Page 45 of Tony

She wrote about the teens receiving free food, the young age of the workers, and the change in Betina’s personality at work and when she was alone with Sherrie. Her mother seemed to care and while Mr. Valesquez gave her a bad vibe, his actions had been nothing but good.Is Betina just a troubled teen, who is rebelling from the rules in her home?Determined to report the absolute truth to the judge the next month, she vowed to keep an eye on Betina’s situation.Something’s just not right.

* * *

Tony sat in his office, looking over the requests for private security. He had determined after the fiasco with a Hollywood starlet and Gabe months ago that Alvarez Security would no longer provide ongoing private security, although it was lucrative. His company did very well with the security systems they installed and monitored, as well as the occasional private security detail.

“Hey, Tony,” came a soft voice from the doorway.

He looked up, smiling at Lily before nodding to the chair in front of his desk. “What’s up?” he asked.

“I just wanted to know how things were going.” She blushed before rushing on, “I know it’s none of my business but Sherrie is a friend and well…you seem…happy today.”

“I’m not usually happy?” he said dryly, trying to keep the corners of his mouth from turning up.

Rolling her eyes, Lily just smirked. “Uh, no boss. You don’t usually have a goofy grin on your face.”

“A goofy grin?” came another voice from the doorway. Gabe came in uninvited, but since Tony had an open door policy he could hardly keep anyone out.

“Who’s got a goofy grin?” Vinny asked, walking in on the heels of his twin, with BJ right behind.

Looking at Lily, Tony quipped, “You couldn’t have just come in to ask about the weather?”

“Sorry, Tony,” she said with a smile. “But honestly, we just want to see you happy.”

“Things are going well, thank you.”

“Hell, Captain. That’s not much of an answer,” Gabe exclaimed. “What the hell am I supposed to tell Jennifer when she asks?”

“You telling me you don’t think your wife hasn’t already called Sherrie to see what is going on?”

Gabe ducked his head in embarrassment. “Yeah, she might have said something like that.”

Jobe strolled in, overhearing the conversation. “You all are acting like a bunch of women,” then quickly added, “Present company excepted, of course,” looking at Lily.

“Well, I don’t mind asking. Are you and Sherrie a couple now?” Lily countered.

Tony looked at the friends in his office, the ones he considered to be in his inner circle. His company had grown and there were numerous employees, but his former military brothers along with BJ and Lily were squarely in the friend category. And he knew they cared.

Nodding, he smiled and said, “Yes. Sherrie and I are together. And she decided to throw a party next weekend for our friends to celebrate with us. Y’all are all invited. Spouses too, of course.”

Lily stood, turning to walk toward the door. Stopping, she glanced back over her shoulder with a huge smile on her beautiful face. “I’m excited for you Tony. I can’t think of anyone who deserves to be happy more.” With that, she and BJ left his office, leaving him with his three brothers-in-arms.

“Captain, it goes without saying but I’m gonna say it anyway. Lily’s right—you deserve all the happiness in the world and we all think Sherrie is awesome for you,” Jobe said, as Gabe and Vinny agreed.

Taking a deep breath, Tony nodded at his former squad, knowing they had all been with him in his darkest hour. Now it was time for them to celebrate a new beginning.

“Okay, time for business,” he drawled, motioning for the others to sit down. “I’ve been looking over the requests that are coming in and business is so good that we are at a point of picking and choosing what jobs we take.” Glancing up at Gabe, he continued, “I know we are in agreement about no long-term security service contracts, but we have several for just one-time events or escorts.”

“Got any actresses or hot female musicians?” Vinny asked, only partially joking.

Tony smiled, acknowledging, “I might have something that I think will be just down your alley, but I’m still negotiating.”

“Hot damn, just what I’ve been waiting for,” he quipped.

Tony knew Vinny’s reputation with women involved consensual sex only…no strings, no complications, and rarely repeat performances.Yeah Vinny, I may have just the job for you.Moving on, the men discussed the upcoming security details, outlining what resources were needed.

“Jobe, anything new on those missing girls?”

Jobe shook his head in frustration. “Like they just disappeared. No one at the bus or train stations remembers them. We’ve checked with local schools to see if they recognized them, in case they tried to register. We looked into homeless shelters and checked with DSS.”

---