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“Yes, ma’am.” Lena smiled at the man, nodding.
“She asks because I’m Navajo. So is the husband of that woman over there. Noelle’s husband is Mohave Apache.”
“That’s very cool,” nodded the younger man. “My folks still live on the rez in North Dakota.Standing Rock Sioux.”
“Do you get back much?” asked Lena with a keen interest. She loved it when the younger generations of indigenous people were curious about their history and carried that forward.
“As often as I can. I’m working a lot, so it can be challenging. When I was deployed, it seemed like years between visits home. It’s not exactly easy to get to.”
“What branch did you serve in?” asked Kari, giving him a curious expression.
“I was a Marine, ma’am. Ten years. Deployed for six of those. Married before I left the first time. She filed for divorce while I was gone.”
“I’m sorry,” said Kari.
“Don’t be. We weren’t right for one another. It was a hasty decision based on loneliness and the stupidity of eighteen-year-old hormonal kids,” he smirked. “The second wife I married two weeks after my last deployment. She thought I was going back. I knew I wasn’t. Let’s just say that was disappointing to her. So, two marriages. Two divorces. No children, and I’m suddenly an FBI agent chasing bank robbers through state land.”
“It’s a good occupation,” said Kari. “Sophia’s husband was an FBI agent at one time. We have a few others as well. In case you didn’t know it, most of these men were Special Forces.”
“Seriously?” he smiled.
“Yep. Rangers, SEALs, MARSOC, Coast Guard, Air Force, Green Berets, and Delta. These guys are no joke.”
“Wait. Are you, or were you, REAPER?” asked an older agent.
“That’s us,” said Marie.
“So, these guys are Gray Wolf and your kids, or the younger guys, they’re all Voodoo Guardians?” The two agents and two rangers stared at the women.
“Yes. That’s right,” said Grace, looking at the men now. “Is that a problem?”
“Absolutely not, ma’am. We had no idea. You tell us what you need here, and we’ll do it.” Grace looked at the four men, then back at all the women.
“Son, we didn’t tell you that to get you to do things for us. As you’ve seen, we’re quite capable all on our own.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Peter, “but we should be doing the work here, not you.”
“Oh, good lord, don’t pull that shit on us,” said Faith. “We’re all grown women, capable, many here served as well. You’re here in case the bad guys come back this way and try to take one of us. That’s why you’re here.”
They all nodded, but the women could tell that they were nervous after learning about their husbands. Sometimes it was better just to keep it to yourself.
With the food simmering over the fires, medical stations ready and stocked for any injuries, they felt confident about being prepared. The scout leader had been taken to the hospital, where he was being treated for his injuries, which included broken ribs and fingers, thanks to one of the convicts.
“We’ll take shifts on watch,” said Vince, looking at the agents and the rangers.
“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.
“You don’t have to call me sir,” said Vince. “We’re one team here. Everyone shares the work.” Baptiste pointed to Nash and one of the rangers.
“The three of us will take first watch. We’ll wake you when it’s your turn unless something changes in the night.”
“Should we evacuate the women?” asked the second FBI agent.
“What’s your name?” asked Bull.
“Saul Goldstein, sir.” Bull rolled his eyes, letting out a long, slow breath.
“Saul, my name is Bull. Not sir. In case you missed it, these women caught two of the convicts, had them hog-tied, and waiting for us. They are intelligent, strong, capable women who technically don’t need any of us.
