Page 53 of The Soul of Archer
“Yes,” she laughed. “Your mom gave me the recipe for her hot chocolate and I’m trying to figure out the best way to incorporate it into either a cake or cupcake.”
Lance wrapped her in his arms, “Do you know what you would call it?”
“I had an idea on the name from the night you made me some. Mama Archer’s Chocolate Cure.”
Lance couldn’t help it and burst into laughter which caused Alora to join him. He could just imagine what his mom would say about that. Hell, she’d probably start laughing too. “Did you tell her?”
“Yeah and she said she loved the name and I needed to get to work on it as soon as we got back and let her know how it works.” Alora giggled.
Lance just shook his head. Like his mom, Alora didn’t let life bring her down. Oh, he knew she was worked up about what would be waiting for them in Austin, but she was going to move forward with her life and not let the Malconi’s scare her. Much like his own mom when his birth father had turned into a drunken, abusive asshole. Carmen Archer had pulled her life back together and now was all the happier for it.
***
Lance and Alora walked into the conference room of Blackout and just froze. Sitting in one of the chairs looking like a scolded child was Danny with Krista standing over him. "Dammit Danny, what were you thinking! You're lucky that bullet was a through and through!"
"Kris, I just reacted okay. I was only thinking of protecting Ethan." Danny argued.
"Reacted? Ethan is a big boy and can take care of himself." Krista stated, her hands on her hips glaring at her baby brother.
Danny sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stood from the chair. "I know he can. Look, what I did I would have done for any member of my team. It's how I've always been. You know this. I can't just shut off my protective nature when it comes to my teammates."
Alora giggled as she watched Krista move to Danny and hug him. It had always fascinated her when she watched siblings. When Krista released Danny, she spotted Alora and Lance. "Hey you two. How was North Carolina?"
"It was great." Alora replied, hugging Krista.
"Well, now that everyone's here let's all sit down and get down to business." Ethan began clearing the grin from his face. Once everyone sat, he cleared his throat and began his report, "So, the Houston raid was both a success and a FUBAR. While we got the shipment and the men, the Malconi's themselves escaped. Danny, what have your men found?"
Danny now stood, "Since we got back, I've had men keeping an eye out for Sam and Ian Malconi and men tailing Monica Malconi. Monica was seen leaving the house Friday night with two large suitcases. Her car took her to the airport, where she changed her ticket from Miami to Costa Rica. My bosses have talked to the authorities down there and it's confirmed that she did arrive and checked into The Springs in San Carlos.
"As for Sam and Ian, we have found no sign of them in Austin. Yet considering how they slipped by us in Houston I'm not ruling out that they are here. We were able to get some information out of their men and some of the Lobos. What they told us was that the money, narcotics and guns were to be delivered to Günther in Miami like we figured. There is chatter that we’re still trying to confirm, thatGüntheris heading to Costa Rica as well. As soon as we confirm that I’ll let you guys know."
"So Günther’s in the wind at the moment??" Gage asked.
"Yes. However, if the chatter is right and he’s in Costa Rica too, that means he was told about the raid in Houston either ahead of time or once Monica began heading for the airport." Danny answered.
"What about me?" Alora spoke up. "I mean, what do I need to do?"
Ethan took this, "For now Alora, you need to be hyper aware of your surroundings. Try to go about business as usual. Until they are spotted, try to make contact or caught, just try and relax."
Alora nodded, leaning into Lance. This wasn't good enough for Lance. "Dammit. Ethan, there's got to be something more we can do. We don't know where these fuckers are. What they're planning next..."
"Lance, calm down." Alora said, laying her hand gently on his forearm.
Before Lance or anyone else could speak, there was a knock on the door and the receptionist walked in with a box. "I'm sorry Mr. Blackstone, but this just arrived for Mr. Archer and the delivery man said it was urgent."
Lance stood and walked to her. He nodded thanks and took the box. She gave him a smile and hurried back out. Lance took a slow breath in, held it for a three count, released it, and sat the box on the table. Carefully, he removed the wrapping and opened it. His blood started boiling as he investigated the box. There was a note laying atop nearly a dozen pictures. Pictures of him and Alora in Austin and North Carolina. He heard Alora gasp when she stepped up beside him and looked inside. She started to reach down and pick up a picture of her and Lance on his boat right before they had set sail for Norfolk, but Lance grabbed her wrist to stop her.
"Brother, what is it?" Ethan demanded.
Lance couldn't speak around the rage lumped in his throat. Alora answered instead. "Pictures. Pictures of me and Lance here and in North Carolina. There's also a note."
Ethan was at Lance's other side in a blink and grabbed the note before Lance could stop him. "Fuck. Danny, call Jimmy, Cain and Wilson."
"What does it say Ethan?" Alora demanded.
Sighing Ethan reluctantly handed it to her. Alora's hands tightened around the paper as she read it: ENJOY YOUR WHORE. SHE WILL SOON PAY AS WILL YOU.
***
