“Why do you have to leave?” sniffed Sadie, hugging her brothers.
“Sis, you know how this works. We don’t just walk away. We’re needed for one last mission. We already put in our papers, and we’ll be back here by Mardi Gras. We promise,” smiled Patrick, kissing his sister’s forehead.
“What about my wedding? You won’t be here,” she cried, hugging them tighter.
“You could hold off a few weeks,” smiled Christopher. “Just do a Mardi Gras wedding. You know Mama Irene and Mom would be into that.”
“If Ham is okay with it, that’s what I’ll do,” she said, standing on the porch of the island mansion. She heard the door close behind her and saw Ham.
“Ham will do whatever you want to do,” he grinned. “I’d like for them to be here as well. After all, they didn’t kill me while I was sleeping in the same room as their sister.”
“You were in the same room?” frowned Patrick playfully. “String him up, Christopher!”
“Ha, ha, funny man,” frowned Sadie. “Just wait until you bring home a girl. I’ll make sure she knows that I’m the sister, and she has to pass through me.”
“Wait, are you telling me that they’ve never brought home a girl before?” Sadie nodded. “Never? Like, never?”
“Never, brother,” smirked Christopher. “You’ve seen what it’s like around here. I would never bring home a girl unless I was planning to make her my wife. I haven’t met that one yet.”
“Where are they sending you?” asked Sadie.
“You know we can’t tell you that, sis,” said Patrick. “I know that feels unfair, but it’s the rule. We’ll let the others know if we have any issues. Just know they can still track us with our VG phones.”
Sadie nodded, snuggling beneath her brother’s arm, unwilling to let him go again.
“Ham, we’re counting on you to handle Myer and keep our sister safe,” said Christopher. “I like you. I don’t want to have to hurt you.” Ham just shook his head, laughing.
“You assholes do know I’m a Ranger, right? And your height is no match for these big beefy hands.” The men laughed, hugging Sadie again and kissing her cheeks. They drew Ham in for a big brotherly hug, slapping his back and whispering to him.
“Keep her safe, Ham. We’d die without her,” frowned Patrick. Ham stared at the young man and nodded.
“Be safe, brothers,” he called out to the men as they boarded the boat for Belle Fleur. Sadie was softly weeping, waving at her brothers as they left.
“It’s going to be okay, baby. Remember, they’re Navy SEALs. They know how to take care of themselves.”
“I know that, but they’re not invincible. You all think that you’re bulletproof, like Superman or something. That’s not the real world.” Ham turned her to face him as she shivered against the cold wind.
“Baby, I know damn good and well that I’m no Superman, and neither are they. But they’ve been trained better than anyone in the world. They know what they’re doing.”
He held her there on the porch until the boat disappeared around the bend. Back inside, he prepared his bag for Colorado. Sadie had been given weapons as well, including a few impressive knives from Trak.
“That one is special to me,” said the deep voice behind them. Ham jumped, gripping his chest, while Sadie only smiled, running toward the older man and kissing him.
“Uncle Trak! I’ve missed you so much,” she cried.
“I’ve missed you, too, little one. I was worried for you, but it’s good to see you’re back to your old self. Ham will take care of you if you listen to him.”
“I wish you were going with us,” she frowned.
“I wish that too, but your Aunt Lauren refuses to allow me,” he smirked. “I must be getting old. I listen to my wife more these days.”
“You’ll never be old, Uncle Trak.”
“Ham, this one is for you,” said the older man, handing him a long bowie knife with an intricately carved elk-horn handle. “It was made for me by my grandfather. He thought you could use it on this mission.”
“It’s beautiful, but are you sure I should take this? It’s a family heirloom.”
“And you are family,” said Trak with a blank expression. “Take it. You’ll know when to use it. The blade is unbreakable.” Ham stared at Trak, then down at the blade, feeling the weight of the knife in his hand. It was perfectly balanced, sharp enough to cut through just about anything.
