Page 24 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

––––––––

S tacey took a slow breath as she exited the elevator at Blackout.

After Gage mentioned that maybe her job had nothing to do with her stalker, she couldn’t get the idea out of her mind.

When they got home from the afternoon at the lake, she had called Ethan while Gage grabbed a shower.

Ethan told her to be at Blackout first thing Monday and they could discuss the theory Gage had suggested.

She approached Ethan’s office and heard him and what sounded like Lance talking.

She got to the door and knocked on the open door.

“This a bad time?” Stacey asked.

“Hey Stacey. No, I asked Lance to join us, hope that’s all right?” Ethan greeted.

“No, that is fine. Hey Lance. How are the wedding plans going?” Stacey smiled, walking in, and taking a seat in one of the visitor chairs.

“It’s going. Alora and I will be sending out the invites this week now that we’ve changed the date to June. She wanted to make the cake herself, but Frank wouldn’t have it. He’s taken charge there and won’t even let her look at the damned thing. It’s driving her crazy of course.” Lance chuckled.

Stacey and Ethan laughed. “Well, I’m looking forward to the wedding. Me and Krista are going this weekend to pick out my dress. With Krista being a bridesmaid, she already has hers. Is it true Alora wants you and the guys to be in your dress blues?”

Lance rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but I told her it would be against tradition since we are not IN the Marines anymore. Not sure she’s going to back down on it though.”

Ethan cleared his throat, “Well, let’s get down to business.

I want this meeting finished before Gage gets back.

He and Morton are at the capitol building getting ready for the candidate announcements this week.

You said on Saturday, that Gage suggested that maybe this guy didn’t find you through your editing job? ”

“That’s right. He pointed out that while editing is my day job, I also have another more visible hobby.” Stacey nodded.

“You’re Krav Maga?” Lance questioned from where he was leaning against the wall next to Ethan’s desk.

“Damn, you guys do think alike.” Stacey snorted. “Yeah. It was something I hadn’t thought of. I’ve been doing it so long; it rarely crosses my mind anymore that it I’m in the public eye.”

“Okay, so if we go with this line of thinking, how long have you been competing? I mean publicly.” Ethan inquired.

“Oh man, at least ten years. My first public competition was during my junior year of college. Jerry and Krista both came out to see me. It was in...Boston I believe. I came in fourth for that one. Since then, I compete maybe three or four times a year. Well, up until Jerry...was murdered. It has been at least a year since I’ve competed last.” She answered.

“Gage told us you also taught at your old dojo in New York.” Lance spoke up.

“Yeah, I taught two white belt classes and one yellow belt class. I also helped with the yellow belt testing.” She explained.

“I will call your old dojo in New York and see if they can help us out there. I’ll also pass this information on to Jimmy and Cain.” Ethan remarked, frowning a little. “But if this is how this guy crossed paths with you...”

“That adds a whole new layer of complicated, doesn’t it?” Stacey interrupted.

Ethan sighed, “A big layer. It means that he can fight. Krav Maga is not a style too many of my guys know. Hell, the only ones here who really know much about it are Grant and Tony. Well, Gage has been learning more about it over the last two years. I mean, sure we have all heard of it and components of the technique are mixed in with the hand-to-hand stuff we’re taught in the military, but you’re the only person I’ve met that studies it full time. ”

“That can make it a bit more problematic if this guy grows a pair and makes physical contact with us or the feds.” Lance added.

Stacey let out a slow breath. This was not what she wanted to hear. “Then what do we do? I start my first session at the new gym this evening.”

“Is Gage going with you?” Lance asked.

“Yeah. He said he will see how they do things and might even sign up himself.” Stacey replied.

“Stace, if you don’t mind, I’d like Tony and Grant to tag along. See, Tony, and Grant are Blackout’s hand-to-hand guys. They handle the training evaluations and such. Tony was a competition fighter in the Marines and Grant has been studying martial arts since he was a kid.” Ethan suggested.

“I don’t mind. Do you want me to tell Gage, or do you want to do it? I know he’s off my case, but...” Stacey began.

“I’ll tell him when he and Morton get back. This will be one of the few times from here on out that I’ll discuss your case with him. I hate keeping him out and I can tell you do too.” Ethan explained.

“We all hate having Gage sidelined.” Lance sighed, “But after what happened Friday, we have to do this.”

“I know that and so does Gage. Over the weekend, we talked about what happened to him and he’s come to terms with him being off the case. We also made a deal that when we’re home, no shop talk. Unless something happens that requires it.” Stacey stated.

