Page 15

I waited in the blue room at headquarters approximately one hour before the moon cycle opened. Pickles’s premonitions had my team anxiously gathering data based on premeditated destinations chosen by their brigands.

Gerry and Tina sat, heads together, studying a ninth century map of England. The Cracky Clan was splitting up this trip, and a few of them were headed to Wessex.

Brodie chewed on a coffee straw as he flipped through an iPad. Rogue targeted Philadelphia, but Pickles couldn’t get the year.

Marco hadn’t said boo to me since I arrived. He sat at the end of the table scrolling through his smartphone. Fine, he could ignore me, I had bigger problems. The wedding was tonight, and if Jake sent me on a mission with one of the other defenders, I couldn’t stop Caiyan from marrying Satan’s bitch.

“Hey Jen,” Campy said as he entered the room. I stood and he encircled me in a hug. He had the same build as Caiyan, and my heart shed a small tear.

“Hi,” I squeaked. His muscles bulged when he squeezed me. “You’ve been hitting the weights.”

“Every day,” he released me and blushed slightly. “A defender must have strength, integrity, and fidelity.”

Marco snorted at the last word in the WTF’s motto. Campy cut his eyes at Marco, then back at me. “Do you know where the Mafusos are going yet?”

“Not a clue.” I gestured toward the chair next to me and we sat down. “The Mafusos are being tight minded about their plans. They probably won’t jump because of the wedding.”

“Blimey, me mum was mad Uncle Cai didn’t want us at the wedding.”

“You spoke to him?” I reined in my surprise.

“Nah, Mum told me he rang her when the news hit the telly.”

“The wedding was on the news?”

“Only local, ye know he inherited the title. Mum’s been on holiday at the family estate in Scotland.”

I’d been there once. It was more than an estate, it was a freakin’ castle. Would Mahlia be Lady McGregor after she married Caiyan? Over my dead body.

Campy continued, “’Tis time for Mum to go back to work, and she sees how the town’s famous Lord McGregor is weddin’ the skinny American. Mum couldn’t take the time off to fly across the pond, seein’ how she only just returned from ’er holiday. Called ta yell at me.” Campy huffed. “Like I can control Lord McGregor, the cheeky git. She’ll have his head on a pike next time he shows up on ’er stoop.”

“Why aren’t you going to the wedding?” Tina asked, looking up from the map.

“He told Mum he didn’t want us there,” Campy dropped his head.

“The guy’s lost his mind, marrying that one,” Gerry said. He pointed at me. “My money’s always been on you.”

Marco’s chair scraped tile as he shot up and stomped out of the room. Everyone watched him leave in silence.

“What’d I say?” Gerry did a palms up.

My blood boiled at the mess Caiyan had gotten himself into. I had to be at that wedding and stop him from being stupid.

“I’m sure Caiyan has his reasons,” I said to Campy.

Ace slumped in wearing skinny jeans and ballerina flats. “Can you believe it? General Poopy Potts has us confined to base.”

“What?” I asked him.

“He’s expecting this one to go AWOL and disrupt the wedding of the century.” He hiked a thumb at me.

I frowned. It’s exactly what I had planned but hadn’t figured out a way inside—yet. I stood and grabbed a bottle of water, asking if there were any other takers in the room.

Ace took the seat Marco had vacated, and I handed him a bottle of water.

Jake entered, a handful of files in his arms. “Good afternoon, everyone. Take your seats. As soon as the cycle opens, we’ll have the destinations.”

I returned to my chair, but my inner voice paced the room.

Jake set the files down and rubbed his eyes. He’d already put in a full day. The other teams’ marks jumped from their European locations. The moon cycle opened earlier for them.

“The Russians just left,” Jake said. “Their mark jumped to Zakynthos.”

“Oh, man,” Campy said. “It figures. As soon as I change teams the bastard jumps to the Greek Isles. I’ve been freezing my ass off in Dudinka for the last six travels.”

