Love out of Hate

Chapter 11

Lana's POV

It has been two weeks since we started our meetings with Tony and Sally. The corporation has ramped up its attacks and have been taking out full cities at this point. We were at a loss. It was our third weekly dinner at Tony's and the kids were getting more comfortable around them. Sally had opened up her pool outside since it was finally warm enough for it and they were having a ball swimming and playing with her in it. They definitely were missing their grandparents, one or both sets would constantly be over on weekends spoiling and playing with them. Since we've been here they have been more isolated, so they have been finally able to enjoy themselves.

"I have talked to my contacts in STEAM, and they are at as much of a loss as us. They had narrowed it down to about three or four people who were solely in charge. Grayson, have you no idea who was at the top?" He shook his head "I may have been their top assassin, but I was still not allowed to know the logistics of the organization. I believe for this reason. If I were to escape and get out, they wouldn't want any of us to have the information to use against them. There were three levels, the top of which we had no idea about. Their goons, who were the ones to tell us what needed to be done and who. Then us. Unfortunately, the more I've been out with a level head the less I can remember." He sighed "the guys from the bar have to be apart of the goons then, right?" He nodded "I believe so, but I don't recognize all of them, so they must be expanding. We all had our own personal goons though, so I didn't see many. That's probably why I don't. The ones I do recognize are from passing, I believe. I wish I could remember more." He seemed really defeated. "It's not your fault dude. Maybe we can hypnotize you." Tyler shouted from the lounger in the pool. His curly hair a mess atop his head. I think he was enjoying the pool more than the kids. Grayson huffed at him as Ty raised his margarita glass to us. "Stop teasing Ty." I shouted back to him "its Friday L don't blame me, I am going to enjoy this, for as long as I can." Belle jumped in the pool for the tenth time trying to "rescue" the kids. She was growing on me, that stinky pup.

"Hello" Sampson was calling, so I put him on speaker. "Lana, we have another clue that the group in your area is meeting again tomorrow night at one of those arcade restaurants. You can scope it out with the whole family. That way it looks like you all are just out for a family night." I looked to the kids. "No Sampson, I would rather not put my kids directly in harms way. Maybe this could be like a guys' thing. Ty and Grayson can go together. Plus, I don't want to get drugged again." Sally started squealing. "We can watch the kids for you while you three go out and work." Tony was nodding. "Yeah, and that way we can go over what you found after, we can watch them here or your place, which ever you prefer. Both have a safe room." Sampson laughed at the line "I agree with their plan, plus the three of you are more deadly than two." Tyler rubbed my back, "Don't worry, they are safe and, plus, I don't mind being a third wheel." I punched him as he was laughing, he was enjoying this arrangement too much. "Keep it up and not fun night tonight." Ty gasped and Grayson's head shifted so fast to us with a questioning look. "Fun night?" He raised his eyebrow. He seemed almost jealous. "Yeah, it's something we do once or twice a month, usually a Friday night after some drinks, Ty has a sleepover in my room with movies and snacks. We've been doing it since school after basic, even when we were deployed. Daniel used to love and hate it. He was always in the middle and Ty would snuggle him just to piss him off." Ty and I both laughed at that thought. "You two really have an amazing relationship." Sally was smiling as she was drying Ella off. "Alright guys ya'll get home. I have a fun night to plan!" We thanked them for dinner and fun and headed home. The kids ran and laughed the whole way.

We got the kids down, and I was setting up my room. Usually I grab about five movies, but I was actually beat, so I probably won't make it through two. Ty came in with a boat load of snacks, "I figured we would just pig out for one movie." I nodded "please, I am so tired. I have this ready though." I held up a new face mask, and Ty scrunched his nose "ugh I just did my hair." I laughed at him, his hair was always in pristine curls atop his head. His hair was a dirty blond color and wasn't too long, but was always done. I slathered the gray mask over his face. We were laughing and eating when a knock came. "Probably Ella, it's about that time." Ella would come in on Friday nights. Usually, after we get settled in, though, "Come in." However, Grayson peeked his head in. He took one look at Tyler and started laughing. Tyler all but growled, opened he door more and grabbed Grayson, who was now resisting entering. "Oh no please join us Grayson. We have plenty." Tyler tackled him to the ground, "Hurry Lana, he's strong." Grayson was flailing around. I managed to get his face covered. He sat up wide-eyed. I handed him a snack. "Is there something you needed?" He shook his head "no" and he sighed. "Truthfully, I wanted to see what a friend's fun night was. I was taken so young, and we weren't able to create friendships. I guess I was a little curious and maybe jealous." I looked at Ty who looked like he was feeling the same slight sadness as I was. I did feel, kind of bad because that is sad, not having a best friend or someone to tell everything too.

"Come on man, you can join us tonight. We usually mask up and then watch a couple movies. Tonight we're taking it a bit easy and watching a chick flick, sorry." We all sat on the bed comfortably eating and watching. Grayson asked questions about the movie and we went over some of our sleepover stories and deployment stories. We were getting more comfortable with him, and I am still not sure how I feel about that. Tyler jumped to the outside of the bed and I looked at him alarmed and so did Grayson. It was now Ty on the outside, then Grayson and then me. "Don't worry big fella, I will snuggle you gently." Grayson tried to get up fast and stated he would sleep in his room, but Ty got him down. "Nope you're a part of this fun night now!" He turned off the light and laughed sinisterly. "Gooood niiiight." I laughed "knock it off Ty." I snuggled in, but I was hyper aware of where Grayson was. The warmth of his body was almost inviting. I need to be more careful.