Chapter 19
19
Sisco sat on the sofa in the common area of the bunkhouse. He was heading out in a few hours to accompany a CEO to a conference in Montreal. Three days, easy assignment. Logan had asked if he wanted to kick it to another Keeper, but Sisco had insisted he not be replaced. He hated leaving Lenore and Evie but had a job to do.
They had information from the DEA that Raul was back in Mexico, and Freddy had disappeared to wherever he slunk to when not actively transporting drugs. There was no positive ID on the gunman or ambulance driver, but a body had been discovered on a trail not far from where the helicopter had left with Lenore. The FBI considered that the gunman had killed the driver, then taken the ambulance. It was found, wiped down with no prints, not far from a small field. The FBI and DEA assumed the gunman had an escape plan and was also in the wind.
Now, filled with frustration, Sisco spent some time with Devil and Frazier before leaving. Devil handed him a beer, and he took it gratefully. After shooting the shit for a few minutes, Devil finally said, “Are you going to tell us what's on your mind since you're sitting here?”
Sisco snorted. “I need a reason? I used to live here, remember?”
“I figured you'd be with that pretty teacher before you left for a few days,” Frazier said. “Any reason you're not?”
“Nah. She's just got a lot on her plate right now, and I don't need her fretting over me.”
Devil lifted a brow. “If you're involved with her, she'll have to get used to it. You'll be gone on missions you can't discuss. If she's going to fret all the time, you might want to rethink your relationship.”
“I'm just torn. She has so much she has to do, and I don't know if adding a new relationship is the right thing for her at this time.”
“You can't help who you fall for,” Frazier said. “And you shouldn't make a decision for her when it ought to be made by both of you. It was obvious to all of us who saw the two of you together that you share affection.”
“But it happened awfully fast. That doesn't bother me, but she's got a little girl to think about. Maybe my lifestyle as a Keeper isn't right for them.”
Devil snorted, then loudly lifted his booted feet onto the coffee table and leaned back against the cushions as he stared hard at Sisco. “You're right.”
Jerking slightly, Sisco waited to see what else he had to say.
“She's a mom. Got a daughter. She sure as hell isn't someone just to fuck around with.”
Leaning forward, Sisco propped his forearms on his knees, sending his own stern glare back to his friend. “What the hell makes you think I just want to mess around with her?”
“You're not.”
Catching a smile on Frazier's face, Sisco shifted his gaze back to Devil. “You want to explain that?”
“From the moment you let us know you were in an emergency with civilians, you sounded like a man taking it personally. It didn't matter that you'd just met them. Lenore and Evie had already come to mean something to you, even if it was just an initial interest. No way she is someone you'd just mess around with. You've wanted to protect them since the beginning, and that's still happening right now.”
Sisco nodded, but Devil wasn't finished. “Only now, you're trying to protect them from yourself. That's not your decision, man. Give it all to her. If she's not right, then she'll let you know. But after seeing the two of you together, I think you'll find she's willing to see where this new relationship can go.”
Sisco took the words in, letting the air leave his lungs slowly.
Frazier added, “Just don't make the decision for her. She's part of the equation whether you pursue a relationship or not. Talk to her. See what she wants. But don't assume anything and allow the best thing you could have to slip through your fingers.” He turned his head and stared out the window. An expression settled on his face—one Sisco hadn't seen on him before and looked suspiciously like regret. A story was there—one for another time.
But for now, he stood and fist-bumped both men. “Thanks. You gave me the kick in the ass I needed before going on this assignment.”
“No problem, bro.” Devil laughed. “Have fun in Montreal.”
As he walked out to catch his flight, Sisco knew Montreal held nothing for him but a mission. Any fun he might have would be back in Valier in a little house with a swing set in the backyard.
Sisco rode in the passenger seat of the chauffeured limo from the conference center in Montreal to the downtown hotel, occasionally glancing into the back seat at James, the head of one of the largest financial planning firms in Canada. Sitting beside James was the woman he'd met at the conference, clearly his companion for the night. While Sisco didn't concern himself with James’s personal choices, her presence added an unexpected level of security considerations not covered in the original contract. James had brought a different woman back to the hotel each of the three nights they'd been at the conference, prompting Sisco to have the Keepers back at the compound verify each woman’s identity.
