Page 75 of Tango

“Mom.”

“Ty, honey, is that you?” The happiness in her voice made me feel guilty.

“Yeah,” I croaked and brushed a pesky tear away.

“I’m so glad to hear from you. Is everything okay?” She picked up on my mood. “I heard you were back in Washington.”

“I am.” I took a deep breath, and everything inside me started to loosen and untangle. “We just got back and are here to debrief.” I gave her the truth; she deserved it.

“Hopefully a successful mission.” She kept her tone easy, which I appreciated. “When do you head back home?” The word home and what that meant to me now seemed to open a door I didn’t even know I was behind.

“Mom, I,” again my words stuck, “I’m sorry that I closed myself off from all of you when I joined the military.” She went silent, and I heard her sniff.

“Ty, you don’t have—”

“I do, Mom. It’s long overdue.” I used the back of my hand to catch the tears and was pleased I was alone at that moment. “I know how much you didn’t want me to join, and when I did, I know it crushed you all. Coming home became harder and harder because I know I was a disappointment. I channeled my guilt into work, and I let nearly a decade go by without you.” I paused to gather my words.

“I’m happy where I am now, Mom. Way happier than when I was in Afghanistan. I never thought I’d say that, but I am. I want you in my life, and I want you to know the woman I love. I want you to be there and be a grandmother to our kids. I’m so sorry for what it did to you, Dad, and Shelly. I’m gonna make up for lost time.”

“Ty,” she stopped my rambling, “sweetheart, how could you ever be a disappointment to us?” Her voice trembled. “Look at the man you’ve become. You fight for what’s right, you work hard, and now you’ve let someone into your heart who I know loves you back just as much. Yes, we were scared as hell when you left, but you’re our baby boy. What parents wouldn’t be terrified of their son leaving to fight in war?”

I felt the last of the tightness in my chest go as she spoke. It all slipped away as she shared her feelings with me.

“Sure, we were a lot when you came home, and made a fuss over you, but that was because we were so happy you were home safe. That’s my right as a mother. The only disappointment we felt, Ty, was when you didn’t come see us and pulled away. If we didn’t want to see you, do you think we’d have left everything and moved lock, stock, and barrel to Redstone, Montana?” She laughed lightly. “Though I can tell you no part of me misses the city.”

“True,” I huffed with a hint of lightness to my voice.

“We clawed our way back into your life, and now it’s up to you to let us in.”

“I want that.”

“I want it, too.” I could hear her smile through her words. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah.”

“Will you say hi to your father?” I grinned and knew he probably hovered around her like a bee.

“Yeah, I’d love that.”

This was just what I needed.

Paul

The teams were staggered throughout The Salt Line-Navy Yard, one of the more popular seafood restaurants in town. Sloane apparently loved the place and recommended the chowder when I spoke to her about where we were going. She also made sure I knew exactly what I needed to do and say to keep things legal. We couldn’t afford any mistakes.

Moore and Mike took tables in the outdoor seating area under the heat lamps while Mark and Ty went inside and took seats at the back. Close enough to watch but not be recognized. Gear and I were the ones who were to play out phase one of the plan. Mainly because no one knew I’d returned from the dead and Gear was new to the city. The others went to get ready for phase two.

“What can I get you?” The young waitress smiled at Ty, then looked down at the device in her hand, ready to take their order. Our radios were tucked in our ears so we could talk freely between tables and not look suspicious.

“I’ll have a bowl of clam chowder, please.” He handed her the menu.

“Oh,” Mark purred, and his pleasure came across loud and clear on the radio as he studied the menu. I smirked from across the room. I knew we shouldn’t have let him come, but Ty had to learn that when there’s food involved, so was a Lopez. “I’ll have that, too, plus,” he held up a finger while he squinted to think, “a side of fried clam bellies and some Parker house rolls.” He flashed her one of his famous smiles, and I shook my head. We all could pack away a lot of food, but Mark was an endless pit. It was comical that he hadn’t changed one bit.

“They’re here. Approaching front door.” Mike’s voice filled us in on what we couldn’t see. Mike wasn’t an easy man to miss, and I was concerned about him when we arrived. I needn’t have worried. He was dressed in a black hoodie with the hood up because it was cold, which helped to conceal his tattooed body. He had positioned himself perfectly so Hill and Rivera wouldn’t spot him as they walked by the enclosed glass structure.

Hill was Ty’s age but would have some knowledge of who Blackstone was. After all, Blackstone were a legend. There were some who knew what we looked like. Frank and Daniel had done a good job of keeping our identities quiet. But if you met Mike Irons once, you’d never forget him.

I swore the energy in the place shifted when Hill walked in. If you didn’t know to watch, you’d have missed Ty square his shoulders and his left leg start to bounce. When he caught me tap my thigh, he stopped moving, lowered his head, and used the beak of his hat to shield his face. Mark was deep in his fried clams, but I knew the guy was keenly aware of what happened around him. His demeanor never changed as he continued to eat.

---