“Except for the travel when you caught the Cracky,” Brodie said, giving Campy a fist bump.

“Hell yeah, I did.” Campy’s energy ramped up the room. “Too bad he got out of jail on a technicality.”

“Ya got to wait until he actually steals the booty. You nabbed him before the take,” Brodie said to Campy.

Jake pulled out his glasses. He only wore them when he couldn’t use his contacts due to fatigue. I stood and made Jake a cup of coffee and returned to my seat next to him.

“Thanks, I’m beat.” He clicked around on his keyboard opening windows and watching for the map Pickles would send him when he had the coordinates of the jumps. He took a generous sip of his coffee.

His cell laid face up on the table and vibrated without a ring tone. A name flashed across the screen. He grabbed it before I could make out the name, but I thought it read Angie. The mystery girlfriend. He pocketed the phone and glanced around the room.

“Where’s Marco?”

“He had to take a time out,” Gerry said.

Moments later, Marco entered the room and sat down next to Tina.

“Good, we’re all here,” Jake said. “Almost time.”

I ignored Marco’s brooding and focused my energy on Jake. I only had a few minutes before he would be chin deep in his work.

“I need to talk to you about—”

“Here we go people,” Jake said interrupting me. “Brodie, looks like Rogue’s jumped to Philadelphia 1776.” He slid a file across the table to Brodie.

“I’m on it.” Brodie took the file and stood to leave for the research room.

“Ace, you’re transporting for Brodie.”

Ace flicked his wrist in the air. “Don’t make me wait long, Brodie baby, I’ve got dinner plans.”

“Cancel them,” Jake huffed.

Brodie sauntered out of the room.

Jake turned toward Gerry. “Gerald, the Cracky Clan didn’t split up as originally anticipated, but they did jump to Wessex as planned. Make sure you don’t swear. Campy, you’ll go with him. He’ll need the help. Tina will transport.”

“I’ve already studied our destination,” Gerald said.

“Good. Bring Campy up to speed and report to the travel lab for landing coordinates.”

Gerry clamped Campy on the shoulder in one of those let’s be buds and exchange man cards moves. “C’mon kid, I’ll fill you in on all the hotspots of ninth century moral turpitude.”

Campy scooted back his chair and stood to leave with Gerry.

Marco fidgeted in his chair. He’d been silent during the assignments. His eyes stayed focused on his cell phone as Jake finished handing out the missions.

“Jen, you’ll be transporting for Campy.”

“But why can’t Tina transport for him?” I did a mental foot stomp.

“I’ll summon you if I need you,” Campy said, then followed Gerry from the room.

“That’s crap, you gave me this assignment to hold me here. You know I won’t leave Campy without back up.” I scowled at Jake.

“It’s an insurance policy.”

I huffed.

“Yes, I do know you, Jennifer Cloud. If I leave you to float, in case a defender needs you, you’ll be tackling the bride before she walks down the aisle. If this is what McGregor wants, then you should let it go.”

Marco’s head lifted to observe my response.

I slammed back in my chair, crossed my arms over my chest, and huffed with a force that caused my bangs to shoot upwards.

Jake continued reading the reports scrolling across his laptop. “None of the Mafusos have jumped. Marco, stay on base in case they do.” Jake shifted his gaze to Ace. “You, too. Even if Brodie doesn’t need you. That’s an order from the general.”

Ace gave me a cocky smirk. Wise-ass, but he was right. Jake had pulled out all the stops. I wasn’t going to the wedding.

We moved to the break room to wait it out. Marco sat down on the new sofa we had picketed for when the transporters were initially grounded to the base. If we were forced to wait on base, we needed a comfortable place to hang out. He clicked on the TV and found a baseball game.

Tina sat down next to him, playing solitaire on her phone.

I grabbed the most recent fashion magazine, also picketed for, and began angrily flipping through the pages, unaware of the contents.

Ace rummaged through the refrigerator.

