Opportunity
Wrenly
Was my life too good to be true? I pinched myself a few times just to make sure my life was taking such a beautiful path. Being at Creed’s Lake was great for my abs too. There wasn’t a day that went by where I didn’t laugh so hard I almost puked.
Melissa made Drakos make a Tik Toc as the giant Munchkin and it had been circling around Creed’s Lake. I think she was trying to completely break his pride so she could create a new man. I even heard him say, “yes ma’am” several times.
After they left, Travis built a small fire in the metal fire pit, and we wrapped up in blankets on the front porch. We even made s’mores, so it was definitely the best Halloween ever. We handed out candy and had a lot of fun with all the little kids. Karter and Weston stopped by with the cutest little baby girl. Travis gave them hell for it, obviously they were using the child to get free candy. I thought it was funny, but whatever.
Our night ended in the shower. Travis could have cared less about my period and once again delivered toe curling orgasms.
No announcements were made yet about the shifting of management. We ended the week in a cabin near the cutest little town called Little Nashville. It wasn’t far away, and they had the most darling little shops. We bought Christmas ornaments, and I also found a few Christmas gifts. I was aware by then that Travis probably knew my fate at Creed’s Lake, but just like he did early in my hiring process he stayed out of it.
That following Monday I was called into the Originals daily meeting.
“Carlson, you’re an asset to this company. You already know you could choose pretty much any position, but we have a different offer for you. You have been accepted into the DV program as Darren’s VP, and will serve in unit R. You have a lot of training ahead of you, and I’m sure you’re up to the challenge. We will be providing training through the Indiana University online program offered by their psychology department. It will be the same training offered to the Indiana State Police. We have decided to hand the K-9 training program over to Sam, so I am very sorry if this disappoints you. With that being said, Darren would like to also offer you another position that’s outside Creed’s Lake.” Creed said then turned to look at Darren.
“Miss Carlson, as you are aware, my position at Creed’s Lake is still being developed as my term as Sheriff comes to an end. I plan to stay part time because I’ve been offered a position with the State Police. I am developing a State SWAT program to serve Southern Indiana. My hands will be full, and I’d like your help. I’d like you to become my Vice President over the domestic violence program, and to also join my SWAT program. You’ll still be a full time employee here at Creed’s Lake, but how would you feel about rejoining law enforcement?” Darren asked.
Holy, what the crap?
I leaned forward after I glanced at Travis. “Excuse me?”
“I assure you it’s not a full time position. It’s honestly an on call type of situation. This program I’m developing is for the more serious situations, counter terrorism will be our main focus. With the threats that comes with the cartel gangs, and the wars between motorcycle gangs, we predict there will be more hostile situations in our future. Unfortunately, we are not prepared. Our small county teams are not big or strong enough to deal with these situations, and hell, Sinclair County isn’t even big enough to support a team of our own. We will be utilized in situations that will support local and county SWAT teams, or in Sinclair County’s case we will be the only SWAT team. We made the same offer to a few other operatives, and you’ll be on a team that’s made up of some of the best law enforcement officers around. You will be an employee of the State of Indiana, but only part time. It is salary and honestly, there will be weeks and maybe even months you won’t be called up to a situation. By making you Vice President of the DV division, you’ll be freeing me to be able to focus half my time on the new SWAT team. I’ll need you to run things here at Creed’s Lake when I’m not available. The State Police Superintendent is not willing to put anyone without law enforcement or special ops experience into these positions, and he has looked over your accomplishments and gave me the go ahead to offer you a position on our team.”
I looked at Travis and he wasn’t surprised by the offer, but he definitely didn’t look happy about it.
“VP of the DV program here at Creed’s Lake?” I asked.
Creed cleared his throat. “Darren has an extensive background in domestic violence cases. He is perfect to run the program, but his time will be stretched pretty thin. We think the two of you will work well together, and your experience with the Scorpions could give Darren some insight as far as the SWAT team he is developing. Let’s be real, the State Police Superintendent is creating this program specifically to prepare for the upcoming war. The Devil’s Rejects and Fallen Angels have become targets of the cartel and other MC’s in the surrounding states. The situation is growing more hostile by the day, and territory is becoming a problem. Creed’s Lake may eventually have to step in because an MC known as The Burning Skulls are trying to move into our territory. We are partnering with the State Police, and it’s vital that nobody learns that we are also partnering with the Rejects and The Fallen Angels. If word ever got out that the State Police are working indirectly with these two MC’s, I wouldn’t even want to imagine the political ramifications. Careers and lives will be destroyed.”
