Bane (33 page)

“THANKS, HAMPTON.”

“Anytime. I’ll be in touch.” I hung up the phone. I was going to miss my friend as we set the plans in motion. He was the only one I trusted to help me and vice versa.

Looking at the morning paper while I sipped my coffee, I prepared for my next call using a secure line. I had connections with more people than I realized. Maren spent the last few years buried in work and helping Frankie. She’d merely survived. There were no friends Maren wanted to see one last time. It shocked me how little she was tied to this world. I’d checked on her previous jobs and no one had even reported her missing. They let her stop showing up.

Fucking pathetic.

The water ran in the bathroom while Maren hummed to herself. We were nearly set to put our plan in action. When, where and how had all been finalized. All we needed now were a few little details tied up and Maren and I would be gone.

If Alex still watched us, he’d see that we were now down to a team of two for the security detail. After tomorrow we’d be down to one. Before New Year’s Eve, the last one would be dismissed. With their findings and eliminating the ties, it would seem out of place for me to keep so many men around.

Tomorrow I’d let him know about our plans for New Year’s. We were
planning
a trip to New York. Last time we’d spoke, Alex asked for me to keep him updated on my position. It was a normal request, but Maren was right. We’d never truly be safe as long as I remained Bane.

I took a deep breath; this was going to be the hardest phone call yet. The phone rang on the secure line.

“Wales.”

“Wales. Bane.”

“Bane. I hoped it was you. I got the message that it was okay to take the security threat level down. Thank you for handling the situation. Alli asked me yesterday if you were coming to town any time soon. We’re in Tampa currently with the team.”

The local newspaper had a shot of Damien and Alli arriving at the hotel with their two children. They were here for two more days before they headed home for Christmas. “I wanted to know if we could get together. There’s someone I want you to meet. I’m in Brandon near you guys.”

He paused. “Are congratulations in order?”

“They are. I’m married and expecting twins.” The pride in my voice was evident.

“Congratulations, Bane. There isn’t a man I know more deserving. How about you guys come to the hotel at six tomorrow? We’ll dine in. The kids will want to see you.” It meant a lot that Damien knew I’d found happiness. We’d been through a lot together as we solved who killed his sister.

This was bittersweet as I prepared to see those who I considered my closest family for the last time. “Sounds good. We’ll see you then.”

“This is good-bye isn’t it, Bane?”

For a second I remained silent. “It is. I have a past and I need to protect my family.”

He let out a breath. “I won’t ask any questions. But know if there’s anything you ever need, I’m here.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

We hung up. Maren came out of the bedroom wearing a snug T-shirt. Her protruding belly brought warmth to me every time I saw it. Though the good-byes were hard, I couldn’t regret the sacrifice. I was getting everything I’d ever dreamed of with a woman I never imagined having.

The evening winded down as we sat in the living room of the Penthouse suite. Kendall and Ryder, Allison and Damien’s children, walked into the room each holding a gift. Kendall was an exact replica of her mother with blonde hair and blue-green eyes. Ryder looked like Damien with his black hair and blue eyes. I wondered what our children would look like. I hoped like Maren.

Kendall, in her little four-year-old voice, said, “Uncle Bane, we got you and Maren a gift.”

My heart tore at their words. Damien insisted it would be good for his kids to see us one last time. They often asked about me. I hoped that was the case. Lying to them felt wrong, but they deserved closure. Ryder, at two, could barely hold the gift in his two hands as he waddled my way. Kendall skipped to Maren.

I cursed Black Division for putting me in this position.

Kendall laid the gift on her lap. “Mommy said to give this to you. Can you come over again? I want to play princess.”

Maren fell for my adopted family. A few tears formed in her eyes. “I love playing princesses. My brother used to play that with me when I was little.”

There was no escaping Maren’s non-answer. Allison mashed her lips together as Damien held her hand. “Open it. I love presents.”

Ryder made it to me as he tossed the present on my lap. “Bane! Bane! Bane!” I picked up the little man. “Want to help me?”

Both kids excitedly said, “Yes!”

Paper tore and was tossed on the ground. Within each box was a silver rattle with diamond handles. I read the inscription aloud. “Family lives in the heart regardless of how far apart.”

Maren stood and engulfed Allison in a hug. Kendall spoke. “Why is Maren sad, Uncle Bane?”

I patted her head as I stood. “Because you guys mean a lot to us. It was a special gift.”

Damien stood and patted me on the back. “You’re a good man. I hope one day we can see each other again.”

“I hope so.”

Sacrifice was something I knew well. Hopefully one day I’d be able to have all those I cared about back in my life. Hope and faith were what I needed to hold on to.

Two days before New Year’s Eve, we drove to the airplane hangar. Maren remained quiet beside me. She and Allison hit it off. If we’d been able to stay, I knew they would have been good friends. The night with the Wales had been bittersweet. They were the only family I’d known besides the Black Division.

