Page 43 of Sebastian
“What do you mean, nothing?” asked Brix.
“I mean, they greeted her with a hug. Said hello to me but didn’t shake my hand or hug me, which is fine. Kind of. They said they’d be ordering pizza and for everyone just to relax outside. No firepit. No chairs. Just relax outside.
“Every damn meal was ordered in. No one cooked. No one cleaned. There was nothing productive happening at their home. Nothing. I offered to do some basic repairs on the house, and her father looked as though he might tear my head off. I left it alone after that. Told her that I needed to leave early because of work, but I think she knew. There was no way I could be a part of that family. She thought everything was perfectly normal.
“When she got back, we met for dinner. She kept saying, ‘isn’t my family great,’ ‘isn’t Colorado wonderful.’ I just nodded. Then she said she was quitting her job and moving back home. I wished her luck but said that it wasn’t for me. I needed to be closer to home.”
“I’m sorry, brother,” said Garr. “I knew something was wrong, but you never told us.”
“Wasn’t a reason to,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ve always known that I would return to Belle Fleur and make it my permanent home. Either someone wanted that with me, or I’d be doing it alone. Either way, I was coming home.”
“She’s out there for you, baby,” said Mama Irene, squeezing his hand. “You just have to be patient.”
“You’re always sure, Mama Irene,” he said with a sad smile. “I wonder if maybe some of us weren’t meant to be alone. I mean, we can’t all find our mates and live happily ever after.”
“Now, you listen here, Alistair Thomas Fitch. Your great-granny is one of my dearest friends in the whole world. We know things, the two of us. We know you’re gonna be happy with a beautiful, smart woman who will make you the best version of yourself. You just be patient and don’t worry so much.” She took his empty plate and filled it with more food, handing it back to him. “Try wearin’ a different cologne. Sometimes that makes a difference.”
With sage advice from Mama Irene, Alistair was surprised that he was already feeling better. Bellies full, hearts warm, and souls replenished, they relaxed for a few hours before heading out to the three possible locations.
Geared up, comms on, and everyone knowing exactly what they should do, they waved at the seniors.
Tonight was going to be a long one.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The first warehouse was not in a prime industrial space. It was located on the outskirts of Baltimore in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the area. It felt as if it could be the place, but then again, why would an evidence warehouse be in this location?
“We picked the short fucking straw,” frowned Brix.
“There’s a cop car outside the place and lights on inside. It looks like an evidence warehouse, but damn. Baltimore needs to fund their shit a bit better,” said Garr. “Or the DEA.”
“I can’t imagine that this is it, but let’s watch and be sure,” said Alistair.
“Hey, Alistair, we meant what we said back there. We wish we would have known about you and Brittany,” said Brix.
“I know, brother. I was embarrassed, to be honest with you,” he said in a low voice so as not to be heard. “I admit that I was enjoying the sex and companionship. It bugged me that she never wanted to cook or stay in, but I just thought it was her wanting to be out when I was home. I should have picked up on the signs. Her place was always a mess. She wasn’t. She damn sure spent the time and money on herself, but not her place.”
“Lessons learned, man,” said Major. “But what about Clark? She’s fucking hot. Don’t tell Elena I said that.”
The others all chuckled, nodding at Alistair and Major. He had a strange look on his face and then turned to them.
“I think you’ll know what I’m saying but hear me out. I’ve never had trouble getting a woman’s attention before. I mean, I try to give all the signals to Clark, but nothing is happening.”
“What kind of signals?” asked Major.
“I don’t know. The signals. You know, like giving a head nod when she walks in the door of the cafeteria or a smile in the morning meeting.”
“Brother, those aren’t signals. Those are just gestures. Try being more direct with her,” smirked Brix. “She’s obviously fucking smart as shit, or she wouldn’t be flying for us. I mean, I watched her, and she’s every bit as good as Savannah, Evie, Doug, or Chipper.”
“I know that,” he nodded. “I can’t explain it. I’m not explaining it very well anyway. There’s something about her that I really like.”
“Try to explain,” asked Major.
“She’s put together. Always. Her clothes are neat, clean, pressed, fashionable without being ridiculous for an operative. I don’t know where she buys those fucking t-shirts, but damn, they hug every curve of her body in all the right ways. And her pants? It’s like they’re stretch pants, like tights or some shit, but they have these cute pockets strategically placed everywhere.
“And her hair? Her fucking hair is perfect. It’s like this perfect shade of blonde with these natural waves, but it never looks messy. It’s always pulled together just right. She has the greenest eyes. They remind me of the moss hanging from the cypress trees back home. Like a soft green, not deep.
“Her ass? Brother, don’t get me started on that damn ass,” he said, shaking his head.