Chapter 99

I awoke and untangled from the arms and legs that had enveloped me. I glanced to my left where Tamara had been snuggled up to me. Even though she hadn't participated with Mr. Happy, Susan had ensured she didn't go without an orgasm or two.

The clock on the nightstand showed it to be seven-thirty. I went to the kitchen and started the coffee. As I headed back to the bedroom, I nearly ran over Donna.

"Excuse me," she said.

"It's my fault. I just started the coffee," I responded.

"That's what I was going to do before I took my shower. You look like you were rode hard and put up wet," she said with a wink and then turned to go back to her room.

I noticed how sexy she looked in her boy-short pajamas. Mr. Happy twitched as I headed into the bedroom. Lena and Audrey were still on my side of the bed and Susan was snuggled up to Tamara. I went into the bathroom and entered the shower.

I expected to be joined but it didn't happen. I was drying my hair when Tamara came into the bathroom with coffee.

"That was very nice last night," she said. "I couldn't help but notice how much you care for each of us."

"I honestly do. I love you dearly, but at the same time each of those other women give my heart something different. Are you sure you want our circle to continue after we are married?"

"Knowing you are asking an honest question, I'll give you an honest answer. I'm happier now than I have ever been in my life. And I know part of it is because I am sharing my man with women I love. I also know you wouldn't go outside the circle without discussing it with me first."

"I doubt I would ever venture outside the circle. I barely have enough energy to satisfy you four."

"By the way, you really must have will power to be around Donna constantly."

"I have to admit that between Donna and Tracy, Mr. Happy never sleeps."

She kissed me and walked to the shower. When she dropped her robe, I got a fantastic view of her ass. She was so sexy to me. Mr. Happy agreed.

The meeting with Dan was scheduled for nine in my office. Donna and I left for the office at eight-twenty. We got off the elevator to see a smiling Christina.

I walked over and gave her a hug. She was still family to me. She was also an asset to Kegler Enterprises. I told her Dan and the rest of the Shield Security team would be coming in for a nine o'clock meeting.

I went back to my office and started getting settled. Something that had been added since the previous morning was a flat screen monitor and docking station for Adam, my computer. I opened the desk drawers to see that they had been stocked as well.

I docked Adam and logged onto my e-mail account once it had booted up. I had an e-mail from Frank telling me he had moved some of the short term investments for Eagle Investments and had made a little profit for us. I replied, reminding him that I would be out of pocket for the next month. I gave him the number for the satellite phone and instructed him to only call if it was an emergency.

There was a knock at the door and I said to come in. Dan walked through the door with Sam, Jeff, Roy, and Donna behind him.

"This looks great. I hadn't seen it since it was furnished," commented Dan.

We sat around the table in my office. I noticed it would seat six comfortably.

Dan started the meeting by giving everyone a briefing

Dan explained that Roy would be setting up the new North Carolina office. And that Roy would be operating as an extension to the Albuquerque office. Roy said he had already made some contacts via phone and had a couple of corporate investigations lined up. He said he felt he would be generating revenue within the next couple of months.

Jeff was the next to speak. He addressed the home and business security systems he had been installing. He said the project in Santa Fe had already spun off five new jobs. Dan then explained that he had a couple of good subcontractors for the installations and that Jeff would be supervising the work himself.

"John," Dan concluded, "if the estimates for the new business are correct, then Shield Security should net a quarter of a million dollars from them by the end of the year."

"Good, because we need to pay Donna and Sam for their work," I said jokingly.

"Don't get too glad too fast. The first of the two limousines is due to be delivered next month with the second to follow a month later. I need to hire at least two drivers who will double as bodyguards. I have a couple of guys in mind that recently retired from APD. I think we will need at least six to be able to staff the limos 24/7."

"Do what you need to," I told him.

The phone rang and startled me. I picked it up and Christina told me Mac and Mike had arrived. I asked her to send them back.

Audrey let them in and winked at me. I was surprised that she had made it in already.

I introduced Mac to the people at the table. I then introduced Mike to Donna and Jeff. Roy shook Mike's hand and feigned a hurt hand. Roy was apparently remembering when Mike took him down the night they met.

"Mac will be joining Shield in a couple of weeks. He served with me in the Corps. He will be heading up the bodyguard/limousine division," I explained. "Mac will be responsible for training, with Donna as his backup when she's not with me."

