Chapter 33
Four months later, he entered the facility on his own two feet. Doc made him attend physical therapy daily. He gained a little weight, and Tess dropped everything to make meals for the team again, helping him get healthy.
Whiskey met him in the hallway and beamed. “Welcome back, boss.”
“Did you do everything we discussed?” Leo asked.
“It’s done, and the paperwork only needs signatures. The new team wants to meet you,” Whiskey said as they walked to Leo’s office.
“Give me ten minutes, and I’ll meet them in the conference room,” he ordered. He dreaded opening his office to see a mound of paperwork. When he entered, he let out a surprised grunt to find his desk clean and organized. Stormy entered and set down his agenda for the day and a cup of fresh coffee.
“Whiskey already handled the purchasing orders, and Bryanna called and asked if you don’t mind sending Saint home after you finished with your meeting.”
“Of course. Did she say if anything’s wrong?” he asked.
“She didn’t sound stressed,” Stormy reported.
“I’ll send him as soon as we finish.” Taking his mug, he went to meet the men Whiskey hired.
When he entered, he saw Rocker speaking with the team. “It’s Leo’s first day back. Don’t give him any shit and pick up after yourselves. Demon, pick up your quarters. Sawyer, you’re on kitchen duty. Tess took over the cooking. You guys clean. Put me into the rotation.”
Seeing Leo, the men stood at attention. Instead of sitting behind the desk, he walked to the seat beside them and sat.
“It’s nice to meet you all. Whiskey gave me a rundown on you, but I’d like to put names to faces,” he said, sipping his coffee.
“I’m glad you’re up and around, Leo,” Rocker said.
“Thanks, Rocker,” he said. He watched as the men glanced at Rocker for guidance. When he gestured toward Tuck, the man shook Leo’s hand. “I’m Tuck.”
Leo nodded. The men went down the line. Sawyer, Demon, Grinch, and Blade.
“Welcome to the team. I’m giving you a day off today. I’m asking you to leave the facility. I have meetings scheduled with my team, and they can’t wait. You may return after lunch. We will be gone for the remainder of the day.”
The men immediately dispersed, waiting for Rocker to lead them.
“What do you think?” Whiskey asked.
“They already have a leader. He just doesn’t know it yet,” Leo said, observing the men. “We’ll see what happens. Can you call everyone else in here?”
“Stormy has already messaged them, and they’re on their way,” Whiskey said, pouring a cup of coffee from the side table Stormy set up with breakfast foods.
When the team assembled, Shadow glanced around the room. “What’s up, boss?”
“We received some footage we thought you might like to see,” Leo said, prompting Saint to put it on the big screen.
“Today, we bring you some breaking news out of Afghanistan. The military has arrested seven soldiers who participated in a plot to overthrow the base. In addition, a highly ranked official, Maryam Alizai, and Sergeant Grant Ford were arrested in connection with the deaths of several officers. Sergeant Ford faced espionage charges. Ms. Alizai’s father was taken into custody after authorities found him in possession of several stolen items from the American base.
He was charged with the murders of the American soldiers after the release of his video confession.
Unfortunately, on their way to the States, Ms. Alizai and Sergeant Ford were killed in a motor accident. Details are pending.”
Saint shut the video off. “Cole, you finally have your justice. Rayven disappeared yesterday morning. We received word this happened hours ago. Amena has accepted a job with Doc. Cora Banks will be released from her military service and plans to meet with Julio about an open position there.”
“Thanks, Leo,” Cole said, moved by finally getting justice for his friend. Stormy held his hand, and Hollywood clasped his shoulder and squeezed it.
“We need to talk,” Leo said, making his men shift in their seats. “I’ve come to a conclusion. We started out as one team, and then we made Team Hawk. I’m proud of each and every one of you. You didn’t let me down, and you will always have my undying gratitude. Saint reported a few issues.”
Sparky shifted and sank lower in her chair. Shadow glanced away, his jaw ticking.
“While on a mission, it seems Sparky took to joyriding in the desert with the help of Shadow. Then she deliberately disobeyed orders and returned to the team after being ordered to return home.”
Shadow interrupted. “It’s my fault, Leo.”
Leo glared at him until Shadow sighed.
“Sparky, you and Shadow will share latrine duty for two weeks for putting yourselves at risk. When you get a direct order, I expect you to obey it. Saint, however, says your insistence led you to discover Rayven with Shadow. You also wrestled a snake and pretended to get kidnapped by your own men to extract information. Saint reports you showed bravery and courage despite him riding your ass. Without you, I might not have lasted much longer. The team felt you deserved a little something for your extraordinary efforts.” He took out a pair of keys from his pocket and handed them to her.
“You have my gratitude. At your house, Ty is unloading a yellow jeep with orange flames. He has a back pasture you can drive on at any time, and we can all see you coming.”
Sparky jumped up and hugged him, squealing with delight.
