Badass Ch. 02

Badass - A Hannah Todd Story

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work is copy written by the author. All characters involved in sexual activity are eighteen years of age or older at the time of portrayal.

This work will, at times, contain instances of lesbian sex, interracial sex, chastity, group sex, Dominance and submission, tattoos and piercings, intrigue, action, romance and affection. There are also threats of violence and a fair amount of heroism and family love and fun.

This is the continuing adventures of Hannah Todd. I would strongly recommend you stop reading this and go back and read at least some of "The Bridge" which provides the back story for most of the characters in this story. I know... it's 30 chapters and lots and lots of pages, but I and a small handful of folks think it's pretty good. I have tried to provide some of the history of the characters within Badass so that you can feel like you are getting the full story.

Badass - Part Two

The clock couldn't move fast enough. Here I sit drinking coffee at eleven thirty on a Tuesday night. Awaiting Holly's return from her second date with Chuck Miller. She said the first date went well, but she said the same thing about her first date with Peace Dunbar, that son of a bitch. I feel like a mother waiting for her teenage daughter to come home from her date with the biggest pussy hound in the school.

"Come to bed, Hannah. She's a big girl. She doesn't need you waiting up for her."

"I can't help it. As soon as the car comes up the driveway, I'll head up. I just want to make sure she's safe. I worry so, Duane. I..."

Duane raised his wrist to his mouth. "Call Ronnie."

"Duane, how can I help. We're right with them and we're about fifteen minutes from the house."

"You just helped. Thanks, Ron."

"I know, I know. I know I'm being a pain in the ass, but she's still my wife. And..."

"I know. It pains me that you have these feelings, but I respect that. In fact, I admire it. How about if we stay up together?"

"Have I told you lately what a good man you are?" And I shuffled over and put my arm around his waist and snuggled up to my happy place; right there under his big arm, my head on his iron chest. He guided us to the sunroom, where we could at least see the entrance to the driveway if not its terminus.

He sat me down and kissed me. Then we started making out and did so until his supercell rang in. It was Ronnie. They were two minutes out. I got up and went into the kitchen and cleaned up my coffee cup. From the kitchen we could see Chuck's late model Hydrocruiser pulling up, and we hurried upstairs to let the new couple have their moment. I was tempted to tell Danny, who was in the Closet, to send a wasp drone out there to pick up their conversation and any tender moments they may have between them. I thought better of that.

When we got upstairs, we went in to see the twins who were fast asleep. Thank goodness. Becca was also fast asleep on the daybed, and I made sure she was covered up. I could hear the click, click, click of Holly's heels on the stairs and I went to confront her. In a gentle way.

"So, how was Chuck tonight?"

"A dream. What a man. He's like a white Duane. Strong, handsome, gentle, cordial, and easy to talk to. But I also feel very secure around him. You know, protected."

"Nobody knows about feeling protected like me. Remember, I sleep with a man who is in the protection racket. If you know what I mean. But I'm glad it went well. And a third date?"

"Friday night at the Stottsville Inn. And we're gonna do it, Han."

"Do it? You mean like... Is he forcing you to do anything Holly Bernstein? Cause if he is, I'm gonna kill him."

"No, no, no Hannah. He doesn't even know."

"Now explain that one to me like I'm six."

"He hasn't asked and hasn't even alluded to it. He has no clue, so I'm gonna do what I do. I'm gonna seduce him."

"Seduce him? Holly, are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I'm feeling great, Han, and I'm overdue. Tomorrow I'm calling the inn and booking a room for the night."

"What happened to never again?"

"Therapy. The twin miracles of Lu Como and Aida Pasquale. And the love and care from you and all the family and staff. It's been a ride, Han, but I think it's time to bring this ride to an end."

"Just be careful, Holly. What if he goes and breaks your heart? I promise I'll be around to pick up the pieces, but it's not easy fitting them back together again. And I'm tired of just killing people."

"Not funny, Hannah. Listen, I'm dead on my feet. Can we take this up in the morning?"

"Yeah, sure. I'm sorry Hol. Go to bed." And I gave her a peck on the cheek and we parted ways. I went to my bedroom and Holly went to check out the babies before hitting the sack.

Pillow talk included both Holly and Chuck's date, as well as what I perceived the team's next mission to be. We discussed my visits to the jeweler and the art dealer. He congratulated me on my success in placing wasp drones in each of the locations, giving us access to so much intel.

We agreed we are in a race to the finish with these people. They have their sights set on me and my property, but the fear we have instilled in them after Rose went missing has kept them from moving forward with any operations. It's a good old-fashioned Mexican Standoff. We disagreed about Holly.

"Holly has mentioned divorce, but I shot her down. I think she is being foolish with an open relationship, like we have to shut down what she and I have. Not to mention the businesses we own together and I hope we'll run together into the future as she completes her recover. I think she's there now and I plan on giving her more corporate responsibility."

"Ain't I feelin' like a second-class citizen. Fine, give her more responsibility, but if she says divorce, you say yes! Please."

"How many times have we had this conversation? I'm not divorcing Holly. Not unless she makes a big stink of it."

"How about if I make a big stink? Will you divorce her then? Will you marry me?"

"I'm hearing a lot of me and I falling out of your mouth and not a lot of we's and us's. This cannot be about you, Duane. It really shouldn't even be about you and me. It's between Holly and me and it will continue to be until it's not."

"You are a hard woman, Hannah Todd. When is it my turn to be special in your eyes?"

"Oh, please, mister. You are lying beside me on my bed. You know how many men get to do that? I can count them on one finger. So don't get greedy. If the time comes, then it comes. As long as we are together, and we are together practically twenty-four/seven, we will be just fine. And I cannot enumerate the things that make you the very special man you are. And never forget, I carried those two creatures in the other room for you. At the same time. Come here. Come to mama." And he did.

It always starts with a kiss. One of those knock your socks off kisses that just starts the fluids running. Liquid lady lives lasciviously. Then he works his way down to his favorite place and does my favorite things. I liked it. I mean, I really liked it. And I love that he has a special relationship with my clitoris. An intimate relationship, if you know what I mean.

Then it gets to be my turn and I turn Jello into stone in about a minute and a half. Then we took the opportunity to meet in the middle, where I took great satisfaction at riding that bull to completion. And it was a lot more than eight seconds. A whole lot more.

My hair up and in a shower cap, into the big shower we went for a quick rinse before crawling back into bed for the night. Tomorrow, we deal with the devils, but tonight I sleep with an angel. A damned big one. And I'm thinking of cutting my hair. Gloria looks great with short hair, and she always says how easy it is to care for. Fuck it. Maybe I will again test the limits of this man's love for me. Of course I will.