I motioned to my son and said, "Mike is a vice-president of Kegler Enterprises. I want him kept informed of Shield's activities but I doubt he will get involved with the day to day business."

Dan and I had already discussed Mike's involvement. Dan seemed okay with the idea but I could tell he had some reservations.

Dan took the floor again and explained what Shield's office staff would be. He planned on hiring an office manager and receptionist. He said Jeff and Mac would have offices in the Shield suite. He said Sam and Donna would only have work areas since they would be in the field the majority of the time, mainly with me. He added that one of the requirements for all Shield employees would be to be qualified with automatic and revolver pistols. Anyone in a field position would also have to be qualified with automatic rifles and shotguns.

Mac spoke up, "I haven't done much shooting since I got out. Is there a range close by?"

"Funny you should mention that. Within the next month, we will have a state of the art pistol range in the basement of this building. I'll give anyone that wants to see the layout a tour after the meeting," Dan said in a proud papa voice.

I looked at the team assembled. Everyone sitting there, except Mike, had put his or her life on the line for me. I hoped that no one else would have to do that but I trusted each explicitly.

Dan then addressed the security for the honeymoon trip. He said he hadn't gotten clearance with the Fiji government to take any weapons to Turtle Island. He said he was waiting to be contacted by one of the ministers of the government. He said that the group might have to leave any weapons in Hawaii to be picked up on the return trip.

"Regardless, I think between Sam and Donna, you should have more than adequate protection," Dan said.

"Just adequate?" replied Donna.

"Just joking," Dan said with a laugh.

Dan then explained he would have a cadre of off duty APD officers for security at the wedding reception

When Dan finished, there were a few questions but nothing that Dan hadn't already covered. Dan answered each question and then he left taking the group with him for a tour of the building.

As they were leaving, my phone rang. It was Mom telling me that she and Marie were at the airport in Houston. I told them either Mike or myself would meet them at the airport in Albuquerque. She said that the rest of the family was coming in on Friday.

I called Tamara to tell her and she told me her parents had already arrived in town and her sister was flying in later that night. She said she had a surprise for me when I got home.

When I hung up, only Mike and Mac were still in my office.

"You've come a long way, John," Mac said in awe.

"Thanks. I'm glad you accepted my offer to work with us."

"I talked to my daughter and she was ecstatic about moving here. I told her I would be home after this weekend. She said she was already almost packed. Can you suggest an area to look for a house?"

"Do you want to buy or rent?"

"I'd like to buy."

"I have a friend who has a great house in the foothills he wants to sell. I'll give you directions and you can go look at it. Do you need a vehicle while you're here?"

"I rode up with Mike, Michael and Michelle. I can get a rental if I need to."

"Nonsense. Check with Steve and get one of the pool vehicles."

I pointed him to Steve's office and waited until he left before getting into a serious conversation with Mike.

"So how's the movie business?"

"It's awesome. I can't believe the hard work involved. I used to watch movies and thought it was all non-stop action. We have to shoot almost every scene at least four times. And that's without any goof-ups."

"I want to warn you that your grandmother is not real pleased that you are dropping out of college to make movies."

"I figured I would have to deal with her. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Yes, I do. I want you to finish your degree. I still have plans for you to run Kegler Enterprises someday. You may be able to make movies as well but our business is going to provide for our family for years to come. The lottery money is a good seed but I want a legacy to pass down."

"I understand. Unless I get noticed from these two pictures, I doubt I will be more than a B-movie star."

"I'm glad you see that. By the way, part of Kegler Enterprises is investing in movies. So in a way, you'll be getting valuable experience."

"Dad, if I haven't said it before, I'm proud of you. I see the respect everyone gives you. Not because you have a lot of money, but because they respect the kind of man you are. I want to be like you."

I had to do something to change the focus because tears were welling up in my eyes. It touched me because I felt he was being truly sincere.

"Let me give you the tour of the place," I said as I stood up and walked towards the door.

"By the way, where's my office?" he said jokingly.

"When you get your degree, you'll get an office," I shot back at him.

Donna was sitting beside Audrey's desk when we walked through. I motioned her to stay there and told them I would be giving Mike a tour.

After he saw Tamara's suite, he commented on the layout. He mentioned that he almost didn't recognize Christina when he came in earlier. Lena was in Lisa's office when we arrived at the Eagle suite. Lisa commented on how much Mike looked like me. I could see Mike cringe. He's always told me how many times he's heard that.

