“Yeah bro, so that’s all she’s got on The Right Hand but she’s still a threat. I don’t know what you’re planning but I think you should give her a bit of your attention.”

“I agree, thank you for your input," answered the one the server had called over the phone. "Also, I’m really sorry that you had to go through all of that to get the information that you’re now passing on to me, bro. Don’t worry, I’ll make it all worth your while, in the end.”

“As long as you bring down the governor, bro, then we’re all good. We just can’t take any more of what he’s doing to our place. This is where we grew up and he’s been fucking it up ever since he came into office. This has got to stop,” the waiter stated with gritted teeth while he activated the speakerphone so he could get dressed.

“I know, and we promise you we will do what we can to deal with this as peacefully and as legally as possible to avoid any more bloodshed and violence. I wish I could do something about that directly but my hands are tied, and I could put a lot of lives in danger if I was compromised.”

“I know, and I understand," Brenner said as he put on underwear, not wishing to go commando when he faced the governor's wife once again. "Look, if not for you saving me and my family from that greedy old bastard, I wouldn’t even have a reason for living. I owe you more than my life, bro and I’m the last person you need to explain to. That’s why I’m here now and helping you out and I fully trust you with my life.”

“Thanks man, I need those little assurances every now and then. And of course, your help is really appreciated. I will have to talk to my contacts about this, just so we can come up with a counter. I'm truly grateful for this.”

“Yeah, my pleasure bro. Now I gotta go or she might have me for lunch,” Brenner replied as he put on a collared shirt that showed off his masculine torso quite well.

“I thought she already did…”

“Bro, please…” 

“Kidding dude. Just imagine she’s someone you like so she would be easier to take.”

“Does that really work? I mean, have you tried it?” the waiter asked as he put on a loose coat to cover his muscled contours that his shirt was displaying.

“No, never had to. She avoids me like the plague. Later bro, and be careful.”

“Later… for the pack that moves as one…”

“For the pack that moves as one… will wait for your next update.”

The call ended, and the one who received it sped dialed a number...

“Hello,” another male voice answered. This one’s lower, smoother and more authoritative than the one who had called him earlier. "Hope you've got something good for me, man."

” Hello, bro. Unfortunately, it's not. I just got disturbing news from one of our insiders. The governor’s bitch wife just used her sorcery to find The Right Hand. According to him, she succeeded.'

“WHAT?! Bro, that’s not good… not good at all…”

“Tell me about it! But since I haven’t been given an order to retrieve him, it only means they still don’t know where he is, despite knowing that he’s still alive. Either that or the governor is waiting for affirmation of his wife’s ‘readng’ before deciding to do anything about it. Or maybe even both of those reasons…” the caller explained while letting his hand go through his wavy, dark brown hair, more out of habit than frustration.

“Hmmmm… I think you should tell HIM about this, bro. Just as a warning…” replied the voice from the other line. "He should be aware so he will be ready for any eventualities."

“Yes, I will call him. Although I don't think the governor will be making himself visible in that place, even if he finds out that his precious assassin is there. Too many people in that place still know who he really is and he would be in real trouble if the villagers talked. Not unless the bastard decided to kill everyone in sight…” 

“Which is why we need to let my brother know about the bitch’s info, dude. On my part, I’ll get in touch with our sleeper agent in that village, just in case our enemies decide to make a stupid move.”

“Yes, it would be stupid for them to do anything now. Gives us some time to get the ball rolling. Speaking of which, what did Helena say about my suggestion? Is she ok with it?”

“I still haven’t talked to her about it. Got a little ‘busy’ but will do that tonight during our date.”

“You’re going to talk ‘business’ with her during your date? Bro, who are you and where is my close friend?”

“Ahahaha, very funny ‘close friend’, but yes, I can still talk business with her during date nights as long as it’s not the only thing we talk about.” 

“Yes, and knowing you, you probably end up talking more about it and you end up getting punished by Helena. Which I’m sure you don’t mind…”

“Haha, bro! How well you know me…”

“Well, I better not get in the way of your punishments then. Just let me know what Helena says, alright? I’ll be waiting.”

