Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“I love you,” Trent mumbled, back asleep within seconds. Gage laid there for several hours, holding Trent until his alarm alerted him of the time. It woke Trent, too. Gage dressed silently and Trent stayed where he lay, watching him dress, a look of resignation on his face. The thin summer blanket covered his legs and cock, but not his chest. Trent looked so good lying in that bed. Gage ran his fingers through his hair and walked back to the bed, bending down to place a chaste kiss on Trent’s lips.
“Keep the kids home with you today, I don’t know how long this will take. I’ll call you as soon as I can.” With that, Gage left.
Chapter 22
With barely enough time to run a comb through his hair and brush his teeth, Gage heard the buzzer sound below in the gallery. General Porter made record time in getting to Chicago. It was just turning six in the morning which did a lot to signify how important the government took his request, and they should. In the past, Gage made them run around chasing their asses on a couple of different reports he’d done. They needed to take him seriously.
He used the intercom to buzz him in and immediately took the stairs down two at a time. He forced himself to appear confident, easy going, and in control of this situation. Not showing the ball of nerves raging through his heart and head. Everything shifted inside him. He guessed his career never really meant too much to him. He never worried about it like he worried about Trent. Everything in him needed to make sure Trent and his babies were safe instead of finalizing the details on the raid for the last report of his life. Boy, Sid was seriously gonna be some kind of pissed off at him.
“Porter, thank you for coming so quickly,” Gage said, striding through the gallery.
“I’ve learned my lesson. The place looks great, Synclair. I saw the photos of opening night. You’ve done well for yourself,” the general said. As defense advisor to the president of the United States, Porter ranked rather high on the totem pole.
“Thank you. It’s been a labor of love. Come in to my office, let’s talk there. It’s secure,” Gage said, raising his hand toward the glass structure and walking toward the door. The entourage following behind Porter stopped at his raised hand. They stayed outside the office door as the men entered. Gage continued into the front office, the blinds to the front were partially open and he could see two armed military guards stationed out front, with four or five solid black SUVs parked right alongside the sidewalk.
The US military never did anything discreetly; the main reason they weren’t included in any of his projects up until now. They wanted to make sure everyone in the neighborhood knew they were there. Gage pulled out a chair to the small conference table for Porter and circled around to the coffee station against the glass wall. His laptop and the file folder he’d showed Trent were sitting in front of Porter’s seat. He’d removed all the evidence of Trent and the children, saving them for last, or not at all, depending on how this went down.
“I have to tell you, I’m honestly surprised. I knew you were cooking something up. You’ve been in Mexico twice in a matter of a few weeks, but I never expected you to call me in,” he said, once the door closed, taking his seat.
“Things change, would you like some coffee?” Gage asked.
“Sure, but let’s get down to it,” the general said. Gage took the remote on the table and darkened the office walls, shutting them completely in. A knock came immediately from the office door, but Porter called out to let the guards by the door know there was no danger. Gage offered the first cup of coffee to the general, placing the cream and sugar on the table, and Gage took the second cup, keeping it black. He took a long drink of the steamy hot brew, gathering himself.
“I’ve prepared a folder for you. I’ll ask you not to move forward on the information contained in this file until I’ve given you adequate background information. But first, I need some guarantees,” Gage said, taking his seat at the table.
“I didn’t expect anything less,” he replied.
“I’ve come across an unexpected bump in the road in finalizing this report. There’s an unexpected family involved. I can’t find any connection at all with the suspect or the situation. They’re as clueless to this as you, and I want them spared,” Gage said, casually crossing one leg over the other and flicking a piece of dust off his slacks as he spoke. He hoped the movement hid the pounding of his heart.
“Well, of course, if it turns out they aren’t involved, we would never—” Porter started.
“No, you misunderstand. To get my information on the front end, not the back end, I need the guarantee they will never be brought into any of this, no matter what. Their names will be stricken from my reports, never to enter back in. I need your guarantee,” Gage said, looking the general straight in the eye while taking another long drink of the coffee. He kept his face passive and blank; he blinked. This was plan A, B, and C. All eggs in one basket to make sure Trent wasn’t touched by any of this.
“All right, can you guarantee they absolutely weren’t involved?” Porter said, leaning in, linking his fingers together on the table.
“Yes, I can.”
“And if it turns out you’re wrong?” Porter asked. A moment of silence followed where Gage just stared down the general.
“I still want them untouched,” he said.
“Now, Synclair,” Porter hedged.
“It’s the deal. Your choice,” Gage said. The general sat there, drumming his fingers on the table, looking at Gage, and he stared back passively watching the other man.
“And this report’s worth that kind of unverified guarantee from our government?”