We were standing in the Eagle conference room looking at the mountains when he asked, "So what's the story on Donna? She's fucking awesome."

"She's one of my personal security staff. She lives at the house."

"Hmmm... I wonder if she would like to go out dancing?"

"I won't tell you to back off, but I would be willing to bet you can't get to first base with her. And if you piss her off, she'll kick your ass."

"Excuse me? Have you seen these guns?" He said as he showed me his biceps.

"Son, she not only could kick your ass, she could wrap it up and mail it back to California. Hell, I'd be afraid to go up against her."

"So you're not telling me to stay away from her?"

"No... I'm not. Good luck." I knew he was going to strike out but I didn't want to belittle him any more. I wonder how he felt that Audrey was now one of my Circle.

We ended up back at Audrey's desk. I didn't show him the apartment. I wanted to keep that secret a little longer.

Audrey said Mac had left in the company Explorer and he would call me later. I told her that there would be a meeting the next day for Eagle and Kegler. I asked her to confirm those who would be attending and those who would be conferenced in via telephone. She said she would and then she told me she had e-mailed all the weekly updates to me.

As Mike and I turned to leave, Donna rose and followed. She had seemed to pick up on my movements and moved with me. When we were getting into the Escalade, Donna opened the front passenger door for Mike and he jumped in. She sat behind him and looked at me in the rearview mirror.

As I drove back to the house, Mike tried to get her to loosen up and join in the conversation. She politely rejected his attempts.

As I pulled into the garage, I told Mike he could use the Jag while he was there. I asked him how long he was staying since we didn't get around to that at the office. He told me that he, Michael and Michelle were scheduled to fly out the following Monday.

As we left the garage, I noticed Donna always seemed to stay just off my left shoulder. She definitely had gone through some training. Mike tried to be a gentleman and let her go first but she was a professional and seemed to be staying where she had total view of the area.

Tamara came out the door and hugged Mike. She then hugged me. "I'm so glad you came home early. Come on! I want to show you the surprise."

As we entered the patio doors, I saw an older version of Tamara sitting on the sofa. The woman stood and Tamara said, "Sassy, this is John. John, this is Sassy."

"Well, young man, I can see why she was swept off her feet. Give me a hug."

I bent down and hugged Sassy. She appeared to still be very spry for a woman of her years. I motioned for her to sit back down then I took a seat on the love seat facing her.

Tamara introduced Mike and Donna to her and they took positions around the den. Tamara then brought us some iced tea.

"So you are going to marry my little granddaughter."

"Yes, I am, if it's okay with you."

"When I first heard about it I was a little leery. After all, I had been running the salons and more than a few men tried to romance me to get to my money."

"I understand that. I tried to keep my money a secret for that reason."

"I've had a chance to talk to her about you and you have my blessing. I've never seen her so happy. Sally had told me about you but I wanted to wait until I talked to Tammi before I made any judgments."

I looked at Tamara and said, "Tammi?"

"Only she calls me that," Tamara said in a voice that strongly suggested the subject be dropped.

I looked up and saw Michael and Michelle come down the stairs. I excused myself from Sassy and went to greet them. Michelle hugged me first and then Michael and I shared a bear hug.

I led them back to the den area and we sat and visited with Sassy for a while. During our chat I asked Tamara where her parents were and she said they had gone to her house to get it ready for more guests.

I asked Mike to go to the airport and pick up his grandmother and sister. He gave me that "Dad" look as if to say he would rather do anything else. I knew he didn't want to face my mother alone.

I had ulterior motives for him picking them up and that was one of them.

I again excused myself and asked Michael to go for a walk with me. We left out the back fence and walked along the golf course. I voiced some concerns to him and he threw back suggestions and comments. About an hour and a half later we walked through the patio door to a crowd of people.

Marie ran up and hugged me. I commented on how beautiful she looked. Mom was right there as well. As I hugged her I whispered in her ear, "Well, does Mike have any ass left?"

She laughed and said she had only just begun.

Harry and Sally were there and I greeted them. The only one I hadn't seen around was Tracy. I saw where Tamara was and went over to ask her. She said Tracy went back to her house for some clothes.

I looked up later and noticed Dee coming through the back door with trays of food. Tamara had apparently arranged catering with her. Cat was in the midst of the people bringing in food trays. She came over and gave me a hug and kiss. She said she would be bringing her fiancé to the wedding reception.

