Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
MAYA
James and Duncan lead me to a table in the bar area where it's quieter. James watches as Duncan pulls out my chair.
"So, Maya, what's going on with your job?" James starts as soon as we're seated. No “Hello, how are you,” just right into it. He knows I'm a police officer and he knows about my special training, but this man is a very protective father figure. How will he react to my latest job choice?
"Um, okay, James, please don't freak out," I start.
"Why would I freak out, darling?"
"Because ever since my parents died you've tried to fill in for them. I know you want me here instead of the States. I know both you and Ana hate me being a police officer. But—"
"Can I get you all a beverage from the bar?" A server walks up and interrupts our conversation.
Thank goodness. I need this distraction.
The server is trying to get Duncan's eye, and I want to claw out her eyes. Where did that come from? I don't do jealous, and I really don't care who he sleeps with next. Well, maybe I do.
"He and I will have a scotch. What about you, darling?" James asks, looking at me.
"I'd like a bourbon, if not, Jameson is fine." She leaves to get our drinks, adding a swing to her hips.
"Stop stalling, Maya," Duncan says. Of course, he'd notice that.
"So... I've been with Metropolitan Police for almost two years now.
Because of my background, the extra training sessions I've taken, and my additional knowledge and skills, the captain of the Emergency Response Team approached me back in February.
While in the interview, they also asked me to double over in the Special Services Units.
They want me to do both with my skills. That's how Duncan and I met actually.
I was on a call that he was at." I turn and smile sweetly at Duncan. I know I'm bad.
"What!" James blurts out, so much for English manners. "Greg promised me he would keep you from danger. He said he would make sure."
"Excuse me?" The hairs stand on end on my neck. How could they do this to me?
"Don't get in a fit. I asked Greg not to interfere with your job, just to make sure you were always protected."
"Dammit, James..." The server returning interrupts me.
I take a hefty swallow of my drink as I watch both men stare at me. Avoiding their gaze, I look down to see a message on my napkin.
You left my rose at the bar last night. I took it to your room. What did you think?
What the hell? I look around the bar as I pull the napkin into my lap so the men don't see it.
"Darling, please, I can get you a job at Scotland Yard or the consulate.
With your linguistics skills and education, they'd both want you," James states, interrupting my panic.
I love this man so much, but I'm going to disappoint him.
I look at Duncan, he appears to process this a little more.
I bite my lip and hope he didn't see the note and they both don't push me about my jobs.
"Maya, what linguistic skills and training is my father talking about?" Okay, here goes. Most men run for the hills when they find out about me. This is how I'll make sure he doesn't want another night with me.
"Wait, before I answer that, James, explain about Greg."
"He didn't mean to hurt you, he was doing what I asked. I will try to understand why you want to do this, but it is my job to make sure you survive all this."
"Derek is with me, I'm fine."
"Okay."
"Now, Duncan, other than the Krav Maga, I went to the FBI training classes for sidearms and sniper training.
I've been a competition sharpshooter since my teens when I was in the biathlon.
My father wanted me to go to the Olympics.
I speak fluent Yiddish, Hebrew, Arabic, French, Gaelic, Spanish, and Italian.
I'm currently learning Pashto, Dari, Mandarin, and Farsi.
Plus, I have a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
" I feel like I'm reciting my resume. James looks so proud.
On the other hand, Duncan appears to want to either rip my clothes off right here and have his way with me or lock me in a cage to protect me. Okay, only part of what I expected.
"Maya, I just got out of the British Army. I'm working for a friend who runs a security company. He’d love for you to work for him. Ana and Father would love you to come to London." By the look in his eyes, he'd like me here too. I swallow more of my bourbon.
"No, no, both of you. James, you know better.
Duncan, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
I need to finish what I've started. I like my condo.
I love my life in DC." Even if it's a bit lonely.
"I can't drop everything. Besides, Uncle Marcus would be lost without my visits up to Boston.
I don't want to buy a house or make any decisions until after Savta's solicitor gets everything figured out.
" I can't tell James I haven't been to see Marcus in months.
I've been too busy and something has changed between him and me.
The last time I was in Boston he tried forcing his nephew on me. Even after I said no.
"I'm so sorry, Maya, I forgot. She was an amazing woman. What she lived through and accomplished is astounding," James says with a sympathetic pat on my shoulder.
"May I ask what's Savta?"
"Savta is Hebrew for grandmother. She liked me to call her that, as a nickname. James, it’s okay, she needed peace.
She’d buried most of her family and some extended family.
I'm the only grandchild and family she had left.
" My heart does a slight drop when I think about losing her last winter. She was so ready to leave this world.
"Did you go back to Tel Aviv for the funeral?"
"Yes. I stopped by and blew a kiss toward Momma and Abba too."
"Oh, child, loss of a loved one is very hard. You didn't go alone, did you?
"No, Greg and Derek went with me."
"Your mother and my Isabella were such good friends, for that I loved your mother like family. As for Marcus, he can skip the pond once in a while too."
"Wait, Uncle Marcus in Boston?" Duncan chimes in startled.
"Ya," I say and smile. "He and your mother were neighbors with my mom growing up."
"So that's how this all fits. Father would go see his cousin... What’s his name again?" Duncan pauses and looks at his father.
"Oh, you mean Shawn." I see the wistful look in James’s eyes when he thinks of Shawn.
"Yes, that one, he lived near Mum and Uncle Marcus," Duncan states.
"That's right. Marcus isn't my uncle, but he won't let me call him anything else." I laugh.
"Duncan, Maya, come to the house for brunch tomorrow, before you need to leave, Maya." I want to decline, I can't be around Duncan. All I want to do is climb into his lap and make out with him. Then Ana's words begging me to help her father and Duncan come to mind.
"Okay, James, but only if Duncan doesn't mind giving me a ride there. I can get a taxi to the airport from there. I also have a message from Greg, he said to tell you hello. Something about getting together with you next week." I look to Duncan and back to James.
"Of course, what time?" Duncan is almost stuttering as he looks to his father. Is he nervous? What's this?
"How about eleven? Gives you time to get checked out. Yes, I'll see Greg next week. Anything you want to confess before he spills the beans?" James smiles at me.
"He was in the interview, insisting I double over into Special Services," I confess.
"Alright, children, I'm going to head home.
One night in a strange bed is enough for me.
Too many years of traveling, now I like my own bed.
Have a good rest of your evening. Maya, I'm proud of you like you were my own daughter.
I worry about you, but I know this is what you want.
I also know Greg will keep an eye on you.
" He bends over to kiss my forehead. I know where Duncan gets his height.
He shakes Duncan's hand and walks out, looking tired.
"Between my sister getting married today and you basically telling him you want people to shoot at you, he just aged ten years.
He thinks of you as one of his children.
Since your parents passed, he has told my sister and me how important you are and how much he regrets their deaths.
I don't know why but I think he blames himself," Duncan states as he looks at his scotch.
"Do you know how my parents died?"
"Only that all of you were in Tel Aviv. I can imagine though."
"My parents were having dinner at a restaurant, just minding their own business, when a suicide bomber walked into the bus station across the street.
Collateral damage is what they were called.
If I can prevent just one suicide bomber or an idiot from taking a parent from a child, I will.
I'm excellent at what I do. I shoot better than most of the men in the current ERT unit.
You know about that shot I took. It was the furthest any sniper on the DC ERT has ever shot.
I don't like to brag, but if I'm that good, it should be used for good.
" I rise to leave, feeling emotional all of a sudden.
I won't cry and I won't let him see me break down.
I crumple the napkin and drop it into my glass so the words will smear.