CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

HAYDEN

Learning how Curtis violated my wife in great detail shook me. He sealed his own fate. I didn’t look back and didn’t give a fuck. My queen and I went on about or day. Her graduation party was a refreshing end to our day.

~

“Hayden, Lydia we are happy you made it. Please come in.”

“Sydney, it is so good to finally meet you in person,” Lydia gushed hugging her.

“Hayden.” Sydney hugged me.

“Good to see you Sydney.”

“Sebastian will be down in a moment. He had to change the baby’s diaper. Have a seat. Did you guys get settled in ok?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you staying?”

“I rented a house for a few days. I need to check on the construction of the Gaster building. Lydia and I are going to relax on the beach in Malibu in the days to come. Sebastian told us we can stay at your beach house.”

Sydney leaned forward in her chair. “You both are going to love it there. Are you guys moving here?”

“Yes. In October. We are looking for a nice house for Lydia’s father and a home for ourselves.”

“I hope you both will enjoy sunny Cali as much as we do. There’s so much to do here.”

Lydia squeezed my hand. “I look forward to the change.”

“Hayden, Lydia I have someone I want you to meet,” Sebastian said walking down the stairs holding his son little Caden.”

Lydia and I doused our hands with hand sanitizer before holding the baby. Sebastian sat on the arm of Sydney’s chair.

“Are you two planning to have a baby any time soon?” Sebastian asked.

Lydia and I glanced at each other. “Not right now, maybe in a few years. But holding you makes me want a baby right now,” Lydia smiled.

Little Caden smiled back.

“How are you two doing? It can’t be easy going through a kidnapping. We are happy you all are together as a family again,” I stated.

Sebastian grabbed Sydney’s hand, gazing into her brown eyes. “One day at a time.”

Her eyes turned dark. The sadness was evident. “One day at a time.” She kissed Sebastian.

Sydney stood. “Hey, it’s time to party! Let’s get over to my cousins.”

∞

Jacob Latters estate is lavish. We stood by a Cabana in their lush green backyard. The weather was perfect. So far Lydia and I were loving sunny California. I wasn’t sure if Lydia was ever going to be on board with the move. I thought she wouldn’t want to leave Atlanta. Maybe, all that has happened in our lives in a short few months pushed her to want change. Lydia is pleased her dad is moving to L.A. too.

We met almost every one. Jacob, Samantha, Brandon, Zoey, and Nicki were welcoming. Lydia’s cousin Sierra and her boyfriend Jeff were getting ready to go on vacation so they couldn’t make it.

Jacob raised a glass, holding Samantha’s hand in the other. “I want to propose a toast.”

Everyone raised their glasses.

“To long lasting friendships!”

“Long lasting friendships!” we yelled.

Samantha pulled Lydia’s hand. “Come on chill with us girls!”

I smiled as my wife was swept away.

Jacob slapped me on the back. “Hayden, are you enjoying yourself so far?”

He looked relaxed wearing sunglasses, a green t-shirt, khaki shorts and flip-flops. I’m trying to learn to dress down. Lydia made me wear an orange t-shirt, khaki shorts, and sneakers. I’m trying to get used to dressing down. She told me to take a day off. She said I don’t have to dress for business all the time.

“We love it so far. We hope before we leave in two weeks, we can find a house. Lydia and I are traveling this summer. I want us to settle down here first so we can enjoy the summer.”

“Well, we try to have two barbeques a month so hopefully you and Lydia will be able to join us again.”

“We look forward to the next barbeque.”

“Good! Come on let’s play a game of Hacky Sack with the guys.”

~

Later that night, we gathered in some luxury training facility under the Latters’ home. Nicki was the only person from the group who wasn’t downstairs.

I hadn’t told Lydia about the agreement I made with Sebastian joining their elite force.

Jacob took the floor. “Whatever is said within these walls remain here.”

I clutched Lydia’s hand. I was nervous. I wasn’t completely sure what I signed up for.

“Jacob and I are expert sharp shooters. We have trained all our lives to be the best. When we are in the field our code names are Skylar and Hunter. Recently, we extended a hand to Sebastian and Hayden. We allowed you to dispose of unwanted waste at one of our crematoriums. We understand Hayden you are willing to go on a mission with us. You will train here with Sebastian and Jacob. If you chose to join us for multiple missions we will welcome you. These are dangerous missions.” She smiled.

“I assure you. You will be ready for the mission. Any questions?”

“Yes.” Lydia spoke.

“Is this because Hayden killed the pedophile for me?”

“Yes.”

She glanced at me. “Hayden, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m sorry I meant to. So much has happened recently I didn’t get the chance. Sorry baby.”

Lydia squeezed my hand. She glanced back at Samantha. “I want in.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Samantha. Were you giving us a freebie for disposing of Curtis? Or did you not provide a disposal place for him?”

Samantha smiled devilishly in Sydney’s direction. “I like her.”

Samantha glanced back at Lydia. “I didn’t mention it because Sebastian stepped up to take the mission for that kill.”

Lydia’s eyes shot over to Sebastian. “I thank you Sebastian for helping us. But my husband and I will complete our own missions for our kills.”

His eyebrows wrinkled. “You are welcome,” Sebastian said.

Lydia smiled at Sydney then her eyes fell back on Samantha. “I have the least experience here. I only know how to break fingers.”

We all laughed.

“No worries. I taught Sydney and Zoey everything they know. I will train you too. You will become one bad ass bitch!”

Lydia smiled brightly.

Samantha reached for Jacob’s hand. “We worked our missions alone for so long I can’t believe we have a nice size team. We can take on more missions. Which means we might not be on all missions with you. Lydia, Hayden, Sydney and Sebastian. You may do missions on your own. Jacob and I may complete missions with Brandon and Zoey. Tony isn’t here today, but he is also part of our team. He is our explosive expert.”

Zoey stepped forward. “Lydia, I’m happy you are joining us. I ran into my own problems awhile back. Let’s just say Tony, Samantha, and I had to blow some bitches up.” Zoey smiled. Lydia smiled too.

“I can see I’m going to love this,” Lydia stated.

“Lydia, basically we all have run into a problem or two or three,” Brandon laughed.

“But we are willing to help each other when any of us are presented with a problem.”

“I love the family unity,” Samantha stated, smiling at Brandon.

“Lydia, we party hard to. Next summer we are taking a girl’s trip,” she winked.

“Girls trip!” Jacob protested.

“Baby, relax you boys can have your male bonding trip too. We will hopefully go on a couple’s trip soon too.”

“That’s cool,” I stated.

Everyone was all smiles.

“Let’s wrap up this meeting. I have drinking to do,” Samantha joked.