Chapter 3 #2
The Colonel gave me a dark look, but I was gone, heading into Ethan’s quiet, empty library. The minute I was alone with a closed door between me and the rest of the guests, I searched out the data that had set off my alarm.
It was a video from the gate at the bottom of the hill, right off the highway. Also data from the thermal imager. A van, driving right through an opened gate. I did not remember seeing this one on any list.
I noted the make, model and plate number of the vehicle, and cross referenced it with the list of cleared and expected vehicles.
Nothing. It was not on the list. I triple checked, to allow for my own eyes or brain playing tricks on me, or the effects of stress or champagne, but no. Not there.
I fought clawing panic as I checked out the thermal imager’s data as they paused at the gate.
Four men behind the tinted windows. Two in front, two in the back, and this data was already a few minutes old.
And the fact that someone let them in the bottom gate suggested that the same someone was probably ready to let them in at the top as well.
And the room out there was full of people with their guard down.
I pulled the gun out and raced toward the atrium.
The occupants of that van would approach from that direction.
Then I caught my first glimpse of the intruders, walking purposely through the shadowy breezeway, in quick lockstep.
Four guys, dressed in black. Long hair, bearded.
They carried big cases. Probably automatic rifles.
I broke into a run, staying in the shadows, and stopped short as Ethan stepped out, blocking me. “Hey. Jed.” His eyes were sharp and worried.” What’s up?”
The Drakes, and Eli, Cade, Mitch, all of them surrounded me, blocking me.
“There are four gunmen in the fucking breezeway,” I hissed. “They weren’t on the list. They’re carrying cases. Probably machine guns! Move, you assholes!”
“There’s no gunmen, Jed,” Amos said. “It’s just the band. We weren’t sure if they could make it, but they did, in the end. So no problem, okay? Just relax. Chill.”
“The…what the fuck? What band?”
“Everything good here?” Freya’s clear, worried voice.
All the men in the group swiftly gave way to her, a shining vision in her white gown. She saw the gun in my hand, and her eyes went big and horrified. “Oh, God.”
“I saw gunmen arrive,” I told her, over the lump in my throat. “Or, I thought I did.”
She shook her head. “It’s just Nighttime Visitor. They’ve been touring. I was hoping they’d get here on time, but it wasn’t a sure thing, so I figured, if it happened, it would be…a nice surprise.”
I tried to swallow, but my throat was too dry, “I don’t like surprises.”
“So I gather.” She gently took the gun from my numb hand, turned and handed it to Amos, who swiftly made it disappear.
By now, the long-haired guys in black were close enough to recognize as the band, plus their sound guy. They were close enough to be curious about the strange tableau, and the weirdness vibrating in the air. I saw it in their faces.
“Evening,” Ethan said. “I’m glad you guys could come.”
“So are we,” said the keyboardist. “Congratulations, Freya. You look like a million bucks. You’re breaking all of our hearts.”
She smiled at them. “Thanks so much, you guys. I am so glad you could make it. There’s a dais and all the sound equipment you requested next to the big Norfolk pine inside the hall, so go ahead and set up. We’ll be right in.”
The musicians proceeded toward the party, and Freya looked around at her brother and the other guys. “Well? Off with you,” she said briskly. “See you guys inside. Jed and I need a minute.”
“You sure you want to be alone with him?” Ethan growled.
“Get lost, Ethan,” she said impatiently. “He’s my husband. Get over it.”
“I’m sorry I panicked, guys,” I told them, my voice rough. “I didn’t know.”
“You have got to trust us, man,” Darius said. “We have your back. Always have, always will. They can’t get us if we stand together. Get it through your head.”
He gazed down at Freya’s glittery, flower studded ringlets as the other men left them alone, wondering if this was it. If he’d fucked up. If this was all he got.
But Freya leaned forward, putting her arms around him, and something inside him just broke loose. He hugged her fiercely.
“I’m sorry if I scared you,” she whispered.
“I should have told you about the band, knowing how tense you are. But the other guys were on it, and it was only a ten percent chance they’d make it anyhow, and I thought it would be a fun surprise if they did, since you like their music so much.
I’m so sorry I put you in this position. ”
“No, I’m the asshole,” I said. “I’m just so glad I didn’t hurt them.”
“You are not the asshole. You’re just being who you are. And I love you.”
We stayed locked together out there for a long time. Maybe ten minutes, maybe fifteen. I could have stayed there forever, for my own part.
She finally rocked back and looked up at me, her eyes glittering with tears. “Shall we go in? We need to be there for the first dance.”
I walked in with her. The band had set themselves up in record time, the sound man darting back and forth.
The guy with the dobro hanging off him grabbed the mic.
“Ah, there they are! The bride and groom! Ladies and gentlemen, we are Nighttime Visitor, and we are always glad to play for our good friends, Freya and Ethan Masters. Sorry about doing our sound check in front of all of you. I know you’ve been waiting for the first dance, so let’s get the bride and the groom out onto the dance floor without further ado! ”
Great. Now I got to be the center of attention again. But there was no getting out of it. Frey was dragging me out in front of everyone, just as the first chords of the song began. And it was Trust Me Tonight. The singer began to croon the familiar words.
You’ve been so damn good at feeling blue
Like my love’s just not enough for you
But there’s nothing else can make it right
Trust me tonight.
You’re afraid of yielding to my charms
Let yourself just fall into my arms
Give in and just let in the light
Trust me tonight.
The stars are shining all above us
If you’d only look up and see
But if your eyes are always pointed down
I’ll never break you free
Please babe, just let me carry you
Through the wall and into someplace new
For tonight, my faith’s enough for two.
Trust me tonight.
Freya looped her arms around my neck. “I swear, I didn’t ask them for that song,” she whispered. “It’s just, you know. Fate.”
I hid my face against her hair so no one would see the tears. “Whatever it is, it’s perfect,” I told her.