Retribution (Secrets & Lies #3)(50)
Melissa
It feels strange and wonderful to be driving the van down the mountain, I so rarely drive. So to be behind the wheel with the rest of the family relaxing is wonderful.
Andrea's sitting in the back next to Carson, holding hands.
“Are you sure you're strong enough to drive the van all the way?” Andrea asks languidly as she leans against Carson. “I feel like a big pile of Jell-O.”
“I'm doing well,” I reassure Andrea. “Nathan?”
“Very good,” he reassures me. “By the way, I got a message from the Major before we left. He says that things have gone quiet in New Orleans. One of the team already made a stop on Isis, she hightailed it before she could make a hit on one of the former house staff. It has been quiet in New Orleans for the past twenty-four hours since then.”
“That's good, right?” Carson asks, and Nathan nods. “We're getting to them?”
“I think so. The Major said Peter is being super paranoid, but, they're just trying to make a clean hit.”
“What do you mean clean?” I ask, and Nathan turns his eyes to me, a little thrill going through me even with the serious nature of what we're discussing.
“As long as we are safe, the team is trying to make sure that any hit on Peter or Isis is surgical. No extra bodies—no collateral damage. However, from what the Major said, Peter has only been seen in public with other people very close by, too close to make sure they don't hit someone innocent. The Major suspects the people are mostly paid security. They are still working it though, doing what they can.”
I nod and keep driving, enjoying the freedom and the power that comes with it. It's an hour and some change to get to the clinic, our first stop on the day's agenda.
The parking lot is relatively empty when we pull in, and Nathan goes into full security mode, his eyes scanning everywhere as he keeps his hand close to his jacket. “Do you really need to?” I ask. “I mean, you just said that things went quiet in New Orleans.”
“Which means either she's laying low or she is looking to raise hell somewhere else,” Nathan reminds me, still scanning the area. “It looks clear though, as best I can see. Come on.”
We go inside and Andrea signs in. Because of the lack of underground treatment facilities in the immediate area, the nearest underground clinic Katrina could find that deals with prenatal cases is a vet clinic in Charlotte. We had to use one of Andrea's aliases, but so far it's been safe. It's not her best alias, but we didn't have the time to set up a lot of alternate identities like Katrina and Jackson have.
“It's good to see you again, Mrs. Sands,” the receptionist greets Andrea as she signs in. “Feeling well?”
“Feeling perfect,” Andrea says. “I brought some more of my family. This is my sister and her fiancé, will that be okay?”
“I'm sure Dr. Jackson will have no problems with it,” the receptionist says. “I'll pass it along, but the rooms are plenty big enough. Y'all have a seat, and he'll be with you right quick.”
“I haven't heard a good y'all in weeks,” I chuckle as we sit down. “My family isn’t from around here, and you Nathan, you aren't Southern.”
“Nope, although I lived in New Orleans long enough that I can sometimes hear it in my own voice,” Nathan says with a small smile. He gives me a questioning look, and takes my hand. “Does it bother you I've never told you more about my childhood?”
I shake my head, and give his hand a squeeze. “I know who you are now, I don't really care about who you were. And I know that you love me, and that tomorrow I'm going to become Melissa Black. That's all I really need to know.”
“I'd like to know more,” Carson says. “Just for curiosity, and for when your secret billionaire uncle dies and leaves it all to you.”
Nathan shakes his head, chuckling. “No rich uncle. Actually, my father was an only child, me too. So having you guys around, it's a good feeling. It's my first big family.”
The nurse calls us and Andrea leads us all into the exam room where Dr. Jackson is standing, reviewing Andrea's file on his computer. “Good to see you again. You're certainly looking good for a woman going into her second trimester. How is everything?”
“I had a little bit of an upset stomach a few days ago, but other than that, nothing wrong at all,” Andrea says, having a seat on the exam table. “Dr. Jackson, this is my sister Melissa and her fiancé, Nathan.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Dr. Jackson says, shaking hands with us both. “Engaged, huh? When's the ceremony?”
“Tomorrow,” Nathan says enthusiastically.
“That's great,” Dr. Jackson says, turning his attention to Andrea. “Well then Miss Andrea, let's see how you are doing. Lie back please.”
Dr. Jackson starts with the basics, a quick check of Andrea's blood pressure before pulling out his scopes and checking her heartbeat, breathing, eyes and ears and all of that. “I know it's not necessary, and probably seems like overkill, but when you told me that you live more than an hour outside of town, I'm going to take the extra few minutes to make sure you're as healthy as can be before I send you on your way,” he says, tapping Andrea's knee with a rubber hammer. “Okay, the main event I know you're all looking forward to, the ultrasound.”