CHAPTER ONE

“Damn fine job by everyone,” said Nine, staring at the group of men. “The boys came back from Korea with a few possible friends for us. Shatnick is definitely more senior team material. Franklin is on the cusp, but with the members from Conor’s team, we’re sure getting bigger.”

“Pops? We still got plenty of space?” Gaspar asked his father.

The patriarch of the entire Belle Fleur family tried to be present at all the meetings several times a week. Although it seemed unnecessary given the fact that his wife already knew everything that would be discussed.

“More than enough,” smiled Matthew. “Thanks to Finley, we’re not only getting our hurricane protective barrier wall thing, but we’re also building out some of the other islands for more space. We hope to combine the land between Belle ?le and the island behind us.”

“Just say the name, Pops. We all know what it’s called,” smirked Miller.

“Don’t get smart, son,” frowned Matthew with a hint of mischief in his eyes. “I didn’t name the island. My great-great-grandfather did.”

“What’s the name of it?” frowned Ghost.

“Devil’s Island,” grinned Rafe.

“And why, pray tell, is it called Devil’s Island?” asked Ian, rubbing his temples. Matthew massaged the back of his neck, thrusting his fingers through his still thick, silvery hair.

“Well, now. You boys know how rumors start. People said there were strange things happening out there. Odd flickering lights and strange noises. Noises that couldn’t be explained.”

“And we’re connecting that to our island?” frowned Angel.

“It’s all going to be fine,” said Matthew. “Listen to me. People let their imaginations run wild. All of the islands around here have a history, a story. Our land is blessed with more than a hundred islands off our shores. Some are far too small to do anything with them, but others, like this one, are perfect to expand on. We’re going to build it up, make it stable like the others, protect it from storms, and it will be secure. Your mother has assured me that all will be well.”

“Mama?” screeched the Robicheaux boys in unison.

“Pops, no offense, but Mama scares the hell out of me. What is she doing out there? A cleansing? A ritual? What?”

“Don’t be disrespectful, Gaspar. She’s doing what she always does. Looking out for her family. You boys want to believe all the stories floating in your heads about my girl, but the truth is she’s an absolute angel and wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“Pops, we never said she would hurt anyone. We know that Mama is the fiercest protector of us all,” said Miller. “But you have to admit, sometimes, Mama knows shit that she shouldn’t. She’s somehow able to do things that are completely unexplained.”

“You boys have been in a lot of countries in your time in service,” said Matthew. “Sometimes things just can’t be explained. They happen, and we don’t know why. A bullet meant for our heads misses by a millimeter because we thought we saw a flash of something and looked the other way. The man beside us who was injured so badly we knew he wouldn’t make it, but he did. A dead man brought into a med tent, and suddenly, he’s up walking out of the place. Not everything is explainable within your reach.

“There are things in this universe that you cannot always explain. Things that are hard for men like you and me to come to grips with because we consider ourselves logical. Practical. Your mama is one of those unexplainable things. And I’m lookin’ at all of you because she’s all your mamas. Just like I’m every man’s pops.”

Ghost smirked at the old man, shaking his head. Matthew and Irene were different people. They were the kind that left their door open for strangers to come in. If you needed food, they fed you. If you needed rest, they offered a bed. If you needed money, they gave you what you needed. People like them were rare in this world. And yet, for all they gave, it seemed the universe gave back ten-fold to them.

“You know, Matthew, my father was one of the best men I’d ever known. He worked hard trying to keep the farm going in Virginia, then started that old repair shop at the front of his property. He’d fix up tractors and trucks, lawnmowers, anything for his neighbors. Most couldn’t afford to pay him much, but he never asked for much.

“If they had no money, he’d ask for a plate of home-cooked food or a warm knitted winter scarf. His neighbors were more than happy to provide it. I didn’t think there were many people like him, but I knew I wanted to try and emulate him. That’s why I started Steel Patriots. I brought men in that I knew held the same values as me.

“When we started working more with the team here, I just knew that it was going to turn into something that would change my life forever. It wasn’t easy leaving that farm, but you and Irene made it easier for me. I don’t think I’ve ever told you that. But thank you.”

“You’re welcome, son,” grinned Matthew. “Your father was proud of you. Prouder than you could possibly imagine. He was especially proud of the man you’d become. The good deeds you did.”

“H-How could you know that?” asked Ghost.

“Oh, well, you know old men think the same. Your father would have been my age now. Same values. Same era. In fact, I think he just had a birthday,” said Matthew, standing from the table. “Don’t you boys worry about the space. We got it covered.”

Matthew left the room, Teddy and George smiling at their old friend. They were both old enough to be fathers to these men and knew exactly what Matthew was doing.

“Did you tell him when my father’s birthday was?” asked Ghost, looking around the room.

“Dude, I don’t know when your father’s birthday is. I barely remember my own,” frowned Gabe.

“One day, you’re going to need to explain all this shit to me,” said Nine.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to explain all this shit,” said Gaspar. “Mama talkin’ to animals, Pops knowing secrets about everyone, ghosts coming and going on the property.”

“Going? Who left?” asked Ian.

“Billy,” smiled Trak. The men jumped a little, once again forgetting their silent friend. He could only smirk at them, enjoying that he could still shock them.

“How did he leave?” asked Whiskey.

“I’m not sure. He was sad. Lonely for his family, so Irene found a way to get him to move on. I don’t know how that works.”

“How it works? It’s not supposed to ‘work’ at all,” frowned Gaspar. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, my mother, by every indication, is some sort of voodoo priestess, witch, animal whisperer, ghost whisperer, all in one, and I have no fucking clue which of those she really is.”

“I don’t think it matters,” laughed Ian. “She’s your mama, and she’s amazing. I’d give anything to have mine back, even for a little while.”

“Same,” said Nine.

“Me too,” nodded Tailor. “Dying like they did in that fire, it nearly killed me. I was lucky I didn’t go to jail after that.”

“I was lucky to have my parents for a very long time,” said Sven. “My people are hearty, outdoor people and don’t let little things upset them. I was sad when they left me, but I knew that they were going to a better place.”

“That’s all well and good,” said Luc, “but you don’t have a mother who could be screwing with everything in the universe. We have no idea what that might do.”

“I don’t think she’s screwing with everything,” chuckled Nine.

“Don’t you?” asked Gaspar in disbelief. “I’m getting to the point where I need answers for some of the strange shit happening around here. How do women suddenly appear before our sons, and the next thing we know, they’re in love? How do animals come to us, strange, big, exotic animals, and Mama is taming them? We’ve got a gorilla and an alligator. That talk! They talk to one another. They’re not even from the same part of the world y’all! I just want to know.”

“Doesn’t that take away some of the magic?” grinned Ian.

“I don’t know,” said Miller, shaking his head. “Maybe we do what we’ve always done. We look the other way and let Mama do her thing. She’s never hurt anyone, never hurt herself. Everything she does is from a good place in her heart. I think maybe we should be grateful for that and let her be her.”

“Agreed,” nodded Angel.

“Same,” said Bull.

“Alright,” said Gaspar, shaking his head. “Just remember, you wanted it all to continue as is. When we start seeing pigs fly, camels in the gardens, and cherubs kissing your forehead, don’t come running to me. Take it up with my strange mama.”