“Any regrets, angel?” I hoped to hell she didn’t have any. She was my true north that kept me steady. We’d be able to face anything together.

Squeezing my hand, her eyes looked to mine. “Never. I will never regret a single moment that brought us together.”

That was all I needed to hear. Maren was like the air I needed to breathe to survive. Our first stop to have the babies would be Switzerland. They were medically equipped to handle the delivery along with any complications we may have. The country was filled with expats. It would be easy to blend in. All of the paperwork had been completed.

Everything was set. Hampton decided a fresh start for him and Felecia was best, too. It had been a hard decision with their multiple friends, family, and his business.

We agreed not tell each other where we were going. It was safer that way for now. We’d established one way to communicate with each other in case of an emergency. The only way to warn each other if we’d been found out.

Maybe one day we’d bump into each other again. Only time would tell.

The plan was simple. We were all going away for a few days. Hampton and I could fly. We were renting out a small plane and flying up to New York City for New Year’s Eve to see the ball drop. We’d all arrive at the airport along with the bodies Hampton procured to put in the plane. The private hangar would provide the privacy needed for the swap.

Any cameras watching would see three people in Hampton’s car and two in mine. Hampton’s car had him as a driver with Felicia and a male cadaver in the backseat. Three more cadavers were in the trunk. Hampton mentioned during one of our scheduled check-ins that Felicia was freaked out with the situation, but it had to be done. Maren and Felicia had been through hell over these last few months. Hopefully, they’d never have to deal with anything from the past again.

When we left, I’d be driving with the same driver’s hat Hampton had worn on the way in. Felicia and Maren would be out of sight in the back. While we were headed to our hotel, Hampton would fly the plane north. Somewhere in the mountain ranges, Hampton would parachute out and crash the plane into the side of a mountain. If all went to plan, we’d be pronounced dead by nightfall. The flight logs that had been filed would show we rented the plane. We were rigging the scene to look like someone took us out, sending Black Division away from us for good—or that’s what we hoped.

Tensions eased with the Eric and Sarge situation, it would cause confusion and misdirect the team on a different path. Human nature was always your best ally in situations like that. The mind ran on emotion. There would be no reason for us to kill ourselves or leave. My history also helped sell the story. Maren had an established doctor. We were having twins.

A car had been stashed near the crash site. Hampton was to meet us at the Charlotte, North Carolina airport in two days to take our flights. Pulling into the hangar, Hampton was already in there. I got out and Maren followed.

Felicia stood near the edge of the car. When she saw me, her petite frame approached and gave me a smile. “Bane, I’m so glad we made it.”

Being held captive for an extended amount of time did something to a person. I’d been there several times and barely escaped with my life. It was part of being an operative. We were conditioned to withstand it mentally. I knew Felicia had nightmares of being taken again, which had been the ultimate deciding factor for them to pick up and leave.

Hugging me, she pulled back. I could see the stress etched on her face. This whole situation took its toll on all of us, leaving us scarred in more ways than we probably realized. She looked toward Maren. “It seems you found your perfect match also.”

Through all the years, Felicia had been the strongest advocate of me finding someone.

Maren held out her hand, “I’m Maren. It’s nice to meet you. Bane has spoken very highly of you.”

Felicia gave me a playful slap on my chest. “He’s a real charmer, but he’s like family.” A few tears formed in her eyes. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. We still have a few days together.” Looking at Maren’s stomach, she asked, “May I?”

“Of course.”

Felicia put her hands to her stomach and my heart bloomed. “Babies are such miracles. I’m so happy for you.”

It was hard to be overly excited in front of Hampton or Felicia. They tried for years to have children but had never been able to. Life was hard at times. The things that happened to good people were unexplainable.

Maren smiled. “They are.”

Clearing his throat, Hampton walked up. “All is set. Here are the new phones for us to keep in touch. Minimum contact is best.” He kissed Felicia, then looked at me. “Take care of her.”

“With my life.”

I’d protect these women with my last breath.

Hampton risked his life for Maren, and I’d be forever indebted to him. Because of him, I had a second chance at everything. Kissing his wife, he whispered something in her ear.

I grabbed the two small bags and loaded the car. The majority of our belongings had been left at the farmhouse to help sell the fact that we were indeed only going away for the weekend. Groceries had been bought within the last two days. Appointments were scheduled for the entire pregnancy a month ago.

Coming back to Maren, her eyes widened and fixated on the plane. Three corpses were visible and sitting in the seats like passengers. The fourth was probably laying in the aisle. Hampton would move it to the pilot’s seat before he deployed. They were similar to us in build and hair color. I’d seen everything, but I understood why it was unnerving.