Snake

****Author's Note: The ideas and descriptions of the town are made up.****

Snake

"Good work Everyone." I paused, surveying the conference room.

The men, and one woman, had their heads bowed over laptop keyboards, tapping away at the keys while others were sprawled out in chairs, their eyes closed but bodies coiled like springs ready to spring into action. I checked my watch - it was eleven thirty p.m., which meant most of them had been awake and working for almost forty-eight hours.

“Kent, Correa, Crab and Shadow, head home and get some rest. I don’t need you back until Monday. Widow-”

“I fucking hate it when you call me that!” Julie “Widow” Murrows declared from her spot near the far corner of the room. Her chestnut hair hung limp around her shoulders and heavy bags hung under her emerald eyes. Despite her exhaustion, she still managed to flash me a defiant smirk as I smiled at her interruption - she was a genius at nineteen, a prodigy with computers, weapons and tactical logistics.

“We know.” Clarkson “Superman” Kent chuckled. “Your reactions to the name are comical.”

Harrison “Potter” Roarke leaned casually against the wall; his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans. He grinned lazily at Jules as he spoke “Yeah Widow. Gotta have thicker skin if you don’t want us to continue using it to pick on you.”

Jules shot upright in her chair, turning it so she could face him directly. Her emerald eyes blazed with anger. She clenched her fists at her sides and leaned forward. "Would you like a reminder as to why you dickheads started calling me that fucking name?"

Not wanting a bloodbath, I quickly interjected. “Alright, settle down Jules.” Taking a deep breath, she straightened out of her aggressive stance and nodded her head in agreement. “Sure thing, Snake,” she replied, still not taking her eyes off Potter.

I continued, “As I was saying. Jules, I need you to finish looking through the candidates for your backup. I don’t expect you to do it this weekend since you have been awake almost as long as the guys. It needs to be done soon though."

Jules nodded, masking the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “Will do.”

“Potter.” I said, narrowing my gaze on him. Everyone around the conference table shifted uncomfortably.

“Yes?” Potter said with a hint of apprehension in his voice.

“You, Jax and Kid have a home install tomorrow.”

They all groaned. Installing residential security systems was by far the least favorite service Tactical Operation Protection & Security, better known as TOPS, provided, “I’ll more than likely be around to help at some point, but due to who the client is I more than likely won’t be helping much.”

“Why's that?” James “Kid” Garrison asked from across the table.

“It’s my new neighbor. I haven’t met her yet.”

A few hushed whispers clattered around the room before someone spoke up. “How do you know your neighbor is a she if you haven't met them yet?”

I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling defensive. “I've seen her outside a few times since she moved in, but one or both of us have always been busy.”

Jules gave me a knowing look from the other side of the table and leaned forward in her chair. “So what you're saying is, not only do you have to play the understanding Owner but also the welcoming neighbor.”

"Exactly. We all know I'm not the best with social graces,” I said with a smirk. A conversation with me is like pulling teeth. I don’t have any interest in being anyone’s friend or confidant, and that’s fine. There were a few snorts of agreement from around the room. It was no secret that none of us were fond of people. Ironic considering that being around people was the sole purpose of our job. “Alright, I think we're done here for the night. Go home and get some rest."

As those still working on their laptops packed up, I grabbed my bag and made my way to the elevator which would take me down to the parking garage below the facility.

Kent and I were partners in this company, but only a select few knew of his involvement since he preferred to stay out of sight. Decisions were shared between us both, but I was the boss and face of the company. When we purchased the land outside Woodville, Oklahoma a few years ago, security had been our foremost priority.

The town was small, but it was perfect for our needs; plus, it wasn't too far from Lake Texoma. After acquiring the land, Kent and I planned out our base of operations meticulously: two floors above ground and an employee parking garage below.

The sprawling property was dotted with trees, and at the back end of it was a small road leading to the entrance of the parking garage. The entrance was marked by a keycard scanner where every employee had to scan their access card and enter their security code for the day. As part of their daily routine, each employee received an encrypted email containing nine different codes for the building.

Is it overkill? Definitely. I’d rather err on the side of caution and be prepared though then to let anything happen to Jules, who has become a surrogate sister to me and the guys, or the guys who have become my brothers. After entering their code, they must place their thumb over the scanner before advancing into the tunnel. Lastly, each vehicle was scanned meticulously for tracking devices or signal jammers.

Reaching my jeep, I throw my work bag into the cargo hold and slide into the driver's seat. As I start the engine, the rumble of the V8 sends a small burst of energy throughout my body and I connect my phone to the Android Auto before selecting my favorite playlist for the drive.

