Sara sat at the breakfast nook in Gregor’s kitchen, sipping her green tea.
“So, was Joel happy to come and visit with Mischa today?” She asked Charlie, who was stirring his coffee distractedly.
“Mmm? “He glanced up. “Oh, yeah… he was thrilled. He wouldn’t stop talking about her yesterday, to the point where my mom and dad were exhausted just listening to him.”
“How’s your dad doing?” Marcus asked. “He’s had a pretty big operation, hasn’t he?”
“Yeah, they’ve replaced his heart valves.” Charlie nodded. “He’s doing really well. The doctor told my mom that if he keeps up his recovery, he’ll be home in a week or so.”
“That’s great, Charlie.” Sara smiled. “I bet they’re missing having Joel around all the time. He’s such a ray of sunshine.”
“He is that.” Charlie smiled, glancing towards the door.
“Is something bothering you, Charlie? You seem distracted.” Sara frowned. “Joel is fine upstairs with Mischa and Marcy. He won’t come to any harm.”
Sara watched Charlie blush.
“I know Joel’s fine.” He admitted. “But I haven’t seen Tulli or Lara since I got here half an hour ago. Do you think everything is Ok with them?”
“Have you spoken to Tuck this morning?” Marcus asked, glancing at Sara as if trying to decide what he should or shouldn’t be saying.
“I had a message from Sacha that he wanted to speak to me today, but he was in a meeting when I called in.” Charlie explained. “Sacha just asked me to come here with Joel, and to meet you guys here.”
Charlie glanced between the two of them.
“I’m out of the loop, somehow, aren’t I?” He asked.
Sara nodded.
“Yeah, you are.” She admitted. “Sorry, I thought Tuck would have explained everything to you before you came over. He’s coming over here in a little while, but I guess it’s not fair to keep you in the dark.”
Charlie stared at her patiently.
“So, is it a state secret, or are you gonna fill me in?” He crossed his arms, as if prepared to wait her out.
“Well, it’s not a state secret as such, but you will have to keep it to yourself.” She pointed out. “It seems like our problems with the Colombian cartel haven’t gone away. Castille had a daughter who all but runs her own cartel in Mexico, while her husband is in prison. It looks like she knows about Gregor’s involvement, and might be looking for revenge.”
Charlie’s shock was evident.
“Does she know about the connection with Stalwart?” He asked quietly.
“We don’t think so, yet. But, of course, it can’t be ruled out that she’ll get there.” Marcus explained. “Tulli and Lara are in with Gregor and his security guys, Kris and Yuri, now. He’s trying to explain what’s going on without alarming them too much.”
“After what they’ve been through, do you seriously think he can tell them something like this and they won’t be alarmed?” Charlie snorted. “They’re going to be petrified.”
“That’s why Kris and Yuri are in there, too.” Marcus explained. “Gregor has assigned them to be responsible for the safety of the three sisters, along with some of his best men. Stalwart is going to be looking after Sophia and Alex, until and after he’s discharged from hospital, and Gregor’s ex-wife, her politician husband, and Gregor’s son Serge, have agreed to bring forward a trip to Europe by a few weeks, to minimise the risk to them.”
Charlie nodded.
“Tuck’s co-ordinating this?” He asked.
“Tuck and JT talked it through with Gregor late into the night, last night.” Marcus nodded. “Tuck is meeting with the agencies and military this morning, and we know they’ll be backing him one-hundred-percent, as the thought of a cartel bringing the fight to Philly is a step too far for all of them.”
“I thought there was a limit on what the military and agencies can handle on US soil.” Charlie frowned.
“There is.” Marcus nodded. “Which is where Yuri, Kris, and the Alpha-Stalwart teams come into play. We’re all licensed to carry firearms, and we all know full well how to use them. If necessary, we can defend on our own turf, and have an advantage. It’s self-defence and government deniability, wrapped up in a shit-kicking package!”
“Hang on a second there, Rambo!” Sara glared at her husband. “The idea behind our participation is to protect people. Not to start a wild-west gunfight, and shoot shit up!”
“Ok, now calm yourself down, my little spitfire!” Marcus leaned across the table and took Sara’s hand. “You know we’re not the sort to look for trouble where there is none. We just have the skills to handle it if trouble arrives knocking at the door.”
“Well, trust me… if that Castille-slash-Vega woman comes knocking on my door, she’ll get more than she damn well bargained for!” Sara scowled. “And God help her if she knocks on Candy’s door! After Castille shooting Alex, I don’t think it would take much provocation for Candy to take the woman out, Krav Maga style, with her bare hands!”
