Missing You

Chapter Eighteen: The Vacation Is Over

The next morning, she was the first downstairs as usually and sat with her coffee. Just as she picked it up to blow on it, she heard, “Is there another cup?”

Looking up, she smiled to see that Elliott had arrived. She smiled and stood up to greet him with a hug, “You made it!” He hugged her back and kissed her cheek when he did so and said, “Yes. Finally!” Elliott being six foot one fit in with her brothers to a perfect “T”, including his now muscular features. They had met him when he was just out of basic training and because of his scores had been welcomed into the Ranger program. He was having a tough time as his grandmother had just passed and he didn’t have anyone else as his mother had died from an overdose and his dad had been killed in prison which he was serving a life sentence for distribution of a controlled substance and drug trafficking.

He was struggling in Ranger school and Blaine had noticed and took him under his wing to be the big brother that he needed and never had. As their schooling for Rangers went on, he had grown to have a bond with Blaine that he needed and was able to succeed. He had earned the nickname “Jedi” when one night when they had leave, the entire Ranger training squad had gone to a local bar. An altercation happened when a drunk group of frat boys were heckling the waitress. The main conspirator had approached one of the Rangers in training in hopes that he would pull the first punch. Elliott, knowing that they would get into some serious trouble if they were arrested on leave while in training and stood between the men. The rest of both of the groups watched as he used his wits and logic on stupid drunkenness and talked them down. Instead, by the end of the night, both the Rangers in training and the frat boys were hugging each other with promises to never heckle the waitresses again and that they would keep in touch.

Nina and the rest of the brothers had then met Elliott when he and Blaine had graduated from Ranger school. Blaine had already shared his story with her and when it was his turn to cross the stage after Blaine, the entire Wolf Pack had stood up and cheered him on as they had Blaine. The smile that had crossed his face that night made them all smile and cheer him on louder. From that moment on, he was a member of the Wolf Pack as they all agreed to adopt him as their brother.

Time and time he had proved himself to be loyal and trustworthy, and truly be a brother. Unfortunately, his time with the Rangers came to a medical halt, due to a hand injury he received, and it followed up with a botched surgery. Once he had gotten it corrected, by certain other standards, it was too late, and he was medically retired from the Army at twenty-three years old. He then went to school to get his bachelors and master’s degrees in business and helped Nina set up what was now Wolf Pack, Incorporated. Additionally, from his work and contributions, the Pack named him their CEO. He was just as ruthless in the board room as he was with a gun. Nina and the rest of the Pack recognized what he was doing and rewarded him with many different benefits that included pay, though that was not his motivation. He truly just loved the job and the work that accompanied it.

Elliott excelled in the negotiations and hostile takeovers of other companies that had ever raised their nose in Wolf Pack, Incorporated's way in a negative way or even tried to do the same to them. He was very sharp and in tuned with Wolf Pack, Incorporated business dealings all over the world. He traveled when needed and even when not needed. But he always made sure to put his schedule aside for the family vacations.

When they pulled away, she poured him a cup and they sat down together. She said, “How did it go?”

Elliott took his mug and wrapped his fingers around the mug that overlapped with his large hands, “Well, it went better than I thought. Cal Franks has actually offered a counter proposal.”

Blaine walked in and sat down with them, “What happened?” pouring a cup of coffee.

“He would like to be bought out. I told him that I would speak with the board and get back to him.”

Nina and Blaine looked at each other and then back at Elliott. “Did he say why he wants to be bought out?” Blaine asked.

Elliott looked at them both, “He did. He is unfortunately in a dark and bad place. He is taking full responsibility for the death of his son. He said that if it hadn’t been for him and his business, his son would still be alive. He wants out completely. So instead of being business partners, he wants us to buy him out and take over.”

Nina looked at her cup and then back at her brothers, “I don’t know. I mean, I understand him and the place he is in. If anyone understands something of what he is feeling it is me.”

Blaine held her hand with his and at that moment, he wanted to be able to tell her that her pain was unnecessary, and that Draven would be home soon. But, for obvious reasons, he couldn’t. Instead, he offered her comfort as her brother. Blaine looked at Elliott, “I think we will have to speak to everyone on this, since it is no longer a partnership. I am not sure how that would look for Wolf Pack, Incorporated. Our mission is not one of violence but of family and brotherhood.”