“Dahling, never fear. Things will work out,” Ace said. He pulled a tray of premade deli sandwiches out of the refrigerator. “Tuna, ham, or turkey?”

I knew a turkey I wanted to shoot, I just needed to find a way to get to the range.

An hour later my key glowed, and the strong pull of the defender summoning me vibrated through my body. Ace’s key glowed as well.

“Looks like you guys are being called for duty.” Marco slid his hands behind his head and kicked back on the sofa. “I’ll be here if you need me.”

Ace and I reported to the travel lab. Al gave us the landing coordinates. Ace and I were both summoned by Campy. I prayed no harm had come to him and cursed Caiyan for not being here to help.

Ace winked at me as we boarded our vessels. Odd, he didn’t seem concerned at all.

We arrived in a clearing in the middle of what would eventually become England. Campy, dressed in the latest Robin Hood fashion, leaned nonchalantly against the trunk of a large ash tree. There wasn’t a brigand tied up, and he didn’t seem to be in distress. He pushed off the tree trunk when I walked toward him.

“What’s going on?” I asked him.

Ace left his vessel and joined us. “It was my idea, doll. Probably going to get us grounded, but me heart breaks for you.”

“We’re going to the wedding?” A huge smile spread across my face, and I pulled both of them in for a group hug.

Campy grinned. “The Crackys are getting a might pissed at the tavern. Gerry’s there, too. He’s naugh as drunk as they are, but close. If they decide to steal something, I’ll summon you, but I think Tina and I can handle tucking them in bed after they pass out.”

“Those Crackys are so predictable,” Ace said.

“Won’t the travel lab spot us?” I asked Ace.

“They will, but Agent Sexy Buns has to monitor the other travelers, and that leaves Marco to come fetch us. He isn’t welcome at the wedding since, ya know, he became a defender for the WTF.”

“This is a great plan,” I said, wishing I had thought of it.

“He’s clever, yeah?” Campy said, giving Ace a fist bump.

“Yep, that’s what I love about him.”

“And all this time I thought you loved me for my fashion expertise.” Ace moved toward his vessel. “Speaking of fashion, let’s go, doll. We’ve got disguises to pick up.”

I kissed Campy on the cheek. “Thanks.”

“Keep Uncle Cai safe. He’s in over his head this time.”

“I’ll do my best.”

We left Campy sending us a thumbs up and a set of adorable dimples.

The last wedding I attended at the Mafuso mansion was between a teammate of Marcos and a famous singer. It was a chaotic madhouse, and I expected the same for this one.

Ace and I pulled up in our rented car. Missing was a line of taillights waiting to attend the wedding of the century and a band of reporters lingering in the bushes. A few cars were being handed over to the uniformed valets.

Once inside, a man in a sequined, black tuxedo approached Ace.

“’ello, Marvin, how are you?” Ace asked as the man slid up next to him.

The man whispered to Ace. “Is that you, Ace baby?”

“You recognized me,” Ace sulked.

“Only because you told me you might be in disguise. Very cunning and that dress is so versatile.” He kissed Ace on both cheeks.

“How are things going?” Ace asked him.

“Great, sugar. Can you believe the luck? The wedding of the century and I had to pull it off in three weeks.”

The guy had done a fantastic job. Elegant and sophisticated, exactly the style I would have chosen. My hatred for Satan’s bitch escalated a few notches.

Ace chatted up the wedding planner while I scoped out the venue.

Tall crystal urns shot arrangements of lilies and roses six feet tall. The house was over the top in silken draperies and white floral arrangements with just a touch of pink.

“I heard the rumors. Can it be true Mahlia has found the man of her dreams?” Ace asked Marvin.

I stiffened next to him. He interlocked his arm with mine, and I relaxed a little.

“I believe the cat has caught her canary,” Marvin said. “Wait until you meet him, he’s dishy.”

I huffed next to Ace, and he patted my arm.

“Marvin, this is Joe. He’s a friend.”

