“That’s not funny!” she said crying. They saw it coming. They saw him coming and Quinn didn’t have time to explain it all. His fierce expression told him that he was in trouble.
“Who made this girl cry?” said George in ghostly, shimmering form. Along with many of the other elders, George and Mary had moved on to be with them at ghost island. Of course, that didn’t mean that he wasn’t still going to take down any man who made a girl cry.
“Oh, shit. Another ghost? Am I dreaming?” asked April quietly.
“No, no darlin’. I’m George and I’ve kept all of these boys in line for more than forty years. They know not to mess with me if they dare to make a girl cry. Now, what did they do and who did it?”
“Is he for real?” asked the colonel.
“Yes, sir. We should have told you sooner but there are a lot of ghosts on this property. They don’t harm anyone, in fact they help us in most occasions. They keep watch over us, keep us safe, and even still guide us when we need.”
“Which is damn sure a lot,” said George. He placed an arm around April’s shoulder and she took in a deep breath, almost instantly feeling better. Looking up at George, the ghost appearing strong and youthful, she smiled.
“Thank you, George. I’m better now. I just need them to take all of this seriously. I don’t want to lose Quinn, or my grandfather, again!”
“It’s alrigh’ darlin’. These boys know what they’re doin’ for situations like this. I wouldn’t trust ‘em in my kitchen but I trust ‘em with any bad man out there. They’re smarter, more physical, and the tools they have are developed from the brightest minds in the world. It ain’t nothin’ to sneeze at. They’ll come home.”
“Thank you, George,” she said hugging the warm ghost. She just shook her head, unwilling to question it.
“Holy shit. I know who you are now,” said Reginald. “The best tools, the best military men, the planning, the technology. You’re Voodoo or whatever you changed your name to.”
“Shadow Warriors,” echoed the response in the room as every man called out their name. They all smiled and Reginald looked like he would be sick again.
“That boy needs fresh air,” said George.
“I’ll take him,” said AJ. “Maybe he can answer some questions for me and Victoria about the fibers.”
“I-I’ll do whatever. Anything. I’ll tell you whatever you want,” he said rapidly.
“Relax, Reginald,” said Ham. “We don’t kill our informants on the first date.”
“Seriously?” frowned April. “Don’t you take any of this seriously?”
“We take everything seriously, babe,” said Quinn. “We spend months, years, hell, decades preparing for things like this. Finn, River and me, we’re young compared to the experience these men have. I trust them with my life, and even more importantly, my brothers lives. And yours. We don’t fail.”
“He’s right, honey. This is a group of men I’ve known for decades. Their fathers, grandfathers, even great-grandfathers. They are the most proficient, lethal, and well-trained men in any military discipline. They do not fail,” said the colonel.
“Can you promise me that, Grandpa?” He stared at the only person that mattered in his life any longer. Walking toward her, he pulled her in for a hug.
“With my life.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
April watched as the team readied themselves. She’d never seen so many weapons and so many men in black. It was like watching an action movie but the stars were all people you knew.
“They’ll be fine, honey,” said Sadie. “Why don’t we start making plans for your wedding?”
“Really?” she asked turning to look at the women behind her.
“Really. It will take your mind off all of this and let us do what we love. Plan weddings and parties,” smirked Margo. “This is my second son within just a few months. I’d like to see number three get married off soon but he seems to be dragging his feet a bit more than the other two did.”
“Is he dating someone?” asked April walking away with the two women.
“No. He’s not dating anyone that I’m aware of. Finn is my gentle giant. All three of my boys tend to want to help those in need but with Finn, his focus is always on those down on their luck, down-trodden,” she smiled.
“That’s a beautiful thing,” said April. “You must be incredibly proud of all of them.”
“We are,” said Sadie. “I knew that my brothers were special people and that we’d somehow raise very special children as well. When we all had triplets, Christopher and Ramey two sets, we knew we’d be even closer.”
