Page 25 of Smoke
“A person who goes around the world telling people about religion?” I asked, very confused. I’d never, ever seen Smoke pray.
“No, that’s a missionary. A mercenary is someone who kills people and…”
“That is aterribledescription of what your Daddies do!” Kay exclaimed, interrupting Allyson. She passed us each a sippy cup before sitting down on the floor with us.
“Is Dawson a mercenary?” I squawked. I thought maybe I was more prepared for him to be a drug dealer.
“No, honey, and you are fired from telling Ashley anything else about her Daddy, ma’am,” she told Allyson.
Kay wrapped her arm around me and pulled me close. Her voice was gentle and patient. I knew whatever she was going to say next was going to be hard to hear. “Your Daddy is a good man who has met some of the worst people on the earth. He, Blade, and Bash work for a man who helps make the world a bit better of a place.” She took my hand in hers. “He does kill people. Bad people. Rapists, child abusers, men who abuse their power, scum,” Kay said.
I brought my bunny up to my face while I processed her words.
“I was going to say he was agoodmercenary,” Allyson argued.
“He helped kill my ex. H-he was a cult leader who almost killed me. He would have killed me if I hadn’t escaped,” Eloise added.
Kay reached over and pulled her close too.
“So, he only kills bad people?” I asked.
“Very bad people,” Kay assured me. “People who could hurt us. People the world is better without.”
“One time I was listening to Uncle Blade and Daddy talk about a job they had a few years ago. They took out a small ring of human traffickers. I think there were eight of them, and they killed them all,” Allyson added
“They only kill really bad people,” Eloise promised again.
“I’m sure your Daddy didn’t know you were listening, did he?” Kay asked Allyson.
Her face turned a soft pink and she looked down. “No, Ma’am. They thought I was sleeping.”
“Human traffickers are bad people,” I said, processing.
“I know what they do sounds really harsh, but I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for them. It was only a matter of time before my ex and his sheep found me,” Eloise said, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” I told her.
“We don’t know who they work for or where they go when they leave and we’re not supposed to ask questions when they get back, but I’m really proud of them. More people are safe because of what they do,” Allyson added.
“Do you work with them too?” I asked Kay.
“No, honey. Leland neither.”
“Uncle Leland doesn't know about it, though, and we’re not supposed to tell him,” Eloise said.
“I only know because I am on Auntie Kay duty when they get called in and a few weeks ago I threatened to gut your Daddy if he didn’t tell me what the hell they were doing,” Kay added.
Frowning, I glared at her. “You better not hurt my Daddy… I mean… Dawson.”
Despite our serious conversation, Allyson and Eloise dissolved into giggles, and I found myself smiling too.
“I know your Daddy will talk to you about it soon, none of the men like to base relationships on dishonesty and they want you to know sooner rather than later.”
I nodded. That sounded very much like my Daddy... Dawson, I corrected myself
“Now that a few of Ashley’s questions are answered, what do you say we all watch a movie?” Kay asked, probably hoping to steer us toward a happier topic.
“Could we watch it in my new playroom?” I had a new TV in there begging to play a Disney movie.
