Sor (Voodoo Guardians #29)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“Where the fuck was he meeting these people?” asked Frank, looking around the massive room. It was filled with Rolex-wearing, diamond-blinging, self-impressed rich people, and it was making him uncomfortable.

“He just said here at the airport in the VIP meeting space,” said Sor. “That’s all I got from him. I don’t recognize anyone. You guys?”

“Nope. Not a soul,” said Matt. Suddenly, there were cameras and photographers everywhere.

“What the hell?” frowned Sor as they all turned, trying to see what all the fuss was about. Fortunately, they were all at least a head taller than the other people in the room, and that gave them clear line of sight to the cause of the ruckus.

“No,” said Cowboy. “No, tell me this isn’t true.”

“The fucking president. Our fucking president,” said Frank.

They watched as he walked with two Cambodian men in suits and a plethora of guards and secret service men. They started to take a seat in the VIP area when the president looked up, seeing Frank and Ben. His face paled, and he excused himself.

“Well,” he said, clearing his throat. “What are you boys doing here?”

“We’d like to ask you the same, Mr. President,” said Frank.

“All politics,” he laughed. “You know how that goes. Trying to keep the peace for these poor people. This is all the media knows. I was here attempting to do good things.”

“Yes, sir. We know how that goes, alright,” said Sor. “A mutual friend of ours sent us. DeWitt.”

“DeWitt? DeWitt? I don’t believe I know anyone by that name,” he said, turning flushed.

“No offense, sir. But you’re lying,” said Cowboy. “Telltale signs. Skin color changes, eyes dart around the room, your hands are sweating. You’re lying.”

“Now you listen here,” he said in a low tone, attempting to keep the smile on his face. “I’ve done nothing wrong, and you are not about to ruin this for me.”

“Ruin this? Would this be the microchips you want to give to the same men hoping to overthrow the Cambodian government?” asked Sor.

“Politics, son. You wouldn’t understand.”

“No, sir. I’m grateful that I don’t. But I bet those reporters would understand. What do you say we go have a conversation with them. See what they think.”

The president’s face paled, and he held out a hand, pushing it against Sor’s chest.

“You hold right there, son.”

“I’m not your son. Even if I were, I’d be ashamed to admit it. You’re attempting to sell top-secret technology to another faction within this country, hoping for an overthrow of the government. Why would you do that if you weren’t getting something out of it? Perhaps millions of dollars or jewels?”

“You’ve got twenty-four hours, Mr. President. Twenty-four hours to admit your traitorous act or resign. Then our team will expose you, and everything you’re attempting to do in this country. I’m sure that will hurt your Southeast Asia relations,” said Frank. Turning to the others, he smiled.

“Let’s go home, boys.” They left the president standing there, unable to speak as his entire body visibly shook with anger and fear. He’d stepped over a very clear line, and these men were about to put him back where he belonged.

By the time they set foot on Belle Fleur land, it was Thanksgiving Day. They could smell the food all the way from the runway. Having slept for several hours on the jet, they were ready to enjoy the day’s festivities.

When Luke and Hex walked toward them, they all stopped.

“He resigned. Said his health was wavering, and he needed to focus on it and his family,” said Luke. “You did the right thing.”

“Why doesn’t it feel like the right thing?” asked Sor.

“Because he was the highest leader in the most powerful country in the world, playing chess with our lives and the lives of every American. That’s why,” said Hex. “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

“Put on your happy faces, or Grandma will be pissed,” smirked Luke. “We’ve got more food than a thousand people could eat, and we’ve got all those kids getting their first taste of turkey. Let’s make it a good one. This is why we do this job.”

They did exactly as Luke asked. They smiled, they laughed, and even for a time, they forgot what they’d been a witness to. The children were so excited by all the food they barely noticed when other families came into the massive dining hall.

“Grandma, who are those people?” asked Luke.

“Oh, those are some fine folks that the church reached out to. Folks who have been trying to adopt or have children of their own and have been unsuccessful. Most are from Southeast Asia. Ain’t that somethin’?” she smirked.

“Yes, Grandma, that is somethin’,” said Luke, kissing the top of her head. “In fact, I believe that’s how I got here. Me, Ben, Carl, Adam, Violet, and Lucy. Because of you.”

“Me? I had nothin’ to do with y’all bein’ here. You got here cause the boys rescued you. I just welcomed you and loved you.”

“Yes, you did, Grandma. Yes, you did,” he laughed.

It was like speed dating for adoptions, thought Sor. The children seemed to be drawn to certain families, some with children, some without. In the end, they’d all found forever homes, and the Belle Fleur legal team would be handling all of it for them. It was definitely a season of miracles.

When the families left, and most of the children had gone to bed, Matthew and Irene stood to toast their own thanks.

“We’ve been so fortunate again this year that we have all of you and then some,” smiled Matthew. “I love when our family grows. You might not know it, but it gives Irene and me strength and energy to continue on. Having all of you in our family is a blessing unlike any other. When you go back to your homes tonight, hold them all a little tighter, love them a little stronger, and know that you are the luckiest men and women in the world.”

“Amen, Pops,” said Gaspar.

“Amen indeed,” said Irene. “We love you all.”

“That’s all, Grandma?” smirked Luke.

“Boy, you best watch yourself. Yes, that’s all. That’s all that needs to be said. We love you all.”

“And we love you, Mama and Pops,” said Miller, raising his glass. “To Mama and Pops, the angels that balance our inner demons and keep the devil away. Thank you.”

As glasses clinked, people kissed, and cheers were heard, Matthew leaned down to his wife of more than seventy years.

“We’ve done good, Mama.”

“We have, love, we have. What do you say we do some more good?”

“I’m all in, Irene. Always have been. Always will be.”

“Then let’s go. We’ve got a wedding to prepare for and more children coming our way soon. You and me, Matthew. You and me.”

“You and me, my love.”