8. At His Command (BWWM) [Book Three] #wattys2016

Chapter 12 - Family and Friends

Shout out to SuzettePeters for the idea...
PS: Chapter 2 of The Ranch Hand is out... http://w.tt/1TaWRee

Enjoy

The sound of their doorbell pulled Linc out of his office once he saw who was by the door.
"What are you doing here?" He said asking Mel's father.
"Listen son," her father said as Linc's voiced boomed silencing him to never call him son.
"Do you know how much you hurt her with your words. What are you even doing on my property, what right do you have to be here," he growled feeling a pair of hands snake around his arm.
"Linc, I called him," Mel said as he looked perplexed.
"Why?"
"Because we need his help. Because whether we both like it or not we are related," Mel said looking up at Mr Price.

"Melinda," he said in acknowledgement.
"Mr Price, please come in," she said with a weak smile pulling Linc out of the way as he watched the man like a hawk.
Settling in the living room he turned to look at her. "I am sorry to hear about the baby," he said looking truly apologetic. "My men informed me you were in hospital," he said.

"Your men. Are you having my wife followed?" Linc said harshly as Mel whispered something into his ear making him calm down.
"Look I understand your anger towards me but I had to make sure she was safe. After that day I haven't been able to get you out of my mind, wondering if you are safe, especially after my men told me Rafael Rodriguez was out of prison. I knew trouble would be brewing soon," he said. "And please call me Henry, or dad if you want," he said looking down at his hands.

"Well Henry I hope you brought your laptop we have a lot to do," Mel said with a small smile. After discovering that he was a graduate of MIT Mel was excited at the prospect of working with her father.
"Sweetheart could you give us some time," she said sweetly as Linc stood up with a scowl.
"You look just like your mother, will except for your eyes and hair color, that you clearly got from me," he said with a smile as he told out his laptop.
Mel remained silent until she heard him sigh.
"Melinda I am sorry for what I said that day, if I could turn back the hands of time and take back my words I would. You see your mother and I were in love but my parents were against us. They forced us apart using every trick in the book thus resulting in them paying her parents to force her to marry your "dad". However we couldn't stay away from each other which resulted in your conception. The reason I told her to terminate the pregnancy was because of fear, fear of what my parents would do if they found out about you. My family is known to take care of problems in a devious manner, and you my child would be a problem in their eyes, a threat to them," he said.
"Your mother was very clever because she disappeared and all my efforts to find her were futile. That is until you found me. When I discovered about you that day I had your background checked out, and reading all that you had gone through I haven't been able to forgive myself, I failed you as your father," he said fighting tears. "But when you emailed me asking for my help I knew this could be the second chance I have been waiting for. I had my men follow you from time to time just to tell me how you were."

"Henry," Mel said. "Let's get to work," she said with a smile as he understood that she had forgiven him.

Henry Price was beyond genius as he showed Mel a few tricks here and there on how to get information that was impossible to get without being found.
They learnt that Magda had actually been released by her parents as well as Rafael. Digging up information on Linc's real parents they found a connection between the families from long back before Linc was even born.

It seemed their families had been fighting over a priceless gem Lincoln's father had discovered on a fun expedition which Rafael's father had been searching for. After refusing to sell it him they had been at each other's throat competing for whatever business contracts they could get their hands on. Lincoln's father always seemed to rise above.
Lincoln had been silently watching them work glad to see them getting along as Mel laughed at something her old man had said.

The doorbell rang as Linc frowned not expecting any visitors.
"Did you call someone else?" He asked Mel as she closed her window opening I the camera feeds. She was baffled by what she saw as Walter opened the door leading the latest arrivals into the living room.

"Mama!" The children yelled out as she opened her arms readily waiting for them as tears ran down her face. Had it really been that long since she had last seen her babies. The room fell silent as she looked over her children just to make sure they were really there, words too hard to form as she looked at the rest of her family.
"Go to daddy," she whispered as Linc crouched down to greet his children.
"What are you guys doing here? It's not safe," Mel whispered as she hugged Lia followed by Meg and Rebecca before greeting the men leaving Ethan for last as he wore a wide grin.
"Well you can't keep us Shields cooped up especially in one house. Talk about protection Linc I almost killed two of your men myself," he grumbled making the others laugh.
"It's good to have you all back," she said lifting Ryan into her arms.

"Everyone this is my dad, Henry Price," she said. "He is helping us out," Mel said with a smile. They had not met the man only knew of his existence.
Greeting everyone introductions were made just as Caspian and Magda arrived a short while later.

"So you guys are having a party and just left us," Roni said as she walked in with her husband.
"Never ever, you are the last of the gang to arrive," Linc said greeting them and making more introductions.

"Before we all begin you do know we do not know each other's identities after this little game, well except if you have the name Shields," Linc said as everyone sat looking at him with smiles on their faces. All the children were in the playroom under the watchful eye of a 'nanny'.
"Before we commence make sure all your affairs are in order for the sake of your children. But I pray no casualties will arise on our end but their end," Linc said in a cool tone.

"As you all know from what Mel told you we have a problem, this being the Rodriguez clan. They could be the very reason my parents are no more," Linc growled becoming angry. "The reason we lost our daughter a few weeks ago," he said seeing Mel's pained expression as Lia took her hand comforting her.
I know if I ask you all to stand down you will object so I am asking for your help. You are the only family I have and I hate to put you all on the front line but you are the best in my opinion," he said looking at each one of them.
"Cameron just called and informed me he now has control over Rodriguez's security system. With one word he can have that building locked down with the press of a button," Linc said before Mel and her dad stood to assign each and everyone their tasks.

"Magda please come with us," Mel said walking out of the room with Caspian as Magda followed them.
"I am sorry about your baby Melinda. If I had know he was that crazy I would have never agreed to work for them," she said.
"Thank you. Now I need you to become me," she said a smile forming on her face.
"I knew we were going to be great friends," Magda said as she mimicked Mel's voice.
"Perfect," Mel said as Caspian shook his head knowing this was going to cause a whole lot of trouble.
"I'm sorry you are going to have to cut your hair though," Mel said.
"Oh don't worry, it's already short. Extensions," she winked.

-----

"Now we have diplomatic immunity. Let the children stay at my house in the mean time," Dominic said. "I will help you through my contacts but I cannot do much because I am under constant protection, just being away with your family has already created problems, but no need to worry I can handle it all."
Linc nodded his head okay knowing Dominic would never disappoint.
"I feel like partying just to see what we are up against," Ethan said as he stood up pulling Talia along. "A little waltz here and there Ethan said twirling Lia around before dipping her.
"I love that idea," Mel said as they walked into the room all wearing sinister smiles.

"What were you up to," Linc murmured kissing her temple.
"Hmmm nothing," she said with a sly smile.