Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,105
house. They need us closer now that the two sets of twins are gone.”
My hands freeze and I look her way. “Our house or the compound?” Babies. She wants the babies? Brekan and Harper have two, Mag and Leya have the other set of twins. That leaves five.
Her head tilts down and I lift it up seeing her nervousness. She wants the babies. “If you want them in our house, I need to know. We have a spare room but will need an addition.”
Her eyes turn to happy and I get a hug. “Babies in the house will be fun.”
Ranger hits my arm and points to the board. I guess we are too loud. Babies. We’ll have five babies. I almost laugh. I’m getting the vasectomy tomorrow. I’m glad it’s planned. Alexia squeezes my leg and smiles when I look at her. She’s excited.
Phoenix and Aquyá walk into the Prince Op room and another cheer goes up. “Where’s Chance?” Ben asks.
“He went home. The FBI Ops room gets loud and is fuckin’ busy with everyone running,” Aquyá says.
Phoenix nods. “He’s with Jeremy at the compound.”
Ben nods. “He’s incredible. I’ll let him know later. You did a great job, Brothers. Working with the FBI has never been this easy. Back-to-back Ops and you had them right with us. You made us proud, Phoenix, Aquyá. Don’t miss the Club tonight. I’m fuckin’ proud and honored to recognize the two of you in new positions that you made look easy.”
I smile at the two surprised then proud Brothers. They’re so young. Cort laughs. “They did good. I’m glad it’s where everyone could see it. They’re going to get mobbed tonight. Good fucking job, Brothers.”
Phoenix and Aquyá look at their board and throw chin to Cort with their eyes shining. They’re proud. I’m glad they took the jobs. Well, Aquyá did. Phoenix and Chance are working the combined Ops BSC does with the FBI. Aquyá is in FBI Ops and works Alexia’s old job. Alexia says Waite loves him. I’m glad it works. There won’t be anymore breaches in the FBI either. It’s a win-win in my book.
“Brothers, there is no way we could have pulled this off if it weren’t for the IT and Teams you supplied. You won’t be at the Club tonight, but I’ll be calling out Phoenix crews and IT for that work. Like the FBI merge, this is working better than we expected. Seamless Ops around the world is never where I saw it going. I’m honored to call you mine and work the next Op with my Brothers all over the fuckin’ country.” Ben has me smiling. It’s crazy but works.
Cort throws him chin. “As are we, Brother. Pass on our appreciation to the Baxters and their international surveillance. We have twenty-four we need to get ready for.”
Ben nods. “I’m heading to the MC in a few, I’ll make sure the Baxters get a thanks from all of us. The two were a surprise but I’m told there are no others. Mitch, Brantley and Alexia went through everything again. The kids here have the files in training to recheck. I made a promise to Web then Alder that I wouldn’t stop until we find them all. I won’t let go but I’m confident I kept that promise and we can relax. All Alpha-Bit leads are played out and we have verifiable proof that the remaining survivors are now safe and will soon be home.”
Cort hits his chest and nods. I stand up and step to his side. “Thank you for getting them back and here. It seems like ten years, but it’s been just over one. You extended a hand with that promise. I’m so glad Cort took it. Brotherhood lessons should show this here, right now. You both took a chance on me, then the Alpha-Bits and fought from different sides of the country for people who don’t exist. Today, we’re not only recognized as US citizens, we’re free to live like everyone else. We exist to more than Badass. The Brotherhood Crow told me about painted such a pretty picture of a free life with Brothers at my back. It was so far from my grasp I had no clue. Today, I have my Brothers, the Alpha-Bits, Alexia and freedom. That hand you put out proved every lesson Crow, Reed and Cort ever gave. I’m so far over being honored we’re yours, there are no words. I pledged my life to the Brotherhood. Today I stand