Page 89 of Rescued By the Convicts
“I haven’t left my job, if that’s what you’re asking. I wanted to, had planned for this to be my last undercover mission. I wanted to return to you. This unit. . . Fuck, Ivan. I didn’t grow up orphaned like you and Jayce, but I’ve never had anyone stand behind me before like you.”
Reece grunted.
“And Reece. Sorry, big guy. I didn’t forget you. I’m just trying to make a point here.”
“What point?” Ivan asked.
“I grew up with parents that avoided me as much as possible. I was an inconvenience to them from the day I was born. I know how to be a loner. I’ve excelled at it for so long. But what we have in this unit. . . I can’t walk away from it, and I can’t walk away from Melina, as hard as I’ve tried. Having brothers, having a woman like Mel. . . It’s not something I ever really thought I’d have, but now that I’ve had a taste of what a real family is, I want it, Ivan, like I’ve never wanted anything in my life.”
“They’ll let you stay here with us?” Melina asked, afraid to hope, but praying he could stay.
“The Company saidno. So, I resigned.”
“No one resigns from being a spy,” Ivan said. “They retire or disappear.”
“Or strike a deal,” Jayce added, grinning. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“You’ve been a bad influence on me, but yes, I struck a deal. I can return here between assignments. That means a few days, weeks, occasionally months at a time. But I might also be gone for months at a time. It might be disruptive to your lives.”
“I’ll take it,” Melina said, throwing her arms around him. “I’d rather have you a few weeks a year than not at all.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’m sure I’ll be able to swing more than a few weeks. But can you live with not knowing where I am or when I’ll return? Or the possibility that something could go wrong and I won’t return at all?”
“Yes,” Ivan answered for her. “Because she won’t be alone.”
Zev looked to Jayce and Reece, who nodded their approval in turn. Zev bent down and reached into his backpack, and handed an ornate wooden box to Ivan.
Ivan opened the box. Inside, three silver rings rested in foam. Ivan picked up a ring. “I.P.”
“This is to replace what Namir stole from you, Mel,” Zev said. “I know these rings aren’t as personal as the ones Reece, Jayce, and Ivan placed on your fingers, but I had them custom made on Baccula with their initials. And as a special wedding present, I saw to it that your previous union was officially dissolved.”
“They allowed that? I was legally bound to Tristen and Patel as well as Namir. Even with Namir’s death—”
“The union was dissolved because they were found guilty of too many crimes against The Company for anyone to care about their rights. They will be sent to Veenith, if they are ever caught. That, and I pulled a few strings.”
“But why would you—”
“I had to dissolve your union with them in order to register you, Ivan, Reece, and Jayce as a unit and give the four of you legal status.”
“We’re a unit now? Legally?” she asked, amazed by what Zev had done for them.
“As legal as it gets,” he replied with a smile confirming it. “The Company won’t split you up now. Even if Foley removes you from Narkos, the four of you will remain together.”
“Thank you,” Ivan said with a deep, sincere look. Zev gave a simple nod before Jayce broke the silent exchange with a slap on Zev’s back.
Reece decided to go a different route by lifting Melina straight up in the air so high she squealed. Her gentle giant wore a smile from ear to ear.
“Put her down,” Ivan said as he removed the ring with his initials on it from the box. “Time we made this official.” He passed the box to Jayce and Reece, who removed their rings.
“Just the four of us? Not five?” Jayce asked.
“It seemed appropriate. I left you behind.”
“Because sacrifices were necessary,” Ivan said.
“Why are you glaring at Zev?” Melina asked Ivan.
Ivan showed her the empty box. “There’s a spot here for a fourth ring.”
