CHAPTER TEN
“This vacation is starting out wonderfully,” smiled Ally. “I get to see Wilson, Lena, Cruz, and some of the others all the time because we’re always working together. But the rest of you, I don’t see as much sometimes. I feel like I need to see you every day.”
“I guess we didn’t think about that,” said Vince. “The men see one another every day. We have our morning PT and then our meetings. Maybe you all should start doing the same.”
“We have our girl time,” said Lily. “We should probably start thinking about doing that on a regularly scheduled basis so that we can really connect all the time.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” said Ally. She looked around at the couples, lovingly holding one another, snuggling in the large, plush leather seats of their private jet. “You know, when I met Vince, I certainly never thought I’d end up here. I just thought he was a dirty biker out to rape and kill.”
“Turns out I was chasing a killer and rapist,” he frowned.
“Yes, you were. And you found him. In the process, you helped to save Cait and Corey.”
“Well, I think Axel had a lot to do with saving Cait and Corey. There was so much that came out of that whole horrible situation. So much good,” smiled Vince. Connecting with all of these idiots was pretty remarkable.”
“If I recall, asshole, you left us and went to work for Miguel. Seeing you with that gang was a shock. Especially because you were all jacked!” said Nine. Vince laughed, shaking his head.
“I had to keep up with you muscle heads,” he chuckled.
“You know, we’ve talked a lot about how things work out. The strangeness of ending up where we are, with who we have,” said Bull. “I’m older than everyone here. I was old before my time.”
The others just laughed, knowing what he meant. The abuse they placed on their bodies was more than most could handle. Bull had been jumping out of airplanes his whole life, and that lifestyle was catching up with him when he met Lily.
“Going down to Louisiana to work with REAPER-South, as you were called then, was the best decision of my life. I met Lily because of that choice.”
“Yes,” she said, nodding at him. “You met me beaten, broken, dirty inside a shipping container.”
“But you were alive,” he said, kissing her, “and I was going to keep you that way.”
“And you did.” She huddled closer to him, wrapping an arm around his waist. “It wasn’t long after you and I met and married that Luc met Montana.”
“Yes,” she exhaled. “My infamous drunken one-night stand with the man I would marry.”
“Lucky me,” laughed Luc. She playfully punched his arm, laughing. “What? Besides, it was Lily who introduced us. I almost walked away before I saw you.”
“Why didn’t you?” asked Montana, staring at him inquisitively.
“Because you were wearing that sexy-as-fuck yellow halter dress, and your magnificent, ivory, freckled chest was out there for me to see. That’s why. Then I held you against my body, danced with you, did shots with you, danced some more, walked in the moonlight, and made love to you all night long.”
“Oh,” she blushed. “Yes, that was why. Then you saved me.”
“Honey, like all the men here, you saved me. Not the other way around. I married myself a brilliant weapons engineer, and because you came to Belle Fleur, Jazz found Gray.”
“Again. Strange things happen,” said Nine. “I mean, look at how Savannah and Rafe met. Grip’s funeral.”
“Grip’s funeral,” nodded the chorus.
“I totally forgot that’s how she came to Belle Fleur,” said Gabe. “You served with Doug, and that’s how you knew Grip.”
“Yep,” she nodded. “I adore Doug, and I loved Grip. He was perfect for Doug, and it always puzzled me as to why he wouldn’t tell all of you about their relationship.”
“It damn sure puzzled us as well,” said Luc. “He saved Montana’s life, and I won’t ever be able to repay that. I wish I could.”
“They had their reasons,” said Nine. “It never changed the way I felt, the way I feel, about Grip. He’s a brother, just like Doug. Always will be.”
“See. See, that’s the kind of ‘coincidences’ that are too easy,” said Savannah. “Grip stands in front of a bullet that saves Montana, the woman that Luc falls in love with. I come to Grip’s funeral and meet Rafe. Not exactly love at first sight.”
“It was for me,” smirked Rafe. She cocked her head, looking down at her full chest. “What? Yes, I loved your breasts. Sue me. But I loved you too.”
“I believe you,” she smiled. “It took me longer, just from my experiences. Although coming after me in a jungle filled with drug lords was probably extreme to show your love. It did work. But that’s my point. It was all connected. All of us. Lily to Montana to Luc to Grip to Doug to me to you.”
“I get it,” said Gaspar. “I think we all get it. Whatever voodoo fairy dust my mother spreads seems to reach all of us. I don’t know why I complain so much about it. It usually ends well for us. Even the damn animals.”
“The damn animals are providing an additional benefit for us,” said Erin. “Aspiring veterinarians and wildlife specialists are learning about the species up close and personal. Semu, Alvin, all of them are making an impact on the world around us.”
“And just how will the two grizzlies impact the world?” asked Gaspar with a snide grin.
“Oh, that I can’t answer. All I know is that if they’re there, on our property, they have a purpose, and I’m okay not understanding the purpose.”
“I’m getting there,” sighed Gaspar. “It might take me another twenty years or so, but I’m getting there.”
“Well, in fairness, your mother is a lot to ‘get.’ I mean, that’s a formidable woman for anyone, let alone her eldest child, eldest son, whom she’s put a lot of pressure on. She connects our lives in ways that none of us will ever understand,” said Dex.
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. How did she connect your life? I mean, we knew you from the days of the Teams,” said Gaspar.
“She brought me to Belle Fleur.”