Chapter 22
The following day, the men lined up beside Chase’s truck outside the facility. Lucas and José shook hands and held back their emotions as the men sent them off with a few words of advice and encouragement.
Lucas walked to Leo and shook his hand. “Words can’t begin to tell you how much your guidance has helped me. Thank you for this opportunity. I don’t know where I might’ve ended up without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” Leo said proudly. “Now, it’s up to you to decide your future.”
Finally, Kassie hugged Lucas. “Stay safe and remember this is your home. We’ll always be here.”
“Thanks, Kassie,” Lucas said before moving on to Victoria.
She lifted her chin and pulled him to her. “Show them how the Rostovs operate. You’re ready for this, Lucas. Nick will be fine. I promise you.”
“Thank you for everything, Victoria,” Lucas choked up. “I’ll make you proud. I love you, Mom,” he whispered.
Victoria smiled. “You don’t have to call me Mom. I know you adored your mother, and I won’t take her place.”
“I do. But I figured it’s okay to have two. Especially when I know you’ll do anything to protect me,” Lucas said quietly.
She cupped his face and kissed each cheek. “I love you, Lucas. You already make me proud.”
Nick swiped his eyes. “Good luck, Lucas. I’m happy for you.”
Lucas gave him a brotherly hair tousle. “I’m happy for us. Take care of Victoria and Ivan. I’ll call you as soon as I can.”
Nick hugged him. “Love ya, Lucas. Don’t get yourself shot in the ass like Leo.”
Lucas laughed as Leo called out, “Hey, I heard that. With two squids leaving, I’m on the search for someone else to torment.”
Tess hugged José and sniffed. “Be safe. I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you and your tacos. I love you, Tess,” José kissed her cheek before moving on to Kassie.
“I love you, too,” she murmured.
Kassie clung to José. “Don’t worry about Sara. She’s one of us now. Be careful and call home as soon as you get the chance.”
“You know we can’t phone right away,” he chastised her.
“I know,” she sobbed. “Whenever you can.”
“It’s hard to believe we met in a hospital, and everything I dreamed about came true. I couldn’t have done it without you and Chase believing in me. I love you, Kassie,” José whispered in her ear.
“I love you, too.” She squeezed him one more time before letting him go.
The young men climbed into the truck. Ivan and Chase got in to take them to the airport. Leo pulled Kassie into a hug. “No sending them cookies, or anything else, promise me.”
“I promise.” She nodded and waved them off.
Victoria sobbed into her tissue and waved as they pulled out of the parking lot. “I still don’t understand why they couldn’t take the private jet. It’s not like they need to live in the muck until they arrive.”
“I hardly believe flying commercial will kill them,” Kassie laughed.
“I don’t understand why the government has issues with it. They complain about all their spending. It would’ve saved them airfare,” Victoria sobbed and wiped her tears.
“We want their qualities to stand out, not their privilege. They’ll earn their spots like we did,” Leo said. “We prepared them.”
Chase drove to SeaTac and parked the truck. Ivan grabbed their gear while José spoke with Chase. “Please give everyone a hug from us at the funeral.”
“We will. Debbie wanted to see you off. I’m sure she’ll watch over you.
Remember who you are and what you stand for.
Most importantly, know you’ll always have a family waiting for you to come home.
In the darkest times, you fight to get back to us.
Watch over your brother,” Chase said, shaking José’s hand and pulling him in for a manly hug.
“Thanks, Chase. I will. I love you, man,” José said, his voice filled with emotion.
“I love you, too.”
Ivan placed a hand on Lucas’ shoulder. “You’re ready to make your mark in this world. Don’t let those doubts your sperm donor put into your head convince you that you’re not good enough. You’re a Rostov now, you’re one of the best. I love you, Lucas.”
“I love you, too. Take care of Nick for me,” Lucas said, hugging him.
The two men watched the younger ones grab their gear and walk into the airport.
“I don’t know about you, but I hope Leo broke out the good stuff. Who knew having a son could be this difficult? At least I’ll have Nick for a few more years,” Ivan said, getting back into the truck.
“I’m sure they’re waiting for us at the facility.
Leo has the entire town surrounded by veterans and plainclothes SWAT team members.
This week sucks. It’s bad enough we lost Debbie.
Now the boys have left, we’ll have her service, and we still have the perpetrator on the loose.
The women have brainstormed to try to get food out to the families with the most need,” Chase lamented.
“When we return, I think instead of waiting for this fool to hurt someone else or create any more havoc, we need to set a trap. You and Leo need to allow the teens to return to their jobs and visit the town. Have them stay in groups with a couple of veterans. By limiting their activity, you’re giving Jeremy what he wants. He has an issue with the hospital.”
“I don’t want the teens to get hurt,” Chase said, rubbing his jaw.
“It doesn’t help we have two policemen for the whole town.
Maybe we can discuss adding more to the roster at the next town meeting.
I don’t understand Jeremy’s outbursts. We’ve always included the townspeople in our plans, and he never voiced anything at the meetings. ”
“People like him don’t want to work things out. He preys upon misery. Let’s talk to Leo and the team and come up with a plan to catch him,” Ivan suggested.
“You’re right. It’s time we get this handled. He may not have intended it, but he murdered Debbie.” Chased turned toward the mountain.
“In my country, if you hurt one of my family, you don’t live long enough to boast about it. Yet, he has no problem coming into town and antagonizing Patch and Scarlett. It’s time we take him down,” Ivan snarled.
“Let’s do it,” Chase vowed.