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“I sure will, Luke.” Ace chuckles before continuing, “I guess this means a road trip?”
“Yeah, sounds like it,” I reply. “I’m taking Marley home to pack. I intend to get out of town before the feds realize we are on the move.”
“All right, we will meet you there and grab our stuff, too,” Ace informs us. “Be safe.” The line goes dead. I glance at Marley to see how she’s handling things. She doesn’t seem to be any more upset than she was when we left Invictus, but I can still see the worry on her beautiful face. I want to take all her worries and fears away.
“Everything is going to be fine, baby,” I assure her as we make our way toward home. “We’ll just get married in Kentucky instead of on the beach, okay?” She looks over at me. A single nod is the only confirmation she is in agreement with me. I can see the wheels turning in her head as she processes this information.I hate that we are having to do this. I wanted our special day to be perfect, stress free, but it seems fate has other plans for us instead.
“Luke, I don’t think we should run,” Marley states, calmly, after a few minutes of silence. “I don’t want to run. I…I can’t be responsible for you or your brothers getting in trouble with the feds. And going to Kentucky is only going to drag more people into this mess. Please, Luke, just talk to Agent Morris, see if he’ll allow me to stay at your house, but with FBI protection.” I’m shocked. I can understand her need to protect me, just as I want to protect her, but I don’t like it. At. All.
“Let’s just get home and we can regroup, okay, baby?” I don’t want to argue with her, but my gut is telling me to run, to get Marley as far away from Virginia Beach and the Stars and Stripes Celebration as I possibly can. The Fourth is only a week away, but that’s little consolation. Who knows when those fuckers will make their move to secure Marley for their insane need to target Americans.
The rest of the drive passes in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts. There’s so much to be done if we go on the run. We will need a Kentucky marriage license. I wonder if there’s a waiting period there? I’ll need to get my tux, the rings, and get both of our mothers to the location. I’ll need to load up our weapons and make sure we have plenty of ammunition with us. It’s a daunting task that really shouldn’t happen in a hurry, but the feds are coming and soon. Could I actually consider Marley’s plan and let the FBI keep watch over her at my place? I do have excellent security, and if I allow them to stay, I won’t be a risk for interfering with national security. I really need to run this by my brothers and get their opinions. Like Agent Morris said, I’m too close to this to make rational decisions. I hate admitting it, but I know deep down that it’s true. I’m blinded by my love for Marley and my need to protect her at all costs. It doesn’t help that I continue to blame myself for her previous abduction. If I’d beenmore cautious, kept a closer eye on her, she and Daisy wouldn’t have been in that predicament. All of this is on a constant loop in my head as we make our way home.
I pull into the garage when we arrive. I notice Bo’s black SUV and Ace’s rental pulling in behind us. Marley exits my vehicle without waiting for me. I can tell she’s more than anxious over this situation. I wish I could take all this away from her. I don’t want her to worry, but I know I can’t keep secrets from her. I have to trust she’ll come to me if things become too overwhelming for her.
I hear her and Daisy murmuring to one another as I exit my vehicle. Bo meets me as I’m reaching the ground. “Hey, what do you need me to do?” he asks. I shake my head. My mind is still racing with all the possibilities. I can’t decide on a damn thing.
“Let’s get inside and discuss this again,” I tell him. “Marley is having second thoughts about moving the wedding and hiding from the FBI. Maybe I’m not making the right decision?” I can’t help ending on a question. Bo gives me a skeptical look as if he can’t believe I would change my mind. I know it’s out of character for me. Normally I’m a very decisive man, but Marley has me tied up in knots. It’s imperative that I make the right decisions. I can’t risk making the wrong one, not again.
Once everyone has arrived, we gathered in the dining room. I have Marley perched on my lap, much to the annoyance of my sister. She’s glaring at me like I’m being unreasonable. Perhaps I am, but I need the closeness, the contact to calm my nerves. Just the thought of the feds taking Marley away from me is driving me insane.