----------------------------------------------

We were listening. And watching. Things continued to get tense for the jeweler and the art dealer. Goldheimer had doubled her security contingency and called Deacon Peacock repeatedly. But she never called William Brumby. And he never called her. As if they did not know each other. All communications went through Peacock. This all begs the question; How many more arms are there to this octopus? Or maybe squid, with its many tentacles. And is Peacock even the top guy, or is he just a capo?

There was no doubt as to what our next move must be. We have to get a line on Deacon Peacock. Who is this guy and where the fuck is he hiding? I could only think of one thing to do.

"Call Rhee Spanner."

"Hannah. My very favorite client. How may I serve?"

"So formal, Rhee. Did I catch you at tea?"

"Ha, you also have the best sense of humor of all my clients."

"That's because you always get results. Keeps me in high spirits. Rhee, I need you for a special job."

"Every job I do is special. And for you twice as much so. You know I always put a ribbon on it at the end and give you the choice of blue or red."

"Apt, and well said. Rhee, I need everything you can find me about a man who goes by the name of Deacon Peacock. I need it as quickly as you can dredge it up. I believe he is the kingpin in an operation that is planning to take me down. Just so you know the urgency."

"Then let me go. Time's a wastin'. Kisses to the crew." And she was gone.

I needed to convey to the crew the urgency of our situation, so I'd called a meeting at the Greenhouse for noon. The kids were at school and Bertha put together for us what they used to call 'box lunches.' Nothing more than a sandwich, home-made chips, and some of Bertha's homegrown and home-made cole slaw.

The Greenhouse is my team's sacred place, but not for vegetables. But there is something about eating amongst the aromas and flavors that exude from the foliage in the Greenhouse. If you ever ate a tomato while sitting in a lush patch of basil, you'd know what I mean. But we didn't gather as a group to eat. We are here to plan. We're planning another mission on my behalf. On behalf of all of us, really. And once again, Lizzie is sitting in with the team. Today in person. Given her past contributions, she is no longer an honorary member of the team, but an official member. And a real good one. She started us off with a question.

"Hannah, why the urgency? I have a shoot to do downtown before Friday. What's..."

"Just calm down, Lizzie. This won't take long. If you weren't important to the team effort, you would be downtown taking pictures and chasing tail. You need to hear this as much as anyone. Just keep munching on that sandwich and let me do the talking for now. You can be downtown in an hour and a half from now."

"Most certainly, Queen Bee. You have the floor."

"Good to know. Alright gang, we're in jeopardy. More specifically, me and this property are being targeted by an organization whose name I don't know, led by a man named Deacon Peacock. We currently are aware of two extensions in Philly of this man's organization. Or whatever it is. One is a jeweler on Jeweler's Row, and the other an art dealer in Rittenhouse. The jeweler also has a gold exchange and we believe he is doing some heavy-duty money laundering."

"Gold laundering." Hoagie said.

"That's right, Hoagie. Why don't you tell the troops what we found on our little fishing expeditions?"

"A pleasure, Miss T. Earlier in the week we went to the jewelry shop of a William Pastor Brumby. Mr. Brumby is respected on Samson Street and is said to run a respectable shop. Behind the scenes, however, he's running stolen gold and cash through his place like water over Bushkill Falls. We placed a little drone in the shop and picked up conversations with Mr. Peacock related to Miss Todd's visit to his shop. Dieter Rose was also discussed, although Mr. Peacock did not seem to have a lot to say in that regard. But they did discuss Miss T's home as a potential target for one of their home invasions."

"Tell them about yesterday, Hoag."

"Yesterday we went to the art dealer's with Mrs. Tuttlehill. There were five of us and three of them and we snuck two drones into that location. One in the woman's office where we've caught her on the phone with Peacock. In fact, she contacted him several times to update him on her status of wrapping things up due to the situational lock down they were undergoing. Anthony and I have been in the videoconference room reviewing footage from the art dealer's home just to see if we can see any cracks in the armor we can peer through or sneak through.

The office is a big one. At night, when nobody is around, we have been flying that little drone around and have found two safes, and a false wall book case leading to a room we have not been in yet. The second drone is out of view and poised to go in that room should someone open the bookcase/door again. I believe behind that door lies the answer to a lot of our questions."

"Concise, Hoagie. As always. Thank you. Troops, right now I'm awaiting word from our friend Rhee Spanner. She is researching this Peacock character. If any of you have resources on the dark side of things, tap them and see if it uncovers anything. This is definitely an all hands on deck operation. It's one of those times when we've got to get them before they get us."

I looked out at all their faces and they were as serious as I'd ever seen them. This was not an eighty-twenty operation, or even fifty-fifty. This was one hundred percent all in.

"Guys and girls, this is a different kind of operation than we are used to. I believe they have us badly outnumbered, I reckon, but we've got the skill sets they could never have. And the leadership. But we are looking at a situation where we have to hit at least three outlets at once and one is a distant entity, more than a hundred and fifty miles away. An entity we know nothing about but a name and potentially a location. I want you all to go about your days and think about the best way to approach our dilemma. Come to me separately or when we are together and let's discuss it. Till then, have a great day. Let's meet back here tomorrow morning at ten. Hopefully, together we can find our way out of this precarious situation. Go, and have a safe day."

Lizzie and Caroline came to me together with the same idea. Caroline expressed it as only a Marine could. "One shot to the head, Queen Bee. That's all it takes. Three times. Bing, bang, boom. I'd love to be one of the hitters."

"Alright, Caroline. Wrap it up in your brain and come to me with it tomorrow. Maybe that's the way we'll go. It was that simple with Peace Dunbar, although the shot was not to the head."

"Oh, I know. I got the whole thing on the camera mounted above my scope. The video is a favorite among the guys."

"So I understand. I get no comfort in watching it. Too often I see it in my nightmares. I could never get his damned face out of my mind and find it flashes me when I least expect it to. So, I never watch it. I have my own version."

"Maybe you should be seeing Holly's shrink." Lizzie recommended. "Exorcise those demons."

"I'm not one for confession, Liz. I just have to learn to live with it."

"You know if I can help, I'm here for you, Han."

"Me too." Caroline said. "You know I'm always on your side."

"I know, Car. You're my Amazon warrior, always ready to roll. I need more like you. At least one more on the team. We have to work on it."

"I've got a girl. She's RFS, and I brought her into the company. Got a pretty good reward for that. She'll be worth it. She's only been with the company for six months, but her background is amazing. She was a Marine aviator, flying small gunships around East Asia and the Pacific Islands. She is also very ground ready. She is belted in at least two martial arts and boxes for fun. She's big like me, but bigger, if you know what I mean." And she put her hands out with the universal sign of large breasts. It was a gas.

