Undercover Hero (3B Hero Series) Book 4

Four

**** Tina looked from one to the other, a frown deepening on her face.

"How much do you know about me?" The Agent asked.

She looked wide eyed at him before answering. "Uh, well... You're my best friend's fiance. You're also an agent with the FBI, a former Army Ranger, and appear to be very capable of handling just about any situation. You are also an old friend of Tany's brother. Why?" She asked.

He looked at Tina, "I was born into a mafia family. My father was the head and ruled with an iron fist. His word was law."

Tina let out a big breath and sat back, speechless.

He continued, "By the time I was 17 I was his lead... Enforcer. I had a dozen or so men under me, but when someone needed to be reminded of their place or their responsibility, it was my job to uh... remind them... in what ever way was necessary." He looked her in the eye, "So when other kids were out having fun, I was learning the art of torture."

Tina just stared at him. Then after a long moment that felt as like eternity. "So... how did you go from being a heavy hitter on one side of the law to being an FBI agent?" she turned to Tany, "What does that have to do with her?"

Brittany shook her head, "Best to let Gabriel explain."

"My father thought that the training and experience of an Army Ranger would make me the perfect heir, and from his point of view... the perfect enforcer. I'd have all the tricks of the trade and the experience useing it. I could keep everyone in line, and I would have been far more terrifying than my father himself."

"Ok, that makes sense... I guess. I take it something happened that... uh... led you to a different understanding?"

He smiled, "You could say that. I met KB... eh... Tany's brother Kyle. Through him a group of men that introduced me to a different, a better type of human. We became best friends and I learned what being apart of a real family could be like. Then... there was Randy. A little mind that followed me every where I went." He grinned at his little fiance.

Then a coolness seemed to come over his as he chuckled, "To tell you the truth, Beau was like the father I never really had growing up. You can accept that my father wasn't exactly daddy deatest."

Tina couldn't believe what she's hearing. "How did you get into the FBI?"

He shook his head at that one, "I apologize, but that's one thing I can't tell you. Let's just say, I'm good at what I do, and they know it."

He looked to Brittany and together they took turns telling Tina about his sister, and that day six years ago. When the mob moved in on the ranch. There had been a few deaths on the Blanton's side, but most had been on the other side. Brittany would never forget how she had felt after pulling that trigger. Or the sight of Zloba's head jerking back, as the bullet slammed into him. She shook the traumatic memory away.

Tina felt like crying. 'Why did Tany never tell me any of this before now?'

Tina wanted to ask more, but something told her not to push any more. Some how she knew that Brittany would develup lock-jaw. She turned her deep brown eyes on the agent across form her. He worried her. How could she trust a man who had been a mobster, and could very well still be?

Brittany kicked her best friend under the table after Gabriel left the room to take a call. "Ouch! What was that for?"

The little blonde crossed her arms, "Don't give be that, T. I know you. He has nothing to do with the mob any longer. He left that all behind him. Gabriel saved my life more than once, and I would die for him. I was even forced to kill for him once. It was not something I would ever want to do again, but if I had to... I would."

Tina was stunned. She had never seen Brittany so passionate about any thing other than the 3B Ranch and her family. She reminded herself that there were times in one's life when you could only run on Faith. Now seemed to be one of those times.

Gabriel was just returning to the kitchen when both ladies were standing, "You two had better pack something."

Tina and Tany both looked to each other then back to the Agent, "What? Why?" They both asked.

Gabriel almost laughed aloud. These two were so much a like it was scary. No wonder they became such good friends. However, this was no time to ponder their friendship.

"That was Chief Deputy Truman Wolf Black Feather on the line."

Brittany's face went white, "What happened?! Daddy... is he alright? What about mom, is it Kyle?!"

Gabriel held up his had to calm her, "They're fine, but Carlyn did recieve something in the mail. True Wolf says that he needs us over there asap."

Tina wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders. "What was in the mail?" She asked. Some how she knew that they were not going to like that answer.

The large man took a deep breath and took the plunge, "A playing card. The ace of spades, with a hole in the very center. But, this time it had also been kissed. The analysis came back. It wasn't lipstick, it was human blood."

Brittany felt as if her own blood was now running cold, like ice. 'So she is moving from killing totle strangers to threatening my family.' she shook her head, 'I should have seen this coming. I'm the Profiler.'

Gabriel stepped before her and lifting her chin so he could look her in the eyes, "This is not your falt. I knew she would make a move. I just didn't think it would be so soon. This is what I've been trained for, what you are training for. Time to accept the FBI's offer, Tany."

She nodded. Knowing that he was right. If she really wanted to be a profiler (like him) then she needed more training. She would also need more education. The FBI could give her all of that, but first she had to stop this killer.

"Alright, Gabe. Tell them I will except the recrutement. On the conditions that they let me finish this case, and when it is over, be aloud time with my family. I'll be stuck in Quantico for some time."

He nodded and pulled out his phone, "You two had better pack light."

"What about you?" Tina asked.

Gabriel turned back to her and lifted that one brow Brittany had told her so much about. "I always have a to-go-bag in my trunk. I also have emergancy bags stashed at differant points around the city. One of the many lessons I learned growing up. Always be ready for anything that might come your way."

As he left the room to make a call Tina blew out her mouth, "Tany, I now understand what you ment when you said, 'He is the total package.' Or did I say that?"

She turned to find her friend already packing. "Tany, are you alright?"

The little blonde shook her head, "No. This is my job, Tina. But, it has gotten a little to close to home... again. I don't want there to be another one of those days. My family has been through enough."

Tina walked up to her partner and best friend and hugged her, "I know, honey. Are you thinking that this is some kind of trap?"

Brittany nodded, "Yes. It is the perfect way to bring me back to the ranch. And, not just me, but Gabriel too. He would do anything to protect them. Just like me."