“It’s not a bad thing, Wolf,” said Elliott, “We already work with military contracts to aid the veterans when they retire. I think this could be an addition to that area in assisting vets with the transition from military life to civilian life.”

Gabriel and Deacon walked in, “What will help vets?” asked Gabriel.

Then Deacon spotted Elliott, “Jedi! You made it!”

Smiling, he stood up to embrace both Gabriel and Deacon. Then they grabbed their own coffee and sat down. Eventually, the rest of the brothers came down, greeted Elliott, and sat down to eat their breakfast of Belgium waffles, bacon and all the toppings. Then Elliott got everyone’s attention by knocking on the table with his knuckles and connecting to a third party on his cell phone with a name that said “Unknown”. They knew that was their five percent anonymous minority vote on speakerphone. Now, all attention went to him.

“I call this improvised meeting of Wolf Pack, Incorporated Board Members. Let the record reflect that both co-chairs are present as well as the rest of the majority and minority stakeholders,” Elliott said.

They were all quiet. He started, “My assignment this week was to meet with Mister Caleb Franks Senior to discuss a potential partnership with his weapons business. Unfortunately, a few months ago, his son, Caleb Franks Junior, also known as Cal Franks, was killed during an attempted kidnapping. Since then, the man has been trying to recover his body from foreign parties but so far has been unsuccessful,” shooting a look to Blaine, “He also has taken the burden and the reason as to why his son was killed. He has come back to me with a counteroffer. He would like for us to buy him out instead. He wants out of the arms dealer game. Since this is a new avenue that Wolf Pack, Incorporated has not yet addressed or partaken in, this topic needs to be addressed. I open the floor for comments, statements, questions, concerns.”

Each of the brothers looked around at each other. Then Liam raised his hand.

Elliott said, “The moderator recognizes Iota. You have two minutes.”

“I think it would be bad business. Yes, while we are all military, we do what is right for our country. But getting into the arms race is a whole other ball game. I mean, look what happened to his son and his son was an innocent bystander. I yield the rest of my time.”

Elliott nodded, “Additions or comments?”

Christopher raised his hand.

Elliott said, “The moderator recognizes Zeta. You have two minutes.”

“I have to agree with Iota. Our business has been about helping those that need it the most. Getting into the arms race would just further open us to further threats. If we had a partnership, even that would be risky. I get that we help fellow veterans, but we have other areas that we can open up to them to help with that transition from military life to civilian life. I yield the rest of my time.”

Elliott looked at everyone, “Additions or comments?”

Zeke raised his hand.

Elliott said, “The moderator recognizes Warrior. You have two minutes.”

“I understand where my brothers are coming from, and I am also in agreement. We already have threats daily for who we are and what we stand for which is why we operate under anonymity and use our coded names during meetings like this. I think this would just add to the unknowns of those that may view us as a threat for getting into this race. Besides, I don’t think any of us would be able to handle if we found out that while our intentions were good, may cause the death of innocent people that are considered collateral damage. I yield my time.”

Elliott nodded, “Additions or comments.” He looked around the table to see them look at each other. “Alright. Let’s take a vote. All those in favor of buying out Jackknife International, say aye.” There was silence. “Please let the record reflect that there are zero votes in favor. All those oppose of buying out Jackknife International, say nay.” Everyone, including their party on the phone said, “Nay.” Elliott nodded, “Please let the record reflect that there are twelve votes in opposition. The nays have the vote. And since Omega is on notice, his vote is suppressed. We will notify Jackknife International that we will not buy them out.”

Gabriel raised his hand.

“The moderator recognizes Beta. You have two minutes.”

“I might have a connection that may want to buy him out. I yield my time.”

Elliott nodded, “Please let me know and I will contact them for the set up.” There was agreement around the table. Elliott made sure to make eye contact with everyone, “Thank you all for this impromptu board meeting and for your votes. I will contact Jackknife International. I also call this meeting to adjourn. Thank you all,” and waited for acknowledgement from those on the phone and then hung up.