"Can you get her to the meeting tomorrow?"

"Call Juicy," Caroline said into her wrist.

"Jurgensen," was the response at the other end of the line.

"Juice. Can I get you for a few hours tomorrow. Miss Todd would like to meet with you."

"Miss Todd? Hannah Todd? Yes. I'll make it happen. Just say where and when."

"Car, put me on speaker. Do you hear me, Juicy?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. I wish to meet with you to talk to you about where you are at with the company. If you need me to speak with Mr. Royce, have no fear. You will be one of the first things we speak about when I meet with him this afternoon. Just make sure your position is covered. If that's a problem, go to Tilly and tell her Hannah said to expedite the request. We're good pals, and Tilly and I do for each other."

"Wow. Thank you. That's amazing. I've heard how amazing you are, but..."

"Please, no ass kissing. Just come see me tomorrow and we'll have a chat. About that. I have a very important meeting with associates from RFS, but I want to see you first. Come around nine a. m. and we'll have breakfast. Perfect. You'll love my cook. Guaranteed.

"Yes, Miss Todd."

"See you then, young lady." And young Juicy hung up.

"So, tell me about Juicy, Car?"

"June 'Juicy' Jurgensen, is a tall, auburn haired, green-eyed big beautiful beast of a woman. She boxes and is in a pretty heavy weight class. It's the bumps and bruises class and she takes her lumps. But she also gives them out."

"Another green-eyed monster for the household, eh?"

"She's only been with us six months and she's already got a couple commendations and referrals from our clients. I like her. And she's not even gay. At least I don't think so."

"No matter. Tomorrow, I meet her. Let me ask you something, Car. I don't even know if you know this gal well enough to answer the question but I'm going to ask it anyway. Do you think we can let her in? Can we trust this gal with our secrets?"

"Boy, Miss T. you really put me on the spot. I think the answer there is way above my paygrade."

"A good answer to an unfair question. I'm sorry I asked. Call Rhee Spanner"

"Hannah. Oh, please, I need more time. It's..."

"Not about Peacock. I've got another smaller job. Something that is doable quickly."

"Do tell. I'm all ears."

"I need to have someone vetted immediately. We're halfway there as she is an RFS employee and you always do a review of employees in any kind of responsible position. Her name is June Jurgensen, also known as Juicy."

"Juicy, eh" Got her. Jurgensen. She looks pretty clean; pretty capable too. I'll go deep on her and get back to you." Rhee is always so easy to deal with and Caroline was impressed.

"Can I say, you are amazing. Just so badass. All five foot six of you, and you've got this almost six-foot-tall bull of a woman shaking in her booties right about now. You..."

"I'm not happy to hear that, Caroline. I hate it when I am the bitch. It's never my intention, but sometimes I find myself playing that role. I'm just Hannah. That's all."

"Sorry, Queen Bee, but you are never just Hannah, that's all. Having power comes with responsibility and you take that very seriously. I can see how it weighs on you. Why don't you take me up to see the babies. I'll bet they are getting ready to awaken from their nap and would love to see their mommy's face."

"You're right. Come on. We'll face them together. I always have to pick up Duanee first. He is so fussy and will cry if I pick up the Diva first. We should call him the Diva. She could care less. Very easy baby. Even easier than Linnie's little Monique. The perfect baby and the wrecking crew that is her twin brother." And I held my breasts.

"Killed my breasts, that one. I didn't start enjoying them again till six months after he was done breast feeding. And I couldn't get him on the bottle. You were here, Car. You know it."

"I was here. I felt for you. With everything else on your shoulders, you had the twins, and that's just another thing that makes you amazing. And a badass mother."

"Well, now it's time to not be a badass and be the sweet mama I want to be to all my babies."

Duane was starting to stir, but Dina was up. The little Diva was playing with her feet in her crib. Calmly, quietly, like the sweet little princess she is. Caroline picked her up, and Becca helped her change Dina. And I get stuck with the monster. My sweet little Duanee is a tad whiny, especially when he's stinking like he is right now. So, I snatched him up and did my maternal duty. My least favorite thing in life. But I was doing it for one of my most favorite men. My little brown eyed, brown-skinned monster. He's strong as a bull and clingy as hell. He scares me so much that my nipples almost invert from fear when he's around.

We took the kids downstairs to play with little Ellie, who had just started walking and was scooting around. I just let my two free range and they crawled around to the closest piece of furniture to pull themselves up. Dina was the braver of the two, and she just let go and went for it. She fell on her ass every time, but she kept trying. Duane, with his bulk, didn't fall as often, but he stopped trying a lot quicker. You know what they say about the bigger they are and the harder they fall. And he'd cry and whine. His big brother was never like that. Bertha told me that Georgie did everything fast, but he never whined and doesn't to this day. And he has fallen on his ass plenty. George Barry, Jr. is a no tears, no fears kind of kid. That's his super power. That and the ability to hit a baseball. At five, going on six, Big Dom says he plays like a ten-year-old. Like father, like son? Dear Lord, deliver me.

"Hey, Car. You workin' or are you off now?"

"I just came by for the meeting. I'm off till tomorrow's meeting. As off as I get. Ronnie is driving Duane and Herman to the Navy Yard, so there is nothing at home for me right now. Something I can do for my queen?"

"How about a dip in the hot tub with the boss? Lizzie hasn't left yet and it will give Holly a chance to have some girl time too. Join us?"

"I'm so in. Lizzie time is always good times."

"Good, run the tub and I'm gonna get the girls."

Lizzie was easy. She was coming out of the upstairs half-bath and I just said, "Lizzie, hot tub."

She started to march toward my bedroom's en suite and the hot tub. I followed Big Caroline up the stairs and knocked on Holly's bedroom door.

"Come in."

She was in the middle of dressing and had on only her underwear. It was sexy. So was she.

"Holly. Don't dress up, dress down. We're forming a hot tub committee and you've been called to the meeting."

"Oh. Who's coming?"

"Caroline and Lizzie."

"Sounds good. Two big brunettes and two little blondes. If you want to consider Liz a blonde."

"She is these days, so that's good enough for me."

I called down to Bertha and Aggie that we were hot tubbing and that they had the helm.

Without pretense, I walked into the en suite in the buff. I was the rotten egg as the saying goes.

The three of them had picked their corners and my spot, the far side of the tub that Duane calls the Queen Bee's throne, was open. Good to be the queen. I scooted past the others to my spot and lay back. The jets were already on and I was feeling good if not a little sore from last night. Lizzie was a bit fidgety, so I calmed her ass right down.

"Problem, Liz? You're making waves in the tub here."

