53. Chapter 52
Chapter 52
AJ
I kissed her forehead before pulling her close again. The cops will hate us for the mess we created. They’d be arresting anyone still alive, inventorying guns, and identifying dead bodies for hours. Per SSI standard operating procedure, we let John handle the lion’s share of communication with the local LEOs. It was easier for everyone if we only had one point of contact, and his thirty years of experience in the Parker County Sherriff’s Department made him the perfect point man.
The officers questioned Meg and Blake first, then everyone from SSI, including Jamie and Jay, who’d joined us.
I had a feeling Blake’s vice-like grip on my hand as she answered questions was the only thing preventing her from losing it. My suspicions were confirmed when she fell apart three seconds after the officer turned away. I caught her as her knees buckled.
“It’ll be okay.” I stroked her back as I held her head against my chest. “You’re safe. It’s over.”
She didn’t have the strength to walk, so I carried her back to the car to wait. Jack and Meg soon joined us.
Slowly but surely, so did the rest of the team.
It took hours, and we were all dead on our feet by the time John walked over with the Sergeant in charge and a detective.
The members of SSI stood to greet them.
“You’re free to go. We’ll be in touch if we have any more questions,” the Sergeant said.
A chorus of 'thank you' rang out.
“I suppose we should thank you for taking out half of the Roman syndicate, but...”
“But you’re pissed you have to clean up our mess and deal with the paperwork,” John filled in when the detective paused.
“Something like that.” They shook John’s hand and nodded to the rest of us before turning away.
“Let’s go home.” John didn’t have to say it twice. I climbed into the back seat with Blake and pulled her onto my lap.
I heard Jack say, “He’s a goner,” before the door closed, and flipped him off through the window.
The car was quiet on the ride home until John broke the silence to let us know Mary, Emily, and Beth would have food waiting at the office.
Blake seemed surprised, but I wasn’t. She’ll understand once she gets to know them.
“Mary is the Mama Bear of SSI and won’t be able to rest until we’re all back, safe and sound,” John offered. “Emily and Beth are a lot like her.”
So is Meg . But Blake had already seen her in action.
The only sound for the rest of the ride was Blake’s soft sniffles and my whispered words of comfort.
It’ll take some time for her to process everything she’s been through. And I’d be there every step of the way.
Mary met us at the back door, holding it open while we filed in. Her eyes sparkled as her lips curved up when she saw my arm around Blake. She patted me on the arm as I passed. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“Thank you.”
Mary Sheppard was the type of mother I wished I’d had. The kind who would wreak havoc to protect her family and smile softly while tending their wounds. Strong and caring, she was a pro at giving tough love, and an expert at lending a sympathetic ear.
Blake needed someone like Mary in her life. So do I .
Beth and Emily fawned over Doug and Jamie, respectively, when they came in. Mary was checking on Jaden and Maxwell until John walked in and she saw the blood on his arm.
“John?” the concern in her voice was palpable as color drained from her face.
“It’s only a graze.” She must have looked doubtful, because he quickly added, “I swear. You can ask Meg.”
Mary didn’t bother verifying before hugging him. When she pulled back, she said, "I'm taking you to see Dr. Greenfield first thing in the morning."
Recognizing a losing argument when he saw one, John nodded.
After a few minutes, the chaos was replaced with a low steady hum of activity as the team hauled in our gear. Jack took care of mine so I could stay with Blake, who was curled up in my lap.
John released Dean, Sammie, and Eric, who’d been protecting the Sheppard women, but invited them to stay for food.
Blake stayed in my lap, quietly observing the entire time. It wasn’t long before she dozed off.
My poor girl was exhausted. When she woke up with a start, I calmed her back down. When she whispered she had to pee, I reluctantly let go, though I insisted on walking her to the bathroom.
It was then I noticed Ashley, and the wicked grin on her face.
As soon as Blake shut the door, Ashley said, “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Hey, Ashley.” I looked back at the bathroom door.
“Cupid’s arrow found you.” She laughed. “Seriously, dude, I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. She’s…” My words trailed off.
“She must be pretty damn special if she’s taken you off the market,” she said.
“She is.” I felt Blake’s presence before I heard her say, “Andrew?”
I reached back for Blake’s hand.
Ashley’s eyebrows shot up, but she held her tongue. Thank God, because, like me, Ashley’s default sense of humor was sarcasm, and I didn’t think it’d go over well.
Without guilt, I introduced them. “Blake, this is my friend Ashley. Ashley, this is Blake.”
Blake eyed Ashley up and down before extending her hand. “Hi.”
“Hi Blake. You’re a very lucky woman,” Ashley said. “I can’t wait to get to know you better.”
Blake visibly relaxed. “Thank you,” she answered while squeezing my hand.
“Later Janerek. Blake, I hope to see you at one of our girls’ nights,” Ashley said before joining Emily and Jamie.
It warmed my heart, knowing they’d accepted Blake into the fold without hesitation.
A wave of panic washed over me. What am I doing? What if I end up like my dad?
Mary interrupted my thoughts before they spiraled, informing Blake and me it was our turn to get checked out.
“I’m fine, really, Mrs. Sheppard,” Blake said.
“Humor me. I’ll feel better when I’ve seen with my own two eyes that everyone is okay.” Mary’s request was a lot like one of John’s, in that it wasn’t.
“Best to comply. She won’t take no for an answer.” I nudged Blake towards the couch.
“That’s right. This mother hen needs to know her chicks are uninjured.”
I thanked God for the family I’d found at SSI. I wasn’t one of Mary’s cubs, but she never failed to include me in her mothering.
It didn’t take long for Mary to confirm we weren’t physically hurt, so she used her time with us to support Blake, telling me to add her number to Blake’s phone, in case she needed anything.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sheppard.”
“None of that, you’re family now, so call me Mary.”
Tears filled Blake’s eyes as she thanked Mary again. I blinked a few times and turned away to hide the evidence of my own emotions.
And looked right at John.
He smiled and lifted his head in acknowledgement. He was no stranger to the effect Mary had on people.
A few minutes after walking away and talking to Beth, Mary announced, “Food is upstairs in the conference room.” She laughed as everyone stampeded up the stairs.
Blake didn’t move, so neither did I.
“You should eat,” I whispered. I didn’t think she’d eaten anything today.
“I’m not sure I can,” she said.
“Want me to bring something down so you can try?”
She glanced at the second floor landing. The noise from the room drifted towards us.
“Maybe in a few minutes.”
I couldn’t blame her; it’d be a madhouse until everyone settled down to eat.
We’d just stood up when Jack and Meg came down carrying two plates each.
“We thought we’d save you from the circus,” Jack said as he handed me a heaping plate.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I got you a little of everything,” Meg said, handing a plate to Blake. Unlike mine, which was mostly meat and potatoes, hers had salad and vegetables too.
Gratitude filled my heart, as mashed potatoes and pot roast filled my stomach.
When Blake said my potatoes were better, I fell a little deeper in love.