“Who else has been offered this same opportunity?” I asked.
Creed glanced at Travis for just a moment. “Stone of course.” He looked at Travis then at me. “Travis is our best sharp shooter and has accepted the offer. He will now only command two Creed’s Lake units, and we will be sharing my owner and CEO position over the entire Creed’s Lake, since he is the second largest owner of this company.”
My eyes quickly darted to Travis. “You’re what?”
Travis shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Creed owns half, I own twenty five percent, and the rest of the Originals own what’s left. We haven’t sat down yet to discuss how we will split the duties.”
“Your boy toy is now our boss.” Axton looked to be annoyed with the idea.
“McCormick is a former Seal and also a former CIA agent. He has also accepted, along with Ives, who was never special ops, but an MP with the Army. He was also on a SWAT team in New York City for a period of time. Magnus and Axton have also accepted the position that’s being offered to you.” Creed added.
“I’m overjoyed with the VP position, but could I think about the SWAT team? I’d like to discuss it with Travis in private.” I asked.
‘Sure, we have plenty of time before training starts for the SWAT team.” Darren said.
“Wrenly.” Travis caught my attention, so I looked over at him. “This wasn’t something in the works until a few days ago. Before this I didn’t think we should let our career paths cross, and with that being said, I’m not exactly thrilled with the idea. But my opinion doesn’t matter, it’s your choice to make, just like it was mine and I accepted. There’s no need to discuss it with me, just like your decision to come to Creed’s Lake wasn’t mine. You have to make your own career choices. You didn’t work as hard as you did to allow any man influence over your career.”
He was right. He didn’t consult me before accepting. He has completely kept his distance from my career, and I appreciate his respect in doing so, but we weren’t supposed to work together.
I turned to Darren. “What would be my role on the SWAT team?”
“Tactical team operator, just like Axton and Magnus.” Darren answered.
That was interesting, well maybe not interesting but definitely different. As a woman, we weren’t always treated the same as men in the military. I was assigned to a Raiders team that wasn’t promised to see much action, and it was obvious my gender played a role in that assignment. That didn’t seem to be the case with Creed’s Lake. We are treated as equals, and obviously Darren Rossi also treats his female officers the same.
Everyone was probably staring at me while they waited to hear if I’d accept or need time to think about it. “Creed’s Lake is aware that I’ll still be needed to travel back and forth for the Scorpions case. Is that an issue for the State Police?” I asked.
“Of course not, like I said before it is only part time, except for your physical training, and you’ll stay on call for when you’re needed. We more than accept your need to help wrap up that case. The Scorpions were deeply involved with the Cartel, and we are aware the cartel are using the MC’s in this war that’s building here. One less MC in this country the better.” Darren answered.
“What exactly is fueling this war?” I asked.
Creed spoke up. “The Devil’s Rejects had some rogue members that screwed over the Cartel and the MC. That started it, but since then, the Devil’s Rejects have pulled away from the Cartel and are no longer doing their drug runs. The Rejects not only owe them money, but now they’ve disrupted their successful deliveries to Chicago. The cartel believes their safest route to Chicago is through The Rejects territory and the Fallen Angels as well. Prior to this mess with the Rejects, the Fallen Angels allowed the runs through their territory and just turned a blind eye. But now they’ve joined forces and stay in the cartels way. The two MC’s have other illegal forms of making their money which includes prostitution, among other things. The cartel is distributing some pretty nasty heroin in the area and they’re seeing more overdoses and drug related deaths in the area. Mostly among young people and members of MC’s, but also within the world of prostitution.”
“I’ll do it.” There was no question after I heard that tidbit. My mother died with a needle in her arm, so if I could do anything to help young people avoid the same fate I was on board.