Page 12 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

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S tacey sighed, stepping onto her back porch.

It was a beautiful, quiet night. Stars shown above her in the fall night sky.

She had to admit, it was peaceful here in Austin.

Yes, she was a New Yorker, but there was something about Austin that appealed to her.

Austin was a vibrant city. Something for everyone.

Food, business, arts, all the things she loved about New York.

Yet, the quietness of her new neighborhood gave her a sense of peace.

“You all right doll face?”

Stacey looked over her shoulder as Tony stepped out of the house. “Yeah, just needed some air.”

“Where’s Gage?”

“He was asleep when I left him. What are you still doing up? It’s what... almost midnight?”

Tony chuckled, “I’m a light sleeper. I heard your bedroom door open and close. Funny, before I joined MARSOC, I was a heavy sleeper. My roommates swore I could sleep through a nuke going off.”

“So, what brought on the change? If you don’t mind me asking.” Stacey asked.

Tony walked to the railing of the porch and leaned on it.

“If I had to guess, it was after my first tour with MARSOC. It was my second time being deployed in Iraq, but it was... I don’t know, different than the last time I had been there.

It was rougher, harsher. That first night, the camp we were at was mortared three times.

That quickly became the norm. Needless to say, my heavy sleeping days were over. ”

“Damn. Sounds like hell.” She breathed.

“It was in a lot of ways. I’m sure you have guessed, all of us, my boys and I, have our own demons. Some of us show it more than others.”

“I’ve gathered. I know Lance broods; Ethan seems to do the same. I have no idea about Grant, and Gage and I have rarely talked about his time in the Marines. I’m sure even Danny has his own demons with being in deep under cover for so long. If I had to guess with you, you handle it using humor.”

Tony clicked his tongue and gave her a wink.

“You got it. I learned after my first tour with my previous unit, being the class clown helped to deal with the shit we saw. It was sure a lot cheaper than drinking myself into a stupor like a good number of Marines did. Are you curious about Gage’s time in? ”

Stacey sighed, “As perverse as it sounds, a part of me does yes. Tonight, while you were working, I confided something with him that only Jerry, my parents, and my uncle knew. I don’t know, maybe... hell, I don’t know Tony.”

“You’re thinking that maybe since you shared, he would too. Kind of like a bond or something.” Tony concluded.

“I guess. It’s funny, until this mess started, I was never really curious about Gage’s time in the Marines.

My dad served in Nam, as did my uncle. My grandpa fought in World War II.

I know they all saw things, did things, and I only remember my grandpa talking about it in front of me once when I was about seven.

I remember the look in his eyes. I’ve seen that look in my dad’s, Uncle Roy’s and once or twice in Ethan’s eyes.

I have yet to see it in Gage’s. I guess a part of me is scared if I ever do. ”

Tony moved to her and slid an arm around her shoulders. “Doll face, perhaps you should talk to Gage about this. Tell him what you’re thinking. I think if he is going to really open up to anyone it will be you. Just as you would with him.”

Stacey hugged him, then leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thanks Tony. I think I can go back to bed now. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“See you in the morning and glad I could help.” Tony nodded, then turned and headed back inside.

Stacey drew in one last breath of early fall night air, then she headed back inside.

She went upstairs and quietly reentered her bedroom.

Silently, she slipped back into bed and instantly was pulled flush against a still sleeping Gage.

Maybe Tony was right, she should talk to Gage.

Yes, she would, but not until her own issues with this asshat were over.

Gage needed to stay clear headed, and she doubted it would help talking about his time overseas.

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S tacey came downstairs dressed for the day and found Gage and Tony sitting at the table drinking coffee. “Morning.”

“Morning doll face.” Tony grinned with a subtle nod.

“Morning babe.” Gage said.

“Well, what did Harrison and Vance have to say?” she asked as she fixed her own coffee.

Tony sighed, “they said this guy is proficient with electronics and hiding his steps, course I saw that for myself last night. They are sending me what they have but...”

“But what Tony?” Stacey questioned.

Tony looked over at Gage. Gage sighed, “Stacey, before we go any further and use company resources for this...”

“You need to run it by Ethan since he’s the boss man.” Stacey finished, understanding what they were getting at.

“Yeah.” Gage agreed.

“I kind of figured that which is why I’m meeting with Agents Fortner and Harker before I go in today.

If I don’t need Blackout at this point, I can’t pull you two off your current cases.

I will tell them about last night. Tony, think you could send what you found to them and then they can reach out to Harrison and Vance? ” Stacey explained.

“No problem, I’ll send it now.” Tony nodded, pulling out his phone and started tapping away.

Stacey smiled a little when Gage rose from his chair and moved to her, his arms sliding around her. “Stace...”

“Gage, you don’t need to apologize here.

I knew you would have to run this by Ethan if it came to it and he would make the final decision.

Until then, I will rely on the FBI and any other suggestions them, you, and Blackout offer me in this case.

I won’t do anything stupid. I’m not going to reach out to him or try to engage him. I promise.” Stacey insisted.

Gage sighed holding her close. “I’ll talk to Ethan and see what he says. Maybe for now he’ll let me take this...”

Stacey looked up, “Gage, you can’t split your energy that way. You do and it will cause you to make a mistake. Either on your current stuff or with mine. If Ethan says not now, then you listen to him. You hear me?”

As much as Gage wanted to disagree, he knew she was right. “I hear you. All right, if Ethan says hold, I’ll hold. But I still want you to keep me in the loop.”

“I can do that big boy.” Stacey giggled, laying her head against his chest once more.

“Well, Harker and Fortner have what I have.” Tony chirped in. “I think I’ll head on into the office.”

“Thanks Tony.” Gage said.

“Yes, thank you for coming last night. I really appreciate it.” Stacey added.

“You can repay me by teaching me some of those kick ass Krav Maga moves you’ve been teaching Gage.” Tony replied.

Stacey laughed, “Any time Tony.”

Tony polished off his coffee, carried the mug to the sink and with a wave headed for the door. Gage and Stacey moved to the table and sat down. “When are you signing up at the Krav Maga gym.”

Stacey nodded, “After work today I’m going by to fill out their membership stuff. The day I decided to take Walt up on his offer here I was feeling so frustrated and took it out on Carlos. He’s a tough one and one of the gym’s top instructors.”

“Carlos? Isn’t he that Puerto Rican that makes the mean chimichanga?”

“Figures you’d remember the food first, but yes. That’s the one.”

“I was jealous of him when I met him at first.”

“What? Why the hell were you jealous of him?”

“Come on, you can’t tell me you don’t think he’s handsome.”

“Well, yeah but so is Antonio Banderas, so what.”

Gage just shook his head. “You really don’t see why?

” When she shook her head he sighed, “Men like him attract women. I think it’s something in their blood.

Anyway, I was only jealous for about a minute till I saw you two interacting with each other.

Yes, he cares about you, but in the same way that I care about Krista or Alora. Like a big brother.”

“That’s what he is. Carlos is like my brother, just like...Jerry was. Gage, you have no reason to be jealous of any man. I want you. I chose you.” She said, taking his hand in hers.

“And I want you. And I chose you.” He reciprocated.

“Unless Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Undertaker suddenly become available and come knocking. Then sorry honey, but you’re out in the cold.” she added saucily.

“Is that so?” he asked, lifting a brow.

Stacey barely had time to blink before Gage had her thrown over his shoulder. With her laugh echoing in his ears, he entered the bedroom, kicking the door closed behind him. Looks like they both were going to be a little late for work. But it was so going to be worth it.