“Ok, you’ll get an answer tonight. Meanwhile, we need to think of a way to deal with this new information. And maybe find something to use against that shitty witch bitch.”

“I think I already know how, bro. Will keep you posted, as well. And please, don’t get punished too much. That’s speaking from experience.”

“Haha! Alright, later bro.”

The call ended.

“Will you be going back to your boss tonight?”

He turned around and saw her walking up to him. Seems like the kids were all asleep now since she didn’t have them with her at that time. Instinctively, he turned towards her with a smile and hugged her tightly while his mouth automatically moved towards hers.

Alicia allowed her husband to pull her towards him but swiftly turned her head away when he tried to kiss her.

Hero’s eyebrows knitted together, “What is it, beloved? Is it still about my wish that you leave the farmhouse?”

“Not the farmhouse, no. It’s you asking me to leave YOU behind. That’s what bothers me…”

“My love, please… that’s only to protect you and our children.”

“And what about you, beloved? What do you think will happen to me and the children if we lose you?”

“You will be safe, that’s what’s important to me.”

“We want you safe, that’s what’s important to us.”

Hero sighed, as he watched a tear fall from his mate’s eye. It was soon followed by another and he kissed both away, tasting the salt in her grief.

“I know you’re only thinking of us, Hero but I already lost my family before. I don’t want to lose the family that I have now with you.”

“I don’t want to lose any of you either my love, but alright, I won’t talk about that anymore. Please… I don’t want you grieving, my dear mate. This is a chance for us to be together and I don’t want it marred with your unhappiness. I’m sorry, let’s set it aside for now, shall we?”

The woman in his arms nodded while still sniffing, as more tears started to flow down her cheeks. He took out his handkerchief from his suit’s chest pocket and used it to wipe her face, while he continued to croon and whisper sweet words of assurances to his precious wife. 

“I’m sorry too, Hero. It’s not my intention that we had a fight in front of our guest, especially since this is practically the first time, he’s seen the kids. I shouldn’t have… Forgive me, I couldn’t help it…”

“Shhhh, it’s ok my love. I truly understand. Look, is there anything I can do to make you smile again? I really had no intention to upset you.”

“Well… you can bring me to the bedroom and… show me how much you missed me…”

Hero chuckled before replying, his eyes already burning with passion. “That’s already a given, my sweet wife. Is there anything else that you can think of?”

“Yes, I do but I don’t know if you’ll agree to it.”

“Ask me first then I’ll let you know.”

It took a while for his wife to reply. “Is it possible for you to ask your friend to find out more about my family… the one I left up there in the mountains… and I would really like to know how… my little brother is… right now…”

Hero stared right into her eyes and read the longing in them. Of course, he totally understood why she asked for this favor, and how she’s feeling about it. 

It didn’t take too long for him to give her an answer…

“Alright, I’ll go talk to him…”

+++

The Detective had been alone in the condominium apartment ever since he returned from the precinct. It suited him fine since he did need to concentrate on all the documents and images that he had brought home, and his biggest distraction has always been his soon-to-be-wife.

It’s as if the lyrics for the song “All of Me” by John Legend was made just for him regarding how he sees her. Yes, it’s not going to be easy to focus on his investigation if she was around. Even now, he found himself humming the song while it’s playing inside his head. 

Just as he was about to hit the chorus, he noticed something in the large photo that he had in hand. He immediately took out a flat rectangular shaped glass item from his shirt pocket - which was actually a high-end magnifying glass - and placed it on top of the questionable image. 

“What the heck… what is THAT doing there?”

He brought the photo nearer the lamp which he had set up on the dining table, along with the case box files and the other materials that he was studying. Bringing his face nearer to the photograph, he squinted at the image that his magnifying glass was blowing up and then twisted his lip.

“Yep, that’s his motorcycle, alright. But why the hell is his bike parked there if he had a car ready to take him home? And most importantly, where the hell is that vehicle now?”

Myron was about to pick up his mobile to dial Serg’s number when he heard the doorknob jiggling and then turning. In came his girlfriend, dressed in a pink body-hugging dress that showed off her curves and cuteness all at the same time. Her lean, fair-toned arms were loaded with grocery bags. 

