Chapter 182

Louis woke up with the sun. Cherish was still asleep, her head on his chest. He gently slid out of bed and put on his trousers. He went to the balcony and looked out at the forest. He breathed in the cool, fresh air. His phone buzzed on the nightstand. He went back inside and picked it up. It was a message from Gladice.

Get up. We’re having burgers.

He smiled and replied.

Bon appétit.

He took a quick shower and got dressed. Cherish stirred and opened her eyes.

“Good morning,” she said, her voice soft.

“Good morning, Cherry,” he said. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,” she said. “Very well.”

“Good,” he said. “We have to get up. They are already having breakfast.”

“Okay,” she said, sitting up. “What are we having?”

“Burgers,” he said.

“Burgers?” she asked, rubbing her eyes. “For breakfast?”

“Yes,” he said. “Maeve’s request.”

“Wow,” she said. “I’d love to try that.”

“I thought you might,” he said. “Take your time. I’ll wait for you.”

“Thank you,” she said.

Louis took out his phone as she went to the bathroom. He scrolled through the news. The story about Raleigh Hills was all over the VOP network. The headline read: Common Roots Foundation Exposed: Terrorist Cell Linked to Sex Trafficking and Data Mining. He opened the article. A video showed the Dominion Guard raiding the house, the suspects being led away in handcuffs. A photo of Emily Brown and her baby was on the screen. He thought of her face and his promise. He called Robin.

“Robin. It’s Louis.”

“Good morning, Louis,” Robin said. “You need something?”

“How’s Ethan Brown?”

“He doesn’t know much. He’s a low-level employee. He was scared. He gave us everything he knew. Which isn’t much,” Robin said.

“When we were in his apartment, we found a porn site on the tablet, ‘Country Pleasures,’” Louis said. “Did he say anything about it?”

“Yes,” Robin said. “He said he watched porn sometimes. But he denied knowing that the site was connected to the foundation. The deception-analysis system found no sign that he was lying.”

“Fine,” Louis said. “Have you released him yet? His wife Emily is worried.”

“We are processing him. We will release him later today. We can’t have him talking to the press. Not yet. For now, we told Emily he is being questioned. It’s not a lie.”

“If she asks to see him, let her see him,” Louis said. “My order.”

“Understood,” Robin said. “Anything else?”

“Any progress on the ship? ‘The Tropical Mariner’?”

“It’s at the naval base in Bremerton,” Robin said. “My boys are searching it now. But it’s clean. So far.”

“What about the crew?”

“All Canadian citizens. They said their ship was chartered by a company in Vancouver a few weeks ago. They were told to standby until they received further instructions, which were to go to a location near the coast of Oregon to pick up ‘important passengers’ yesterday. They claimed they didn’t know who they were.”

“And the company in Vancouver?”

“A shell. Registered last month. We’re still digging.”

“So a dead end. For now,” Louis said.

“I’m afraid so,” Robin said. “But now you have a starting point for your vacation. Idaho Falls.”

“I do,” Louis said. “Keep me updated.”

“Will do, Louis. Enjoy your vacation. I’ve arranged for a security team to meet you later. They are the best in the Dominion Guard. I will send you their profiles.”

“I appreciate that,” Louis said.

“It’s my job,” Robin said. “And a pleasure.”

Louis hung up. Cherish came out of the bathroom, her face fresh and clean. She had put on a simple summer dress.

“Ready for your burger, Cherry?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, her eyes bright with excitement. “I’m very hungry.”

Louis took her hand and led her out of the room. They went downstairs to the breakfast room. The others were already there, sitting around the table. Maeve had already changed into her motorcycle leathers.

“Took you long enough,” Gladice said. “I’ve finished mine already.”

“Some of us were busy,” Louis said, smiling.

Cherish blushed and took a seat. Louis sat beside her. A servant placed a plate in front of each of them. A large cheeseburger on a brioche bun, with a side of crispy fries.

“It looks amazing,” Cherish said, looking at her plate.

“It is,” Maeve said. “I love it.”

Cherish picked up the burger and took a bite. “It’s so good.”

“Told you,” Maeve said.

Louis bit into his burger. The meat was juicy and flavorful, the cheese melted perfectly. It was different from his chef’s cooking back home, with a slightly smoky, char-grilled taste. He liked it.

“So, did you have fun with Cherry last night?” Gladice asked, winking at Louis. “She seems very relaxed this morning.”

Cherish blushed again and focused on her fries. “It was nice.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Cherry,” Gladice said. “I told you he’s good in bed.”

“He is,” Cherish said, her cheeks still red.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Angelique said, giving Gladice a look. “Let her eat in peace.”

“I’m just trying to be friendly,” Gladice said.

“I know,” Angelique said. “But you’re being a little too friendly.”

“Fine,” Gladice said, turning to Maeve. “So tell me, Mae-Mae. How many burgers can you eat? Let’s have a bet.”

“I’ve already had two,” Maeve said. “And I can have another one.”

“I bet you can’t eat more than three,” Gladice said.

“You’re on,” Maeve said. “What’s the prize?”

“The winner gets to have Louis tonight,” Gladice said.

“What?” Savannah said. “Y’all are making bets about him now?”

“Why not?” Gladice said. “He’s a prize. And we are a family. We should share.”

“He’s not a prize,” Donya said. “He’s a person. And he should decide who he wants to be with.”

“I’d like to be your prize.” Louis grinned.

“I know you would,” Gladice said, smiling. “And I appreciate it.”

“You know we are going to sleep on an RV tonight, right?” Willa said. “It’s not like we have a lot of privacy or space.”

“We’ll manage,” Gladice said. “We always do.”

“I’m more concerned about the security team,” Angelique said. “How many of them are there? And where will they stay?”

