Page 92 of Irons

A week after Thanksgiving, Axton took us to the airport. By us, I mean Travis, Stone, and myself. We had to be in Texas for the first of many testimonies in the Scorpions cases. Axton didn’t like me. I believed that was for several reasons. He was protective of Travis, and I guess the same could be said about all the Originals. He just didn’t want to see Travis get hurt if something happened to me. That brings his second reason. He didn’t like the idea of operatives getting involved. He liked me just fine before he learned who I was to Travis. All the way to Louisville he talked to everyone but me. It seemed like the longer Travis, and I were together, the more he resented me. I also think he was pissed that he was no longer second in command. He probably blamed that on me as well. Travis didn’t want to run Creed’s Motorsports, and he probably thought that had something to do with the travel involved and Travis didn’t want to leave me all the time. The travel was an issue, but most of all it was because Travis didn’t like the position, and he didn’t want to work with Victor. He was so determined to stay away from the shop that he had Magnus bring a few bikes that were in for repairs to his garage at his house to work on them in the evenings while I made dinner. Victor returned and Travis avoided the shop as much as possible.

The flight was good, first class of course, I don’t think the Originals ever travel commercially in coach. The FBI paid for it, but Travis had us upgraded. They also paid for one car rental, but neither Stone or Travis were happy with the compact car for obvious reasons, so when we arrived they got an upgrade with that as well. There wasn’t any sense in renting two since we were staying downtown, and we were only there for one full day. Travis upgraded our hotel room to a junior suite, which I thought was insane. He said it was because he had work to do and couldn’t stretch out in a normal room. Which he had a point,he was a big man that needed space. It wasn’t a huge Presidential suite, but just a one bedroom with a small living room and kitchen. I saw his point, the desk in a hotel room was small, so he opted for a kitchen table and chairs to spread out his work. Travis rarely let me pay for anything, so I was growing even more suspicious about his finances. Of course, I knew he made more money than me, and I made a decent salary, but the way he never worried about spending too much made me very curious.

“Why do you think Axton hates me?” I asked as we laid in bed at our hotel. We just finished a very satisfying round of sex after dinner with Stone.

I was tracing circles on his chest as I rested my head on his shoulder.

“He doesn’t hate you, he’s simply not on board with two operatives dating.” He answered.

“He’s fine with Valerie and Darren.” I said.

“I guess in his mind that’s different. Axton doesn’t like relationships in general, at least not for him, but I think with Bolton he can see she’s happy and that’s all we’ve ever wanted for her. They’re a good match and Bolton is soon to retire from missions. She’s been doing this longer than any of us and she’s past the age of military retirement. I think he likes you just fine, he just has a problem with our relationship.” He kissed the top of my head. “It would be damn hard not to like you, Wrenly.”

It still bothered me, and I didn’t want to come between Travis and Axton. The thing I noticed most about Creed’s Lake is the respect given to the Originals. I’ve spent time around other operatives, especially a few female operatives who don’t have a problem gossiping. Creed was always the intimidating one. I was told he lightened up quite a bit after Morgan came into the picture. Axton was a take charge kind of guy that didn’t visit ClubX all that often and pretty much stayed at Creed’s side. He was more sociable than Creed was before Morgan, but still kept his distance. He was definitely not very open about his love life. I never met Baros, but I was told he was a lot like Axton, except he liked hanging out at Club X at night with Magnus and Drakos. Those were the three Originals the operatives got to know the best. They spent more time around them since they were the most outgoing. Granger worked then went home to his family, where his loyalty was mostly dedicated. Bolton, or Valerie as I knew her, was professional, and only really sociable with the Originals and the wives. Drakos, well Drakos was Drakos. The most sociable, rude at times, and very full of himself. The operatives saw Travis as quiet, very loyal to the Originals, but also the easiest to approach if they had problems. One female operative referred to him as being a real darling and he was beloved by all. The nicest but quietest guy in the bunch. Magnus was a lot like Travis, but he was way more outgoing. I got along fine with everyone but hated how Axton distanced himself once he learned about me and Travis. He was really pissed when he learned the truth about us, and Bolton said he felt like Travis lied by withholding the truth during my hiring process. It didn’t make much sense if I was going to be honest. Stephanie said Axton acted the same way around her for a few years, and she wasn’t an operative. No, it was something else about me that bothered him.

“Don’t worry about Axton. He can be a real dick sometimes and he’s also still pissed off that I’m now the co-ceo. He didn’t lose his position, he still has the same job but I think it’s a pride thing. He’ll get over it.” Travis said.

“I can’t believe I was here for weeks, and you didn’t tell me that you were the second largest owner. Is that how youcan afford to take me on all these small trips and you’re always upgrading us?” I asked.

The fingers he was gently running up and down my back paused. “I never cared for anyone to know that I had more ownership than the other Originals. It’s not something I care to share with the employees. Everyone knew Creed was and always would be the guy in charge, that he funded most of Creed’s Lake, and I didn’t want to be seen as anything but equal to the rest of the Originals. Yes, that’s how I can afford upgrades. It’s also why I was stuck running the bike shop. I’m the largest private owner of it since the rest is owned by Creed’s Lake.” He answered.

