Page 115 of Creed

He sighed. “You’d really risk our cover with a couple of teenagers?”

“They wont talk, they’ll be scared out of their minds. They’ll eventually get their shit together if we work them hard enough. Come on, you can’t tell me the men wouldn’t kill to meet the kid that nearly shit on Bieber. He’s already a legend.” I rolled my eyes.

I was in Malibu with Addie. We just got back from a pizza joint and then we went out for ice cream. We still had a few hours before Morgan would be back, so I was killing some time by checking up on things back home. We had two more days, and we could finally head east.

Melissa gave Addie her bath for me then I gave her a wave as she headed out to her room. Eventually, when I was home and able to keep Addie, Melissa would be with Morgan. I guessed I wasn’t quite ready to handle bath time by myself. What if I got the water too hot or hurt her little head as I tried to brush out all the knots? Nope, I told Morgan before Addie even came home that I’d do all the fun stuff and none of the bathroom stuff.

“Hey, I gotta hop off here. It’s time for bed and I have a book to read to a certain little angel.”

“Yeah, a badass and perfect as hell little angel. I love that kid. Tell her Uncle Mike misses her, and I’ve got a Nerf gun with her name on it when she comes back.” All the men loved my kid.She was the best kid ever to live on this earth, so of course they all loved her.

“Will do, talk to you later.” I ended the call and walked toward Addie’s room.

It must have been late when Morgan returned. I was already asleep, and I tried to wait up as long as I could do it. For the next two days, Addie, Melissa and I went to every interview Morgan gave. Then we went back to Malibu while she met with Jake and a few studio heads. Melissa and I used that time to pack, and I gave Jason the instructions of what to pack from the house and have shipped to Creed’s Lake. Melissa and Morgan’s lawyer met with a real estate agent to see about listing the beach house for sale. Jason was responsible for taking care of clearing the house and having it cleaned. I did not offer Jason employment. Morgan told him she would give him a severance and a good reference. I simply didn’t have anywhere to put Jason. He didn’t have the military or police training for security, and he of course could never take a mission. The man was never a soldier and had no experience. It wasn’t like he wasn’t employable, he would find a new job.

As far as my mother was concerned, we would not have a close relationship. I thanked her for telling the story, but she was right, she failed me as a mother. I did not exclude the chance to communicate and visit every so often, but I didn’t want a heavy presence from her or Jonathan in my life. I did agree to meet the boys and see what I thought about helping, but that wasn’t for Nicole’s sake. It was for the boys and the boys only. They were my brothers, and I was open to the idea of having them in my life. Karter was in a very bad situation, and he absolutely needed some help, and Weston needed a boot up his ass.

I spoke with Morgan, and she was very happy with my decision, which I wouldn’t admit was totally based on her encouragement, and was fine with having all of them over for dinner so I could meet the boys. Morgan already knew them, so I guessed Addie and I were the only ones they didn’t know. Morgan’s exact words about the boys were that they were adorable but spoiled and resentful. I think she might have said something also about entitled. As far as Jonathan, I didn’t care to have him around. I knew I couldn’t trust him anymore than I trusted my mother.

Morgan invited Jake, and his parents since they were in town. To be honest, I didn’t mind my aunt and uncle at all. I might have even said I liked them a lot. Jake was alright, but I still fucking hated him for touching my girl. I didn’t care it was for a movie. Some things are sacred and Morgan’s body sure as hell was sacred to me.

I just finished helping Addie pack when Morgan returned. I knew she was exhausted and the first thing I did was pull her into my arms. “I know you’re exhausted, and I appreciate your help tonight.” I pecked her lips.

“I think this could be a good thing. I think you’ll like the boys. I like them, and you just have to keep in mind that they’ve been starved of having the guidance of their parents. Now suddenly their parents are breathing down their throats, so yeah, they might rebel some.”

“Are you sure you are okay having Nicole and Jonathan in your house?” I pecked her lips again.

“I’ve dealt with them my entire adult life, I think I can manage one night.” She then pecked my lips. “I need to shower and get all this fake crap off. I’ll be out in a bit.

Two hours later I was watching something that made me a little uncomfortable. Addie had a look in her eyes that seemed to come straight from hell. She was staring at the two young men that were my half brothers. I watched as they both shifted uncomfortably in their seats as Nicole placed food on the dining room table that she supposedly prepared herself at home and brought it over. Every once in a while, Addie would make a fist and fake one of my brothers out. I leaned down and whispered in Addie’s ear. “Be nice, you’re scaring them.”

“What’s going on in here?” Nicole asked as she looked around the room. Addie dropped her little devil face and smiled like an angel at the woman. That was only because Nicole brought her one very large and sugary cupcake for just her.

“Its quiet in here.” Nicole looked at each of us.

“Have you ever seen the movie The Shining, mom?” Weston asked.

“Yes.” Nicole answered.

“Lets just say we’re lucky there’s not two of them.” Weston kept his eye on Addie.

“That’s just silly.” Nicole turned and left the room. Addie stuck her tongue out at Weston, and he leaned back.

“That’s creepy.” He then looked at me. “She has to be related to mom.”

Everyone busted out laughing, including Jonathan and Kenny. I put my arm around Addie. “She’s an angel once you earn her trust. Aren’t you, Addie?”

She looked up at me and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and smiled. “I be like da big guy when I gwow up.”

Kenny laughed. “What’s so great about the big guy?”

“He hurts da bad guys doe we stay safe like wif Auntie Morgan.” Addie smiled proudly.

“He’s a pretty brave guy, isn’t he?” Kenny asked and Addie nodded real big.

“Is it true? You really were in Delta Force?” Weston asked.

I let my arm rest on Addie’s chair and leaned back. “Yeah, Delta Force and a few other tactical squadrons that are now dismantled.” I answered.

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