Louis took out his phone and opened the message Robin sent. “Sixteen of them. Four SUVs.”

“Damn,” Maeve said. “That’s a lot.”

“They are the best,” Louis said. “And they will be our escort and backup.”

“Are they going to stay with us in the RV?” Cherish asked.

“Of course not,” Louis said. “They will stay in their own vehicles. Or in hotels. But they will always be nearby. Watching over us.”

“I hope they are not too intrusive,” Donya said.

“They are professionals,” Louis said. “And they know their job. They will not bother us unless it’s necessary.”

“I hope so,” Willa said. “I don’t like being watched.”

“None of us do,” Savannah said. “But it’s better than being kidnapped or killed.”

“True,” Willa said. “I guess I can live with a little surveillance for the sake of safety.”

“Me too,” Donya said.

“And I’m looking forward to meeting them,” Gladice said. “I hope some of them are cute and single.”

“Focus, Glads,” Angelique said. “This is not a dating service.”

“It could be,” Gladice said. “A girl can dream, right?”

“Right,” Maeve said. “And a girl can also eat three burgers. And win the bet.” She took a large bite of her third burger.

“We’ll see about that,” Gladice said.

Louis finished his burger and wiped his mouth with a napkin. His phone buzzed again. A message from Robin.

The RV has arrived at Portland International Airport.

“It’s here,” Louis said, showing the message to Angelique.

“Already?” Angelique asked. “That was fast.”

“My father’s contacts work fast,” Louis said. “Let’s go and get it. The security team will meet us there.”

“Let’s finish our breakfast first,” Gladice said. “I want to see Maeve eat her fourth burger.”

“I’m not sure I can eat a fourth one,” Maeve said, looking at her plate. “But I will try.”

“Don’t force yourself,” Louis said. “We have a long drive ahead. And I don’t want you to get sick.”

“He’s right, Maeve.” Angelique turned to Gladice. “The bet is off. We need to get ready.”

“Fine,” Gladice said. “But I’m still keeping my eye on you, Louis.”

“I’m counting on it,” Louis said.

They finished their breakfast. The servants were already loading their luggage into the cars.

“I want to drive the RV,” Maeve said.

“We have autopilot,” Louis said. “But you can take over when we are on the open road.”

“Good,” Maeve said. “I want to see what this German thing can do.”

“I’m more interested in the interior design,” Willa said. “And the security features.”

“We’ll see about that soon,” Louis said. “Let’s go.”

He led the women out of the mansion. The Bourbons were waiting for them at the door.

“Have a safe trip, Louis,” Philip said, shaking his hand. “Good luck. And be careful.”

“Thank you, Philip,” Louis said. “I will.”

“Take care of everyone,” Maria said, hugging Angelique. “And take care of yourself.”

“I will, Mom,” Angelique said. “Don’t worry.”

“I want to go with you,” Charles said, looking at the cars.

Jacques punched him on the shoulder. “Don’t be silly. You have school.”

“I know,” Charles said, rubbing his shoulder. “But it’s more fun with them.”

“You’ll have your own adventures someday,” Louis said, ruffling his hair. “I promise.”

Charles grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Jacques extended a hand to Louis. “Take care of yourself, Louis. Don’t be kidnapped again.”

“I’ll try not to,” Louis said, shaking his hand.

Angelique hugged her brothers. “Goodbye.”

They got into the cars. Louis drove the Mustang again. The others followed.

“Your family is nice,” Donya said over the comms.

“They are,” Angelique said. “Even if Jacques can be a little overprotective sometimes.”

“He’s just worried about you,” Louis said. “I never asked. How was he doing after we were kidnapped?”

“He was very furious and worried,” Angelique said. “He tried to convince our fathers to start a war with Dixie to get us back.”

“That sounds like him,” Louis said. “He has a temper.”

“He does,” Angelique said. “But he has a good heart. He loves me.”

“I know,” Louis said. “I thought he didn’t like me that much before what happened.”

“He didn’t,” Angelique said. “But he respects you now. Because you protected me. And because you brought me back.”

“Good,” Louis said. “That’s all I want.”

They merged onto the highway toward the airport.

“I called my parents last night,” Donya’s voice came through the comm. “And I shared some photos with them. They were very happy to see me. But they were also very worried when I told them about our plan to go to the Central Union.”

“What did you tell them?” Savannah asked.

“Not the whole truth, of course,” Donya said. “I just told them we were going on a road trip. And that we had security. They were relieved. But still not convinced.”

“They should be,” Savannah said.

“Have you contacted your parents again, Savvy?” Louis asked.

“Yes. They are still in Atlanta,” Savannah said. “Marcus said they were safe. But they were still scared. The city ain’t a good place to be right now. A lot of purges. They are trying to keep supplies running in Old Downtown.”

“Is the underground network still working?” Angelique asked.

“Yes, but it’s hard,” Savannah said. “A lot of people have been arrested or killed. Marcus is doing what he can. But he’s worried too.”

“We should extract your family from Atlanta and bring them here,” Louis said. “To the Dominion. I can make it happen.”

Savannah was silent for a moment. “I don’t know. Marcus is stubborn. He wanna stay. He feels responsible for the people there.”

“He can’t save everyone,” Louis said. “But we can save as many as possible.”

“I know,” Savannah said. “But he won’t leave without a fight. He’s my father. He has to be the hero.”

“I get it,” Louis said. “Let me know if he changes his mind. I’ll ask my father to contact the Collective. Maybe they can send an infiltration team to help.”

“I’ll ask him,” Savannah said. “Thank you, Louis.”

“Anything for you, Savvy,” Louis said.

They reached the airport. The security guards waved them through a private gate. They drove across the tarmac and parked near a large hangar. Then they saw the RV. Louis opened his mouth slightly without noticing. He had expected a big vehicle. But this was something else.