Vi looked around the large dining room table with amusement. The Mason men weren’t very happy they’d been wrangled into a “conversation” with their little sister. If the glowers, glares and outright growls were any indication, they were less thrilled they’d been “escorted” to said “conversation” by Addy, Fallon, Gage and Jud. The latter chuckled and wrapped his arm around her. Life with a man at her side was awesome.

Mary slid into a seat beside Dylan as Riley entered from the kitchen. She was weighted down with a thick portfolio, rolled up documents and other stuff. Dallas was the first big brother to toss aside his supposed frustration and help her out. Vi exchanged a glance with Mary, who smiled back. It was about to get interesting at The Arsenal because little sister Mason was entering the fray in a huge way.

It’d been two weeks since their standoff with The Collective. Danny was faring well and had been unofficially enrolled in the Warrior’s Path Project with some of the other men they’d freed. Most of them had already returned home, a move Vi wasn’t sure some of them had been fully prepared for. Transitioning from something that horrid and back into a normal life wasn’t easy, or so Doctor Sinclair had assured her.

She and the doc had a somewhat amicable relationship now. Vi went once a week and had started opening up about some of the darker recesses in her skeleton closet. She’d talk about whatever went down with Jud afterward. That particular conversation always left her feeling loads better than the one with the doc.

He’d admitted he figured out the mandala messages. The fact he’d taken such care to read every notation and put it back together exactly how it had been made her love him even more. It was proof he loved her enough to treat every word, every thought she ever had with utmost care.

Jud had closed down his new operation and had moved in with her and Addy. Addy promptly packed and took up residence with Rhea and Bree next door.

The search for little DJ continued with little success. One lead opened another each time, though, so Viviana was optimistic. As long as there was a trail she’d follow it.

The trail for Peter’s betrayal, Mary’s abduction and the entire Hive catastrophe ended with one man—a high-ranking executive with The Collective. By all accounts, Bradley Upton was a narcissistic prick and general scum of humanity. Viviana couldn’t wait to take him down, but Jud made her swear she’d let him handle it whenever the time came.

She and her man would handle segments of that mission themselves, once the dust had settled a bit. Letting Upton think he’d gotten by, maybe sweat a bit and look over his shoulder was the perfect foreplay to what’d be an epic fuck you for the bastard who’d hurt her best friend.

Her family.

Based on the intel they’d received from Jud’s friend, Upton was the man behind The Collective weighing in on what they referred to as the “Quillery Edge issue.” Bastard. He’d sanctioned a six-million-dollar hit on them and forced pawns into place to get Jacob’s dad taken.

So, yeah.

Taking him down was huge, a move she couldn’t make alone because she hadn’t been the only one affected by the bastard’s decisions. For once, however, she wasn’t going to let vengeance or the need for justice control her, not now.

For now, she’d breathe free and enjoy a new chapter in her life, with her new man. Vengeance could wait a few days. Bradley Upton sure as hell wasn’t going anywhere she couldn’t track him down.

Jacob and Zoey had taken to The Arsenal like proverbial ducks in water. They were official employees, with the understanding Jacob would complete his course studies at MIT.

And The Collective was weakened. Significantly. HERA had procured more than ninety-five percent of their liquid assets, according to the Deep Web and data crawls she and Mary had done afterward. The contract was kaput since the payday couldn’t be funded and Jian was in a federal prison awaiting trial. For now, there were no fires burning, no enemies to quash.

Except Bradley, of course.

They could breathe easy.

“Riles, I know you mean well, but…” Marshall halted his sentence when Riley held up a hand.

“The first part of this agenda isn’t a two-sided conversation, big brother. It’s a you’re all going to sit your bad ass butts down and listen or my peeps are going to kick your ass until you do kind of presentation.” Riley took a breath and pointed to Addy, Fallon, Gage and then Jud. “Now, to make your ears work better, I’m going to start by saying I’m sorry.”

The brothers glanced at one another. No one spoke.

Riley looked down at the thick, black portfolio. “I still remember the day you six sat Mom and Dad down and told them you all planned to enlist. The way Dad swelled with pride when you looked him in the face like the young men you were and said you wanted to give the world a slice of the peace and safety he’d given you.”

“Riley.” Cord choked the word out as a quiet warning.

“I had no idea,” she stated.

“You came back, got out when you could so you were closer to Mom.” She looked around the table. “Me.”

“Riles,” Nolan said.