At least, this was it. Sisco's assignment was over once they arrived back at the hotel. James's company hired LSIMT to provide personal security for their CEO to and from the hotel and during the conference. Once they were at the hotel, he was off duty. Thank fuck. A high-pitched giggle from the back seat reached his ears, grated on his nerves, and he lost the battle not to roll his eyes. He forced his gaze to move around as they made their way through traffic, monitoring the limo driver's behavior for any risk. It was the only way to keep his sanity.
James hadn't been a difficult client. Sisco found him amusing, intelligent, and surprisingly down-to-earth despite his wealth. But as soon as the conference was over each day, James had picked up a different female attendee to return to the hotel with him for the night. Considering James’s immense wealth, Sisco wasn’t shocked that his client had no trouble attracting company.
The first night, Sisco had gone to the hotel bar to have dinner but found the crowd noisier than he liked, and four attempts to hit on him during the meal made him long for the tranquility of Montana. Living in the wide-open spaces seemed to have made him desire peace and quiet. The second night, he tried a small pizza place down the street only to discover it was filled with rowdy college-aged patrons. Being almost fifteen years older than the crowd had caused him to grind his molars in frustration at their noise, jokes, and behavior. Last night, he'd opted for room service, finally getting to talk to Lenore and read Evie a book over the phone before she went to bed. Tonight, he had no plans and just wanted the trip to be over.
Sisco couldn’t wait to head to Montana, but his flight left the following morning. He planned to get to the airport so early that he wasn't sure it made sense to go to bed. Then he heard another giggle from the back seat, interrupting his thoughts of home and who waited on him there. Christ, get me out of here.
Finally, the driver pulled up to the hotel's front door, and Sisco alighted after thanking him. He followed James and his date through the ornate doors of the upscale establishment. Glancing to the right, he noticed the bar appeared uncrowded and thought he might try another meal downstairs. At the elevator, James turned and reached out his hand.
“Thank you, Sisco. It's been a pleasure, and I'll be sure to recommend your company for other security details.”
Sisco smiled politely, shook James's hand, and then watched as he disappeared into the elevator where the doors closing didn't hide how James's hand now cupped the woman's breast. Sighing heavily, Sisco hurried back to his room and pulled out his phone.
“Logan, you owe me, man. And I'm telling you now that if you get requests from James Ormond or anyone who knows him, you can pass them to someone other than Keepers. Nice enough guy, but all he wanted was muscle to walk in with him to look like a badass at the conference. No threat. No problems. And as rich as he is, I have no idea why he doesn't have his own security if he thinks there might be a threat.”
Logan laughed at Sisco's tirade. “Sounds like he doesn't want to spend money all the time when he can just hire it for show when he needs to.”
“You got that right.” He sighed and scrubbed his hand over his face. “Fuck, sorry, boss. I'm just irritable.” He sighed again, then asked, “Anything on Raul from the FBI or whatever alphabet soup is chasing him?”
“Got the final word that Raul is in Mexico. Seems he managed to make it to wherever he was heading. DEA contacts in Mexico think they know where he is, but it’s deep in cartel territory. We've kept eyes on Lenore's place, but I’m sure you know that.”
“I appreciate it, Logan. I've talked to her each night and don't mind admitting I can't wait to get back tomorrow.”
“You fell fast, man.”
“Hey, I didn't fall… I just… well, I like her. She and Evie. I wouldn't mind if the friendship grows, but I've only known her for about a week.”
“Not arguing with that, but you'd be surprised how fast you can go from like to love with the right person.”
“Great… first you were a SEAL team member, friend, then my boss, and now relationship mentor.”
Logan laughed again. “Just passing along lessons learned, my friend.”
“Fuck, man… what's your next career?”
“How about father?”
Sisco was silent as Logan's words sank in. “What the fuck? Are you serious? Viv is… is pregnant?”
Logan laughed again. “Yeah, we didn't see any reason to wait. Life's too short not to grab everything we can.”
“Christ, Logan,” Sisco said, sinking down onto the side of the bed, his heart overflowing. “I'm so fucking happy for you. Can't believe you told me now when I can't grab hold of you.”
“Yeah, well, it just slipped out. No one else knows.”
“Then I'm doubly honored.”
“Thanks. Okay, I'll let you get to your nightly phone call. See you tomorrow.”
With goodbyes, Sisco disconnected the call and tossed his phone on the mattress beside him. He sat, his gaze unfocused as he stared out over the Montreal cityscape. Logan was going to be a father. His mind drifted back to when he first met Logan.
