The next morning I came down for breakfast after smelling hot coffee, waffles and bacon. Sky was there helping Angel make breakfast for everyone. Jennifer was also there, feeling great and her usual cheerful attitude. I guess she was right, she just needed some extra rest. It has been rather stressful around here lately. I can feel it myself. Especially now that we have these traitors to deal with. Can we find the other two or not? I have an idea, we will see if I am right a little later.

“I am worried about you Steve,” said Jennifer, “so, from now on you will have 2 bodyguards and they will have 12 hour shifts so they can look after you properly. Sigurbjorn will take the day shift and Sky will take the night shift. The shifts will run from 5 to 5.” “I do not get a say in this?” I asked. “No, you do not,” she said, “it is all in place now, so no arguing. Well, I do have to get approval from Mr. B, I guess.” “Not really,” I said, “I am sure he will not be against the idea anyway. But…”

“I said no arguing,” Jennifer reminded me, “and this will continue even after we are married, with only slight changes. And if anything happens to me, then they will continue as your bodyguards, I will tell Mr. B that for sure.” “Nothing will happen to you,” I said, “everyone is going to watch you right now, at least until we stop Lavina.” “Yes, that is another thing,” said Jennifer, “we will wait until after we stop Lavina before we get married, that way we can have a nice calm wedding.”

“That makes sense,” I replied as I began to eat. Three days later we were all having lunch and I looked at Jennifer beside me. “Are you feeling okay?” I asked her. “Yes, I am fine Steve,” she answered, “stop worrying so much.” “Your eyes are telling a different story,” I said, “after lunch you will go see Chung for a checkup.” She looked at me. “Okay, I will do that,” she said, “then hopefully you will stop worrying about me.”

She did not finish her lunch, however, and she said her head was pounding and wanted to lie down. She got up and immediately fell, but I managed to catch her. “Kristina, get the car,” I said, “Rock, carry Jennifer out and come with us. Angel, Sky and John, come along as well, code red B.” Annelie was handing everyone a gun as they went out to the car. “You too Sky,” she said and handed her a gun and holster. Sky smiled, happy to be included.

After we left, Annelie called Baldwin to let him know. “Benson!” he yelled. “Yeah boss?” he said as he came running into Baldwin’s office at home. “Get the car and take me to the clinic,” he said, “Jennifer is down.” That made Benson move faster, and they soon arrived at the clinic. Chung did tests right away. Jennifer was in a coma now.

I stood by the bed holding her hand while Sky stood across the room watching the door, and me. Chung came in and whispered to me, so I went out with him. Sky stayed with Jennifer. Then she heard me yell, “Nooooo!!!” I fell to my knees, crying like a baby. Rock came running when he heard me and knelt down beside me, putting his large arm around my shoulders. Chung went in the room with Jennifer, but she was gone already.

Sky came out and looked at me. She was crying too. This was when Baldwin arrived, and he knew right away what had happened. I finally stopped, but I was too weak to stand. “You need rest Steve,” said Chung, “I will give you a little sedative, it will help.” I agreed. Rock and Benson helped me walk to Baldwin’s car. Baldwin told Sky to come along as well.

Outside the main door one of the clinic guards saw me come out. “Kind of a weak man,” he said to Sky as she came out. He was suddenly on the ground groaning after being kicked in the stomach, twice. “Kind of a weak man,” she said to him, “if a little woman like me can beat you up.” She then went to the car. Baldwin looked at her. “He said something I did not like,” she told him.

Baldwin shook his head, smiled at her and told her to get in. That light sedative knocked me out until the next morning. It was 4. I looked around. Sky was sitting in the big chair in the corner, looking at me. When she saw me wake up, she smiled and came over to see if I needed anything. “Coffee,” I said. “Well, you will not get coffee in bed,” she said, “so get up and come down to the kitchen with me.” Muffin yawned and came along too.

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.