Chapter 20
We’ve just lifted off Harrington House and are heading to Rutland and I already miss my girls, fuck me, you know it’s bad when you’ve been gone ten mikes and you’re already texting your girl.
Me: Was that exciting having the Hawk land on the roof angel? ??
Angel: It was pretty exciting, Handsome, but I sure am glad the helipad is being built on top of Harrington Headquarters. ??
I laugh, because yes, I put the helipad in to have the ability for landings, but I have been thinking of buying a Hawk for ease of access. Besides it being a kick ass toy to add to the collection it’ll be lots of fun, I think Lily would love to come flying over the ocean or to get to New York fast.
Me: Do you think you could handle being flown into Manhattan, military style? ??
… … … what is Lily typing it’s taking a beat, I chuckle.
Angel: If you want to buy a Hawk my love, I’m sure we can use it, plus it’s a tax write off. ??
Oh, fuck me! My angel just keeps on surprising me, every fucking day I fall harder for this woman.
Me: Is there anything you will ever say no to, Angel? ??
Angel: Hmmm. ??
Me: Angel? ??
Now she has me worried, what would Lily say no to? She is so relaxed and rolls with the punches and when she gets knocked down, she just gets back up and fights harder.
Angel: A divorce! That will never be on the cards, handsome, never. ??
Well, fuck me, she’s good, I love her playful side and she’s so damn smart it makes me proud to be standing beside her and I’m glad we’re on the same page because I will never let her go, I will only ever marry once and yes... for life.
Me: Well, played, Angel, well played. So, is that a yes to the Hawk baby? ??
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 2, what the fuck has got you grinning like a chump.
Cuddy thinks he’s funny.
:Joint Comms, Lily’s being cheeky is all.
… … … Lily’s typing and I’m on the edge of my seat with anticipation.
:Joint Comms, this is Alpha 2, stop your fucking sexting man, that’s not cool, Lily is ready to pop.
… … …
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, get your head out of the gutter asshole, Lily is your sister man.
Angel: Like I said there’s only one thing I’ll say no too, well no actually two things. Divorce and a ship blocking our spectacular view, I may even want to build a lighthouse.
:Joint Comms, Hooyah!!
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, Lily just said we can have a bird!
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 4, you bein’ serious?
Blake asks astonished.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, yeah man.
:Joint Comms, Hooyah!
Fuckkk, they’re loud, but this is a massive gift to all of us and we’re going to have some fun in her.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 4, fuck yeah, can I order what I like man.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, Lily said it was a tax write off. Go for gold Blake.
:Joint Comms, Hooyah!
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, cop this fellas, she even said she wanted to build a lighthouse, but she puts her foot down at a carrier ship.
They’re all hollering and cheering boisterously and I grin and shake my head. My girl just made their fucking year and she doesn’t even know it, my brothers already love my girl but I think she just set the fucking bar.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 7, we’re naming her – Alpha Angel
Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, the bird? Or Lily?
:Joint Comms, BOTH, HOOYAH!
Me: You just made the boys really happy baby. I’ll guarantee Blake is already looking at which model we’re going to buy! ??
Angel: I’m glad I could help raise morale, but I want first ride in the bird. ??
And she does it again, stealing my heart all over again.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, Boys, Lily just dibbed first ride in the bird!
:Joint Comms, Hooyah!
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 7, not until she’s birthed our new blood.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 5, Boo Doc, let our angel have some fun.
Me: Doc just nixed your plan to be the first in flight. ??
Angel: You tell Doc, I’ll pretend to go into labor, and need to get to LHH fast. I’m not missing out! ??
I bellow out my laughter and the boys all stop checking over their ALICE and stare at me.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, Trust me on this, Lily’s going for a ride in the bird, one way or another.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 7, you tell little miss sassy pants that I’ll deliver the babies at home.
:Joint Comms, Hooyah!
Oh, fuck, he’s got her little number, but Doc is only wanting what is best for Lily and I’m glad.
Me: I didn’t have to say anything, I was laughing and Doc guessed what your response was and has a message for you. Doc quote – ‘You tell little miss sassy pants that I’ll deliver her babies at home.’ ??
Angel: You tell him, no more black forest cakes for him! ??
I guffaw out loud.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, Doc, Lily’s direct quote - ‘You tell him, no more black forest cakes for him!’
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 6, Bhaa haa, haa, she’s got ya there Doc.
Tiny chimes in.
Angel: Checkmate.??
My girl is freakin’ funny, I love how she’s comfortable with my brothers and is coming into her own it’s awesome to see.
Me: Remind me to never get on your bad side baby, you play dirty. I’ve got to go into a Teams meeting, I love you, Alexa, and our bugs, stay safe. ??
Angel: We love you too Handsome, Come. Home. Safe. ??
We just landedin Rutland and Betty said her Landy will be behind the bakery so that’s where we’re headed.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, Comms off.
“Do you think we can grab a few treats for the road?” Jackson asks.
‘Hooyah’ most of team concurs, “Seriously? You want to eat before we go nail this prick?”
“Well, yeah, Chief, we gotta eat,” Cuddy mouths.
I just shake my head and laugh because all these men think about is food, don’t get me wrong I do to, but I’m well-kept in treats now days and don’t have my stomach driving me. As we approach the vehicle, I see dear ol’ Betty has beaten us to the punch, plain as day someone has hung takeout bags from the canopy so we wouldn’t miss it.