Sometime during that time, Lena and Audrey made it home. Audrey said Susan and Lisa would be there later. Christina had come in with Lena.

I didn't realize we were having a party but then around my house you just never knew.

Mom, Sally and Sassy were sitting out on the patio with a couple of bottles of wine on the table. I walked up and they all looked at me. Sassy said, "John, I just love your mother. We were talking about where we grew up and it turns out I went to school one year with her."

Mom started laughing and said that Sassy had gone to school with her in Brownwood, Texas. Mom said Sassy had graduated the year before she did. It was a small world.

I left them to their visiting and I walked over to the pool. My entire circle was in the pool: the members that had left the circle as well as my remaining four. Tamara asked me to join them but I told them I had things to do. I left them splashing each other and having fun. Michelle walked by me on the way to the pool.

I went inside to find Mac sitting with Michael and Mike in the den. Mac said he liked the house he looked at. I asked him if he wanted to buy it and he said he would if he could get the financing. I told him not to worry about the financing. I told him I would co-sign for him. I then gave him George's number and told him to get George to make all the arrangements.

I was curious where Donna was. I hadn't seen her since we got back from the office. I went to her room off the kitchen and she wasn't there. I then strolled back out to the patio and saw her reading a book near the pool. She was almost in the same spot that Sam liked to sit.

It was beginning to bother me that Tracy was not around. And come to think of it, I hadn't seen Marie since she hugged me. I walked to the pool and asked if anyone had seen Marie? Lena said she gave Marie the keys to the Vette and saw her pull out of the driveway.

Well, there was no telling where she went. At sixteen, I wasn't too keen on her tooling around alone in the Vette. I pulled out my cell phone and called her. She didn't answer. I then called Tracy's house and there was no answer there. Maybe Tracy was already on her way back.

I checked on Mom and the older ladies. They asked me to bring them some more wine, which I did.

It was bothering me about Tracy. I couldn't help feel she was feeling left out. I found Donna and told her I was driving over to Tracy's. Donna asked me to wait a minute so she could go with me.

As we made our way to the driveway, I was glad to see the Escalade wasn't blocked in. Donna and I made our way to Tracy's, which was only a few minutes away.

"What the hell?" I heard from Donna as we turned on the street. There was a moving van in Tracy's driveway.

As I pulled up, there were a couple of guys in coveralls carrying a TV to the back of the van. They seemed startled as I came around the end of the van. Donna was just behind me.

"Where are the owners of the house?' I asked.

"No hablo ingles," one of them answered.

So I asked in Spanish. The expression on his face showed me he wasn't expecting that from a gringo.

It was then that a guy in slacks and a pullover came around from the back of the house. "May I help you?" he asked.

"I was looking for the owner of the house."

"They are not here. We got an order to pack up and move the belongings."

Something didn't sound right. "My daughter and I are looking for a house to buy and saw the moving van and no 'for sale" sign. Do you think it would be okay to look around inside the house?"

"I can't let you do that. My company is responsible."

I noticed that neither the coveralls nor his shirt had the moving company logo on them.

"Thanks for your time." I turned around and walked with Donna back to the Escalade.

As soon as we were inside, I dialed Gary's cell phone. He picked up on the second ring.

After the initial pleasantries, I asked him if he was moving from the house. He said no and asked why. I told him about the moving van. He started freaking out. I told him to calm down.

Meanwhile I could hear Donna talking to Dan. She pulled the phone away and told me Dan was calling the police. I told Gary to hang on and took the phone from Donna.

"Dan, I think Tracy may be inside the house. She left my place to go get some clothes and didn't come back. That's why I went to the house."

I told him what I noticed about the men and that the only things in the van were items that could easily be sold. He asked me to hold off going back until the police arrived. I gave the phone back to Donna and went back to my conversation with Gary.

Gary was obviously upset. I told him not to worry and that Dan was contacting the police. I didn't tell him that Tracy might be in danger. I told him I would call him when I knew more. At the end of the street was a house with a "For Sale" sign in the yard and I pulled in there.

"Donna, first of all, are you armed?"

"Of course," she said and pulled a Glock from behind her back. I reached behind her seat and pulled a gun case out which held my Glock and a couple of clips. I handed her one of the clips.

"I want you to stroll down the street looking at the houses. Make a show of walking up to the door of a couple of houses while you work your way to Tracy's. I would like you to be close enough to step in if they start to leave and take Tracy with them."