All three guards knew instinctively that there was important work ahead for Kenn, serious accomplishments that would benefit them all, but they also sensed there was something not quite right, not completely true, about the new man.
"The Boss has you with us. It means he probably already has a job in mind for you," Kyle stated from the front passenger seat, turning to look at the 9 mm on Kenn's hip. When their eyes met, the Eagle thought they would probably never drink from the same bottle. There was something hinky about the new guy.
Kenn frowned back at the stocky guard with the tanned skin and black curls. Mobster? "Like what? We just met."
All three men hesitated, shrugging, and Kenn sensed it was respect that kept their mouths shut. Those were the boss man's questions and these were his closest men.
"Could be anything," Neil said finally, green eyes unreadable as he ran a hand over shoulder-length brown hair in a movement that implied disappointment and just a little bitterness.
"Mechanic, baby sitter, it's hard to tell. He sees things in people, finds their talents."
Neil paused, looking at him in the mirror with eyes that were polite, but not friendly. "Hell, he might think you should be one of us."
Kenn took the cigarette that was offered and handed the bottle of water to the boy relaxing next to him, aware of the red-vested giant watching the teenager. Maybe wondering what stories Charlie might tell if he were alone? Kenn would make sure that didn't happen for a while.
"Sounds like a club," Kenn provoked lightly, testing the water, and drew a warning from the Irishman in the swivel seat in front of them.
"It is. We're his chain of command and we support him - completely," Doug stated.
Kenn smiled easily, his cool eyes shuttered, clearly not intimidated. "I'd like to be able to do that. We owe him our lives now. Sell me."
2
Adrian shifted into gear and got his convoy moving. They were headed to Delta for people who had called on the CB this morning, and then he planned to spend a few days in Oak Creek National Forest. The dust and wind were horrible for driving, the sand got into everything as it gusted against their battered vehicles, and he wanted to wait until it settled some before heading out again for Montana.
His thoughts went to his newest additions as he drove, mind replaying it. He had known the man and boy for what they were the second he saw their shadowy outlines, and didn't think it was only coincidence that they were both Marines. The few he was looking for would have those eyes and that spark. With their secret bloodline, how could they not? Atlantis and Mary Magdalene might be long gone, but their descendants were not.