched as the older man walked around, speaking to every single person on his crew. He noticed him handing them envelopes and realized they were filled with bonuses for the work they’d done so far.

“Grant,” called Albert, running toward him with a big smile. “Thank you, Grant!”

“For what?” he smiled.

“The bonuses. We’ve never gotten bonuses. This is enough for every man to do what he needs to do. Upgrade his home, fix his car or bike, buy something for his kids, wife, or girlfriend. You’re amazing, and we love working for you!”

“Well, you can thank Matthew,” he smiled. “He delivered the bonuses, but they were well-deserved.”

“But the houses?” Grant frowned at the man, cocking his head, unsure of what he was asking him.

“The houses?” asked Grant.

“Yeah. He said there were enough houses that those of us who were living out of our cars or the trailers would be able to live here.” Grant smiled, looking at Matthew across the road, laughing with a group of men and women.

“He did, did he? Well, I, for one, think that’s amazing. I’m glad we’ll have some extra homes for all of you. I guess I didn’t count the final number of houses when Matthew made the final plans and approvals. All of you deserve a place of your own.”

“Amazing. Just amazing.”

Grant looked up to see a black car pulling alongside Matthew. He moved quickly, pushing Albert out of the way.

“Get the boys to watch this closely. Don’t pull any weapons unless they do, but be ready,” he said.

“Yes, sir.”

“Can I help you?” smiled Matthew as the man stepped out of the car.

“I just wanted to meet the men that won this round,” said Xi. “You not only beat Marie Rizzoli, but you also did all of this in record time. Bravo.” He clapped slowly with a sneer directed at Matthew.

“We’re pretty proud of it as well,” said Matthew. “Nothing better than helping our fellow man and doing the right thing. Don’t you agree?”

“I’m not sure I do.”

“I didn’t get your name,” said Matthew. “I’m Matthew. Matthew Robicheaux.”

He stuck out his hand, and the man stared at the sturdy old man. He wanted to reject his hand, but something inside him told him to accept it. Grasping the weathered hand, he just stood there, unmovable.

“I’m Xi. Just call me Xi.”

“Xi. It’s a fine name. Folks were hard-working, weren’t they? Owned a laundry outside of Senglouzhen. Work started before dawn and didn’t end until midnight. Their hands were raw, cracked, chapped every day. Freezing weather, sweltering heat, it didn’t matter. Gave you everything they could. Fine, fine people.”

“H-how did you know that?” he asked, still holding Matthew’s hand. It was as if his palm was a magnet, not allowing Xi to let go.

“Oh, I know many things. Many, many things. My wife, she’s a fan of reading everything and anything. So, I like to please my wife,” he said with a wink. “That’s what a smart man would do. I spend my free time reading. Sometimes books, sometimes magazines, and sometimes people. People are my real specialty.”

Xi was so struck by the feelings flooding through his body, his feet felt as though they were encased in cement. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t do anything.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all had the work ethic of your folks? Hard-working people with good core values, honor, dignity, respect. Poured everything they had into their only child, their only son, so his life could be even better than their own. I bet you wish you had just a few more years with them. Just a little more time to tell them what wonderful parents they were and how lucky you were to have them. Fine people.”

“What are you doing? How do you know all this?” asked Xi, feeling panic-stricken.

Matthew pulled his arm with a firm grasp, forcing Xi to lean closer to him. The men and women of the work crew standing behind Matthew weren’t afraid for him but for Xi.

“I know that you were raised by good parents who instilled things in you that you’ve forgotten. Don’t dishonor them this way.” Matthew released his hand, and Xi almost fell on his face. He stared at the man, then back at his own driver and bodyguard.

“Boss? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. We’re done here. These people have done nothing wrong.”

“But, boss,” said the bodyguard.

“Don’t question me. Let’s go.”

They all watched as the car left the neighborhood that would soon become a gated neighborhood. The gates weren’t installed yet, but soon, they would close to all who shouldn’t be there. Matthew smiled at the young men and women around him. The food truck pulled into the neighborhood once again, and he nodded.

“Time to eat. I think I’ll join y’all tonight. We need to celebrate.”