CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"Is it normal that they've slept for so long?" asked Vince, staring at the three men.

"It's probably the first time they've been able to sleep without fear in thirty years. It might not be normal, but it's their normal for now. We'll be landing soon. We need to wake them. Gently."

Rory laid his hand on Calvin, gently touching him as he jerked awake. All three of the men had been able to shower, shave, and were treated to haircuts thanks to Cruz's electric clippers. Now in sweatpants and sweatshirts, their feet were encased in soft slippers until the swelling from sand, sun, and saltwater went down.

As the other two woke, Cruz gave them another bottle of water and a bottle of electrolyte replacement, along with something to eat.

"Slow and steady," he grinned.

"Thank you, son," said Calvin.

"Sir, you don't have to thank me or call me son. I think we might be close to the same age." Calvin stared at him, shaking his head.

"That's not possible. You don't have a line or wrinkle on you. None of you. You can't be more than thirty or forty years old."

Whiskey just smiled and nodded at the men. They often forgot what Mama Irene had said. Time slowed for those at Belle Fleur. Thanks to her and Matthew.

"We're landing," said Jean. "The place we're going to is owned by my family and all of these men. We don't tell anyone our location, so I'm afraid you won't know where you are. When we're ready to announce that you've been found, we'll let the world know. Until then, you can just relax and spend time catching up on what you've missed."

"Judging by this bird, we've missed a lot," said Vic. "I've never seen anything like this in my whole life."

"One other thing," said Jean. "My parents, Mama Irene and Matthew, they can be overwhelming with their hospitality and care. My mother especially, well, she means well but can be a bit smothering."

"No offense, but I could use a bit of smothering," said Calvin.

Landing on their private strip, all of the senior team waited for them on the runway. One lone woman stood beside them. She was clean, with a fresh haircut and new clothes. She looked like the young woman that she was, not the abused waif she had been. Anxious, she jumped from one foot to the other, waiting not so patiently.

When the door opened, Rory went down first, followed by their three former prisoners.

"You're alive," whispered April. "You're alive." She walked forward, gently hugging Calvin. He cried. He wept with joy at the emotion and physical touch of the young girl as she hugged each of the men.

"You've changed," laughed Damon. "You touched us."

"I know that you don't want to hurt me," she said, looking at them. She wiped the tears from her eyes. "I like you without the beards. It's less scary."

"Welcome to Belle Fleur," said Matthew, reaching out a hand. Damon stared at the man, then back at Jean. He saw a few men behind him and smiled.

"I'm guessing this is your daddy, and those are your brothers."

"Yes, sir. My father, Matthew, my brothers Gaspar, Miller, Luc, Baptiste, Raphael, Alec, and Gabe. I've got one more, Antoine, but he's working right now. I've also got six sisters that look like us, only prettier. Suzette, Marie, Claudette, Rachelle, Adele, and Camille."

"Fine men you've raised, sir," said Damon.

"All the boys belong to me," said Matthew. "They're all my sons to me. All fine men, and you're welcome to join us should you choose. For now, we just want to get you boys healthy and find those men that did this to you."

"Matthew, let me through," said Irene. The three men knew who she was immediately. "Now, you're way too thin. Cruz, Wilson, and the others will take good care of you. We've got my girls, Riley, Gray, Gabi, and the others who will fix you right up. But nothin' works better than a good home-cooked meal."

"Mama Irene, we need to be careful of what we give them. Their diet has been fairly bland for a long time. We don't want to make them sick," said Cruz.

"Sick? Are you tellin' me you think my food will make them sick? You've lost your mind, child. My food feeds the soul, and these men need a little soul nutrition. Let's go. We got a place all ready for the three of you. Matthew figured you wouldn't want to be separated quite yet. We got one cottage for the three of ‘ya, but if you want your own space, we can give you that as well."

"One space is fine," said Vic, nodding. "We've become used to one another's company. I'm sure you have more questions for us."

"We do," said Gaspar. "In this instance, my mother is actually right. Let's get you a good plate of food, a hot bath, and a good night's sleep. You're safe, and so is April."

"You kept your name," smiled Damon.

"It's a good name," she laughed. "My friends gave it to me."

The three men stepped forward, gently hugging the young woman as they all cried, saying their ‘thank-you's.' They'd saved one another. Each of them saved their friends.

Now, they would hunt.