“Good. I’m glad he talked to you about what happened. How is he doing?” Ethan asked.

“Much better. We just relaxed over the weekend. When he left this morning, he seemed to be back to his normal self. Guess that’s a plus.” Stacey answered with a smile.

“It is. Well, you had better get to your office. Either you or Gage text Tony and Grant when you both are heading for the gym.” Ethan instructed.

“You got it. Thanks Ethan, Lance.” Stacey nodded as she stood.

Once she was gone, Lance pushed off the wall and sat in her chair. “What do you think? You think this fucker came across her at one of her competitions?”

Ethan leaned back in his chair. “Honestly, Hawk, I don’t know what to think. This fucker reached out to Stacey first. She relocates here. Yet, his first physical attack isn’t on her but her boss and friend Walt.”

“Then he goes for Gage. Again, excluding physical contact with Stacey.” Lance pointed out.

“Exactly. He is all over the map. Stacey. Walt. Gage. Back to Stacey with the flowers and e-mails.” Ethan growled.

“That makes our job even harder to keep her safe.” Lance said, voicing what both men were thinking.

––––––––

––––––––

G age was leaning against Tony’s truck outside the Krav Maga gym.

The three men were waiting on Stacey. When Gage and Morton had returned to Blackout after their meeting at the capitol, Ethan had filled him in about Grant and Tony joining him and Stacey.

Yes, it still hurt being off his woman’s case, but he had also come to terms with it.

After work, Tony had followed Gage to Stacey’s place where Gage dropped off his truck and then caught a ride to the gym with Tony.

He would ride home with Stacey after they were done.

“Is Stacey going to do an actual workout or is she just observing?” Grant asked.

“She is actually working out. At least that is what the guy she talked to last week said.” Gage replied, keeping an eye out for Stacey’s car.

“You and Ethan said she’s a good fighter.” Tony said.

“Oh, I think she’s more than good buddy.” Gage grinned. “I bet she’d wipe the floor with you.”

Tony’s face broke into a huge grin, “You think?”

“I know it. Wait till you see her tonight. You will see what I mean.” Gage chuckled, knowing his boys had no idea what they were going to see.

Before Tony or Grant could speak, Stacey’s car pulled into the lot and next to Tony’s truck.

When she climbed from the car, she was dressed in her white gee.

Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun. She reached into the car and pulled out her black gym bag and walked right up to Gage.

Ignoring Grant and Tony, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed him sweetly.

Gage couldn’t help himself and pulled her flush against him, keeping the kiss sweet.

“Hey babe.”

“Hey yourself.” She grinned, before looking over at Tony and Grant. “Hey you guys.”

“Hi doll.” Grant nodded.

“Your boy here was saying how you could probably wipe the floor with me.” Tony said, lifting a brow as he smirked.

“Is that a challenge Pace?” Stacey challenged, leading the men toward the doors.

Gage took Stacey’s bag as she walked off to find out who her sparring partner was going to be.

The three guys took a seat on the bleachers, all three looking around the gym.

Scattered around were maybe two dozen people in various stages of training.

To the far back looked to be a small class of beginners.

Several sparring couples were dotted throughout the main floor.

Gage instantly liked the layout. It was similar to the training center at Blackout.

He spotted Stacey and a man who looked to be in his late twenties, maybe early thirties. Stacey led the man over.

“Guys, this is Alan Kerrigan. He’s the owner. Alan, this is my boyfriend Gage Carson and his co-workers Grant Whitney and Tony Pace.” Stacey introduced.

“Pleasure.” Alan smiled, extending his hand to Gage first.

Gage took Alan’s hand and the two men’s eyes locked for a moment. In that stare, Gage saw a familiar look. The look of a fellow soldier. “You served.”

Alan nodded, “I did. Was an Osprey pilot out of Cherry Point. Well, that’s where I ended my career anyway. Stacey tells me you three run Blackout.”

“Yep. Us three and two others founded it after we left MARSOC almost six years ago.” Tony replied, shaking Alan’s hand.

“Tony and I figured we’d tag along and maybe pick up a few things to pass on to our teams.” Grant added.

“That’s what she said. After you guys see how her session goes, if you want to sign up, I do offer discounts for vets. I also offer discounts to any of your staff from Blackout should they choose to join. Just let me know and I’ll ensure their accounts reflect the discount.” Alan declared.