“Honeyyyy, I’m hhhhhommme!” Raquel loudly announced in her cheery, girly tone. “Please help me…”

Even before she finished her sentence, the smiling 'boyfie' was already at her side, carefully taking the bigger paper bag from her. She flashed him her most grateful and charming smile as he felt the warmth and fuzziness spread throughout his arms and torso. 

He couldn’t help but give her a small peck on her lips before bringing the bag to the kitchen counter top. As Raquel joined him there, they started to bring out her purchases and classify them on the counter. They’ve already mastered this system of grocery shopping, unloading, arranging and putting the items away in the proper places that they could practically do it while they’re talking and blindfolded.

Well, they haven’t tried the blindfolded part but they did start talking. Mostly nonsensical but entertaining things…

“So, there was this guy who was following me around and kept choosing the exact items I was getting from the shelves...”

“Let me guess, before you got to the cashier, he asked you questions and they weren't about the groceries you got…”

“Oh wow, you’re so smart! That’s so amazing, baby!”

“You don’t need to be smart to figure that one out, baby girl. I mean, look at you…”

“Oh, stop it,” giggled Raquel as she gave him a can of peas and a bottle of olive oil, which her man easily placed on the top shelf of one of their kitchen cupboards. “Don’t worry, I didn’t give him my phone number, even if he asked.”

“Well, of course not,” Myron said with a wide, toothy grin. “I trust that my girl will always be loyal to me.”

Raquel smiled then gave him more cans and bottles to put on the top shelf. It was her way of avoiding her lover’s eyes so he couldn’t see the sudden worry and guilt in hers.

“You trust me to always be loyal to you,” she thought to herself. “God, how I wish that was true… Oh baby, I’m so sorry…”

Her mind had already gone into flashback mode, remembering the phone call she received from the governor that morning…

+++

“Are you sure that you don’t have anything else to report about him? I already know about his assignment. As a matter of fact, that’s what I sent him to do for me so no need to tell me about that.”

“Well… I have nothing else… to give you, Sir. Other than the fact that he still doesn’t have any idea that you know me or that you set us up to meet, I don’t have anything else to give you right now. I’m sorry for disappointing you.”

“As long as you keep telling me anything that he might be involved in, or anyone that he might be talking to that you feel is important. And most of all, do keep him enamored with you, dear girl. That is the most essential role that you need to play for us to consider you useful.”

Raquel found herself too scared to speak, just thinking of what her caller was insinuating. And yes, she knew exactly what had happened to many of the other girls like her who were suddenly tagged as “no longer useful” by the governor…

“Don’t worry, Sir. I promise you that he will never let me go. I did say that he’s already planning out our wedding since he gave me the ring…”

“True, and since you said yes, you truly have the advantage now. Do not lose that and he must never know about you and I talking, is that clear?”

“Yes, Sir. Crystal clear…”

“Good, until tomorrow then, my pet. Just don’t forget to text me if by chance he’s still in your apartment before our usual chat time. Goodbye for now.”

She whispered her answer to the disconnected caller since this is the only time when she’s brave enough to speak her mind…

“If only that was a permanent goodbye…”

+++

“What did you say, sweetheart?”

“H-huh,” Raquel suddenly stuttered, realizing that she had fazed out into memory lane. “W-what do you mean? I didn’t say anything… did I?”

And once again Myron melted as he looked down at the beautiful girl who was staring up at him with those large innocent eyes that slightly resembled a deer’s look when about to be hit by a car. Yes, the thought was indeed slightly gothic, but still very apt. 

Finally putting away the final grocery item that she had handed to him, he turned towards her and started to deeply kiss her. As her lips responded hungrily to his, he put one of his strong, sinewy arms behind her back while placing the other one under her knees…

In one smooth and swift movement, he brought her up into his arms and immediately carried her into their bedroom. Meanwhile, the little lady hugged his neck tightly as she moaned into his mouth.

The Detective's photo and the phone call would have to wait until later.

Much, much later…