Pulling out of my spot, I turn towards the exit giving a two-finger wave to some of my team that were also leaving. Once I’m on the main road I head into town to grab some food. Although it’s traveling in the opposite direction from my house, I don’t have any food and I’m determined to satisfy my grumbling stomach.

Entering the city limits I take a deep breath and make a right turn onto Main Street heading straight for Ingrid's Diner. Slowing down as I come up on the restaurant, I spot an empty parking space in front of the entrance and maneuver my Jeep into it.

Even though I’m starving, I take a moment to sit. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon me from our latest top-secret mission for TOPS which almost ended badly until we were able to turn the tide; things went wrong so many times but somehow everything worked out in our favor.

As I'm about to set my foot outside the car, a notification sound blares from the speakers indicating that I've received a text message. Grabbing my phone and looking at my notifications, I see that I have a text from Veronica whom I have been seeing casually; she works at Ingrid's.

Tilting my head up, I glance through the window and sure enough there she is standing behind the counter watching me with her arms crossed over her chest and a smile on her face. She waves when we make eye contact and I give her a nod in return before looking back at my phone to read what she said.

Veronica: So, there are only two reasons you’d be showing up here at a quarter to Midnight:

1. You just got done with work and because you’re a typical man the only thing you have at home is beer, so you need food.

2. You’re looking to get laid.

Judging by the exhaustion that's written all over your face though, my money is on option 1.

I chuckled at her message. She and I have an arrangement, when she isn’t seeing anyone, we get together sometimes for relief. So far, it's worked. I don’t want a relationship and she understands that it’ll never be more. Shaking my head. I text her back.

Jake: While option 2 sounds fantastic. I’m afraid I wouldn’t make it to the bedroom before passing out.

Veronica: Your usual order I presume?

Jake: Sounds Great. Thanks.

I set my phone down on the worn leather seat next to me and leaned my head back against the headrest with a sigh. I was so exhausted that I must have dozed off. Suddenly, there was a strong shake on my shoulder. I snapped awake, and had reached for my gun before I realized it was Veronica standing next to the Jeep. Her face was pinched in worry, and her eyes were wide.

“Whoa big guy.” She said with a small smile.

“Sorry about that.” I replied, my voice coming out scratchy.

“No problem.” She said, handing me my food. “You gonna be okay to drive home?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” I picked up my wallet and pulled a couple of twenties out handing them to her. “Don’t argue.” I said when she started to protest. “You didn’t have to let me sit out here to order and then bring the food out to me.”

“Jake, it’s not a big deal.”

“I know, but I want to show my thanks.” I gave her a one arm side hug which made her smile. She turned and made her way back inside and I watched her as she did to make sure she made it inside safe before I pulled out and headed home.

I was five minutes from my house when I heard the familiar beeping of an incoming call. Glancing at the screen on the dash, I saw that it was Julie calling from her office. I used the button on the steering wheel to accept the call and said, “I could have sworn I told everyone to go home and get some rest.”

“Yeah well, I still had shit do.” Came her snarky reply. God, she tried my patience.

“Nice, disregarding a direct order.”

“Whatever. Just be glad I was still here and not on my way home.”

“Why, what happened?”

“The perimeter sensor at your house was tripped. Initially I figured you forgot to deactivate it before pulling into your driveway. Then the sensor for the gate to your backyard went off. When you didn’t clear either I called you and started pulling up the camera feeds for your property.”

“Fuck!” Picking up my phone I slid my notification bar down and saw the notifications for the app were set to silent. “I’m five minutes out. What’s the situation?”

A laugh filtered through the speakers before she said, “Oh this is Fucking fantastic!”

“Julie.” I growled.

“Sorry Snake.” She snickered before adding, “I’m gonna leave you in the dark on this one. Let me know how it goes though.” She hung up when she was done talking.

My music resumed, and I cursed under my breath. Reaching out to tap the call button on my steering wheel, I waited impatiently for Google assistant to appear. “Call Manshora,” I said when it finally popped up. He lived a few houses away, so if he hurried, he would probably arrive faster than I could.

“What’s up Snake.”

“Perimeter and back Gate sensors at my house were tripped. I’m still a few minutes away.”

“Copy. I’ll head over to check it out.”

“Not sure what’s going on, Jules called me to let me know since I didn’t clear them out. I asked her what the situation was. She started laughing and hung up.”

“Of course.” he replied before hanging up.