“You gave up a piece of your dream to keep Dad’s going for me and Mom.” Riley sniffed, keeping her focus on the folder to keep attention from her watery eyes. If Vi noticed, there wasn’t any chance in hell the woman’s six older brothers hadn’t. “I’ve been nagging you like an old woman to help folks in Resino. Marville. I figured you were home, doing whatever you were doing. I thought it was simple protection details, guarding politicians when they headed overseas or something along those lines. Then you all went in and got Mary and I got my first clue.”

“Think we need to fast forward a bit,” Marshall replied.

“No, Marsh. This needs to be said because you all won’t ever sit still to hear it from Mom. He would’ve been prouder than hell of you. Every single one of you.” Tears flowed from her eyes as it swept each brother. “I wish you could’ve heard him at Bubba’s, around town. He didn’t know where you were or what you were doing most of the time because that’s how it had to be. He was prouder than hell.”

“Jesus.” Dallas adjusted himself in his seat like he was about to run. Gage moved and shook his head. “Jesus.”

“My eyes are open now. I see what you are juggling. You’re out being commandos, kicking ass and saving people like you told Dad you would. But now you’re doing it from his land, the ranch he and Mom loved. You’re trying to keep it running, thriving.” Riley took a deep breath and shook her head. “Saddens me to say he wouldn’t be proud of what you’re doing now. He’d be up in your faces telling you how it’s going to be because Dad wouldn’t want you stretching yourselves this thin, especially not with what you are doing. Where a second of hesitation because you’re too tired from rounding up cattle or whatever means you get shot. Or killed.”

“Riley, enough.” Jesse’s face distorted.

“No, Jess. Dad’s not here to speak straight and tell you how it’s going to be, so I’m doing it and you’re all going to listen. I’m not asking for permission or approval. Most of this is already in progress or finalized, so you’re going to accept what I’m laying out or I’ll have you laid out.” Riley opened her folder. “I’ll make this quicker because I can see sitting six bad asses down for more than a minute’s tantamount to walking on water.”

Vi chuckled.

“Right. First off, the Mason ranching days are done. I’ve had a meeting with the tax folks in Nomad. They gave me numbers, how many cattle we still need to run. It’s about a fourth of what we’ve got now. Juan and his boys are handling foreman duties. So, from this point forward, aside from braking if a random cow gets in your way, your cattle days are done.”

“That’s not our call, Riles. Mom’s the one who needs to make that decision,” Dallas argued.

“And she has. Trust me, she’d be in here up in your faces if I’d let her. I figured it’d be tough enough to talk sense into you six without adding her to the conversation. Again, I’m not asking for permission. These are check marked items on my agenda to get your shit sorted.” Riley took another breath. “So, Doctor Sinclair and I had a conversation. Horses and dogs are good for the Warrior’s Path Project. Therapy animals and training of them is a good sideline to add to that project. I’ve had a conversation with Brant’s uncle, the vet one not the doctor one. He’s making some calls so we can get that going. He knows someone who’d be a good person to oversee starting a therapy dog training program out here, one some of your Warrior’s Path folks could help with while they’re here. That is the one and only item I’m leaving for you all to approve. You know what’ll help those men and women better than me. Horses are a good idea, but I respectfully suggest we stick to dogs. Peanut is particular about who she befriends. We don’t need a bunch of strange horses running around.”

Dylan cracked a smile. Cord laughed outright.

“Now, onto the bigger items. Mom’s done in the mess hall. She and I have been taking turns fixing meals and keeping the cafeteria supplied. I keep my head down and mouth shut when I’m in there, but you know Mom. She’s been in those people’s faces mothering and carrying on. I had my suspicions that wasn’t what she should be doing, and I’ve had confirmation from both Logan and Doc Sinclair, so she’s done. I’ve hired Rachelle to handle the cafeteria. She’s a good cook and she needs a better job than the one she’s got. Starting tomorrow, she’s The Arsenal’s official Food Manager. I’ll think of a better title later, cause let’s be honest. That’s a shit title. But it’ll do for now.”

“That’s a good idea,” Nolan commented.

“Great. I’m glad you’re on board because the next three items are in your wheel house.” Riley leaned back and crossed her arms. “Consider this a coup. I’m taking over front office operations for The Arsenal. You and Marshall are bad asses. You need to be doing whatever it is you do. Front office is a train about to go off the rails, so I’m taking over. Effective a week ago.”

“Really?” Marshall smirked. “Exactly what are you taking over?”

