Chapter Thirty-Two

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

THE NEXT AFTERNOON , Seth and his teammates, Artemis, and Phantom joined Brent Maddox, Zane Murphy, and Lt. Burnett in the large conference room at Fortress headquarters.

Maddox glanced at Zane. "Are we ready?"

"Yes, sir."

Seconds later, a large wall screen flickered to life. From the Oval Office, President William Martin said, "Great job on this operation, Brent."

"Thank you, sir. Carrying this off took three teams of operatives."

"I recognize Phantom. Introduce me to the other two teams." After Maddox introduced the members of Artemis and Seth's team, Martin said, "Who fired the shot at me?"

Beside him, Teagan stiffened. Seth squeezed her hand.

She lifted her chin. "I did, sir."

"Nice shot, Teagan. Thanks for missing me and taking out the other sniper. I owe you a debt of gratitude."

Teagan smiled. "Glad to help, Mr. President."

"To all of you, thank you for helping us unmask the conspirators, including the Speaker of the House. Brent, you know where to send the bill."

"Yes, sir. You'll receive it shortly. With three teams involved, the price tag will be larger than normal."

"Since I'm alive to pay the bill, I won't complain. Much." He smiled. "Until next time." The president ended the transmission.

Seth glanced at his teammates. They looked as stunned as he felt. Holy smoke. In all the time he'd been in Special Forces, the President of the United States had never recognized him or his team. To have that recognition now left him almost speechless.

"Let's get started," Maddox said. "Seth, start at the beginning and let's run through everything that happened. I want to know every detail so we can improve our performance and support for the next mission."

Four hours later, Maddox dismissed Phantom. "Artemis, you're also free to go although I suspect Teagan and Violet will opt to stay for the next session since it concerns Seth's team."

"We started this mission together," Iona said. "We'll finish it together."

Maddox's mouth curved. "Thought that might be the case." He turned to Seth and his team. "Burnett told me about the push back from your fellow cops. He and I both feel your return to the Ardmore PD is too dangerous. Zane has reversed the changes to your files, by the way, so if anyone looks, he'll see the original files."

"But they won't look," Seth said.

Burnett shook his head. "I'm sorry, Seth."

"What about the murder charges against me and Noah?"

"Dismissed. With the evidence that mysteriously appeared in my email, we know Salitto and King were on the running trail before you and Teagan arrived. Noah was nowhere in the vicinity until Teagan called in the assault and murder. Based on the evidence found in King's home office, he and Salitto murdered Pico."

Burnett turned to the rest of Seth's team. "You volunteered to go undercover to watch your teammates' backs. I admire your loyalty and can't thank you enough for what you did for our country. Unfortunately, you've been painted with the same traitor's brush as Seth and Noah. As much as I hate to admit it, you won't be safe on the job. Despite King being dirty, they feel you betrayed a fellow cop. If the five of you want to continue working in law enforcement, I'll write letters of recommendation for all of you. However, I'll warn you that cop houses leak information. Word about your role in King's death will eventually reach your new station house."

"Considering Burnett's recommendation, I'm offering you a job with Fortress," Maddox said. "If you agree to come on board with us, I believe you'd be safer moving to the Nashville area." He looked at Iona. "The same is true for Artemis. I don't think it's wise for you to stay in Ardmore. Zane already looked into property for sale in areas surrounding Davidson County. He has a list of properties available that are comparable to what you own in Ardmore. Is your team willing to move to this area?"

Iona glanced at Seth. "I believe that will depend on what Seth's team decides."

He looked at his teammates. "Your choice. We go in together or take our chances with another law enforcement job."

One by one, each of Seth's teammates said, "I'm in."

The ball of ice in his stomach melted as he faced Maddox. "We're in on one condition, sir."

"What's that?"

"We want to be on the same deployment cycle as Artemis."

Maddox's eyebrows rose. "Do I want to know why?"

He smiled. "I'm marrying Teagan as soon as possible. I don't want to be separated from her any more than necessary."

Zane laughed. "Oh, man. You're never going to hear the end of this, Brent."

"Shut up, Z," Maddox groused, then turned back to Seth. "I assume you and your team will work missions with Artemis if the opportunity arises."

"Yes, sir."

"Deal. First, give me advance notice on the timing of your honeymoon. I'll work around it. Second, choose a name for your group."

"We'll use our group's call sign from the military. Echo unit."

"Excellent. Zane, get Echo unit onto PSI's training schedule. It's also time for a refresher for Artemis. Both teams can enjoy Durango's training regimen together."

Each member of Artemis groaned.

Seth and his teammates exchanged glances. "What's the problem?" Seth asked. "Training is necessary."

"You'll see," Teagan said. "They're sadists, every one of them. You just think you're in shape, babe. You'll find out quickly how out of shape you are."

Violet sighed. "I'll stock up on everything I need to treat injuries."

Maddox said to Teagan, "I'll ask Morgan to schedule more training sessions with you, too."

"Thank you, sir."

Maddox opened the file folder in front of him and distributed contracts and pens to each member of Echo unit. "Once you sign, you'll be full-time employees."

Two minutes later, he gathered the signed papers and said, "Gentlemen, welcome to Fortress Security." Maddox stood. "We'll be in touch soon to tell you when to report to Personal Security International." He glanced at Burnett. "I'll see in you in my office when you finish here." He left the conference room with Zane behind him.

Burnett stood as did Seth and his teammates. "I'm sorry," the lieutenant said. "I didn't expect things to end like this."

"We're not surprised," Bowen said. "We knew when we volunteered to go undercover with Seth and Noah that we may not come back to our jobs."

"I hate it." Burnett sighed. "This isn't what I wanted. You're the finest detective squad I've worked with in my time as a cop. If I knew of a way for you to remain safe, I'd keep you on the squad."

