CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Chief, Hex, Jalen, and Tiger sat at the top of a landfill hill, staring down at the warehouse below. It was a clever location, probably keeping out a lot more people than they originally thought. The entire property was surrounded by razor wire.

“Is this D.C.’s or Baltimore’s?” asked Tiger.

“Neither. This one belongs to the DEA. One of many. Major said there was only one cop at the Baltimore warehouse. I guess they don’t think a lot of their stored evidence,” frowned Hex.

“You’d think these guys would learn to have better systems. This one is good, but it’s not impenetrable. Obviously, since we’re sitting our big asses on this hill,” frowned Chief.

“Yeah. Our big assess on a hill of trash, and God knows what else,” said Tiger, crouching on his heels. “I refuse to sit on this shit.”

“That’s probably a good idea,” said Hex, doing the same. They heard his knees pop and crack and smirked at the man. “Fuck y’all. You’ll start popping and cracking soon, too.”

“Do you see any guards?” asked Chief.

“Three. Two are on the inside, according to thermal, and there’s one on the outside. If this were holding the shit from The Silencers, I would bet there’d be more than three. I’m not sure this is our place.”

“Maybe not, but it’s the place we have to be right now,” said Tiger.

“You two must be happy as shit,” smirked Chief. “Brix and Major seem happy as fuck.”

“They are,” nodded Tiger. “I worried about Brix with Daphne and her parents accepting him. Turns out I didn’t need to worry about who we thought were her parents at all. Her biological parents are amazing. They’re planning to come for the holidays for like six weeks. They even offered their chalet for anyone who wants to use it as a vacation spot.”

“That’s awesome, brother. Major and Elena are happy as shit to be expecting. We worried at first but discovering that the doctor in England fucked up was good news.”

“What about her mom?” asked Chief.

“That’s a different story,” said Jalen, shaking his head. “She lied to Elena about her father, and I’m not sure she can forgive that. There’s a lot that has to be weeded through before she’ll call her. Sad shit is that her mother doesn’t seem to give a fuck. She hasn’t called her at all. Breaks my heart. She’s amazing.”

“Is she gonna work with May and Thomas?” asked Hex.

“That’s the plan, although I think my son has plans to keep her pregnant and home.”

“I think that’s been everyone’s plan,” said Chief. “All I can tell you is that it doesn’t work worth a damn. I thought having four kids, all the same age, at home would keep Rachel busy. I was fucking stupid for believing that. She was big as a house, supposed to be on bed rest, and I found her out on one of the islands digging up dirt samples.

“She’s still doing it! Finley has really brought out an entirely new level of excitement for her. With her engineering prowess and Rachel’s excitement for the soil, I don’t think my wife will ever just stay at home. I’ve become okay with that,” he nodded to the others.

“Liar,” smirked Hex. The others chuckled. “I guess I’m the lucky one that Gwen’s world doesn’t often overlap with ours. Designing clothes and creating her own label has been amazing for her. I’m so fucking proud of her I could burst. But I’m thankful as fuck every damn day that it keeps her in a building on the property.”

“What about the fashion shows?” asked Tiger.

“Oh, I hate those fucking things. Hundreds of people running around like mice in this tiny space backstage, pushing and shoving, changing clothes in front of everyone. Drives me nuts!”

“But you go?” frowned Jalen.

“Yeah, I fucking go. Because I would support that woman to the ends of the earth. Her indigenous designs are helping to rebuild villages in Alaska. She gives almost everything back to her tribe. I’m in awe of that woman every day, and I would do anything for her. Anything.”

They all smiled, nodding. They felt the same way.

“Being married to Hazel is different,” smirked Tiger. “That woman could kick my ass any day of the week. And I’d let her.”

They laughed, admiring his honesty. The truth was Hazel could probably go toe to toe with almost anyone on the property.

“I can’t believe I didn’t notice her sooner. I could have lost her, and I’m not sure what would have become of me had that happened.”

“I don’t have to worry about that with Stormy,” smiled Jalen. “She’s more in the bucket of Rachel with a non-violent job in meteorology.”

“Brother, in case you haven’t noticed, weather in Louisiana is violent as fuck. It’s not a no-risk job,” smirked Hex. Jalen frowned at him, then nodded.

“All this does is make me wonder how Mama Irene and Matthew did this with fifteen kids. I worry like fuck with one,” frowned Tiger. “Hell, Chief, you’ve got four. Girls!”

“Don’t fucking remind me. The weight is lifted knowing that they fell in love with four of our own boys. I know they’ll be close, well cared for, and loved. That’s all the father of four daughters can hope for.”

“Hey, looks like a shift change,” said Hex.

Two unmarked cars pulled up, and three men got out, their DEA jackets emblazoned with their logo.

“Subtle,” smirked Tiger.

“These guys don’t know subtle,” frowned Chief. The two guys inside walked out, the one on the perimeter giving them a wave as he drove away. A few minutes later, the new crew was in place, and the other crew was gone.

“I don’t think we’ve got the location,” said Jalen.

“Major’s crew says the same thing. Do you think we should head to Sebastian’s location?” asked Tiger. Chief nodded.

“I think it’s a safe bet that it’s the one.”