Page 56 of Soldier, Tailor, Spy

“I’ll come back,” Ginger said, without wasting another second. “I’ll work for Mr. Yamamoto.”

“No more lies.” Mr. Yamamoto grabbed the pen on the table and began signing his contract. “No more hiding. We will be honest. Lawful.”

Kiyoshi grunted, following in his father’s lead. He signed the paperwork, then threw the pen down on the packet. “What do we do now?”

“Now, we make it look like a big production.” Luca grinned. “Tomorrow you are going to reopen your business. You’re going to act like the FBI fucked up and you will crow as loudly as you can, as if all three of you are the biggest cocks in the yard. Got it?”

Ginger smothered a laugh. “You have a way with words, Mr. Trapani.”

Luca shrugged. “What can I say? I love it when a plan comes together.”

The next morning, Jake watched as Ginger got ready for work, since they didn’t have a babysitter, and Jake technically didn’t have a “job” for the mission because he was too close and not unbiased. He stayed home. He figured while the kids played with Savannah, he could work with Duane on the house, keep himself busy.

“I’m going to be late.” Ginger hurried into the kitchen. “I hate being late.”

“Calm down.” Jake handed her a travel mug full of coffee, just the way she liked it. “You’re going to be just fine. I am sure once you get back into the swing of things, it’ll be like old hat.”

Ginger took a sip of her drink and sighed. “Mentally, I know you’re correct. Physically too. Emotionally...” She wiggled her hand side to side.

“I’m only a phone call away.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “If anything happens, call me, then run. I’ll be there.”

“Just like you were that night.” She peered up at him. “We still haven’t talked about that.”

“Yeah, we probably should. For now, you’re stalling, and you’re going to be late.” Jake kissed her again, lingering against her lips, reminding himself of what it was like holding her the night before. “I’ll make something for dinner tonight too. Whatever you want.”

“Now you’re buttering me up.” Ginger laughed. “Have a good day with the kids.”

Jake followed behind her as she left the house. “We’ll be fine.” Rooted in his spot, he waited as she got into her car, started it, then drove off.

Down the road from him, the others were leaving as well. The return to the base meant the neighborhood would take on the quiet note of not having anyone there during the day. He’d grown so accustomed to the silence after he’d been benched from the team, having the noise comforted him.

He frowned.

Jake stepped back into the house and went about making breakfast for Fawn and warming a bottle for Declan. Thankfully, the boy wasn’t picky. While he waited, he flipped on the television to check out the morning news. If history was correct, which when wasn’t it, those who had come after his team would only lie low for so long before trying again.

As it was, the small team put together to find Hannah, Murray’s sister, was getting nowhere fast. Jake knew there was hidden meaning to Luca’s clue, but he didn’t quite understand it. He hoped Murray did and Hannah would come home. Hell, he hadn’t even realized they’d found her to begin with. When he met Murry, the guy looked like shit. His sister had been kidnapped, and, because of being restricted by the military, he hadn’t been able to drop everything and hunt the son of a bitch who took her. Who knew, ten plus years later, a mission within their organization would bring her home, only have her taken once more?

“Dad,” Fawn said, coming down the stairs. “Where are you?”

Jake popped his head around the corner. “Right here. Everything okay?”

She shook her head, pointing to her right ear. “Keeping that hearing aid out. It hurts today.”

The doctors had warned them there were going to be days when the canal and inner ear would hurt or itch for no reason. There were days when it would swell and turn red too. The doctors were convinced it had something to do with scar tissue and damage, though not visible with tests, because of the repeated surgeries over the years. “Not a problem. We can use sign language today.”

She frowned, then nodded. “Sure. That’s fine.”

“Are you hungry?” he signed, then pointed to the kitchen. “I made you something.”

She nodded. “I can eat.”

A soft whimper rang out on the monitor Jake had been carrying around with him since he’d gotten up earlier, showing Declan was awake too. “Let’s get you settled real quick, then I’ll go get your brother ready.”

Fawn nodded. “Okay.”

The rest of the day passed with relative ease. As much as he’d wanted to do something—anything so he didn’t have to sit and do nothing. With Fawn’s ear bothering her, it wasn’t fair to her to watch her brother while he piddled. So, they went to the beach instead. He made fresh memories—ones he never took the time to make because he’d always been working—with his daughter and Declan. They barbecued hot dogs on the grill and fed the seagulls that swooped down on them while they sat on the beach. By the time Ginger returned home from work, Declan was napping, as was Fawn. He grinned to himself. The sea air did its job.

“Where are the kids?” Ginger joined him at the stove while he finished making all of them dinner.

---