Chapter Fifteen #2
I sat in what Mars had called a briefing with Captain Sorensen and his boss, Special Agent in Charge Bradley, and his counterpart, a woman called SAC Clara Bowman.
She headed up the FBI’s motor vehicle theft unit and had brought two agents with her.
The female special agent introduced herself as Delaney Anthony, then turned to her colleague, introducing him as Special Agent Marcello Biagi.
I shook hands with all of them. Beth and Kindness’ co-worker, Lincoln Snow, was there along with Mickey and Mars, so that the higher ups could get a feel for Josiah’s methods.
Another guy with what I’m guessing was a heavy Irish accent sat in on the meeting as well.
His name was Bob Crowley who heads up the FBI’s gang and drug unit.
He didn’t say anything other than greeting me warmly, just sat listening with an intense, bright blue gaze.
I wasn’t really sure why he was there, but since I’d already begun to think there might be more to Josiah Sterling’s auto theft ring, maybe the FBI believed he was involved with drugs also.
I told the gathered group everything I could think of with regard to Josiah, including how he’d had a lot of guys like me working to steal luxury cars for him in exchange for five-thousand dollars a pop.
They asked me my background, probing me about all aspects of my criminality and thankfully, Mars and Mickey spoke up for me when I explained how I’d gotten into the Maybach I’d delivered to Josiah.
Though the meeting took only about an hour, I was exhausted and I knew my mom had to be drooping by the time we finished up at five.
“Thank you for your candid explanations, Mr. Demarco, SAC Bowman said, smiling as she shook my hand.” She flicked a look at Captain Sorensen.
“I know you’re putting him in protective custody, but once we figure out our approach, I’d appreciate it if you’d keep Mr. Demarco available to us.
” When he nodded, she turned back to me. “Would that be okay?”
“Yeah, of course, as long as someone is around to watch my mom if I have to come back here.”
She smiled. “You’ll have an agent with you at all times, so that won’t be a problem.” She turned and shook everyone’s hand before leaving the room with Special Agent Crowley and the others.
SAC Bradley lingered in the room only long enough to say that he’d let my mom know we were going to leave. The captain had walked her back to his office almost immediately after we’d returned from the airport since he had a comfortable couch there.
Captain Sorensen turned to me. “I’ll have someone take you and your mom to the safehouse we’ve arranged for you, Mr. Demarco.”
I let out a relieved sigh. “Thanks so much. I need to make sure she eats something before I help her to bed.”
“I’ll take them, Candy,” Mars said.
The captain gave him a sharp nod. “Good. Take Hampstead, Way, and Smith with you. I don’t want anyone on the road without lots of backup. Make sure you use the BearCat.”
Mars frowned. “It’ll stick out like a sore thumb, boss.”
“I’m aware of that, Clifford, but I want them in an armored vehicle.
Someone followed you from Mr. Demarco’s apartment to the airport.
We have to assume that was Sterling, and if he’s the bastard we think he is, he probably already knows Cam is working with the FBI and I want them transported in the BearCat. Are we clear?”
“Yeah, boss. Got it.”
Mars turned to Mickey. “Why don’t you round up Nash and Napoleon, and I’ll see to it that Cam and ‘is mum meet ya at the freight elevator.”
“You got it.” Mickey left, and I picked up my bag before walking into the hall.
My mom appeared a minute later, carrying the little, pink suitcase she’d had with her all day.
I smiled at her, taking the case from her, and the three of us joined the others at the elevator as we headed for the basement thirty seconds later.
I helped her into the big, armored vehicle in the garage, and Mars’ friends, Mickey and Napoleon, piled in after us.
Mars climbed behind the wheel with Nash at his side and we were off.
“Where are you taking us?” I asked after we drove out of the underground garage.
“Captain Sorensen has arranged for you to stay in a safehouse in the San Fernando Valley,” Napoleon replied.
“No worries. You’ll have agents with you night and day as long as you’re under our protection.
” He smiled and I realized just how softly spoken and kind he was.
He was quieter than Mars and Mickey but was obviously as capable as all the others.
“Are you also some sort of military guy?” I asked curiously.
Napoleon nodded. “Our whole team is made up of former military special forces operators. Mars is former British SAS, so is our medic Alain. I’m a Navy SEAL.
Nash is a RECON Marine like Mickey. Patsy was part of the Irish Defence Forces called the Army Ranger Wing—similar to our Army Rangers.
Rex—the tall Texan—is a former Army Ranger.
Miguel’s also RECON, and the captain is a former Green Beret. ”
My mouth was hanging open as I stared at the tall man. “You’ve gotta be kidding.”
Mickey shook his head. “Nope. We all met in…ah…overseas during the war.” I didn’t miss the subtle flick of his eyes as he glanced at Napoleon before looking back at me. “We were a team there too and when we came home, Candy formed Tac Team One for the FBI, offering us all jobs.”
“Holy crap! That’s—I guess super impressive would be an understatement.” The car went over a bump, and we all pitched to the side before righting ourselves. I reached for mom’s hand as she let out a soft, “Oomph.”
“You okay, Mom?”
She smiled, squeezing my hand. “Yes, just very tired.”
“We’ll be at our destination soon, Mrs. Demarco,” Mickey said. “When we get there, you can have a little dinner and then go to sleep.”
“Thank you, dear.”
I watched her speaking with Mickey and was overwhelmed with thoughts of how lucky we were that all these brave men had put their lives on the line to protect us both. I glanced at Mars, seeing only the back of his head as he talked with Nash in the front seat.
Every time I thought of him, I remembered the passionate way he’d kissed me last night. He was so damned sexy and handsome, and every time he opened his mouth to say something in that British accent, my knees went weak. Even the back of his neck was sexy.
I snorted, looking away as I caught Mickey watching me watching him. I blushed. Dammit. We drove for about twenty minutes, before Mars called out to us.
“Just topped the ‘ill, and we’re ‘eaded into the Valley. Be in West ‘Ills in another twenty minutes.”