Nina looked at her brothers, “Alright, now that the serious business is out of the way. Let’s get going and have some fun.”

They all got up for coats, beanies, and scarves. As Nina was assisting her brothers, Elliott stood next to Blaine and said quietly, “Does she know?”

He shook his head and quietly said back, “No. It’s classified,” and pulled on a beanie.

The next few days, Nina and her brothers spent going to the different areas around Salem including visiting the Hocus Pocus filming locations, the Peabody Essex Museum, went to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, went to the Ye Olde Pepper Candy Co, visited the Witch Dungeon Museum, went to the Burying Point Cemetery, the Witch House, celebrated Halloween, and of course, went shopping. By the time their vacation was over, they were all ready to head back to warmer climate. Nina, however, had one last stop and that was to see June.

When she walked into the steakhouse sans brothers, as they were hitting up the last ale house on their list, Walter was hoping at her feet and took her to the private dining room where June was waiting. An older lady with long white hair in a braid dressed in boho style with a long dress and long sleeves with matching sweater. When she saw Nina, she stood up and they truly embraced. When they pulled back, each of them wiped at their tears, smiled, and sat down. Walter immediately set down two black coffees and coffee cake, even one that was labeled “Sugar Free”.

June added creamer and sugar to her coffee and Nina wrapped her hands around her mug. “How are you doing Nina?”

She looked at her old psychology professor and mentor and smiled, “I’m okay.”

“You’re not just saying that?”

Nina looked at her, “Never. This was a healing trip for me. Being around my brothers under happier circumstances did wonders. It is slightly bittersweet.”

June smiled and picked up her coffee, “I am glad to hear that. How is UCLA treating you?”

Nina smiled and told her all about her teaching assignment. “Now, I am understanding why you decided to retire early.”

She smiled, “It was worth it. But you, I understand why you took it to begin with.”

“It hasn’t been easy. My brother even said it, I met and lost the love of my life in the same year,” looking down at her cup. Swallowing, she raised her eyes to June and her kind brown eyes, “But, even if it was for that short amount of time, I will cherish it forever.”

The next morning, after seeing all of her brothers off at the airport, she got on her own flight home back to LA. That Saturday afternoon when she landed back in LA, Misty picked her up from the airport and smiled when she saw her. Misty smiled back and hugged her, “It is so good to see you smiling, Mamas,” and gave her a loud smack on the cheek. Nina pulled back, “It was good to be around my brothers and not for a serious event this time.” They loaded up her luggage into Misty’s Jeep Liberty and then got in. As Misty drove her to her condo, Nina told her all about her trip and the things that they did and experienced.

When they got to her condo, Misty helped her with her luggage and then with a hug she told her she would see her later as she had to get back to the studio for shooting. Nina spent the afternoon unpacking and doing her laundry. After, she changed into a pair of leggings and a long sleeve Henley and went for a run on the beach. After, she sat down on the seawall to watch the waves as the sun set.

The next few weeks she threw herself whole heartedly into her work and her teaching with her students. She challenged them, they challenged her. In the evenings, she worked on her novel when she got home and then Misty started taking her to pole dancing classes for a new form of working out. Nina and Misty were actually getting really good at it. Even their instructor was amazed at the strength that Nina showed on some difficult moves that she had with.

One night, Nina had had a rough day with some students and catching them in a collective attempt to cheat. That night, she just wanted to eat dinner and drink a couple glasses of wine. Instead, Misty drug her to the pole dancing class. That night, the instructor wanted them to do a solo dance so that they could see where things needed to be addressed for precision and perfection.

When it was Misty’s turn, she decided to dance to The Weekend “Try Me”. She truly made a presence with her skill as her bright blue hair swing in the air behind her as she moved with and against the pole. She wasn’t into cardio or working out like Nina was and had a soft stomach, but no one noticed as she danced. Against her bright orange tank top and blue booty shorts, people kept their eye on her. When she finished, she got a round of applause. The last one to go was Nina. When the instructor pressed play, Misty and the others screamed as Nina approached the pole in a switch split walkover and landed just in front of the pole as the music to Demi Lovato “Sorry Not Sorry” played.

