Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,43
to go with them. He would stay until I agreed. I’ll talk to him about work times when he’s not set on one of his plans. There’s no talking him out of it when it’s in his head. In EROP he never came to the Ops floor. He could only go to the dining hall or training.”
“Do you want access limited areas?”
She makes me wait for that answer. “No, I like them visiting. I like the Alpha-Bits coming in to see us and the techs having family in for lunch or to show where they work. I’ve never worked where people can come in. I was happy Garren and Michael came to see me. I’ll tell him about work times and be happy the next time they come to see me. I could have him come in for lunch.” She sounds excited about having them in for lunch.
“You should. I sent a card for Chenzo and a spa day for AJ. It went in a basket of fruit and candy. She had a bowl of those hard watermelon candies on her desk. I asked for those.”
She looks up smiling then kisses my chin. “That was nice. I made her a blanket for the baby. Chenzo?” She’s talented with yarn. It’s a nice blanket.
I nod. “Chenzo. Cort decided he’s calling him that. Jack agreed and said AJ already said it.”
“AJ said it when they took me out. I thought it was a joke. Everyone was laughing. She didn’t say that was his name.” She sees everything as literal. Shit, that’s why she got out of the SUV. I told her they needed to be in the SUV with her. She made it happen. My girl is too cute. I’ll remember to watch my words.
“It’s his nickname. He’s named after Jack and AJ’s dads. Vincenzo is a bit much, so they shortened it to Chenzo. It’s a cool name.”
She giggles. “Ill, chill...,” she doesn’t finish.
I kiss her head again for not finishing. I try to get what’s worrying me without her being upset again. I’m not sure it’s possible. “You shot a man, are you okay with that?”
“He was going to shoot me. They shot Brad and the driver of the car. The man was just driving down the road and got stopped and shot. I had to shoot to get my brothers in the SUV. I didn’t think about it when it was happening. I was too scared. Waters said I have to react and my brain will piece it together later. I didn’t think about the man until later. He didn’t give me a choice. He pointed his gun at me. My brain said shoot to kill so I did. Since he shot the driver and Brad, it was the right order. I’ll email her later and tell her she was right. I didn’t pee my pants either. I thought I would if I ever shot a real person.”
That’s it, training dictated her reactions. I’m so glad it did. I hold her a little tighter. “I’m glad you are trained so well and didn’t piss all over yourself. The leads are the same as the last with jumps everywhere. It’s CIA backed through a bunch of dummy shit. The run after wasn’t a real fight. Raid and Ranger handled it. I need you to stay in the safe zone. I didn’t know you were out so no one was prepared for a threat like that. Garren and Michael didn’t text me they were leaving either.”
She looks up at me. “Garren said we were set. Security was with us. I’ll send a chat next time. Phoenix mustn’t tell Bravo. No, the big guy was Bravo. I don’t know why they weren’t prepared. I’ll send the chat to you.”
“You’re right, Boulder is Bravo, he was with Brad, he should have been better prepared. I’ll talk to Falcon. He’s never on a detail with you or my brothers again. It still should be brought up.”
“You always cover everything, even if it’s over. It makes me happy that you do. I don’t have to try and remember everything myself.” She smiles looking up at me again. I kiss her smiling lips.
“Michael did good today. I’m proud of you all.”
“He did. I have to work tonight after the spirit party. I didn’t finish my shift. I’m glad the Alpha-Bits all showed tonight. I couldn’t leave to work with them all here. It wouldn’t be nice.”
I smile at that. “No, it wouldn’t. They came to see