"We understand, LT," Noah said. He held out his hand. "Watch your back."

Seth smiled. "If you need a black ops unit, you know who to call."

Burnett chuckled. "I do, indeed." He shook hands with the rest of the men. "Be safe, all of you. If you need me, you have my cell phone number. Don't be afraid to use it."

"LT," Seth said. "You're down five detectives. Would you be interested in the name of a former cop who wants to get back into law enforcement?"

"Who?"

"Colton Wells. He was a detective with the Metro-Nashville PD. You interested in talking to him?"

"How did you meet him?"

"Ran across him in Haven. He didn't know what Peters and Richardson were planning, sir. We got him out of the compound before we left for Washington, D.C. He's a good man."

"Do you trust him?"

"I do, sir."

"I can't promise anything but I will talk to him. How do I contact Wells?"

Seth rattled off Wells' cell phone number. "Thanks, LT. I appreciate you giving him a chance."

After the lieutenant left, Iona, Riley, and Rayne pushed back from the table and stood. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starving," Iona said. "Echo unit joining Fortress is cause for celebration."

"I agree," Knight said. "We should eat before we return to Ardmore. What restaurant should we choose for dinner?"

"I know just the place," Rayne said. "Everybody okay with Mexican?"

When everyone nodded, she said, "I'll call and ask the owner to reserve a table for ten."

"We'll meet you in the garage," Iona said. "Rayne, you and Riley are with me."

"Yes, ma'am."

When the group exited the conference room, Seth held back, his gaze locked on Teagan.

Her eyebrow rose. "Something wrong?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"How soon will PSI work us in for training?"

"Two weeks. That's the usual lead time needed to prepare our training agenda."

"Second question. Do you want a big wedding?"

She grimaced. "No."

"Third question. Since you want a small wedding, how informal do you want to go?"

"Can I wear fatigues?"

He laughed. "It's fine with me but I think my mother might object."

"I had to try." Teagan's eyes twinkled. "I can probably come up with something suitable for a wedding."

"Last question. Will you marry me before we're sent to PSI?"

"Yes."

He froze. "Yes?"

She smiled. "Yes. I'd love to marry you. Name the day and time, and we'll make it happen."

Seth wrapped his arms around Teagan and swung her in a circle. "Thank you, baby." He paused. "Wait. If we get married in the next two weeks, we won't have time for a honeymoon."

Teagan shrugged. "Gives you time to plan the perfect honeymoon. We can ask Maddox for time off after PSI's training. We'll all appreciate time to recuperate from the many bumps and bruises we'll accumulate."

Seth wrapped his arms around her and captured her mouth with his. "I love you more than I can express, Teagan."

"I love you, too." She stepped out of his arms and threaded their fingers together. "Come on. We have even more to celebrate now. Let's not hold up the party."

He walked with the love of his life to the elevator. "Who do you want to invite to the wedding?"

"Easy. Family. Both of our teams, your parents, and brothers and their families."

"Do you prefer a certain location?"

"I'd rather not get married at the courthouse. Too many police officers in and out of there, and I don't want you and your team constantly watching your backs."

Teagan looked up at him as they rode the elevator to the garage. "We could get married at Cornerstone Church in Otter Creek. Marcus Lang is the pastor there. He'd be honored to marry us, and Otter Creek is only two hours from your parents' house. What do you think?"

"Excellent plan. If Lang agrees, I'll inform my family."

The elevator doors opened, and they walked into the cavernous space where their teams waited.

"We have an announcement." Seth wrapped his arm around Teagan's shoulders. "If everything works out, Teagan and I are getting married in Otter Creek before we train at PSI."

Members of both teams cheered.

"Is this your way of skipping out on the honeymoon?" Noah asked.

Seth waited until the laughter died down. "No way, partner. We're definitely going on a honeymoon once PSI finishes with us."

"You should let us know the location," Marsh said. "In case an emergency pops up."

More laughter.

"Forget it, Marsh. I can handle honeymooning without your help or interference."

"Aww, come on, Major. You know you want the eight of us to come along and keep you from being bored."

He glared at his friend. "I have a gun and know how to use it, Marsh."

After the jeers and catcalls from the teams, Seth helped Teagan into the SUV. When he climbed behind the wheel, he asked, "Does this mean I'll have a black SUV like yours?"

"That's right." A pause, then, "Aren't you going to ask about your pay?"

His hands tightened around the steering wheel as he followed the other vehicles in their caravan from the garage. "I can't believe I forgot to ask."

She laughed and quoted him a price that had him sucking in a breath. "Are you serious?"

"Oh, yeah. The job is dangerous so Maddox pays us well for risking life and limb."

One year's salary with Fortress Security was larger than five years' pay as a cop. "Incredible."

When he guided the SUV into traffic on the Interstate, Teagan said, "I can't wait to be your wife, Seth."

He squeezed her fingers. "I'm looking forward to being your husband, sweetheart."

A week ago he wouldn't have believed this amazing woman would be his wife. Seth looked forward to a life filled with love and happiness with Teagan. He was the most blessed man on the planet and couldn't wait to start the next phase of his life.

REBECCA DEEL IS a preacher's kid with a black belt in karate. She teaches business classes at a private four-year college outside Nashville, Tennessee. She plays the piano at church, writes freelance articles, and runs interference for the family dogs. She's been married to her amazing husband for over 30 years and is the proud mom of two sons. She delivers devotions to the women's group at her church and conducts seminars on personal safety, money management, and writing. Her articles have been published in ONE Magazine, Contact, and Co-Laborer . Rebecca completed her Doctor of Arts degree in Economics and wears her favorite Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt when life turns ugly.

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