“Marley has suggested that we stay here,” I inform the room, looking around making eye contact with each person in attendance to gauge their reactions. “She thinks we should let the feds set up shop with us to prevent any charges being leveraged against us or the company. What do you all think?” Rosco looksready to bite nails in two. His angry expression filling the room with tension.
“No!” Rosco says immediately. “We all know they can’t be trusted. I can’t believe you would entertain risking her safety this way.” His words sting. I know he doesn’t truly believe I’d put Marley’s safety at risk. He’s been wary of any federal agency since he left the SEALs. He’s never said what happened, but I know something did, and it’s the reason he retired abruptly after telling me mere months before he was going to reenlist.
“Rosco, calm down,” Bo chides. “Luke would never put Marley’s safety at risk and you know it. She actually has a good point. At least if they are under our noses, we can keep an eye on them and know what they have up their sleeves. At least as much as anyone can know when dealing with the feds.” Enos, Kelvin, and Dalton are nodding their agreement.
“I still don’t like it,” Rosco grumbles. “They won’t tell us everything, and you damn well know it!” He slams his fist down on the table, causing Marley to jump in fright. He frowns, obviously not meaning to scare her. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I didn’t mean to frighten you, Marley.”
MARLEY
Iknow Rosco means well, but he is frightening me. His distrust of the feds is causing me to doubt whether or not I should be arguing to stay in Virginia Beach instead of fleeing the state. The same thought is going through my mind that’s been with me since this all began:Why me?I can’t understand how I got tangled up in this mess, and now I’ve dragged Luke, his company, his brothers, and sister, as well as many others, into this craziness. Will it ever end?
Luke’s phone begins to ring, drawing everyone’s attention. He glares down at his phone. I’m beginning to think he isn’t going to answer. With a resigned sigh, he answers.
“Robertson.” Luke’s tone is clipped and angry. He listens intently a moment. He pulls the phone away and swipes at the screen. “Could you repeat that?” Agent Morris’s voice comes over the speaker.
“Seriously, Luke, where is she?” he asks, sounding annoyed. “I did you a favor by letting you know what was going to happen so you could prepare her, not take her off on the run. The agents are at your office, but your staff says you’ve left for the day, and they don’t know when you’ll be back. Please tell me you haven’t takenoff?” Luke looks over at me before glancing at his brothers. I suppose looking for an answer. Bo shakes his head, and Rosco looks ready to explode in anger.
“We haven’t taken off,” Luke answers. “Marley and I are getting married in a few days. We have lots of preparations to take care of ahead of time.”
“Oh, congratulations?” Agent Morris sounds as if he isn’t sure this is a good thing. “I’m happy for you Luke, but now isn’t the best time for public events.”
“It is a private ceremony. Family and close friends, only,” Luke declares. Agent Morris huffs.
“It’s still not a good idea,” he complains. “She needs to be in a secure location.”
“Sheisin a secure location,” Luke counters. “I have top of the line security at my home. If the agency insists, then I will allow you and one other agent you trust completely to be her guards, but know this, Jim, I’m in control. I have the final say on all of her activity. Where, when, and who accompanies her to any locations. I already have my lawyer working on this if you attempt to fight me on it.” Muffled swearing can be heard over the line.
“Fine!” Agent Morris finally agrees. “I’ll be at your place in thirty minutes. You and Ms. Morrison had better be there.”
“We’ll be here.” Luke smiles triumphantly, disconnecting the call. Rosco stomps off toward the back of the house. Enos follows. Bo turns to Luke.
“Now, what?” he asks.
“Now we prepare for the wedding, while ensuring those assholes don’t get their hands on Marley, all while keeping an eye on two FBI agents. Easy day.” Luke’s voice is solemn, despite his words.
My cell phone begins to ring drawing the room’s attention. I pull it from my pocket seeing that it is mom calling. “Hello?” I answer.
