Page 52 of Healing Love

Cam recited his observations of the mission, the camp, the compound, and the rescue. His words were precise, clinical. Non emotional. He noticed the glances of the others around the table, but he was not going there.No fuckin’ way are they getting more.

Jack listened, taking notes as Cam spoke. When the report was given, he turned to Blaise. “What does the DEA say? More security needed?”

Blaise answered, “The agents I talked to yesterday seem to think that this is over. Miriam and Cam’s interviews didn’t provide any new information, just confirmation of what the DEA already knew. Juaquim is the local leader of that area. Made a shit load of money on the backs of the farmers who barely make enough to feed their families. Miriam was able to give them some information on his private compound and the activities of a Dr. Villogas, but, other than that, they felt like she’s in no danger. Nothing that would make anyone want to come here to harm her.”

The group was silent as their eyes gravitated toward Cam. Jack turned back to Cam and asked, “What’s your opinion?”

Sighing heavily, he said, “Got no reason to think that she’s in further danger. We’ve got Alberto and Manuel working on having the DEA keep her out of the media, but that’s not to say that it won’t be noticed soon. Probably everyone she worked with at the hospital knows she was missing and when she shows back up, they’re going to have questions. How was the localnews?”

Bart replied, “News reporters camped outside her parents’ home for a while until Jobe and the rest of Tony’s men convinced them they needed to move along. When no news was coming, the reporters left looking for bigger stories. Now that she’s back? Don’t know.”

“I’ll stay in touch with Jobe to make sure the family is covered with security, although Tony’s probably already taking care of his needs. I want us to work with Alvarez Security on that,” Jack added. The others nodded and he saw a flash of gratitude in Cam’s eyes.

“Then are we all agreed to keep Miriam Delaro on as a security risk for now?”

“Absolutelys” and “fuck yeahs” were heard around the table. Eyes twinkling, Luke grinned and said, “Right. Then I’m going to set up a continuous intel link into Juaquim’s setup.” He looked over at Blaise and said, “What I find for the DEA, it’ll be your call to let them know, but I’m only keeping an eye out for anything that pertains to Miriam.”

The others chuckled knowing how Luke lived for hacking into the computer systems of those they were investigating.

Blaise nodded in agreement as Jack noted that he would inform Jobe and Tony about their plans.

The meeting adjourned and the eight men headed upstairs to the main level of Jack’s house. As soon as they reached the living level the scent of cinnamon filled the air. Bethany was standing in the kitchen having just pulled out a huge apple cobbler from the oven.

“Jesus, I missed this,” Cam exclaimed, rounding the breakfast bar to get a better whiff.

Bethany turned her face toward him and, once she set the hot dish on the cooling rack, she walked over, offering him a hug. “Welcome home, Cam.”

He returned the hug, saying, “Hear a lot happened while I was gone.”

Letting go of the large man and turning her attention to Jack as he prowled over to her, she smiled. “Yeah, it’s been kinda crazy. I guess Jack filled you in?”

Cam nodded and watched his boss kiss the top of Bethany’s head.Jack thought he’d never be able to fit Bethany into his world. Guess he found out that she fits perfectly with him.

Offering a sincere smile, he said, “Good to see you two together.”

Jack accepted his congratulations, before saying, “You’d better serve this up, babe, before the crowd gets restless.”

Laughing, Bethany dished out hearty servings of the cobbler to the Saints and they all retired to Jack’s large deck overlooking his property with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background.

The group settled into comfortable conversation, Bethany joining right in, as they devoured the treat. Jack often held post-meeting gatherings here or in his massive den. Having served in the Special Forces, he knew the importance of bonding with the men who needed to have your back and understanding them so that you could have theirs.

The conversation slowly turned toward Cam’s latestmission as Bethany asked, “Tell me about Miriam once you escaped? How did she handle everything?”

“She was great,” Cam responded quickly. “Never complained. I told her straight out that she needed to follow my every command, even if she didn’t understand it. She had no problem doing it and it probably saved our lives several times. She ate what I had for her, slept when we could. I did the paddling, but she worked to keep the canoe afloat when the rain was pouring down. When we had to climb down a steep mountain side, taking the canoe with us, she did everything just right.”

The group fell silent listening to their comrade describe his admiration for Miriam.

“Sounds like an amazing woman,” Bethany said softly, seeing the struggle in Cam’s expression. “Like someone worth knowing. Maybe even…worth fighting for.”

“Babe,” Jack warned, giving her a little squeeze.

Cam’s eyes jumped quickly to hers, but instead of seeing mirth, he saw understanding. Nodding slowly, he said, "I agree, Bethany. She is someone worth fighting for. But the right person needs to be doing the fighting.”

He watched as Bethany cocked her head to the side and knew the other men had stopped eating and were watching him carefully.

Jack spoke first. “Sounds a lot like me a couple of months ago, thinking that my life had nothing to offer a woman like that.”

Bethany put her hand on Jack’s chest, glancing athim before turning her gaze back to Cam, who was staring off in the distance.

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