"I have to get a hundred impressions to Ace Kinsey for his newest campaign for the big whoop dee doo on the Parkway on May Day. I have to get it to him by tomorrow. He's gonna kill me if I don't."

"Then maybe we should let him know what a foolish move that would be on his part. My best friend should not be put under such duress."

"Oh, no Han. You've got it all wrong. Deadlines are the nature of the business and my word is my bond. If, after hot tub time, I run down to the city for a few hours and come back, can I use the videoconference room to do some edits?"

"Done. Now sit back and relax. Who wants to rub the Queen Bee's feet?" Holly was right on it. Like the wonderful wife she is. After some fun conversation and a wonderful foot rub, I took Holly's tootsies in hand and did some rubbing of my own. Holly's a big girl and she wears a size eleven shoe, so she has some major league feet. As I rubbed, I cajoled her into spilling the details of her latest date with the swimmer.

"So, Holly, tell us about your Mr. Miller. He's a looker, but what kind of guy is he?"

"He's a real sweetheart, Han. He's kind and gentle and he doesn't talk down to me."

Lizzie put her fingers down her throat like she was trying to make herself puke. "Some lesbians you three turned out to be. A year ago I could have had any of you, but now you've all latched onto some guys dick and I'm the odd man out."

"Don't worry, Lizzie." I said. "Caroline and I are both bisexual now, but I don't know about Holly at this point. Tell me, Holl. Have you given up on girls?"

"I don't know, Hannah. But I find myself craving something long and hard."

"You've got midterms coming up. That ought to be both." That got a good laugh from all the girls, including Holly.

"I don't even know. I see all these big hunky men running around here and a girl just sometimes gets ideas. And watching Chuck swim, well, that just seems to light me up. Just talking to him lights me up."

"Oh," Lizzie said, "So when are you gonna fuck him?"

"He doesn't know it yet, but next date. We're having dinner at the Stottsville tomorrow and when we are done, I'm going to drag him up to a room upstairs and take my best shot."

We all got a giggle out of that, and Holly turned bright red. Of course, being me, I had to make it harder for my poor wife.

"The kicker is he doesn't even know it yet."

"Is that true?" Caroline asked. "Has he been making moves on you, Holly?"

"No, Car. He's been pure as the driven snow so far. The perfect gentleman."

Lizzie chimed in. "I guess it's time to show him that you are no lady."

Again, we were yukking it up. My Holly was getting it from all sides, but, surprisingly, she was holding up. Has she gotten past Peace Dunbar and that which he put her through? Will Chuck Miller be the icing on the cake?

"I guess we'll know all by Saturday when you come home, Holl. Or if you wind up coming home Friday night. I for one would love to see you with a broad smile on your face Saturday morning."

"Whether it is a success or not, I'm still thinking divorce."

"Holly Bernstein, I will not hear another word about that. No divorce!"

"Divorce? What is this about divorce?" Lizzie asked.

"It's a non-starter." I said. "Holly thinks if I give her a divorce, we could both go live our best lives. Well, I have some news for you, Miss Bernstein. I'm already living my best life and part of that is you. I can't imagine my life without you by my side."

"You've been doing just fine with Duane by your side, and I don't see him going anywhere, anytime soon. I know you want to marry him. For goodness' sakes, he's the father of your children and you are crazy in love with him. I'm not feeling that kind of love for me. Not for a long time."

"Holly, I'm sorry if I have treated you with kid gloves, but you have been sick, and..."

"You've shut me out, Hannah. Don't you think I can see how you keep things from me. You go about your business with no regard as to my opinion about anything but the kids. Do you know how hard that is on me? Do you realize what it's doing to me?"

"Holly, I had no idea..."

"Willful ignorance, my wife. Ask the girls here. They will tell you. We are no longer lovers, and no longer best friends. You used to tell me everything, but now you tell me nothing. You've shut me out of the business and you've shut me out of your life. Your life is all about Duane now, and I have been hung out to dry. Well, I ain't dry no more and it's time for me to have something of my own. I need love too, Hannah, and I'm not getting it from you."

As she's saying this to me, I am tearing up, and splashed some water up on my face to hide the tears.

"Well, you go for it, Holl." Lizzie said. You have to go with your gut. I'd love to drag you into the other room and tune you up, but it just doesn't seem like that's something you would want."

"Nah, Liz. I just don't work that way. I'm very singular with my affection. And now that I've been rejected by my wife, it's time to swing the other way and see what that gets me. That's what I'm feeling for Chuck. It's not the same as with Hannah, but it's close."

"Then you should go for it, wife. Whether you believe it or not, your happiness has always, and I mean always, been foremost in my heart and mind. You know how much I love you. I know you do. You still own my heart."

"I don't think so, Hannah. Maybe one of its chambers, but not the whole thing. Things are different now. I feel it and I know you do too. Divorce me, Hannah. Marry Duane, and let's get on with life."

"And what if Mr. Miller doesn't work out? What if he goes and breaks your heart? Will it crush you that you don't have me to fall back on?"

"Hannah, I'll always have you to fall back on. You are the most powerful woman I know, and I am certain you still love me. At least that much."

"That much and more, my love. Always and forever. You go and fuck Chuck Miller. I hope it fulfills that need in you. Maybe you can get the idea of a divorce out of your system. Maybe..."

"Boy, relationships are complicated." Caroline said. "Is this what I have to look forward to with Ronnie?"

"Given your histories, I would build an openness to your relationship. If he starts desiring men again and you start leaning back on women, you'll have to come to grips with that. Especially if you two have a baby like you said."

"A baby?" Holly asked. "I know you and Ron are a thing, but a baby. That's a whole 'nother element that you will have to deal with. Are you really ready for that?"

"I've got the hunger. Never had it before, but working around here and watching the Todd-Bernstein kids has really stoked it, both for me and Ronnie. After watching Dom and Alec, I think Ronnie is more ready for parenthood than I am. And I'm pretty darned ready."

"And marriage?"

"We'll see. But we are trying to get pregnant."

"Yeah," I said. "I find the trying is the best part. I hope you are enjoying that."

"More than I ever expected. Sometimes I think the gay part of Ronnie is more lesbian than gay male. I know I like it, and I guess that's what counts."

"Absolutely. And as long as they are not coming out of me, I'm all for more babies."

"Well, there's no more coming from me." Lizzie said. "And until two women can make a baby I'm not doing anything that will make that happen. Lizzie's got to go. I have hours of shooting to do. I'll be back tonight if any of you bitches want to stop being so damned heterosexual for a minute." And she got up out of the tub and grabbed a big fluffy towel. And then there were three.

"Lizzie, before you go, I am meeting with a friend of Caroline's tomorrow morning around nine for breakfast. I hope you will join us. I'm gonna need your eyes and ears with this one. I'm thinking of bringing her into the team. Can you help me with that?"

