The St Patrick Series Book #1: The St Patrick Bride

Chapter Five: Reason Over Feeling

Christopher's POV
I have been sitting in my Jeep for a while thinking about a lot of things. One of them is a conversation with the Major. He sent someone to find me. I was caught and I spoke to the Major over the phone. He made me an offer. It was a sweet offer but with him, sweet offers precede something else. Something that benefits him. What does he want? His men let me go. He said he is giving me space to think. I am checking to see if I have a tail. He has already found me and I think it's too easy for him to give me the so called space to think. The Major broke Tommy. These days he takes orders like a soldier. He is determined to break me, his rebellious unruly son. The last thing I need is another chase.

After I ascertained it's all clear, I approached the phone booth. I dialled my mother's number. I call her everyday no matter how hellish the day has been. It's our thing with the only exception being when I'm deployed.

"Hello?"

"Ma it's me."

She laughed warmly. I know I'm her favorite. It makes me feel special. "It's always good to hear you voice. How are you? Are you closer to home? Will I see you soon?"

"Not exactly but I'm not that far away." I answered. The Major may be listening.

I ended up taking a free flight on a private plane with Francis and the girls. It was a little awkward with Court. She avoided my gaze and any conversation with me. At least I got to kiss her beforehand. Kissing is the only language we seem to have in common. When we kiss we don't fight. We are on the same page, hot in need for each other. But after... at least this once in the three times we have kissed, she acted coldly. I don't understand why but she never ceases to puzzle me and I'm on a mission to understand her.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

There was a measure of silence. No I'm not okay. My heart rate is high. It's been that way since we encountered the Mafia in Amalfi. Something feels so wrong!

"No you're not. I hear it in your voice. If you're in trouble, I can send Tommy."

"Is he back?"

"Yes. Just tell me where you are so that I can send Tommy."

"Tell him to meet me where we went to summer camp when I was twelve."

"Christopher... you didn't go to Summer Camp when you were twelve. You stopped at ten. Did you hit your head?"

"He will know ma. I love you. Kisses."

I love you too. How will he reach you?"

"He will find me. He knows how." I hanged up.

I chose a very secluded part of town because the girls are my responsibility pretty soon. I haven't had a good camp out since the last time which happened to be in a desert because an extraction plan fell through. I seriously have to deal with the fact that I'll see the Major soon. This space he's giving me may as well be a few hours.

The Major is obsessed with order, conformity and submission. Ever since we were old enough to understand his way of doing things, he enforced rules. With the Major it's all about rules. Each rule has a section and a section has a subsection. It never ends. He raised Tommy and I like he manages the army. He yells most of the time. He taunts us and he even makes us salute him as he passes. My mother is the only one who doesn't salute him. If he yells at her she pretends she hasn't heard it.

My childhood wasn't all bad. There were fun moments when the Major remembered to leave his title at work. He has his high points. For one, he's protective and loyal to the people he loves. Ma believes it's a St Patrick trait. When we like you, we stick to you like glue. We will start revolutions to protect a single individual. I'm yet to find someone to protect like that. For my father, it's his wife and his cadettes. Even if he's a hard ass, he loves us.