There she held the pole over her head and went into a deep plie as she started dancing to the song. Wearing a black sports bra with black booty shorts, she moved slowly and seductively to the song. She showed her flexibility, her showmanship and turned people on with her seductive smile. On one move where she pulled herself upside down and into a split, her hair fell out of her messy bun and when she smiled with part of her hair hiding her, they yelled and whistled at her. As she pulled herself up, wrapping her legs around the pole and threw her head back as she twirled, she surprised everyone as she wrapped herself horizontally around the pole and spun fast, they all yelled and cheered her on. When the song was over, the entire class erupted into cheers, shouting, and claps for her, even Misty went to hug her. No one noticed as someone outside of the studio had filmed the entire dance Nina had put on through the door since pole dancing classes were private.

Across the globe, Draven had had a bad day with pulling a muscle trying to go too fast and too soon. Blaine had stepped out and let him have his temper tantrum, and after Draven threw his dinner at a poor orderly, he had had enough of his childishness especially since his injury was his own fault. Going into his room, Blaine sat down on his chair and was quiet.

“What? No lecture?” Draven growled.

“Do you want a lecture?”

“No.”

“Then, I won’t give you one. But I want to say that you know what you are supposed to do, so do it.” At that moment, his cell phone dinged to indicate a text message. As he pressed the screen to indicate and acknowledge the text, Draven watched a smirk fall across his face. Blaine then stood up and went to his side, “In case you need a reminder of who and what you are working for,” handing him his iPad since Draven had tried to call Nina once on his cell phone. “Press play,” Blaine said and sat down.

Draven looked at Blaine and then did as he was told and pressed play. There on the screen he heard the song and then he saw Nina begin her pole dance. When she ended, she was laying on the floor with her legs crossed against the pole with her arms out at her sides, and the class erupted for her and Misty slid on the floor to hug her, and then everyone surrounded them, the video stopped. Blaine watched as he watched it several more times, touching her on the screen, and then fell back onto his bed and looked up at the ceiling.

“Who recorded this?” Draven asked quietly.

“Someone I have asked to keep an eye on her when my brothers can’t. Don’t worry, you can trust this person. And besides, women are not his cup of tea.”

“Is this supposed to make me feel like s**t?” he asked finally meeting his green eyes to Blaine’s different colored eyes.

“Not at all,” taking the iPad, “As I said, just a reminder of who and what you are working for. So, stop f*****g around and get serious.”

Draven shot him a look, “All I have done is be serious. All I have done is work towards getting home to Nina. What else do I have to do to prove that?”

“For starters, stop trying to do more than your physical therapist is telling you to do. The more injuries you endure, the longer it will take you to get back to Nina.”

As Thanksgiving neared, and the temperatures got colder in California, she loved the feelings that it brought. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break, she held her Tuesday evening class of Intro to Human Sexuality. That night, she wore the outfit she wore in Salem. A pair of jeans with her lace up boots that went to her knees, a black tank top with her black cowl neck sweater and her long hair in a messy bun. When she walked into her room, the students were starting to arrive and as per her permission, several of them had brought their significant others to be included in the discussions.

She had always figured that in relationships, it was good to have that communication of the likes and dislikes in the bedroom and in the relationship itself. Having a class centered around that could only help. She pulled herself up onto the long lectern and crossed her legs with her iPad in her lap and waited as her class filed in. Over time, her auditorium classroom was getting fuller, almost at capacity, with people liking her style of teaching and the open discussions that she welcomed on this topic.

Once everyone was situated and eager to begin, Nina smiled, “Good evening, everyone!”

They responded, “Good evening, Doctor Moreno!”

She smiled, “I am pleased to see some familiar and new faces in my class this evening. Welcome,” seeing people smile, “And remember, there is no topic in this particular class that is off limits related to Human Sexuality. If you are curious, ask and it will be answered. There are no questions off limits as the likes and dislikes in human sexuality are infinite.” She could hear a murmur of approval go around the room. “So, let’s do a little review,” hit a button on her iPad and her powerpoint went up on the screen behind her, “Last class, we covered,” going through the slides that they had covered, and she asked questions to spawn discussion.