“We have a new Office Manager. She’s starting tomorrow. She’ll handle appointment scheduling, accounts payable and receivable, purchasing, schedule coordination and basically keeping your shit sorted. Now, I know she’s the perfect fit for the role because she’ll keep her mouth shut in town, but I’ve had Vi and Mary both vet her for security clearance. I figure she’ll be more in the know on your bad ass goings on than anyone, so she’d need proper clearance. They both approved her, so Ellie Travis is the new Office Manager.”

“Okay.” Marshall crossed his arms. “We were going to hire someone. Eventually.”

Riley lost a bit of her bolster beneath her brother’s approval, which radiated in his voice and on his face. “Okay, good. We’re switching up the visitor’s building, too. The meeting rooms in the back are a good idea, but the lobby is bullshit. Bad asses don’t need lobbies. It’s not like you’ve got tons of people coming out here. Ellie will coordinate your schedules and visitors whenever you have them.”

Silence fell. Vi knew what was coming next because the woman’s hands fisted. Jud had given Vi a head’s up last night after he’d finished talking to Riley.

“You all are too busy and too bad ass to help with the troubles going on around Resino and Marville, but folks still need help. I’m opening shop. The visitor’s lobby will be a perfect office for the operation. Now, before you all can argue and give me shit about this, listen to the plan. Then I’d love to have your input because I love you and you’re great at what you do.”

“What’s the plan, sweetheart?” Dylan asked softly.

“I’m getting my private investigator’s license. Jud has one, apparently. Who knew bad asses got licensed? He said some others around here are, too. Anyway, he had an operation he’d just opened up in Boston. A modern-day Equalizer, the kind of place people went to when their backs are against a wall and they’re about to drown in bullshit they can’t fight alone. I pitched my plan to him. It was complete shit, so he tossed it out and gave me a better one. A wicked awesome one where he and I go into business together, based here. Ellie will be our office manager, too. I’ll field potential jobs as they come in and handle the petty crap while I’m getting licensed. He’ll handle the not-so-little stuff, the ones needing a bad ass because he’s way closer to one than I am. When we need a real bad ass, we’ll call one of you or your crew in.”

Dallas raised his eyebrows at Jud, who grinned and shrugged. Vi chuckled. Mary laughed outright. Poor Riley had no idea what Jud’s background was. He was probably the most lethal person at the table.

“Vi and Mary have agreed to help and give me access to HERA, as long as said access doesn’t get in the way of Arsenal operations.” Riley looked at Marshall. “I can keep Resino and the surrounding area safe while you handle the rest of the world.”

“A couple things,” Marshall said. “First, I know you’ve already started training with Addy. You work with Nolan or me on weapons and Dallas or Jud on hand-to-hand. Addy’s great, but you need to go up against men bigger and stronger than you so you get practice taking them down.”

“I’m down with kicking your asses,” Riley replied.

“Jud will make a good partner for you. The idea’s solid, but I want you turning briefs over to Nolan and Jesse on what you are both working on. We maintain the right to pitch in whenever we feel it prudent to do so.” Marshall looked at Jud. “Goes without saying what we’re expecting from you on this one.”

They’d have his ass if he let anything happen to their little sister.

“Understood,” Jud replied.

“I’ll get a system set up once your new office is ready, make sure you’ve got a line straight to HERA,” Cord offered.

“When things get hopping for you two, we’ve got plenty of licensed operatives who can pitch in,” Dylan stated. “There won’t be any shortage of assistance possible. Coordinate with me, Jud. Nolan and I will make sure the team rotations leave people open to help.”

“Appreciated,” Jud commented. “I’m focusing on Marville first. I’ve had a conversation with Riley’s girl, Rachelle. She’s settled out here and away from the threats she was getting, but we’re going to find out why she was getting those threats and shut it down.”

“Jacob’s taking a couple semesters off from MIT so he can stay here with his dad,” Vi commented. “He’s got some big plans to get you two hooked up.”

“Which leaves the last couple of items on the agenda, ones I know you’re probably going to have some problems with, so hear me out first. Okay?” Riley looked around the table.

“I think we’ve been pretty good so far, Riles. Keep going,” Jesse said.

“I had a conversation with Brant’s brothers, the ones who own Burton Construction. They did us a solid by getting the small houses Vi and the girls are in done so quickly. Anyway, I have an idea, one I got a couple weeks ago when I was talking to Vi. The biggest problem I see with Warrior’s Path is the housing.”

“What do you mean?” Dylan asked.

