Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,40

see the perp behind her, she took it. Stand down is a direct order and I’m telling you to step back.”

“Who are you?”

I look up when the doors open. Cort is so mad I feel it and look down again. “Step the fuck back. You, get Brad to Bones, he’s waiting.” He points to a Security guy. He’s not from our team. I move closer so I’m in the middle of Garren and Michael.

“She got out of the SUV, Boss. She should have stayed put. This Brother rides up shooting at everyone. Who the fuck does shit like that without a heads-up? They both could have been shot. He’s not in gear.” The big guy is crazy. Cort is really mad.

“Commander Graywolf is VP of MC Colorado and will be spoken to with respect. Alexia was in his Ops unit and Garren is a close friend. I get your surprise with her then him. You know cuts and should be able to identify a Brother. Alexia could and she’s been here for a fucking week!”

Garren and Michael jump. I look up. This is too scary. “I want to go inside. Michael and Garren are nervous. This is scarier than the shooting.”

Web runs out and right to us. “Web, take them into the cafeteria.” Cort’s voice sounds scarier than the yelling.

Once Web touches my face and hugs me then his brothers, we go in. “I’m so glad you’re all okay. I thought I was going to pass out when you got out of the SUV.”

“We’re all okay. They were scaring us.”

“Garren, are you okay?” Web asks pulling another chair out for him.

“I want want Télia.”

Web nods. “Télia is on her way. Ford called her.”

Ford? “Commander Ford is here too?”

“Michael called him. He had his phone on. That’s how Brekan knew where you were.”

I lean forward. “I called Web. That was good thinking, Michael.”

He nods. “Garren scared. No good.”

Web orders us drinks. “I’m glad you called for help, Michael. Next time call me. I work in Ops and can get you help.”

Michael nods. “I call Web. Web always help. Ford talk. I call to talk.”

That was smart. Web smiles at him. “That’s good. Ford knows how to calm Garren. You’re a good brother.”

I smile at his smile. “Yeah. Ford brothers.”

Web gets up and kisses his head. Cort and the President Falcon come in with the big guy and Commander Graywolf. I look down. I don’t want them to yell again. My brain isn’t racing and I even smiled at Michael. We’re all okay except for Brad. I hope he’s okay. He was talking in the SUV.

“Alexia, this is Boulder,” Commander Graywolf says.

The big guy bends. I don’t move. “I didn’t know you were trained. I couldn’t get back to the SUV with the pussy shooting from the other side of it. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. You did good and got the boys back to the SUV when we couldn't.”

I nod but don’t look at him. “Thanks.”

I know Web’s hand is on my shoulder. He makes everything better. Télia runs in and asks Commander Graywolf what happened as she bends down next to Garren. I want to go home. This is too much and my brain is racing again.

~*~*~

Web

“They’re fine now?” Raid asks.

I look at Alexia with the women. “Alexia is fine. I think Michael is too. Garren was in his room when we came down. I’ll check on him before we go in. He may show for the spirit party. Michael said he’d be here.”

Alejandro runs by with Daniel chasing him. I smile watching them jump in the pool. Daniel’s dog follows.

“Michael did good today. He called Ford.” Brekan sounds surprised.

I nod. “He has to translate so he doesn’t talk much.”

“You told me that before. I don’t know why I expected him to react like Garren. Harper thinks Garren reacts the way he does because he saw Ford get beat by the guy that took him and thought he died.”

Shit. “I didn’t know that. It would explain him needing Télia or something close that reminds him of Ford. He says his tent is from Ford. He had it when he was a kid. It’s brand new so it has to be the color he remembers.”

He nods. “I didn’t know that, it makes sense, he always goes to his tent when he’s upset.”

“Michael uses his tent.” Cort doesn’t sound sure about that.

“He does. It’s comfortable when everything feels too big. His reactions are different.”

He nods. “I’m glad Alexia is trained. Fucking