Marvin sized me up. I extended my hand, and he shook it delicately.

“Go on in, I’ll vouch for you and…your guest. We’ll catch up later.” Marvin waved at another guest and was gone.

“Did I hear a tinge of jealousy in Marvin’s voice?” I asked Ace.

“Don’t be silly, hon.” Ace paused, considered. “Do you think he sounded jealous?”

We found seats toward the back. I estimated the crowd around a hundred people. Small for a Mafuso shindig. Noted more seats were available on the groom’s side. Not many people showed for Caiyan. No family or cousins. Only a handful of clients from his art gallery, his partner, and a couple of girls from the office. People who would come in contact with Mahlia.

Ace twisted strands of his long black wig. He had arranged for the disguises and chosen full drag for himself. I must say he made a pretty girl. He had the nose for it—turned up a little on the end—and slim hips. His flawless makeup hid his five o’clock shadow.

“Your makeup looks awesome,” I told him.

“Thanks, doll.”

I, on the other hand, was dressed in a dark striped suit. My breasts were taped down so tight I could barely breathe, and I had a thick mustache. We looked a little like Sonny and Cher. The hair piece I wore had a built-in side part, and Ace fixed my makeup like a pro.

An elderly lady to my right nudged me. “I heard the bride is pregnant?”

“I don’t think so,” I said. If she was, there would be hell to pay.

“Darn, I have a bet going with the ladies at my bridge club.”

Her voice singsonged with a slight Brooklyn accent. “I was Caiyan’s piano teacher,” she said proudly. “When he lived with his aunt in Cobble Hill. Before she moved to Florida.” She said Florida out of the side of her mouth like it was a dirty word. “He had such potential. When I read he was finally tying the knot, I took the train in.”

“That’s so sweet of you. I didn’t know he could play the piano.”

“He didn’t like to practice, but I saw the talent in him. How’d you know him?”

I’m in love with him. “From work.”

“That’s nice, dear.”

“It’s too bad his aunt broke her hip. I would have liked to visit with her.”

Caiyan’s aunt Itty fractured her hip chasing a brigand across the ice in the Swiss Alps. She was beside herself she couldn’t attend the wedding. The retired agent occasionally moonlighted for the WTF and was having a passionate love affair with Al from the travel lab.

An elegant harp sat off to one side of the room and played soft Celtic music. Good choice. My inner voice held up a sign, Satan’s Bitch 2, Jen 0.

I studied the crowd. “Isn’t that Marco’s sister, Evangeline?” I asked Ace.

He squinted at the pretty brunette sitting a few seats in front of us on the bride’s side. “Blimey, I believe you’re right.”

“What’s she doing here?”

“Since Mafuso Motors used to sponsor Marco, she would be a friend of the bride.”

“Really?”

“Don’t you know the Mafusos will keep a finger on Marco. If they want to pressure ’im, they’ll use her. Every move Mahlia makes is calculated.”

Marco was taking a huge risk joining the WTF. His ties with the Mafusos were intermingled with his family. I needed to make nice with him and sort out our friendship. After I saved my foolish, piano playing Scot from making the mistake of his life.

Once the guests were seated, a rotund priest took his place at the head of the aisle under the spectacular flowered arch constructed for the occasion.

A few moments later Caiyan entered and stood next to the priest. Black tuxedo, my heart sighed.

“Odd,” Ace said. “I was certain he would wear a kilt.”

A brief flutter of hope tickled my insides.

He didn’t have anyone standing up for him. No best man. No Brodie, no friend from high school, or cousin he was forced into selecting. No one.

I gathered my wits. Calm down, Jen. The harpist began playing the wedding march, and my SuperJen mantra followed along in key. Deep breath. He’s not going to marry her. He’s not going to marry her.

The guests stood around me. My legs were frozen to the chair. Ace tucked his hand under my arm and gently helped me to my feet.