“They’re in a dormitory-style environment, one step up from military barracks. That’s not how real life will be. We need transitional housing, something like halfway houses.” Riley grabbed one of the rolls, removed the rubber band and spread the papers out. Dallas and Cord took the ends. “The Burtons came out a couple days ago, did some surveying of the back pastures, the ones we won’t need for the cattle anymore since we won’t have many head left. I got these back from them this morning. I started naming the little roads, but that was more for fun.”

Vi smiled. Warrior’s Path was the main road leading to a neighborhood of homes. The smaller streets were named in similar ways, but all started with Warrior’s. The houses were nestled in cul-de-sacs. Two different playgrounds were between the different areas. And a swimming pool.

“Wow. How much land do you all own?” Mary asked.

No joke.

“They think they can get a total of thirty homes in and leave plenty of room in between. Doctor Sinclair and Logan sat down with them, gave some insight into what sort of things we’d want to have.” Riley chewed on her lip and pulled out the second scroll. “This one’s the one they’re pushing for, saying we may as well go big or go home. I agree.”

Dylan and Jesse helped her position the other blueprints on the table. “The first section is an exact duplicate of the first ones. This one expands the neighborhood into the acreage we acquired, the old homestead next door. It’s flat terrain and can be bulldozed easily. The Burtons think we could fit another twenty homes. They’ve got a company out of Nomad that can expand our perimeter fencing quickly so everything remains secured.”

“Riley, this is impressive. We’d love to do this, but it’s a huge undertaking. I’m not sure the finances are there for something this large,” Nolan said.

“The Burtons are willing to do it for ten percent above cost. They’re thinking we can round up quite a few people to help from out here, like we did with the houses that just got finished.” Riley shrugged. “It’ll take a while since they’ll have to put focus on any real contracts that come through, but they’re making it a priority until something comes in. They’re slow.”

“And money’s not an issue,” Vi said. “Our latest…incidents have the Deep Web coffers very full.”

None of the alphabet soup wanted to deal with the hassle of tracking down which seedy bastards the money she’d taken came from. Like every other government agency out there, The Arsenal had an under-the-table blessing to do whatever they wanted with the funds they’d procured from The Collective.

Vi and Mary were working on tracking down some of the owners. Any funds illegally stolen or obtained would be returned anonymously, but they would be left with a fat bank account no matter how much they returned because the underworld didn’t keep books. Cash was virtually untraceable.

Marshall grabbed the paper clipped to the edges of the largest plan. He scanned it, then passed it to Nolan.

The two men did some chin lift grunt thing.

“Fifteen over cost,” Nolan said. “We don’t undercut anyone that much, not even if the project is worth it.”

“Agreed,” Marshall added. “What size are these places? Same as the ones we just did?”

“Most, yes. This one area in the back of section two will be bigger. Three and four bedrooms. They’re settling those closer to the playgrounds. We’re thinking some of the soldiers with kids and families could transition to those, bring their families out for a few weeks. Doc Sinclair said it’d be a great step before they go home.”

“Hell of an idea,” Dylan commented. His fingers ran along the edges of the blueprints. “Never thought this big, not with everything else in the mix.”

“Well, that’s why I’m making decisions. Each thing I’ve mentioned today is a passion one of you has held close to the vest. Us letting some stuff go means you can each have your own piece of happy. That’s what family does, and in case you haven’t gotten the memo, we Masons have a helluva big family.” Riley rolled her eyes. “The cousins are willing to help however they can.”

“This’ll take years to finish,” Cord commented.

“Pft, you clearly forgot what Brant’s brothers are like. Those men don’t mess around. They’re saying eleven months for the first phase, with another six for the final piece.”

“That’s impressive,” Gage said.

“That’s Resino,” Riley replied. “Folks hear what’s going on out here and the timeline will compress.”

“Can’t have a lot of town folk out here wandering around,” Jesse said.

“What do you think about opening the old entrance from Grandpa Mason’s place? The one two miles south of the main entrance?” Riley pointed to it on the blueprints. “It’d mean an extra security detail, but we could fence off the construction zone so anyone who comes out to help doesn’t have any reason to come near the compound. That’ll help keep the soldiers away from the curious people, right?”

Dylan smiled up at his sister. “Yeah, sis. That’ll help.”

“Pretty amazing plans. You’ve been busy,” Dallas said.

“That happens when I have six big brothers actively avoiding me.”

“Sorry,” Cord offered.

“Things are going to get smoothed out around here so you all can focus on Arsenal business, whatever that is.”

“Nothing is more important than you and Mom, Riley,” Marshall said.

