Page 8 of Stranger Gifts

“What do you think Ghost?” asked Gaspar.

“I don’t know man. We’ve seen some strange shit but all of that takes the cake. I think we obviously have to figure out who is after them and how it’s all connected to Marilisa and the others.”

“That’s a lot of power in a handful of people,” said Miller. “Do you trust him?”

“I do,” nodded Ghost. “They could have just as easily destroyed us out there but they didn’t. It’s not who they are. Besides, Matthew said they’re all good people and I trust him more than anyone.”

“Agreed,” nodded Nine. “Whoever wants them, has to be stopped.”

As it turned out, they did stop the person who was after them because her primary target turned out to be Stephanie and Marilisa. With that issue gone, it allowed the team to truly settle in and find their place between the VG team and Gray Wolf.

A few days later, the Gray Wolf team met to discuss upcoming projects. With their new members in tow, their team was growing leaps and bounds.

“Officially welcome to all of you,” smiled Ian. “We hope you’re comfortable in the cabins, but if you feel that you want to be on the main property, we can definitely make room for you there as well.”

“I think we’re all good,” said Kane. “But I am curious why you’re spread out.”

“A few years ago we exposed ourselves to the world on national television to stop a different kind of maniac,” smirked Gaspar. “We felt as though we didn’t want to leave but maybe we needed to not be so prominent.”

Adam laughed at them shaking his head and looking around the massive office space.

“How’s that working out for you?” The men all chuckled, nodding.

“You’ll find that mon frére is unable to sit still,” said Baptiste.

“It’s really remarkable how much you all look alike,” said Adam. “If I were a geneticist I’d want to test all of you and your children.”

“My kids were all adopted,” smirked Gaspar. “If they look like me I’d say it’s something other than genetics. Probably my mother.” The entire room laughed and Flip smiled at them.

“She is something I’m curious about. I’ve met a lot of people with beautiful, strange gifts but your mother is on an entirely different plane. I just can’t put my finger on her gifts, yet Kane said she feels like fairy dust and chocolate when he touches her.”

“Fairy dust and chocolate,” smirked Tailor. “That describes her pretty well.”

“To be honest,” said Miller, “we’re not sure about Mama. We know Pops is special in a very unique way.”

“He’s an angel,” said Kane. They all stared at him, unsure of what to say. “Oh. I thought you knew.”

“We did. Those of us in this room,” said Antoine. “We haven’t told the kids and grandkids. Pops said it wasn’t time.”

“I promise we won’t be saying anything,” said Kane. “He’s the purest, most honest, kindest man I’ve ever had the pleasure of shaking his hand. I feel that with all of you as well, with hints of all our pasts. Except him. He’s different as well. And him.”

Kane pointed to Gabe and Trak who looked at one another and shrugged.

“Gabe is our middle brother,” said Gaspar. “We’re not sure what’s happening with him, but Pops is working with him to prepare for the future. I guess a future without him here. We don’t like to think about that even though we know that our parents are well over one-hundred now.”

“The pond,” said Adam. They all nodded. “Gabi and Riley were trying to explain it to me. It’s fascinating. We’ve all had a chance to take a dip and it’s done remarkable things for us. Especially for Spook.” They turned to smile at the quiet man.

“I’m glad it could help you, Spook. What’s your real name?” asked Ghost.

“Van Rogers, sir.” Spook stared at the older man, then looked around the room. They knew his name.

“Rogers. You were Navy intelligence.” Spook just nodded. “When we couldn’t get Ace to help our team, you were there.”

“I wasn’t supposed to be, sir.”

“No sirs here, Spook. You risked your career to help us and the others. That says a lot about a man.”

“It nearly drove me mad,” he said shaking his head. “The sounds of communications passing through my brain was overwhelming. Planes, cell phones, ships, computers, if it was data, especially digital or telecommunications, I could see it and hear it.”

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