use. I won’t pretend that we Catholics have a perfect reputation. I can assure you that this will not happen as long as I live within these walls. But I understand the wisdom of having such warriors on hand. There is only so much that prayer and loving words can do. Am I wrong in saying that where evil men lurk, only the shining glint of the sword can light the way?”
President Zimmer nodded, his mind spinning.
“What do you plan to do?”
“I will send these warriors to Mexico. They are, after all, Catholic monks. They know how to blend in, in their own way. We have contacts in Mexico who can help them in their search. We could use your assistance, should you be able to do so.”
Zimmer didn’t have to think long. He had just the outfit that could not only deal with the terrorist threat, but could blend in as well as the Pope’s secret brotherhood. Probably better.
“Your Holiness, I think I have just the men who can help.”
Chapter 5
Seaside, Florida
11:47am, March 13 th
It was the perfect day. The midday sun cast down a welcome warmth, elevating the spring air to a gracious seventy-two degrees. Children threw footballs and sprinted up and down the green grass of the outdoor amphitheater in the middle of the small Florida panhandle town. Lines of patrons snaked past each of the silver bullet food trucks that crafted everything from gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches to organic smoothies. The murmur of walkers and the rumble of passing motorcycles blended together to make what Cal Stokes thought of as the ideal spring break cacophony.
The former Marine looked up at the sky and wondered what life would be like if he could stay on vacation permanently. Unlike most men his age, the ruggedly handsome warrior could afford it. His father had started Stokes Security International (SSI), and the company had grown into a security and consulting powerhouse. Cal was no longer working with his deceased father’s corporation, but he was still the official owner.
But the Marine in Cal didn’t really care about the money. It afforded him the ability to come and go as he pleased, but he’d also ensured that the majority of SSI’s profits were either reinvested or distributed to its hard-working employees.
Besides, Cal was having too much fun in his new gig. As founder of The Jefferson Group, Cal Stokes was beholden to only one man: his good friend Brandon Zimmer, the President of the United States of America. The two still kidded each other about what an unlikely pairing they’d once been. But time and bloodshed have a way of bringing men like them together. Once polar opposites, Cal now considered the president to be one of his best friends.
So when the president had called on his friend to become his back pocket asset, Cal hadn’t hesitated. Well, at least not much. He didn’t give anyone the satisfaction of saying yes right away. It wasn’t how his Marine colonel father had brought him up, and it certainly wasn’t part of his, at times, stubborn personality.
A content smile made its way onto his face as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the sun’s soothing rays, a nap coming on before long.
“Get up, sleepy head, it’s time for lunch.”
Cal rolled over and looked up at Diane Mayer, his girlfriend, and one of the best things he had going. She was wearing a teal knee-length cover-up over her bathing suit, and he couldn’t see her eyes through her oversized sunglasses. That didn’t matter. The same thought came flashing to his mind as quick as her playful smile. She is beautiful .
“Do we have to? It’s so nice down here.”
Cal reached up and grabbed her hand, trying to pull her down to the ground.
“I’m serious, Cal, I got a table.”
He groaned and got to his feet. If there was anything he didn’t need right now, it was more food. The CEO of The Jefferson Group (TJG), Jonas Layton, who also happened to be a billionaire, had rented a beachfront home for all of TJG’s
President Zimmer nodded, his mind spinning.
“What do you plan to do?”
“I will send these warriors to Mexico. They are, after all, Catholic monks. They know how to blend in, in their own way. We have contacts in Mexico who can help them in their search. We could use your assistance, should you be able to do so.”
Zimmer didn’t have to think long. He had just the outfit that could not only deal with the terrorist threat, but could blend in as well as the Pope’s secret brotherhood. Probably better.
“Your Holiness, I think I have just the men who can help.”
Chapter 5
Seaside, Florida
11:47am, March 13 th
It was the perfect day. The midday sun cast down a welcome warmth, elevating the spring air to a gracious seventy-two degrees. Children threw footballs and sprinted up and down the green grass of the outdoor amphitheater in the middle of the small Florida panhandle town. Lines of patrons snaked past each of the silver bullet food trucks that crafted everything from gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches to organic smoothies. The murmur of walkers and the rumble of passing motorcycles blended together to make what Cal Stokes thought of as the ideal spring break cacophony.
The former Marine looked up at the sky and wondered what life would be like if he could stay on vacation permanently. Unlike most men his age, the ruggedly handsome warrior could afford it. His father had started Stokes Security International (SSI), and the company had grown into a security and consulting powerhouse. Cal was no longer working with his deceased father’s corporation, but he was still the official owner.
But the Marine in Cal didn’t really care about the money. It afforded him the ability to come and go as he pleased, but he’d also ensured that the majority of SSI’s profits were either reinvested or distributed to its hard-working employees.
Besides, Cal was having too much fun in his new gig. As founder of The Jefferson Group, Cal Stokes was beholden to only one man: his good friend Brandon Zimmer, the President of the United States of America. The two still kidded each other about what an unlikely pairing they’d once been. But time and bloodshed have a way of bringing men like them together. Once polar opposites, Cal now considered the president to be one of his best friends.
So when the president had called on his friend to become his back pocket asset, Cal hadn’t hesitated. Well, at least not much. He didn’t give anyone the satisfaction of saying yes right away. It wasn’t how his Marine colonel father had brought him up, and it certainly wasn’t part of his, at times, stubborn personality.
A content smile made its way onto his face as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the sun’s soothing rays, a nap coming on before long.
“Get up, sleepy head, it’s time for lunch.”
Cal rolled over and looked up at Diane Mayer, his girlfriend, and one of the best things he had going. She was wearing a teal knee-length cover-up over her bathing suit, and he couldn’t see her eyes through her oversized sunglasses. That didn’t matter. The same thought came flashing to his mind as quick as her playful smile. She is beautiful .
“Do we have to? It’s so nice down here.”
Cal reached up and grabbed her hand, trying to pull her down to the ground.
“I’m serious, Cal, I got a table.”
He groaned and got to his feet. If there was anything he didn’t need right now, it was more food. The CEO of The Jefferson Group (TJG), Jonas Layton, who also happened to be a billionaire, had rented a beachfront home for all of TJG’s
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