She lowered the lights but left the spotlight softly on her so they could see her, even as it was dark outside making the room darker than it was. “Tonight, let’s talk about Intimate Relationships with s*x, love, and commitment.” Seeing their smiles and murmurs amongst the class, knowing the topic had peaked interest. Several students got comfortable for lecture and discussion, while several leaned forward to show interest. Even though the room was dark, she could still make out heads and some faces the closer they were to her.

As the discussion began, Nina would lecture and use her powerpoint and her iPad to bring up different things to demonstrate what she was talking about, and as she discussed, the shoulder of her sweater started to fall off. She continued lecturing and at one point, she saw a tall, large built man walk into her room and took a seat at the very back just by the exit/entrance to her room. From what she could see of his dark figure, he wore jeans, a dark sweater, and a beanie. From the distance she could see that he had a beard, but the dark lights in the room did not let her see his face. She could feel his eyes just starring into her.

“Partner intimacy is not just about s*x,” hearing a few of them laugh, “Partner intimacy could be laying in your bed, sharing a pillow, and telling each other about your day. It could be, making a meal for your partner and laughing together about who cooked or burned it better,” hearing laughter, “Partner intimacy is about connecting on such a level that when you get there, sometimes, words are not needed. That everything you feel in that moment, words aren’t necessary because you already know what they are going to say because they are speaking to your heart,” seeing smiles and some “Awe’s”.

She continued her lecture and then someone’s alarm on their phone went off. Smiling she said, “And that is my cue,” hearing a few laughs and some groan as they didn’t want it to end, “That is all for this evening ladies and gentlemen. Have a great Thanksgiving break. I will see you all next week,” and she smiled as they clapped for her. Jumping off of the table, she did a bow and a curtsy. When she raised her eyes to see who the mystery man that walked into her classroom was, his seat was now empty. She saw all of her students out and as her custom, she went through the rows to make sure that no one left anything behind.

As she was in the next to last row, she spotted a metal tumbler with the school’s logo on it. Smiling, she went to pick it up and heard, “Doctor Moreno, your class was amazing tonight.”

Startled she turned around to see one of the fraternity brother’s standing at the entrance of the row, almost blocking her exit. She recognized him from some of the student newspapers that printed photos of the students from Greek Week. He had brown hair and brown eyes, built like a long distance runner, was dressed in shorts, with a t-shirt and a zipper hoodie. Smiling, she held the tumbler and her iPad, “Thank you. I’m sorry and you are?”

He stepped closer to her and held out his hand, “Oh, sorry. Owen Marcus. My girlfriend, Linda Estes, is in your class.”

“And where is she?” shaking his hand tentatively.

“She is mad at me because she wanted to practice that whole intimacy thing and I told her I couldn’t tonight.”

Nina looked at him, “And why is that?”

He shrugged, “Girls like her want commitment and a ring and all that. I’m just not interested in all that.”

“I see. So why stay with her?”

He put his hands in his pockets, “Well, she is what I need right now.”

Nina nodded as if she was interested and moved passed him to make her way back to the front of the room where her keys were, “Well, then, may I suggest that you actually give the intimacy thing a try?” When she turned around, his five-foot ten frame was right behind her. She could smell his scent of sweat and Axe, it sent the hairs on the back of her neck standing up and alert.

“What if I don’t want it with her?” taking another step closer to Nina, “What if I don’t want it with a girl, but with a woman?”

Nina appeared unphased and looked at him, “That is something to consider. If that is the route you plan on choosing, then may I suggest that you try a woman closer to your own age that is a willing participant. Now, if you please. I have dinner plans,” and motioned for him to leave. He smirked, “Good night. Doctor Moreno,” and turned to walk out. Nina let out a deep breath and then made her way out of her classroom. Climbing the stairs, she thought she could smell a whiff of Armani’s Acqua di Gio, Draven’s scent. Shaking her head knowing that that was not a possibility, she locked up her classroom and made the walk to her Land Rover in the parking lot.

When she opened the building door, she was greeted with a cold breeze that made her shiver and drew her iPad closer to her with the tumbler as she hurried to her Land Rover. With her key in her hand, she was just about to hit the button to unlock the doors when she smelled Axe and sweat with an arm going around her shoulders roughly as she was grabbed from behind and pulled to a chest.