Epilogue
“I can’t get over how you managed to replace the copper scroll in the Jordanian museum without anyone catching you at it.” Hank Patterson shook his head.
The rest of his security team covering the filming in Jordan had gone back to their hotel rooms, leaving Hank, Sadie, Ace, Fearghas and Jasmine at the table in the restaurant in Amman.
“I don’t know how you convinced the Jordanian government to allow you to finish filming at the museum,” Ace said.
“My beautiful wife did most of the convincing.” Hank lifted Sadie’s hand and kissed the backs of her knuckles.
“An apology and a promise to pay for a more robust security system goes a long way,” Sadie admitted. “I’m glad the scroll was returned. No worse for the journey it went on.” She gave Jasmine a sweet smile.
Jasmine sat beside Ace with Eli stretched across their laps. “I’d do it all again, just to get my son back,” she said softly so as not to wake him. “And I couldn’t have done any of it without help from your team, Hank.”
Hank laughed. “Or one in particular?”
Jasmine’s cheeks turned a pretty pink.
“We were blessed with the help of two other people,” Ace said. “Fearghas and Dmytro were amazing. Have you considered hiring protectors other than from the US?”
Hank grinned. “As a matter of fact, yes,” he said. “Meet the newest member of the Brotherhood Protectors, Fearghas.”
Ace glanced across the table at Fearghas. “Seriously?”
Fearghas chuckled. “Hank’s a very persuasive man. I only agreed when he said we could open an office in Europe.”
Ace turned to Hank. “What do I have to do to be attached to the European office of the Brotherhood Protectors?”
Hank cocked an eyebrow. “You have to agree to be in charge of the Brotherhood Protectors International.”
Ace’s brow lowered. “In charge?”
“I’ll rely on you to staff it with other men...” Hank’s glance went to Jasmine, “and women.”
Ace spun toward Jasmine. “You’d work for Hank?”
She grimaced. “He asked. I said yes on one condition.”
Ace met her gaze. “What condition?”
“You hire Dmytro.” Jasmine gave him an expectant smile. “So, what’s it to be?”
“Are you going to take the lead on the latest branch of Brotherhood Protectors?” Fearghas asked.
Ace glanced around the table. “Am I the only one who wasn’t included in this conversation from the beginning?”
“That’s my fault,” Sadie said. “I told Hank not to bother you for a couple of days so you could bond with your son. But now that he’s asked, are you going to do it?”
Ace hesitated for another moment and then said, “I’ll do it.”
Hank held out his hand.
Ace shook it and laughed. “So much for easing me into the Brotherhood Protectors. It was more like baptism by fire.”
Hank chuckled. “It seems to be that way more often than not. You’ll do great, and you’ll have all the support you need. Swede and I are only a phone call away, even on the other side of the pond.”
Ace reached for Jasmine’s hand. “I love the idea of being in Europe, especially if it means being with you.”
Jasmine smiled. “We make a great team.”
“In addition to hiring protectors, you’ll need to establish an office in a central location,” Hank said.
Jasmine grinned across at Ace. “I have an idea.”
“I do, too,” Ace said with a grin.
“I hope it’s what I’m thinking you’ll say,” Fearghas said.
“Switzerland,” Ace said.
“Any city in particular?” Hank asked.
Ace nodded. “Zurich is a good hub for commercial flights and travel by train.”
Hank nodded. “Zurich, it is.”
Jasmine grinned. “I already have Dmytro looking for the perfect office space.”
“I’d like to be involved in the renovations, if it needs any,” Fearghas said. “I’m fairly handy with a hammer.”
“You’re on,” Ace said, “in between assignments. I assume Hank has some he’s thinking about already.”
Hank nodded. “I put out feelers. It’s only a matter of time before you’re inundated with requests for protector services.” He pushed to his feet. “Keep me informed. I’ll have Swede set you up with funding for the new office and a few leads for staffing purposes.”
Fearghas, Ace and Jasmine pushed back from the table and stood.
Sadie rose from her seat at the table. “All three of you will be great additions to the organization.”
Hank nodded. “Welcome to the Brotherhood Protectors.”
Fearghas’s cell phone chirped. He glanced down at the screen and frowned. “Excuse me. I need to take this.”
He hit the receive button and pressed the phone to his ear as he walked a few steps away.
“We hope you can bring Eli to Montana soon,” Sadie said. “Emma and McClain would love to have someone new to play with.”
“We’ll work on that,” Ace said. “It might be a while before we can get away.”
Hank nodded. “There’s a lot to do to get a new office up and running. Again, if you need help, you just have to ask. Some of the regional leads in the States could give you some pointers as well. I encourage you to talk with them.”
Ace nodded. “I will.” He grinned. “I’m looking forward to getting started.”
“Hank and I are calling it a night,” Sadie said. “We move to a new location tomorrow to continue filming. We hope to wrap it up in two weeks. I miss my babies.”
“Thanks, Hank,” Ace said, shaking the man’s hand again. “I appreciate the opportunity.”
He nodded. “I only hire the best.”
After Hank and Sadie left the restaurant, Fearghas turned back to Ace. “I just got a call from an old friend who’s in trouble. I need to catch the first flight available to Brussels, Belgium.”
Ace clapped a hand on Fearghas’s shoulder. “Sounds like your first assignment as a Brotherhood Protector.”
Fearghas nodded. “Maybe I should send someone else to help her. I don’t know if I can be objective where she’s concerned.”
Jasmine’s lips curved in a smile. “Is this the lady friend who left all her clothes in your closet in Athens?”
Fearghas’s lips pressed together in a tight line. “It is.”
“Do you want Jasmine or me to take it?” Ace asked.
Fearghas’s eyes narrowed for a long moment. Then he shook his head. “No. She’s expecting me. And this might be the closure I needed. I’ll bid you good night.”
“If you need anything—” Ace started.
“I’ll ask,” Fearghas promised. “Congratulations on the new position. I look forward to working with you.”
“Same,” Ace said. “I’ll bring Dmytro on board ASAP as our back-office help since he has all the network connections.”
“Brilliant,” Fearghas turned to Jasmine. “You’ll be a great addition to Hank’s crew. I’d serve with you any day.”
Jasmine smiled over her son’s head. “Same. Now, be sure to let us know if you get in a tight spot.”
“I will.” Fearghas left the hotel restaurant.
“Here, let me carry him,” Ace said.
Jasmine eased sleeping Eli into Ace’s arms.
Ace inhaled the scent of his little boy. “I’ll never get tired of holding him.”
Jasmine chuckled. “Wait until he’s a teen.”
“I look forward to it,” Ace said. “And I look forward to being with you for the rest of my life.”
Jasmine wrapped her arms around them. “I love you both, and I love the life we’ll have together.”
“I’m thinking we need a special license to get married as soon as possible,” Ace said.
“I’m ready to start our life together,” Jasmine said with a laugh and stood on her toes to kiss Ace over Eli’s body. “Let’s do it.”