"I'll be back tonight and I can do a nine o'clock. I'm sure I'll be awake because I'm probably gonna spend the night editing my shots. Then after our team meeting, I'll be in bed for the day. Probably till the kids come home from school. I'm sure my Georgie will awaken me."

"Hey bitch, that's my Georgie. But he does love his aunt Lizzie."

Lizzie then invited Caroline to come along on the photoshoot, and she took her up on it. Never one to let the grass grow under her feet, my ex-Marine would join Lizzie for what is always an adventure. And who knows what else these two will get into. Whatever it is, it won't be the first time.

When Caroline and Lizzie left to get dressed and head downtown, it left Holly and me alone together in that big hot tub.

"Holly, will you cuddle with me?" And I swam over to where she sat and spooned into her in the corner, her front against my back. Instead of rejecting me she put her arms around me and kissed the top of my head. Then she stroked my arm and my breasts and kissed me on the neck. Nothing had been resolved this day, but I could still feel the love between us. And that's good enough for me. For now.

After a few silent moments of cuddling, the water was getting cold so we bailed out and into the shower to wash off and get ready for the day ahead. Celeste would be swimming at the Tuttlehill's today after school, so Holly was preparing to go to have lunch with Gloria in anticipation of Celeste's and Harriet's arrival. I had babies to play with and a meeting to prepare for. Two, including June Jurgensen.

After relieving Bertha of the kids for about an hour, I went up to the office to do my prep work after we put them down for their afternoon nap.

"Call Rhee Spanner."

"Hannah. Your timing is perfect as usual. I just got final reports in on Jurgensen and she seems like an ideal team member. I'll shoot the particulars to your supercell when we are done here. Good that you are bringing in more females. They are great team players and much smarter than the men. This one is. She flies helicopters too. No easy feat. She's got lots of flying time in three different models. Everything from the the little MH-6X to the big Apaches. She's also a marksman and a martial artist in at least two disciplines. She's college educated and was a Marine Captain when she left the Corps. Sounds like my kind of gal. If you don't want her, Hannah, I'll take her."

"Hands off, Rhee. She's mine. At least I think so. I meet with her tomorrow and we shall see. I may introduce her to the team if she passes the sniff test."

"Well, I wish her luck. She appears to be amenable to your type of work. From her record with the Corps and with RFS it appears she suffers from a bit of Hero Syndrome, that may need some tending to. Oh, and she boxes. And she doesn't just win. She beats the shit out people. She's even taken on men with side bets and beat them silly. There's a lot to like about this gal."

"How about Peacock? Anything on him yet?"

"Some. Peacock is an alias. One of many. He likes birds and has gone by the name of Sparrow, Hawk and Condor on various occasions. Deacon seems to be a constant. Whatever his real name is it just may be Deacon. But we shall see."

"Anything else? Just a name is not enough."

"Well, I have him at a business location in Paramus. Offices and several warehouses. But no home address yet. And I still don't have a description for the guy. It appears he doesn't get out much and his calls, both outgoing and incoming, are routed around the world, making it that much harder to pin him down. This is a tough one, Hannah."

"Stay on it, Rhee. I can be prepared to hit my two local people, but if I don't hit Peacock as well, it will just drive him further underground, and we'll never get him. And I want him, bad. Just like he wants me."

"I've got Gonzo and Gizmo, my two best techs, working on it. I've also got people snooping around the office and warehouses up in Paramus. You can expect a report from them before end of business today. I'll either call you or shoot you something in the secure server. Just keep your eyes and ears open."

"Always. Thanks, Rhee. Talk to you later."

Well, we have a business location at least, and I at least have a name and location to set my guys loose on. But I hope to have more in the morning when I meet with the team. Hopefully, with two new members.

"Call RFS."

"RFS, Mary speaking. How may I help you?"

"Mary, this is Hannah Todd."

"Yes, Miss Todd. How may I help you."

"Is Mr. Royce around?"

"Yes, ma'am. He's in his office with Mr. Krass."

"Can you put me though?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Royce."

"Hey, handsome. How's the best-looking stud in the Navy Yard?"

"I don't know. I'll ask Herman."

"Wise guy. Duane, I'm calling for a specific reason. I want to invite Rapper to the meeting tomorrow. I also may want to bring in a new operator for the team. A woman."

"And what do we know about this woman?"

"Well, she's already one of your agents. Her name is June Jurgensen."

"Oh, Juicy. I know her. Fairly new and a pilot too. I took her out, and she flew the Little Bird. Good pilot. Nice moves. I think she could be a fit. Good call, my queen."

"It was Caroline's call. She brought her in."

"I know. If she's good enough for Caroline, that's good enough for me. You know us Navy guys. We love our Marines."

"Good. I didn't want to make that move without consulting you. I'm calling Gloria now and getting a couple hours of Rapper tomorrow."

"Well, if anyone can drag Rapper Malone away from your buddy, it's you."

"Yeah. And tell your Mary at the front desk to lighten up. I could practically hear her teeth chattering when I got her on the phone."

"You do that to people, Hannah. You even scare my guards. It's frightening. Sometimes you even frighten me."

"Oh. What's that all about."

"I don't know. Nightmares about waking up with my head on the floor and my body in the bed. Call it performance anxiety."

"Well, my man, your performance has been first rate thus far. And I find it refreshing to keep a man off balance. Advantage to the Queen Bee."

"Always. But I don't mind, really. As long as you don't kick me to the curb. Oh, look. Herman's laughing his ass off. See what you do to me, my queen."

"That's okay, my king. You keep playing it straight and I'll keep getting it straight."

"You do that. See you later, Hannah."

"I'll be right here when you get home."

My call finished with my man, time to call Gloria.

"Glorious. How's my girl?"

"Never better, Hannah. I'm here with Holly waiting for the girls to get home. Chuck is up from Philly and is keeping us very entertained while we wait for the girls." Then she whispered into the phone, "I think he's got a thing for Holly."

"A thing?"

"Yep. And I think the feelings are mutual. I hope you are okay with that."

"I'm perfect with it. I want my wife to have as much life as she can chew up and spit out. I want this for her more than she wants it for herself. Glorious, I need to ask a favor."

"Anything. For you, Hannah, if you need, there's always an extra billion around."

"Actually, I need Rapper tomorrow morning. Call it special duty."

"Now that's another thing entirely. You can have my money, but leave my Rapper alone. He's all mine."

"No, Glor. He's mine. He's RFS and never forget that. He's just attached to you at the hip because I love you and think he is the best possible agent for you. But when I need him, I have to call on him. I promise not to have him long and to use him only if I absolutely need him."