“Damn straight.” Jesse thumped the table. “Don’t take this all on by yourself. We’ll help.”

“I’ll break stuff into small chunks. Divide and conquer. It’s how you eat an elephant.” Riley nodded.

“Speaking of elephant, I’ve got something to throw into the pile while we’re overhauling.” Cord looked around the table. “What do you ladies think about bringing someone in to create a virtual interface simulator?”

“Oh. My.” Mary breathed.

“Wow.” Vi leaned back in her chair. “Like one that’d take HERA’s data?”

“Yep. We could have a couple simulation warehouses to use since we’ll need lots of space.” Cord motioned toward the plans. “Figured I’d mention it in case we want to work them into these blueprints. It might not be a good idea.”

“It’s not a good idea.” Mary crossed her arms. “It’s an excellent idea.”

“Heck yeah it is!” Vi grinned at Cord. “Have you looked into the cost?”

His shoulder’s drooped. “Afraid you don’t want to know.”

“I’m thinking they already know,” Marshall commented.

“Like I said, we’re covered,” Vi said. “And I can always clean the Deep Web.”

“I don’t want you taking risks,” Nolan said.

Vi nodded dismissively. Her mind was already planning how to make it happen. Three-dimensional simulators the teams could use to do practice runs through ops? With real specs fed into it by HERA? It was the wet dream of all wet dreams for geeks. “How the hell did you keep this idea to yourself?”

“Wasn’t sure it’d work.”

“We’ll make it work,” Mary said. “You have an idea who to hire?”

“No. We’ll need to vet whoever it is, obviously.”

“Okay, so nerds are one thing I didn’t even understand.” Riley clapped her hands. “Now. Let’s tackle the last agenda item. Mom. I need help bringing her back to reality. She is out of control with the wedding plans.”

“She is?” Mary paled and looked at Dylan. “What does out of control mean, exactly?”

“Last I heard she had over a thousand people invited. That doesn’t include what she calls Resino proper.” Riley looked at Mary. “I know you and Dylan don’t care. You’d already be married by the JP if you had your say, but this is a big deal for Mom and she’s going overboard in a big way. I can’t talk her down.”

“I’ll have a word,” Dylan commented. He took Mary’s hand. “Thanks for the head’s up.”

“I want to talk to her,” Mary whispered back. She moved Dylan’s hand to her stomach. “I’m thinking we can refocus her on something more important.”

Shock rippled through Vi. Joy exploded in her, across her face as the weight of her best friend’s words struck in the room like a live mortar round. Guffaws, whistles and back slaps filled the room. Dylan’s eyes were saucer wide. Pale, he looked down where his palm was spread across her lower stomach.

“Surprise,” she whispered. “I was going to tell you tonight, but I couldn’t imagine a better way to tell you than while surrounded by our family.”

“Holy shit.” Riley repeated the two words in an endless loop as she collapsed in the nearest chair, which was already occupied by Jesse. “She’s gonna freak. She’s finally getting a grand baby on the heels of finding out about a secret one we’re still looking for. Crap, the rest of you had better get busy or the kid Mary pops out will be spoiled rotten.”

A flicker of remorse settled on Riley’s features as she looked at Dallas.

“It’s okay, little sis. We’re going to find DJ soon. No one can hide from the Quillery Edge for long,” Dallas said. “I’m glad he’ll have a little cousin to play with soon.”

Jud chuckled and nudged Vi. Hot breath fanned her neck as he wrapped a hand around her middle. “I’m not a Mason, but I’m thinking we should get busy with a little rugrat. We need the next generation of the Quillery Edge growing up together.”

Holy cow. Vi couldn’t breathe. Had he just…

“Did you just?” She stared down at the ring on her finger. She’d barely recovered from his proposal and being the future Mrs. Judson Jensen. Or having a future Mr. Viviana Chambers.

“I want our kid raised here, alongside Mary’s. If you’re ready, I sure as hell am. I’ve wasted enough of my life alone to know I’ve got a damn good thing here and I’m ready to go all in.”

Vi smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Go big or go home, huh?”

“Damn straight. What do you say?”

“I get dibs on naming the kid. We aren’t having a Judson Jason Jensen Junior.”

Jud’s laughter echoed through the room. Vi joined in. Life was good. For the first time in a long time, she stared through the sight lines of life and knew she’d hit happy center mass.

Thank you for reading Sight Lines. Please consider leaving a review. I’d love to hear what you thought about Vi and Jud’s story.

The Arsenal series continues with Blood Vows, releasing May 2018

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