“When we finish our meeting, we will head to Bear’s for a family picnic. Then, you’re free to go play on your new toy.”
“Thank you, Leo,” she gushed. Leo smiled as she clutched the keys to her chest.
“We started this because we lost Whiskey. Our mission went bad, and we lost each other. Since then, we added Patch, Knight, Sparky, Stormy, Cole, and Hollywood. All of which have shown us the same loyalty and dedication we expect from the Alpha team. I will lead, and Whiskey and Saint have agreed to take on management roles. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like it showed my gratitude for everything you’ve endured.
Shadow and Hollywood have babies on the way.
Patch and Knight left theirs to rescue me. You’re my family.”
Whiskey rose and passed out contracts for each of them, laying them upside down on the table.
“We want you to make this your permanent home. Each of you will get shares in our company. We will spread the wealth, the work, and provide for our families. My alpha team will get a bigger portion since they followed me here. As soon as I heal and Catherine feels ready, I’m taking her on a vacation.
When we return, our teams will spin up, and we’re all spending a month in Russia.
Ivan has agreed to generously host us. Your spouses have arranged time off, and we’ll go as a family.
Please review the contracts, then sign them.
Taco and Shadow, I have assigned you duties as leaders.
Ragu, I’m sending you to sharpshooting school.
You’re a great asset to the team, and I know you’ve always wanted to do it.
Once you’ve read over the contracts and I answer any questions, we’ll have a celebration. ”
“Hooyah,” Shadow said, scrawling his name on the piece of paper.
“Hell, yeah,” Ragu said, scribbling his name and handing it back to Leo.
Taco grinned and signed with flair.
Hollywood helped Sparky sign hers and passed them to the front. Cole and Stormy put theirs together and handed them to Saint.
Knight grinned and signed.
“Thank you for not giving up on me. It means the world,” Leo said softly.
When the others left, Leo stopped Saint. “Bryanna called. She needs you to run by the house.”
“I thought she took the food to Bear’s place,” he said, confused.
“She didn’t say anything about an emergency. Let me know if you need anything,” Leo said, patting him on the back.
* * *
Saint drove down the mountain, worried something might’ve happened to Bryanna or the kids. He pulled into the driveway and jumped out, jogging to the front door.
Edie and Bryanna stood in the living room. His mother twisted her hands together, a habit she only made when she felt nervous.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Bryanna smiled. “Everything’s fine. The kids went to Bear’s with Michael and Lizzy. We have a visitor.”
“Who?” Saint asked.
A movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention. His brother, Theo, entered the living room. He walked up to Saint and shook his hand.
“It’s nice to see you again, Saint,” he said pleasantly.
“What do you want?” he asked, recalling all the damage Theo caused his daughter, mother, and Bryanna.
“Ivan told me about the team and Leo going missing. I helped search for him with Ivan’s men.
It got me to thinking about the relationship we used to have as kids.
You call these men your brothers because they earned the title.
I lost the privilege years ago when I hurt our family.
I’ve learned life can be precious. I’ve lost time with my mother, you, and your lovely family.
I came to apologize to each of you. I don’t expect anything from you or want anything. ”
“Actions speak louder than words, Theo,” Saint replied. “You took advantage of our mother.”
“I brought her a check I earned with my own hands,” Theo said. “I paid her back every cent you sent us in the military and for the damage to the house.”
Edie handed him the check. Saint’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head.
“Where did you get the money?” he asked.
“I knew you wouldn’t believe me. You can call Ivan. He will vouch I earned it honestly,” Theo said, seeming disappointed.
“You’ve done a lot of damage, Theo. You can’t walk in here and suddenly ask for forgiveness,” he warned, handing his mother the check.
“I’m renting a house on the other side of town.
I’ll be here for a month. I want a chance to prove to you I’ve changed for the better.
Clarissa’s death made me realize I needed to change for me.
I learned to forgive myself and become the man standing before you today.
I’d like the opportunity to earn the title of brother while I’m here. ”
“What will you do for a job?” he asked.
“I saved some money. Depending on how things go, I might settle around here. If it makes you uncomfortable, I might try Seattle and visit Mama sometimes,” Theo explained.
“We told Theo about our celebration today at Bear’s. We can squeeze one more person in,” Bryanna prompted. “Theo offered to repay me for the damages to my bakery.”
“If you hear of any jobs, I’m open to anything,” Theo replied. “A man has to earn respect for himself. No job comes without gaining some experience.”
“I’m not promising you anything,” Saint warned.
“I’m not expecting you, too,” Theo replied. “I’m only asking for a second chance to get my family back.”
Saint took a deep breath. The mission took him away from his own for months. He missed them terribly. Did Theo learn his lesson and understand the importance of family?
“I won’t tolerate lying, stealing, or threats,” Saint said firmly. “I can’t speak for Mama. If you hurt her or my family, we won’t give a third chance.”
“I know,” Theo said quietly.