"Well, alright. But just for a little. Remember he's mine and I need him."

"Fine. I'm calling him next and letting him know of my need and that you have approved my request. Back me up on this, and I'll owe you."

"No, you won't. I'm still working on making it up to you for all you've done for me. You..."

"Enough. You owe me nothing, except this past month's bill which I am sure is paid already. I'll have him back to you by lunch time."

"Good, 'cause Gert is coming up tonight and spending the night. It's gonna be a whooping good time."

"You mean a whopping good time?"

"That too."

When I finished up with Gloria, I called Rapper Malone on his supercell."

"Yes, Miss Todd. How can I help?"

"Rapper, I am calling a meeting of my first team and I want you here at my home for that meeting tomorrow at ten."

"But Mrs. Tuttlehill..."

"No worries, Rapper. I've spoken to Gloria and when you tell her about the meeting, she will let you go and you will be back at her place in time for whatever you and she and Gert have planned."

"Thank you, Miss Todd. And thank you for the opportunity to work with your 'A' team."

"There's always a place for you on my team, Rapper."

I spent the rest of the day until Duane came home, preparing for Friday's meeting with the team and the meeting with June Jurgensen. A couple of my team members hit me with ideas during the day which I took the time to process.

-------------------------------------------------

My big ones have really taken to their little brother and sister and manage to keep them busy and themselves as well. The four of them and Elspeth kept Aggie and Holly and I on our toes until daddy gets home. Then it becomes all about him. As big and strong as he is, they seem to be Duane's biggest challenge. But he is man enough and between all us adults, especially Bertha, we made it through dinner and to bedtime.

Once all the kids were in bed, Duane and I took advantage, locked ourselves in our bedroom and banged one out. A soft and gentle one. I always know how it's going to go from the beginning. It depends on that first kiss. Kiss me soft and I'm aloft. Kiss me deep and make me steep. Kiss me long, and love me strong. Kiss me more, and I'm your whore.

The kiss was deep and our session was long but soft. Don't worry. I got my big O. Actually, a couple. Duane's magic fingers and enchanted tongue brought me to just where I wanted to be. A few moans and groans, but no real screams. No pillow necessary this day.

Pillow talk was all about Friday and the two new prospects we were considering for the team. Actually, we both agreed that Rapper was definitely in. We just had to work around Gloria Tuttlehill whose addiction to Rapper Malone has only grown since we introduced him into her life. We agreed we needed to grow the team and Rapper, with his skill set and commanding nature was a perfect fit.

Duane was a bit surprised at my desire to introduce Juicy into the mix, but he thought her piloting skills would free him up or augment him at those times when we needed to go aerial. We had three choppers available to us, including the Little Bird which we now owned and parked on the front lawn when we were operating. When not in use our choppers, the Little Bird that we owned, and the Apache and Bell we leased along with two other security companies, were parked at a field in Coatesville that our enterprise purchased a year ago and are in the process of restoring. The air strip was still functional, but the buildings and hangars needed much work, having sat idle for the past thirty years. Our goal was to service and store small local planes and to accommodate travelers flying through the area. In a year we hoped to be up and running. Yet another business I have to nurture.

Duane talked about June Jurgensen ad nauseum. He had been out with her twice on flying runs and he was very impressed with her skills. He said that the Corps had taught her well, and her combat experience was evident in her flying. She would do just fine.

---------------------------------------------

At eight thirty Friday morning, a midsized electrocycle came screaming up the driveway. The Pennsylvania tag said, JU SEE. She drove that thing without apology or fear. She wanted to make an impression, and she did. She was early. Always a good sign. When I came downstairs after pulling myself together and getting the kids ready for school, she was there, with Bertha at the kitchen island table having a cup of coffee. She marveled at our little army as they wolfed down their pancakes and headed out the door, school bags and lunch pails in tow.

Caroline was right about this one. She was a big girl. Had to be six foot tall in her biker boots. By no means fat. She was filled out and curvy. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, but it was her tits that caught my attention. Caroline thought they might. Just love me a big girl with big tits. Just my nature. And this one is bigger than both Caroline and Holly. And when she shook my hand, hers was like a rock, but she put no pressure on. She could have broken my hand if she did. As strong as any man's hand. I was impressed. From the get go this is definitely the kind of female operator I have been looking for.

Bertha asked nothing but how Juicy liked her eggs. She proceeded to make her usual full breakfast of three eggs, hash browns, three pieces of bacon and three sausage links. And toast made from her homemade sourdough bread. I had her at coffee.

"Where do you get your coffee, Miss Todd? It's the most delicious I've ever had. And I've had coffee all over the world."

"Well, Juicy, the epicenter of good eating is right here in this kitchen, and Bertha is the magician that makes it happen. Bertha."

"Yes, Missy. We belong to a collective where we buy beans directly from Africa and South America through government sanctioned brokers. Most folks can't afford that and make do with the stuff from Central America and the mushroom coffee so popular in this region."

"Yeah. Good coffee is so much more available in the rest of the world. I find myself drinking mostly the mushroom coffee since I've been back home."

"Are you from the area, Juicy?"

"I grew up in the Lehigh Valley, but my parents moved down to Philly for my father's work. He was a pediatric Physician's Assistant who worked at CHOP the last twenty years of his working life. He was a good one."

"CHOP. I worked there for a year before the disaster that made me rich. The very best place for children's medicine."

"And still the best children's hospital in the world. He specialized in diabetic care in their stem cell department. They're not there yet, but believe the cure is around the corner."

"I see you ride a motorcycle. How long have you been doing that?"

"Practically all my life. I started out on dirt bikes as a teenager, and have worked my way up to the big bikes like my baby outside. There's nothing I can't do on a bike. I truly believe that's what got me into flying."

"Really, and when did that start?"

"In the Corps. I put in for it when I signed up and they tested me and when I passed, they trained me to fly choppers. I got good at it really fast and came in second in my class at flight school. I was one of only three women in my class to graduate and I beat the other two pretty badly in ranking."

"How long were you in the Corps?"

"Six years. Six great years."

"Why did you quit?"

"Got tired of getting shot at. After a handful of emergency landings it gets pretty old pretty quick. But I never lost a passenger. Not one, ever."

"Excellent. I like the pride you take in that. You should be proud."

"I'm satisfied that I did my job, Miss T. That's all."

"Tell me about the job, Juicy. What do you like and what do you not like so much?"

"I love the flying. I really haven't been on any real missions yet for the company, but I took a couple of test runs with Mr. Royce, with the Little Bird, and a run with the Apache class, big boy and he seemed satisfied with my performance. I really love that Little Bird and could fly that every day forever. I can't wait to take a team up in that and see some action."

