CHAPTER SIX
“Father Kyle’s real name is Kyle Lacroix, the French-born son of a flower-grower in southern France. His parents were completely normal, average parents, selling their flowers to local markets in the area.
“When he was seventeen, he met three other young men who were ‘troublesome’ to his parents. He was suddenly caught stealing, breaking windows, juvenile shit,” said the young Corporal.
“Juvenile shit leads to grown up shit,” frowned Brunson, one of his men.
“And it did. His parents cut all ties with him when he turned eighteen, refusing to go to college or help with the family business. The French police have followed him for the last ten years, ever since joining Le Fraternité, the brotherhood.”
“Why do I know that name?” whispered Grayson.
“You know that name because they were the ones in the nightclub that night,” said Jennifer, swallowing and looking down.
The men stared at her, then at Grayson. The slight shake of his head told them all not to ask questions.
“I didn’t know it then but they were wanted for trafficking in at least a dozen countries.
They have ties to the Russians, Koreans, Chinese, just about every bad guy network out there. ”
“Well, he’s not just anybody. He’s one of their top men,” said the young corporal. “He’s nearly untouchable.”
“Nearly?” frowned Jennifer.
“The French government has protected them, somewhat. As you can imagine, he’s provided favors to them and has threatened to expose them to the French people. So they look the other way.”
“Of course they do,” frowned Jennifer.
“He’s got friends in high places, but not everywhere. With organizations like the one you work for, government agencies, private companies, especially companies like Voodoo Guardians and Shadow Warriors.”
“Yes, I’ve heard they’re amazing,” smirked Jennifer.
“They’re the fucking bomb, excuse the language, ma’am,” said the Corporal smiling.
“Hear that, Grayson. They’re the bomb,” she grinned. He glared at her and the men looked at one another with a strange expression. He took in a deep breath, sighing in resignation.
“You all know that this is my last mission,” said Grayson. “I should have told you all sooner. Jennifer and I know one another from childhood, through our parents. Parents who belong to Voodoo Guardians and Shadow Warriors.”
There was utter silence in the room. Jennifer said nothing, realizing that she’d outed him, unintentionally. She turned to him and mouthed ‘I’m sorry’. He just shook his head.
“Are you going to say anything?” asked Grayson staring at his men.
“Did you think we were stupid, sir?” asked Romeo.
Grayson stared at him, frowning. “Sir. You seemed to always have the hookup. All the cool toys and tools. When we needed extraction, it was suddenly there. When we needed equipment, not sanctioned by the Corps, it was suddenly there. All of that and you possessed more skill than any Marine has the right to. We knew, sir. We just weren’t going to push you to tell us. We understood why.”
“Fuck me,” he growled. He stood, running his hand over the thick head of hair that desperately needed to be cut. When you run ops like his team, you worry less about things like hair growth and beards. It doesn’t fucking matter.
“I never meant to lie to you. I also didn’t want you in any additional danger. I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry, Sgt. Major,” smiled Brunson. “We look up to you.”
Grayson swallowed back the emotions building in him. He nodded, staring at each of the men he’d handpicked. They were good. Better than good. They were the best the Corps had to offer.
“Listen,” said Jennifer softly, “I know that I’m not part of your team but I have to stop this man. He’s taken more than a hundred children from various orphanages where the Sisters worked. It’s personal to me.”
“Personal, Sister?” frowned Romeo.
“I-I’m obviously not a nun. And it’s not Sister Irene, it’s Jennifer.
I worked for an independent organization trying to stop trafficking.
As Grayson said, we grew up in the same place, around the same people.
” The men nodded at her, just staring at her face.
“That’s not all. Kyle Lacroix raped me several years ago.
He and another man. He’s dead. Kyle is next. ”
All of the men were quiet, then stood looking at one another, then at Grayson.
“Then let’s make this last mission your swan song, Sgt. Major.”
“Jennifer, you need to go home,” said Grayson.
“I’m not leaving. You put me on a plane, I’ll turn around and come right back here. I need to do this, Grayson. I need to stop this man and the organization he’s working with. You would feel the same way.”
“She could be useful, sir,” said Romeo. Grayson glared at the young man, warning him not fan the flames. He grinned, holding up both hands in defense.
“Grayson, I know this group. I know how they operate, I know their men.”
“You didn’t even recognize that fucking priest after what he did to you!” he yelled. Jennifer jumped back as if he’d slapped her. She swallowed and nodded.
“You’re right. I didn’t. When you’re raped in a dark alley in the middle of the night it’s hard to remember all the details of the face of the fucking devil. That only comes in your nightmares.”
“Jennifer.”
“No. No, you don’t get to speak. I remembered. Almost too late but I remembered and now I’ll never forget.” She stood, her hand on the doorknob. “So, you can let me help you or I swear to God I’ll do this myself.”
She stormed from the room, slamming the door, the fabricated metal of the small building shaking. Grayson stared at the door shut in his face and then turned back to his men.
“If anything happens to her,” he trailed off.
“Nothing will happen, Grayson,” said Romeo. He realized he’d used his first name and just shrugged. “We’ll be there for you. For her.”
He nodded, gripping the doorknob.
“Sir? Where are you going?” asked Brunson.
“First to apologize to her.”
“First?” questioned Romeo.
“Yeah. Then I do the really hard shit. I have to call her parents and the team back home to let them know what’s happening.
I’m either going to be beat to shit, hunted by my own family, or, if I’m really fucking lucky, inundated with more firepower than we can imagine.
” Romeo grinned at him, the other men chuckling.
“I vote for the latter.”