Mahlia, wide, fake smile plastered on her face, was escorted down the aisle by Gian-Carlo. Damn, she looked beautiful. Double-damn, her gown was an Ivy Isabella. It was on my list. Now I’d have to delete it off my Pinterest board.

Not only had she stolen my man, she wore my favorite wedding gown. As she passed by me, the low neckline of the gown displayed the bronzed flesh of her perfect breasts. Lace cap sleeves ran across her shoulders and connected at the neck, encircling a thin swan of elegance. I imagined my hands there instead.

“Stop plotting ’er demise and think about what she’s not wearing,” Ace said.

He was right. She wasn’t wearing her key. The perfect diamond-shaped cutout between her neck and chest was naked.

I glanced at Caiyan. He tugged on his shirt collar and I thought the light made his face appear pale, or maybe it was pale.

Mahlia progressed toward him. She stopped in front of the priest, and Gian-Carlo gave her away.

Caiyan smiled, more at Gian-Carlo than Mahlia.

The priest greeted the guests and began his traditional sermon about love and finding the perfect someone.

Caiyan’s eyes scanned the crowd. For a moment, I thought he saw me. I’m right here.

“I love weddings.” Ace dabbed at his eyes.

“Ace, who’s side are you on?”

“Yours, of course, doll, it’s just that weddings always make me tear up.”

“This isn’t a real wedding.”

“It certainly seems real.” He patted my knee. “No worries. I’m sure the Scot’s going to bail.”

I didn’t see how. I hoped he had a backup plan. I hoped, somehow, he’d convinced Mahlia to whisk him away, free him so she could be with her lover, but without her key she was helpless.

The priest said a prayer, and from that moment on his words sounded like “Whamp, whamp” as my head thumped. However, his voice rang clear when he announced, “If any of you has a reason why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

I started to rise, and Ace clamped a hand on my leg. “No can do hon. We’re here to see this through. If you so much as lift a finger, the WTF will confiscate our keys. Temporary grounding I can handle, but I’ll keep me key.”

I slumped back into my seat, and the wedding proceeded. It was down to the vows. If Caiyan said I do, it was over.

The priest spoke harshly to Caiyan. “Caiyan James McGregor, whilst thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God’s law in the holy estate of matrimony? Whilst thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

“I weel.”

I died inside.

“Repeat after me,” the priest fed Caiyan the lines and he said every word.

“I, Caiyan James McGregor, take you, Mahlia Jezabella Mafuso, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.”

I snickered at the middle name, but my fingers white knuckled the seat of the chair. When he finished, a tear trickled down my cheek. He said his vows. He’d committed to her. She would say hers, and he would slide his grandmother’s ring on her finger, and they would be married.

The priest turned to Mahlia. Before she could open her mouth, a loud crack followed by a cloud of smoke filled the air.

When the smoke cleared, Caiyan was gone, and so was the priest. Mahlia stood hands on hips, mouth scrunched up in twist.

“What the hell?” she screeched.

“Find them!” Gian-Carlo ordered.

“Where’s the groom?” the lady next to me asked.

“I guess he decided she wasn’t the right woman for him.” I smiled down at the petite woman.

A flurry of excitement ensued. Ace and I made a beeline for the door.

As I fled the house, I saw Mortas leave through a side door.

“What should we do?” I asked Ace.

“Tuck our tails and go back to base, I’m afraid.”

“Jake told me he was sending an undercover agent, maybe we won’t have to give him the good news.”

Ace gave me a doubtful shake of his head. “The travel lab surely picked us up. Let’s go take our lumps, doll.”

“They’re not married, right?” I was over the moon.

Ace grabbed my shoulders and leveled his eyes with mine. “Did you ’ear him?” He gave me a firm shake. “He said his vows.”

The reality hit me hard. Someone else disrupted the wedding. “Let’s get the ’ell out of ’ere before the Mafusos make us.”

“Yes, let’s go,” I agreed. I had a groom to find, and when I did, I was going to kill him. Smoke and mirrors be damned.