Sara couldn’t hide the grin as Marcus started chuckling.
“What’s the female equivalent of a Rambo?” He mused.
“Rambette?” Sara suggested. “Rambolina?”
“Ramboletta?” Charlie suggested, seeming half-surprised at himself that he’d joined in.
The sound of the door opening had them all looking around.
Gregor entered first, followed by Tulli and Lara, with Kris and Yuri coming in last.
“How’re you doing?” Sara asked Tulli, half-rising from her seat.
Tulli held her hand out, urging Sara to sit down.
“We’re a little shocked.” Tulli admitted. “But Gregor has assured us that everything that can be done to keep us safe will be done, and we’ll have Kris and Yuri and their men watching over us until this problem is resolved.”
“Which is far more protection than we’ve had for the last six months, and we survived that.” Lara said quietly. “We’ll survive this, too.”
Sara watched Charlie lean forward, speaking to Lara as though she was the only person in the room.
“You’re stronger today than you ever have been.” He pointed out. “And now you have people whose sole purpose is to keep you safe. There’s nothing for you to concern yourself with.”
Lara glanced up at Charlie and blushed, not least because she realised everyone in the room had stopped to listen to them.
“It’s very reassuring, to have so many people watching over us.” She gave him a shy smile, before looking up at Gregor. “You’re all so kind to worry about our welfare, when you have yourselves and your families to take care of. You really don’t need that extra burden, not when you were already being so generous.”
“Lara, absolutely none of this is your doing. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time six months ago, and have suffered for it every day since.” Gregor explained. “We could have made arrangements for you to go and stay at a hotel when you got back, then you wouldn’t be in this position now. Please believe me when I say that I’m really sorry you’re in this situation. But you also have to believe me when I say that the last thing you are is a burden.”
“You know I think you may be onto something. Perhaps the answer is for us to leave now.” Tulli suggested, frowning as she stared into the distance. “Maybe we should just go back to the university where our father worked, and find a hotel to stay at, while we get our belongings back from wherever they’ve stored them. That way we’d be one less distraction, and you could concentrate on people who really matter.”
Before Gregor could reply, Sara stood up.
“Ok, sister… you need a reality check.” She scowled at Tulli. “Firstly, after six months, there’s every chance the university will have either thrown all your belongings in the trash, or donated them to a thrift store or charity. Secondly, Mischa needs constant care, nourishing food, and a calm, non-threatening environment. How are you going to find any of that staying in even a modestly priced hotel? Finally, how are you going to pay for a hotel without a source of income?”
Sara paused for breath, and realised as she did so that Tulli had paled significantly.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t mean to rant at you. Damn hormones!” She apologised. “It’s just that you have to appreciate the danger you could be in, especially if they know your identity as well. The only way to stay safe, and get the right care for Mischa at the same time, is to stay here.”
Tulli nodded slowly.
“No, you’re right, Sara. I’m really sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me at the moment… I can’t seem to think straight.” She glanced up at Gregor. “Please don’t think I was being ungrateful. I… we appreciate how much you’ve helped us already. I just hate to think we’ll put you in a vulnerable position just by being here.”
Gregor stepped forward and took Tulli’s hand in both of his.
“There’s absolutely nothing for you to apologise for, and certainly nothing to be alarmed about.” He said, kindly. “You’ve barely been out of Colombia for two days. That’s hardly any time to assimilate your new surroundings or take in everything that’s changed. Give yourself a little credit… I think you’re doing remarkably well. The same goes for Lara, too.”
Sara watched the colour return to Tulli’s cheeks as Gregor spoke.
“Look, why don’t you guys have something to eat and chill out for an hour.” She suggested. “Tuck will be here shortly, once he’s finished speaking to his associates, and he’ll be able to tell us exactly what is going on. I’ll go and check on Mischa’s progress in the meantime.”
“That’s a good idea.” Marcus agreed. “I’ll come upstairs with you, in case you run out of steam halfway up.”
“I can manage one flight of stairs by myself.” Sara said haughtily.
“I know. But if I walk behind you as you waddle along, I get to watch your ass sway in front of my face as I go.” Marcus grinned. “It’s one of my favourite views!”
“Idiot!” Sara chuckled.
“Yeah, but I’m your idiot.” Marcus stood up and pulled her up out of her seat. “And I’m never gonna let you forget it.”