Travis lives very modestly, and that’s why I was surprised to learn he had so much invested.

“I thought you sent most of your military pay to your friend’s family.” I said.

“I did, but I had money from Tony. He had life insurance through work, but he also had a sizable private life insurance package.” He paused for a minute. “Tony had a lot of money, investments, and undocumented money, like gold and silver bars. I have no clue what happened in his past that made him wealthy. I asked your dad, but he said he didn’t know either. Anyway, I was the only benefactor of his estate, and I never spent a dime of it until Creed dreamed up Creed’s Lake. By no means am I as wealthy as Creed and Morgan, but I’m comfortable. So are the rest of the Originals. I had the funds to invest earlier, and the bike shop was not only my idea, but I had the money to invest. Until then it felt wrong to touch Tony’s estate and that’s why I didn’t sell the house.” He explained.

We talked about his finances and mine, but eventually we both got bored with the conversation and fell asleep. The next day was nothing but court and meeting with the federalprosecutors. Stone and I didn’t get back until late, but we met Travis in the hotel restaurant and went to bed early. We all had early flights. Stone to Indiana and we flew to Oklahoma where Travis once again rented a large SUV.

He was strangely quiet during the drive from the airport. Other than asking for my dad’s address and listening to GPS it was suddenly very heavy in the car. I wasn’t surprised he didn’t know how to get home from the city, but was surprised he didn’t just let me drive. I noticed the closer we got to our old neighborhood the tighter he squeezed my hand.

Nothing had changed, and he was seeing the same businesses as we drove through town. The pool was the same, the grocery store still had the same sign, and if course I noticed when he somewhat winced as we drove by the funeral home. That was when I suddenly felt horrible. What if he only came to make me happy and it was harder on him than I imagined? Once he was in town, he turned off the GPS and made it to our old neighborhood like he never forgot. He knew to take a right into the subdivision, and to take a left on our old street. His grasp on my hand grew tighter as Tony’s house came into view. I wasn’t sure he realized how tight he was squeezing my hand. I let it happen if that was what gave him comfort.

Once in my parents driveway he let go and put the car in park. We sat there in the quiet as he looked out the window at the house he owned. I put my hand on his shoulder, and he turned to glance at me before looking back at it. “Clint hasn’t changed a thing. Even the front door is the same color.”

“Yeah, dad’s a pretty sentimental guy.” I rubbed his arm as he studied the only place that even came close to a home for him as a child.

The front door of my parents’ home opened, and I saw my dad step outside. “Holy shit, he’s the same guy but he looks smaller.” Travis said.

I giggled. “That’s because someone grew bigger.” I unsnapped my seatbelt and Travis hit the button to shut off the car. Slowly, he opened his door as my dad walked out, then slowly shut it after he stood. I watched them closely as I got out of the car. Dad pulled Travis into a hug and slapped his back, but didn’t let go.

“Welcome home, kid.” Dad was a little emotional and I was sure it was bittersweet for him. He missed Travis, but Travis also favored Tony so much it was probably a bit shocking. “Damn it’s good to finally see you.”

I had to wipe a tear away, then Heather’s voice drew my eyes from my dad and boyfriend to the adorable woman that ran from the house and nearly knocked me over for a hug. Dad finally let go of Travis and when Heather let go of me she looked over and gasped. I almost forgot Heather was the only girl Tony had a long term relationship with and seeing Travis was probably like seeing a ghost to her. “Oh my God.” She whispered and her face was almost as white as a ghost.

My dad chuckled. “Travis, this is my wife, Heather. Heather, by the looks of it you don’t need an introduction.”

“I just can’t believe, you look so much like him.” Heather slowly approached Travis, and I saw a tear drop from her eye. “It’s almost uncanny.” She looked almost devastated. It was no secret that Heather once loved Tony very deeply, and he was the one that ended it. My dad knew, and of course he wasn’t jealous or anything. Heather loved my dad more than anything, but Tony would always be her first love. “Welcome home, Travis.” She pulled him down for a hug and he accepted her hug just fine.

“Well, I guess we should get your bags. Travis, we have Jacob’s room made up for you, and he will crash on the sofa.” Dad walked to the back of the car.

“Sorry, Clint, but I think I’ll be staying in your daughter’s room.” Travis had a sly grin on his face, and my dad paused before he turned and looked at Travis then me. I gave him a nod, then dad looked at Travis.

“Uh, you think that’ll happen under my roof? You’re not married.” Dad shook his head. “Nope.”

“Clint, you’re being ridiculous. These kids are almost thirty years old and it’s not like we didn’t share a bed before marriage.” Heather said and I winced to those words. In dad’s credit, they did not share a bed when I was home. Heather didn’t move in until they were married, but dad did stay at her place once a week. He spent one night off with her and one with me, but she was out of town a lot too.

“I’ll just sneak into her room when you go to bed anyway.” Travis walked to the back of the Tahoe and opened the gate for our bags.

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