"You like action?"

"That's what I'm doing here. I met Caroline at the gym, and we became fast friends. She told me about openings at Royce Field Services and when I told her I flew she really twisted my arm till I interviewed with Mr. Krass. He really liked me and after two days he called me back and hired me."

"And?"

"Best move I ever made. I'm not in trouble, am I."

"Not by a long shot. I know a good value when I see one and I have something in mind with you."

"But Mr. Royce..."

"You don't worry about Mr. Royce. We discussed you last night and he gave me full approval for whatever I saw fit to do with you. When you're not flying, what are you doing for the company?"

"I'm stationed at the Rivera's, and my job is to oversee the wife and the little girl, Arabella. Of all our clients, they are the closest to the little airport where we stow the copters. I can be at the airport in under ten minutes and be in the air in another five. At least with the Little Bird. With the Apache it may take longer, but it takes a bigger team anyway."

"Tell me, Juicy, how do you feel about going on an adventure with a very special group of people who do my bidding? Kind of like my own personal Delta Force."

"That sounds awesome. Just the kind of thing I've been looking for. I love a challenge and I always love a good adventure. What do you have in mind?"

Just as she asked that Lizzie came down into the kitchen. I introduced the ladies while Bertha got her coffee and freshened up ours.

"June, Lizzie is a very special member of the team. She is also my best friend. She's been working at Todd Recovery, and is here for our ten o'clock."

"So, Han, is she on the team? She looks like my kind of gal. Tell me, June, how do you feel about lesbians?"

"Smells like fish, tastes like chicken. I like lesbians just fine. Good eating."

"Looks like you and I are going to get along just fine. Especially a big girl like yourself. The Queen Bee loves a nice lesbian on occasion. Especially a big one."

"Queen Bee?"

"What we call Hannah, because that's what she is." Duane might be the boss at RFS, but the Queen Bee rules us all. An iron fist in a velvet glove."

"Can't wait to meet this team. Many gals on the team?"

"Just us three and Caroline. Speaking of the devil, here she comes. I thought I knew that car coming up the driveway. Ronnie and Caroline are here."

"Liz. Do me a solid and drag Caroline in here for a minute before she heads down to the Greenhouse.."

Too late, because the two of them came walking into the kitchen begging for coffee. Bertha had the urn going. With the number of operators who would be here today there would be a lot of coffee drunk. Especially because this is a brain storming session.

Caroline gave Juicy a big hug and introduced Ronnie to her. Both as a teammate and as her man.

"Caroline, I'm inviting Juicy to our meeting this morning. She's passed muster with both Duane and I and I think she is mission ready."

"Oh, Queen Bee, she's more than ready. Trust me. She bent my ear for an hour on the phone last night."

With all the guys showing up for the meeting, it started getting crowded in the kitchen, so I refreshed my coffee cup and led the gals down to the Greenhouse. When she saw the enormity of it, June's jaw dropped. She was impressed with our farm setup, and being an urban dweller all her life, found what she walked into to be profoundly eye opening.

I walked around with her and showed her all the aspects of the Greenhouse as the operators poured in with their own coffee cups. At ten o'clock everyone had arrived, and I decided to get the meeting started.

"Alright, crew. I want to start with introductions. We have two new members of the team who are present today. They have been properly vetted by Rhee Spanner and are mission ready. Some of you know and have worked with Rapper Malone, who has been working out of the Tuttlehill residence. Rapper brings his own special abilities to the team that will only make us stronger. He's got a lot going for him and I'd like some of what he's got going for me. Does anyone have any questions about Rapper?"

Nobody put up a hand and everyone seemed to be nodding their heads. So, I called for a vote. It was unanimous, and Rapper was in. Then came Juicy.

Okay, team, this is June Jergensen, a/k/a Juicy. Juicy has been with RFS for six months and comes to us from the Marine Corps, where she was a helicopter pilot and worked in field intelligence. She's a martial artist who also boxes. If any of you boys want to think about taking her on in the ring, I welcome you to it. But I caution you, she's as tough as she is big. Questions about Juicy?"

"Yeah," Anthony said. "What do you carry and what do you shoot?"

She reached into her unzipped leather motorcycle jacket and pulled out a long barrel Taurus.357 Magnum from its shoulder holster and held it up.

"I carry a.357 Magnum revolver at all times when I'm working. When I'm not, I carry a Taurus M605C, the newest model, smaller than the big Taurus. As far as what I shoot, I'm qualified in just about anything you've shot. I got a lot of variety in the Corps; between little pistols and sub machine guns I have fired them all and am a marksman in all hand-held weapons, pistol or revolver. I prefer the revolvers as they are more reliable. Even though they take longer to load. On mission, I will generally carry my big Taurus and a little 9 mm. pistol with extra clips in case I'm in a gun fight. Oh, and I'm trained on all types of ordinances used in choppers, including 50 caliber machine guns and the 7.62 miniguns. Some missiles too."

"Fair enough," Anthony said.

"Would you be willing to take me on in the boxing ring?" Domingo asked. He's the biggest of us and without a doubt the meanest looking, although to me he is a pussycat.

She looked around the Greenhouse and set eyes on each of the operators.

"As long as it's one at a time I'll take on all comers."

"Whoa." Everyone said, knowing how tough Dom is and how scary he is when he gives you that look he just gave Juicy Jurgensen. But she did not flinch.

"You got my vote, sister." Dom said.

"Anyone else?" I asked. But nobody had a thing to say.

"Alright then, time to vote. Show of hands. Who says she's in?"

All hands, without exception, went up.

"Alright, let me catch up Rapper and Juicy, and bring the rest of you up to speed. We are in peril. There is an entity that is after us, most especially me, and they are looking to hit my home and steal everything they can get their hands on. And God knows what they may want with me. It wouldn't be the first time this place was hit. In fact, that's how I came to be the Queen Bee, when the previous owners were caught up in and killed in a home invasion. We have intel that leads us to believe the same outfit that tried before will be trying again. This time we will be ready."

I told the story of the jeweler and the art dealer and then the tale of Dieter Rose, which was a revelation to both Rapper and Juicy. They took it well and were eager to get on board. Then it came time to discuss the plan. Whatever that might be. I had thoughts but no conclusions. I wanted to hear what the gang had to say.

Archer was first, being the pushy guy he is. I kind of like that about him, as long as it's not directed at me. "I say we break into three groups, hit the main characters, and fade into the night. That will leave this group without leadership. Once their soldiers are confused and before someone else takes charge, we hit the warehouse and the home at our leisure, one of the three places at a time. That way we can go in, full force and do what we do. Then we can inform law enforcement and let them clean up the rest of the mess."

