CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The women and children were turned into the custody and care of the agency that Jennifer had been working for. They were all identified and their families immediately notified.
The freighter was now at the bottom of the sea, her entire crew somehow unable to escape. It would be a mystery for the French authorities to figure out. The media was questioning every move Moreau made.
“Mr. Moreau, the ship was registered to one of your companies. What was on that ship?”
“Mr. Moreau, what about the crew? What will happen to their families?”
On and on as he attempted to leave the government building, diving into his own vehicle and taking off.
“Well done,” nodded Grayson. “All of you.”
“All of us,” smiled Moose.
“Is anyone going to tell me who the fuck Miller is?” frowned Sonny. The men all chuckled, laughing at him. Striker gave a smirk.
“He’s one of the Robicheaux Rangers. One of many back home,” he said with a straight face.
“You’re joking,” frowned Sonny. The men just stared at him and then turned to Jennifer. “He’s fucking joking right?”
“Nope. They’re all back home, still working in some capacity alongside sons, grandsons, daughters, granddaughters. Grayson’s mother was a Robicheaux.”
“Dude! What the fuck?” whispered Rowe.
“I think I already told you that,” he smirked.
“I don’t remember the words, ‘my mother is the daughter of one of the most famous Rangers who ever lived’. I would remember that.”
“We’ve got a lot of the originals still working back home,” said Moose. “You age well at Belle Fleur.”
“What now?” asked Iggy. “We know Moreau is going to be pissed about losing two sets of hostages in one night. He also lost quite a few men.”
“Pissed off men make mistakes,” said Gunner. “I think we make him more pissed off. Iggy and Kai, you two make a call in the morning. Let him know that considering the controversy around the incident from last night, the producers have decided to move forward with someone else.”
“That will piss him off,” smirked Kai. “That man has an ego as big as that freighter we just sunk.”
“Good. We’ll sink his ego as well.”
“But we’re still no closer to Lacroix,” said Jennifer. She turned and looked at her father who tilted his head, rubbing his bearded jaw.
“Honey, maybe it’s time you go home. Look at you. You’re exhausted, you’re thin, you’re looking for someone that may take weeks, months to find. Go home and rest. Regain your strength. Visit your mom and the rest of the family.”
“Dad, I…” she started.
“I know. You’re capable and you want to do this. But haven’t you done enough? You’ve escaped him twice, honey. Don’t let this be the time he gets to you.” She stared at the concerned faces around, then turned toward the men who knew her best.
“Uncles? What do you think? Really?” she asked. Striker, Gunner, Hunter, Conor, and U-Jin stared at her.
“If you were my daughter or soon-to-be daughter-in-law, I’d send you home,” said Gunner. “But I’m not a stupid man and I know that forcing females to do shit they don’t want to do, never ends well. But you’re smart. Make a good choice, Jenn.”
“I agree with my brother, which is rare,” smirked Hunter. “Don’t ruin your life for this.”
“I’ve known you since you were a baby, Jenn. Go home and plan the life the two of you deserve.” She looked at U-Jin who had no expression at all on his face. He stepped forward, bent down and kissed her forehead.
“I nearly lost my sister for stupid reasons. I will not lose my niece as well. I will get your vengeance. Go home.”
Turning she faced Grayson and his teammates. They were all staring at her with pain in their eyes. She knew what they’d seen. The children. The women. They knew what was awaiting her if Lacroix found her.
“Alright,” she whispered. “I’ll go home and start planning our life together. But so help me God if you die I will make Martha stalk you for eternity.” Grayson chuckled, hugging her tightly.
“The chopper will be here shortly,” said U-Jin. Jennifer turned to glare at her uncle.
“You called them already?” she frowned.
“I had hoped I could convince my only niece that I would very much like to be at her wedding.”
“They’re here,” said Striker staring at the group. When they gathered Jennifer’s gear and walked toward the strange looking bird, Grayson’s men just shook their heads.
“Can we please, please, please, fly this thing?” asked Rowe. Autumn and Clark both appeared at the doors.
“Nobody touches our bird, handsome,” said Clark.
“Whoa. I think I’m in love,” smiled Rowe.
“Not so fast hot-shot. Her husband is Alistair Fitch and hers is Cowboy LeBlanc.”
“Fuck. I never catch a break,” frowned the young man.
“Don’t worry, cutie. Come back to Belle Fleur and you’ll be married in no time,” smiled Clark.
“Married? No. No way,” he said shaking his head. “See ya, Jennifer. Marriage is good for you and Grayson, but I’m out.”
The all laughed as Moose and Grayson gave her one more hug, getting her on the bird. The men hadn’t noticed until they were ready to close the doors that two other people were on that chopper. Rush Anders and Dan Robicheaux stepped down for just a minute, handing two bags of gear to Moose.
“Holy fuck,” muttered Sonny. “Look at the size of those two. I thought Grayson was huge.”
“Do you know who that is?” whispered Brunson. “That’s Rush Anders and Dan Robicheaux. Do not fuck with them.”
The two men looked up at the faces, almost as if they could hear their conversation. They gave a curt nod and stepped back onto the bird.
“Don’t worry Grayson, we’ll take care of your girl,” said Rush. She waved at all of them, then disappeared in a flash. Kai shook his head.
“I’m going to need serious therapy after this.”