I pull out my cell and call Betty and put it on speaker so boys can hear.
“Ahhh, you found the treats, Boys. I thought this would be a better option than having the back door kicked in.”
‘Hooyah!’ We all shout.
“Betty, I’m gonna marry you sweet cheeks, I’m comin’ home for ya.” Jackson hollers.
“Boy, you couldn’t keep up with me, get away with ya. Now go get that fucking piece of shit, and I want to join you when you get back, you hear me, Harrington.”
I shake my head because as sweet as Betty is, she’s also deadly, “I hear you, Betty, you keep my girls and Commander safe and we’ll be home shortly.”
“Will do, now give a good couple taps on my ol’ girls dash and you’ll be all set, have fun boys! Come. Home. Safe.”
“Hooyah!”
We pile into the Landy and I crank the tank, giving the ol’ girl a couple of taps and throw her into gear, fuck!
“Woah, Betty’s got this engine cranked,” I say laughing as the ol’ war machine flies down the road with just a gentle tap on the accelerator.
“Fuck yeah, I fuckin’ love Betty, I’m drivin’ on the way back,” Jackson yells.
We all flip our gazes to him and he laughs hard, “What, I swear if she was thirty years younger, I would have beat all your asses to have Betty notice me. That lady has spunk and she really is a cracker of a bird.”
We all laugh but somehow, I think Jackson would have done exactly that. The grandmother’s family home ‘Helmsley Estate’ is coming up in a about five mikes, and we’re going to foot it in from the corner backside of the property, the old cemetery is about half a mile East through rough terrain. When Reid had the drone fly over this afternoon it looked abandoned, I really fucking hope Trickle is telling us the truth. I want these fuckers removed from this earth and for Lily to be able to live freely and in peace, to go where she wants when she wants to, not having to have a detail on her at all times. I know she wants to drive, she said she misses driving when she asked if she could have a white Beast which is ordered and, on its way, with three child safety seats that are being custom built. I pull up in our designated point, a fork in the road on an old dirt track and we all jump out.
Tonight, we’re getting into position closer to the graveyard and will do reconnaissance, and if we don’t see Rob coming or going tomorrow night we’ll be going in. We always work under the cover of darkness where possible.
“Ready, Boys? Night vision on.”
“Hooyah.”
“Comms on.”
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, just remember boys, ‘Slow is fast, and fast is smooth’ Reid you got satellite imagery?
:Joint Comms, this is Alpha 3, clear vision, green light, green light.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, let’s find this fucker.
:Joint Comms, Hooyah, Chief!
It’s freakin’ pitch black out here, so no matter what, it will be slow going because the rocky ground is slippery as fuck. We’re used to this type of terrain and love an adventure, this to us is fun and each and every one of my brothers wants sweet revenge.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 3, hold up, hold up.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, what you got Reid?
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 3, tripwire 2 o’clock, keep your eyes peeled and be alert.
:Joint Comms, this Alpha 1, good pick up Reid, you heard him, eyes alert.
If this asshole has tripwires, it makes me think he may just have HME’s - Homemade Explosive, they can be fucking worse than professionally built, or from people who actually know what the fuck they’re doing, they’re generally much more volatile and I doubt this fuck has a damn clue, probably googled the shit.
:Joint Comms, this is Alpha 1, Jackson, keep a look out for any heat signatures, I don’t trust that this fucker hasn’t made his own HME’s.
:Joint Comms, this is Alpha 5, I have thermals running, Chief, I’ll move to the front.
:Joint Comms, this is Alpha 1, copy that.
We’ve slowed our pace and constantly scanning the area, keeping on high alert. I see what appears to be the graveyard coming up on our left when Jackson throws up his fist to stop us.
:Joint Comms, this is Alpha 5, there is a strong heat signature coming from the middle of the graveyard, hang back. Alpha 2, come with me.
:Joint Comms, this is Alpha 1, you’re good to go, move on target. Be fucking careful boys, report back in five mikes, or we’re comin’ in.
Jackson and Cuddy move on ahead and I don’t like it, but they are good at what they do and the best to check it out. Don’t get me wrong we’re all highly skilled with weapons but specialists are a whole other level. They are taught like the rest of us but they have this innate intuition and ability to become one with the deadly devices and know in their gut just how to handle any particular weapon or bomb.
We all have our strengths and that is what makes us a damn good team, and as a team we become ‘One’ and that is why they call us ‘Elite’, one of us alone is a lethal machine but as a team we are fucking deadly. The fact that we all went through BUDs together and were in the same team right from the beginning under Commander Davies reign made us bond like no other team ever has.
That is why the Navy didn’t want to let us go, but we also knew that our platoon wasn’t the same with Davies gone and we all decided to retire two years later. The original plan was to be high end security and we did it well and my other employees still do.
What we didn’t expect was for JSOC to come knocking direct at our door, to be requested to be back out in the thick of it kicking in doors, doing exactly the same work but with a higher clearance and zero restrictions and we’re damn good at it. I’m proud of the chance we took, and glad I decided to start my business because there’s no way I could live without these knuckleheads, we grew up together battling hard in BUD’s and then forming the best platoon on graduation, we are brothers through and through and always have each other’s back.