My foot pressed down on the gas pedal, and I sped towards my house. As soon as I turned onto the street, I saw his car parked in front of my house. My Jeep screeched to a halt when I pulled into the driveway. I flung myself from my Jeep and bounded up the steps two at a time before I burst through my front door. Manshora was standing with his back facing me, transfixed by whatever he was seeing. He didn’t even react to me when I got closer. His mouth agape he continued to stare out the bay window in my breakfast nook.

“What the fuck is going on Manshora?” I asked, and when he didn’t respond right away, I shouted his name louder.

He snapped out of it and turned to me. “Sorry Snake, Julie was wrong, you most definitely aren’t gonna be able to handle this on your own.” His eyes appeared glossed over with desire and a smug smirk spread across his face. I stepped up to the window and peered outside.

What I saw left my breath suspended in my chest. I felt like I couldn't breathe. Four women were in my backyard. All completely nude. Three of them splashed around in the pool while the fourth walked toward the diving board drying herself off with a towel. She had long curly red hair cascading down her back, ample breasts bobbing as she moved, and an ass that begged for attention -- for me to hold onto while I thrust my cock deep inside her.

My heart raced as I shook my head, steeling myself against the woman's beauty while still showing my annoyance. Taking a sharp breath, I swung open the backdoor and stepped onto the back porch. A flick of my wrist illuminated the backyard in a bright glow, revealing the woman mid-jump. Her face had only a moment to show shock before she landed wrong, she rolled her ankle when she landed and struggled to stay balanced on the board before she inevitably tumbed into the pool with a loud smacking sound.

"Fuck!" I yelled, realizing she must have hit her head on something when she fell. Voices started shouting around me, but I didn't bother to listen. I didn’t hesitate, I dove into the water and swam over to her motionless body at the bottom of the pool. Gently grasping her arm, I pulled her close and pushed off from the bottom to propel us both to the surface. Reaching out from the pool's edge was Manshora to help pull her out of the water before I lifted myself out.

“Snake.” Julie’s voice echoed through the speakers linked to the cameras I had around the property. “I called Correa, he’s on his way.”

Relieved by the news, Manshora and I quickly kneeled next to the motionless woman and began CPR. As I gave her two breaths, one of her friends approached and knelt beside us.

“Ma’am, I need you to step back.”

“But she’s my friend.”

“I understand…” I started to say, but she cut me off, her brow furrowed in concern.

“I doubt that” she said, her voice firm. "She doesn't know you. She's going to be terrified when she wakes up.”

My patience thinning, I sternly replied, “Would you rather your friend be scared or dead?”

Startled by my outburst, her mouth hung open in shock before she retreated to join her group of friends.

“Asshole.” The anger was evident in her voice as she uttered the single word. Her body language shifted from one of concern to contempt as she moved away, a harsh glance casted back towards me. I didn't let it faze me; my focus remained on the task at hand.

I refocused my attention on saving the woman's life. After several rounds of compressions and breaths, she coughed up water and groaned before slowly opening her eyes. As our gazes met, a wave of calmness washed over me as I stared into her light amber eyes.

Not long after, Correa came running out of the house. Kneeling next to us as he asked what happened. I recounted everything I could as he snapped on some gloves.

He nodded a few times as I spoke before he turned to the woman, “Ma’am, my name is Louis Correa. I was a field medic while in the Army. Do you have a problem with me checking you for injuries?” she shook her head and groaned.

“Can you tell me your name?” he asked as he turned her head as gently as possible, wanting a good look.

“Samantha Renee Webb.” she answered without hesitation, then added, “Date of birth July sixteenth nineteen ninety-five.”

“You’re most likely going to have a gnarly headache for the next few days, but it doesn't appear as if you’ll need any stitches.” he said.

He continued to poke and prod her making sure she didn’t have any other injuries besides the one to her head and ankle. As he worked, he asked her several questions. When he reached her ankle, he held it carefully in his hands and moved it ever so slightly; even this slight motion caused Samantha to scream in pain.

He carefully set her foot back down on the ground. His lips pursed as he palpated the area gently. “Aside from the head injury and the ankle you’re okay, but I think it’s broken. You should get to a hospital.”

The woman who had come up to us earlier walked back over, “I can take her,” she offered.

Samantha shook her head with trepidation and winced with pain as she tried to move. “Not a chance. We were drinking tonight before this happened and you polished off a bottle by yourself.”

“Sam, it’ll be fine. This situation has sobered me up enough for now.”

I growled in frustration. Gazes flew in my direction, but I didn’t pay them any mind I only had eyes for Samantha – Sam. “I’ll take you.” Before anyone could protest, I slipped my hands beneath her knees and back to cradle her before rising up in one smooth motion.