Page 10 of Tango

“My guess,” he cleared his throat, “they found out something.”

His face fell as we grew closer. Ty’s intense stare found mine.

“Keith,” Frank stepped forward, and the rest stayed in a horseshoe formation, “I heard from one of my informants.”

“Save me the formality and lay it out,” Keith grunted, and I scanned the wives’ faces and could tell Frank hadn’t shared the news with any of them. Cole was the only one who knew, as his pale face was like stone, and he moved forward and anchored an arm around Savi.

“The informant was transporting Lexi when they got ambushed early this morning.” Frank paused to take a strangled breath. “I’m sorry to say she was shot and died shortly after.”

The entire group went still, like a painting of pain, their expressions frozen. Then as the words sank in and their brains absorbed the blow, they began to react. Catalina was the first to turn into Mike’s chest with a sob, Mia and Savannah reached out and linked hands, while Sloane covered her mouth, her eyes wide as tears streamed down her face. Then one by one each Blackstone member put a hand on each other’s shoulder and pulled Keith into their core. As his body went slack, they held him up and moved as one into the house. The howl that ripped from his throat would forever be embedded in my memory.

Frank stepped back and whispered quietly to Ty and Moore, while I stood and watched and realized that history was made this day. The Cartel had won this battle. There was now a crack in the Blackstone armor.

I felt the hot tears slip down my frozen cheeks. I hadn’t known Lexi well, but that didn’t mean my heart didn’t break for her and for the rest of them. A sudden thought of the kids pushed through, and my insides went to jelly as I thought of poor Brandon and Reagan and how they no longer had a mother. The ripple affect it would have on their lives would forever change them. I knew it would intensify the fear they’d have when their father left for a mission, and the blame Brandon carried that he was somehow responsible for his mother leaving would be worse than ever because he’d never had a chance to speak to her.

In that moment, I vowed I would do whatever it took to help them all get through this.

“Ivy,” my uncle was suddenly at my side, “are you all right?”

“It’s not me you should be asking.” I gave him a sad look, and he nodded.

“Let’s all get inside out of the cold,” Abigail called. “We’ll need a warm drink.” We followed her into the house. Then Abby, June, Sue, and I headed toward the kitchen.

I thanked my uncle then veered off to my room for a shower and some alone time. I felt they all needed privacy. The hot water began to thaw my body, and I let my tears flow with it down the drain. I would have felt funny crying with the others. What right did I have crying over someone I barely knew? Deep down, I suddenly felt like an outsider, but one with a job to do.

I cried for Keith and for the children and for Lexi, enough to ease the knot in my stomach. Then I felt the unresolved nerves of Ty’s upcoming trip to Afghanistan bubble to the surface. I leaned in and pressed my forehead to the tile and focused on my breathing. The last thing I needed was a panic attack.

In and out. In, slowly, and out, slowly.

I reached for the handle and turned off the water and stepped out. I dried myself then used the hum of the hairdryer to calm my thoughts and get my head on straight. I dabbed a light layer of makeup over my face to try to hide the evidence of my full-out sob fest. Then, dressed, I gave myself a pep talk and headed back downstairs, ready to be strong for those who needed it.

Daniel gave me a hug without saying anything. He kissed the top of my head and whisked off to wherever he was heading. Daniel was great that way; less was sometimes more.

“Tea?” Abby asked as I entered the kitchen. She dried her damp cheeks then tucked her handkerchief in the sleeve of her shirt. She was obviously trying hard to keep it together. These women were incredibly strong, and it was admirable.

“Maybe something stronger?” June opened the liquor cabinet and set a bottle of gin in front of me.

“I’m sorry, Sue.” I covered her hand with mine. “I wish I had something better to say at this time, but I don’t.”

“Sadly, dear,” her red eyes blinked more tears, “I think there was a part of all of us that half expected that call. Sometimes you just know.”

“We should all just be thankful she went fast, and not have the unthinkable happen.” Abby swallowed hard. “I just couldn’t imagine what they might have done to her. That poor man in there, if he’d had to see anything more than just her casket.” She covered her mouth with her hand.

“I know,” I said and rested my hand on Abby’s. Then Sue took her hand and placed it over mine. With that small gesture, I did feel I was part of all this and took some comfort from it.

“If there’s any light at all in this terrible thing, it’s that.”

June placed four gin and tonics on the counter in front of us then held one up.

“To Lexi. May you finally find peace, and may we get the answers we need to allow our men to serve out justice to all those awful people who did this.” We clicked our glasses and took a sip of what was apparently a triple shot of gin.

“Ivy?” Ty said from behind me, and I turned on the stool. “Can I speak with you?”

“Of course.” I dried my cheeks again as I followed him down the stairs into one of the conference rooms.

He closed the door behind me and frosted the glass on the doors. He pulled out a seat and waited for me to join him, then turned off the lights and turned on the laptop.

“I know we need to talk, and I’m sorry I disappeared.”

---