Hoagie stepped up and let his feelings be known. He had been on the data seeking mission so he knew the lay of the land, for the most part. But what he addressed first was the unknown.

"We definitely need to know more about this Peacock fellow and his location before we do anything. Once we have the skinny on him, I say we hit him first, and then do as Archer says and hit the other guys at about the same time. Peacock is the key, and you don't go through the door without the key."

Ninja was the next to speak up. His plan was similar, but more precision.

"I say we get what we need from these people in terms of intel and then do a stealth operation in the middle of the night and hit all three at the same time. But we need more data though. I'm just thinking that there are more than these three operations. I hate to think we have to hit more than three places at once. We just don't have the resources, even with the new people."

"Then we have to get more resources." Duane said. "We can always pull some of our best out of RFS and I'll bet I can get twenty operators who can keep their mouths shut and do the job we need done without getting themselves killed."

"Yeah," Herman said. "When we hire these people, there is a certain segment, about twenty percent, that we expect we can groom for this role. But it doesn't come quick, and we have to all focus on training. Ronnie and Caroline, I want you to get Rapper and June up to speed with what's going on. June, can you keep a secret?"

"I've never had a secret to keep."

"I like the way you think." Duane said. "Training you is going to be a breeze. Take the day with Ronnie and Caroline and Rapper can join you for about an hour then he has to go. After that, Hannah and I are gonna have you."

"Yes, sir. Whatever you need. I'm likin' this already."

"Then I'm liking it too."

"Alright," I asked. "Any more ideas. It looks like basically everyone who has spoken has been on the same page. Anything new and fresh?"

"Yeah," Ronnie said. "If we can get them tagged, we can track them and once we've established a pattern take these people out on the road, while they are traveling and at their most vulnerable."

"Right now, Rhee Spanner's people are out there keeping an eye on them for us. They are on Goldheimer and Brumby. As you know, Rose is locked up ready to be pumped for information. And he's willing. It's just that any of the three Philadelphia based bad guys have limited information about the other. They each live in their own busy little worlds. Worlds filled with tension and intrigue. Living through days you wouldn't want to have. Doing things they shouldn't be doing."

When Duane asked again there were no more questions, and he called a lunch meeting for Sunday at noon. Bertha is off this coming Sunday, so I guess that's on me. I'm thinking fried chicken or pizza.

Poor Lizzie looked fried through the entire meeting. She was up all night editing shots she took yesterday downtown. Strategically, some of those shots were in and around Jeweler's Row. I figured she would run upstairs and crawl under the covers. Then Duane perked her up.

"Who wants to go flying?"

"I do."

Lizzie, not to be outdone, chimed in with, "I do, too."

Duane gathered Juicy, Lizzie, Caroline and me and off we went to our little local airport and visited our Little Bird. It didn't look so little to me, but I guess all things are relative.

I figured Duane was going to fly us around, but I was wrong. It was a girl's flight today, and Juicy would be flying us. Duane had already flown with her twice; once in the big bird and in this modified AH/MH-6 Little Bird. The littler chopper was chopped, if you will, to add two seats in the back and take away the side seating, so instead of carrying six it only carried four. But all seating was inside. It also had the mounts for miniguns and racks for Stinger missiles. Neither the guns nor the missiles were mounted and we technically didn't have them. But with the ordinance we 'didn't' have, we could have it all mounted and ready to go, thanks to Ronnie, our flight engineer, in less than an hour.

In the back of the chopper were helmets and flight suits for us girls. We donned them over our clothes and Me, Lizzie, Caroline and Juicy got strapped into the helicopter, after Ms. Jurgensen completed her flight checklist. I was so excited.

With great confidence, June lifted us up and out of there. Duane said to go out for half an hour and he would drive us home when we brought the helicopter back to the field. It was exciting flying around in this helicopter. It was so different from our big Bell 407x. That fits more people in much greater comfort. This little bird is a more Spartan military copter, made for utility, not for comfort. But it got down the road, if you know what I mean. And Lizzie and Caroline were whoopin' up a storm.

Our newest team member flew us around to where some of our favorite spots were, including my house where we buzzed the lawn, but did not land. She pointed out several client properties as we looped around heading back to the field.

As Juicy flew us back to the airfield, a drone, about the size of a large human, flew by us at breakneck speed. Then it made a sweeping turn and headed straight for us. It would have T-boned us had June not swept around to avoid it.

Not having enough of us, the drone circled back around and headed for us straight on. June was faced with a dilemma when she pulled the trigger for the miniguns that were not there, but did not hesitate when she flew straight at the drone and before it hit us or sent another missile we were under it, and the wash from the rotor sent the drone spinning out of control and it swerved and spun and crashed into the ground. Great work by an amazing pilot. Pay raise!

We had almost completed our journey when this strange dogfight occurred. Duane got to see the whole thing go down, and he was a nervous wreck when we landed. But he still gave kudos to our pilot. And the raise I recommended.

When we got home, the kids were not in from school yet, so I took Juicy to meet the crown jewels of Romansville. She oohed and ahhed and was kind enough to take Dina while I took my spoiled rotten little man. She appeared to have an experienced hand with the Diva and finished her before I finished Duane, Jr.

"You're as good with the babies as you are with that chopper. What's your secret?"

"Two sisters. One has two kids and the other three. I tried to visit as much as possible. One's close, in Bucks County and the other one's in North Jersey. I've changed my share of diapers. Especially when I lived, for a short time, with my sister April."

"Are all you girls named after months of the year?"

"No, just me and 'A.' Daphne was named after our maternal grandmother."

"That's cute. Tell me, June, what do you think of this operation that is coming down?"

"Well, I've always been the one to carry out the mission and never the one who plans and commandeers it. But it does not look like an aerial operation. What is my place?"

"Well, there's a woman involved, and I want to make sure she is both monitored and dealt with by a woman. Men are just not smart enough, if you know what I mean?"

"Oh, I know what you mean. Will I be working with Caroline?"

"I think we're gonna want you two on the same team. Both because you are familiar with each other and because one location is going to be very female centric. And I don't want some woman calling out rape. Much less likely if she is in the arms of a woman. And I can just see you at the wheel of our Little Bird with Caroline hanging out the passenger seat with her sniper rifle picking off strays."

"You think of everything, Miss Todd. Oh, to be you."

"Oh no, dearie. You don't want to be me. I'm raising five kids, four of whom came out of my body. I am running more businesses than I can name. Someone is after me and I don't' know shit about him. I believe someoneust tried to kill the four of us. No doubt their target is me. I mean, what the fuck. If you want to be me, go and die your hair blonde, lose a couple of inches of height and a few off your bustline and we can make the swap. Welcome to the fucking squad, you badass."