They had been assigned to the same SEAL team, and he'd heard Logan was a top-notch leader. When Devil came on board, they were unstoppable. He still remembered vividly working to keep Devil alive and put Logan back together after they'd come under enemy fire while getting to the helicopter.
He grinned, thinking of where he was when he got the call from Logan to work for him and help build LSIMT. He'd had an exhausting day as a paramedic where they'd scraped up a couple of bodies from a horrific car accident involving a couple of teens who'd been drinking and racing—a recipe for disaster. His heart was tired as he'd gone home to his empty apartment and sat in the dark for hours. He'd thought of his parents, now deceased. He'd thought of how lonely he’d been to return to his hometown to help care for them, but the town held no friends outside of work. And just when he'd realized his life needed a new direction but didn't have a clue what it would be, the knock on the door came. Logan Bishop. A fuckin' life-changing visit.
He remembered the night before Logan and Vivian’s wedding when he and Devil had a private moment with their old leader outside the bar. A chance to let him know how happy they were for him to be getting married. And now, the man was going to be a father. Sisco would be glad to congratulate him properly.
Thinking of getting back, he thought of Lenore and Evie and smiled. He couldn't wait to see them. Logically, it didn't make a lot of sense to have such a strong connection so quickly. But his parents used to talk about how they met at a friend's wedding. His dad offered his hand to his mom for a dance, and they were inseparable from that moment on. Shaking his head, he blew a long breath, missing his parents and thinking how much they would have loved getting to know Lenore and Evie.
His phone vibrated with a text message, and he snagged it as he sat up and saw it was from Lenore.
Won't be home till 9. I forgot concert duty at high school band. Evie is with me. Once home, she'll go straight to bed.
He quickly typed a return message. When you get home, pull into garage and close the door before you get out of the car.
Okay. Have a safe trip tomorrow.
His chin jerked back slightly, and he fired off another responding text. Are we not talking tonite?
Will it be too late?
He almost laughed aloud, then realized that for a single mom with a small child, she probably went to bed much earlier than he did. Text when you get home so I know you're safe. Call when Evie goes to bed. I want to hear your voice. He hit send before reading the message over again, and then it hit him how much he'd conveyed in just the last sentence. But it was true, and he had no reason to pretend not to care.
A smiley face emoji followed, then she texted again. I'll text and call.
Now, another smile crossed his face as he read the text. A few minutes later, he headed down to the bar, still finding it uncrowded. He settled at one end, ordering a beer and loaded nachos. Once the food arrived, he thought of taco night at Lenore's. Then he thought of the taco princess, and his grin widened.
“Now that's the smile of a man who looks ready to enjoy his food.”
His head swung to the side, seeing the woman who'd been on James's arm when they left the conference the first night. Jerking his chin back, he asked, “What are you doing here?”
“I actually came to see James again, but when I went to the room, he was… occupied.” She still had a smile on her face, but it didn't reach her eyes, and her voice held a cutting edge that was razor sharp, giving away she wasn't pleased to be a one-and-done.
“Maybe you should have gotten to know him a little better before you thought what you shared was special.”
“Whoa, harsh.” She glared, then settled her expression and shrugged. “His loss.”
Sisco doubted that but had no desire to continue the conversation. Turning back to his food, he hoped she would simply leave.
“But his loss could be your gain,” she said. Her voice would have been considered sultry to someone on the take, but for Sisco, it was as grating as the giggles from James's current evening entertainment.
“Not interested.” He picked up a nacho and started crunching, irritated that his taco night memories were interrupted.
Her fingers landed on his shoulder, then slid them down his back and made a move to continue toward his thigh. His hand snapped out and grabbed her wrist—not hard enough to hurt her, but with enough pressure to make his point. He turned, catching her wide-eyed expression of surprise. “It's not right for a man to put his hands on you without your permission, so I can't imagine why you think it's okay to try to feel me up when I've told you I'm not interested. So, now, I'm gonna put it bluntly—James has moved on ’cause you were an easy fuck and nothing more. And I'm not interested in an easy fuck with you. So, you can get in a cab and go back to where you came from or find someone else here to take you to their room.” He released his hold on her and turned back to his meal.
“You're just like him—all men are dicks!” she growled, trying and failing to save face. She nearly fell off the stool in her haste, then stomped out of the bar.
Snorting in derision, he popped another nacho into his mouth and wondered if Evie liked hamburgers. If not, he bet she'd like chicken nuggets. And he knew just the place he wanted to take them when he got back. If she would have him, he was ready to take them on a real date.