They always met here it was easy when she found herself at home alone. Mona's was a small diner on the outskirts of town tucked away in a dark hidden corner just off the last exit into the next town, easily missed by the casual passerby. It was a place for those needing privacy and where those who didn't want to be recognized met to discuss secrets and conduct shady business.
Omar Bastione was a determined, focused man with no tolerance for failure and distractions. It had taken him nearly twenty years to train his large network of minions who were willing to hunt and kill for him even at the cost of their freedom and lives. He'd always had a soft spot for his youngest recruit she was beautiful and naïve yet willing to please him. He'd saved her for one mission and one mission alone. It was the most important thing he'd ask any of them to ever do. She'd failed.
He watched her walk through the door. He knew that look. The look that said she'd gotten too involved…too close and she'd forgotten the mission and her role in it. She took the seat across from him. She waited for his chastisement in silence.
"You're late."
"Traffic."
He took a long sip from his drink before speaking again.
"You broke the number one rule in our business, my dear."
Her eyes surveyed the room for familiar faces. It was natural for her to be suspicious. She knew what happened to those that failed. Strangers weren't always just strangers; some were associates in the business, hit men and the like. It would be nothing for one of them to be sent after her once she left the safety of the diner.
He could read her mind. He knew her better than she knew herself after all he had damn near raised her and trained her to be one of his most successful operatives. It was a risk giving her this assignment but he needed to test her and to prove to her that he had faith in her. Perhaps he'd even broken his own rules. He'd gotten too close and cared too much for the gorgeous brunette with the light brown eyes.
"I took the liberty of ordering your usual."
"I'm not hungry."
"But you'll eat anyway. It's not polite to not at least pretend you appreciate my gesture."
"Yes of course."
"Savannah, dear, dear Savannah what am I going to do with you?"
"Omar, I…"
"You what?"
"I'm sorry if you think…"
"Are you going to tell me that you can still complete your assignment?"
"Yes, I can. I've already proven that!"
"Shh…lower your voice, my darling. We wouldn't want to disturb the other diners."
He chuckled waiting for the waiter to place their meals on the table before continuing. Then leaning in close to make sure she understood how serious he was.
"Omar, please, I am still committed to the mission and I can help make this right!"
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Have you forgotten? I'm the one that made sure he was at that market and I'm the one who made sure he was distracted while your men got in place."
Then she leaned in to meet his gaze.
"And I'm the one that made sure his team didn't find out it was you behind the kidnapping."
The older white-haired man smiled then leaning back against the weathered wooden chair he slowly unwrapped his eating utensils placing the white linen napkin on his lap. He watched her closely already he could see the subtle changes in her face.
"So how far along are you?"
"Eight weeks."
He cut his steak in several small pieces aware that she was watching him as her food remained uneaten on her plate. As he slowly chewed he shot a disapproving look her way prompting her to take a small bite from her dinner roll.
"Eight weeks, eh?"
She didn't respond now picking at her over-cooked chicken breast. She nodded affirmatively.
"So what are you going to do with this child after his father is dead?"
"I'll manage."
"You know there's no room for children in our line of business. They're nothing but a distraction. They make you weak. So, I ask you again Savannah, what are you going to do with this child?"
She could feel tears welling up behind her eyes. She couldn't cry tears were unacceptable to Omar and she'd disappointed him enough already. Her entire life had been dedicated to making him happy but she never seemed to get his full approval, which at times had driven her mad.
"Why did you give me this assignment?"
"Out of all of my operatives, you were the only one who could get close enough."
"I don't understand."
"You were exactly what Derek Morgan was looking for only he didn't realize it."
"Aren't you afraid his team will catch on?"
"No. If I were afraid I'd killed him while he laid unconscious in the hospital."
"But they're good at what they do…"
"I'm better at what I do. Although, I wasn't expecting to lose six of my best men. Your, fiancé is a most impressive man. I've never come up against anyone quite like him. The way he was able to disassociate himself from the torture, the pain…No I've never come across anyone like him…makes me almost sad to have to kill him."
Potomac General Hospital – Evening –
He'd spent three days teetering between life and death held tightly in the darkness of a coma. He didn't see it coming, the kidnapping, the beating and torture and now the unbearable pain. His skin irreversibly scarred by white phosphorus burns and his ribs broken, bruises that made breathing nearly impossible. The nightmares had already begun and even the memory of his father's visits in his mind brought him no comfort. The only thing that had kept him sane as he lay in the hospital bed was the news of Savannah's pregnancy.
He loved her and he loved the thought of having a baby with her…he'd come so close to losing it all. She'd been by his side from the moment he'd been brought in and for that he was grateful. His best friend Penelope Garcia had been there too. She'd been his solace even after Savannah had come into his life never missing a beat, keeping him honest and always being there for him. He owed her everything. She walked him through uncertain times and if it hadn't been for her encouragement there would have been no Savannah in his life.
"Do you know how much I love you?"
He still remembered his words spoken from a post coma haze. He was weak but happy that he'd beaten death and his tormentors.
"Do you know how much I appreciate everything you do?"
Her eyes held so much assurance, so much love and hope. She had news but he'd already figured it out. She was pregnant with their child. He'd already deemed it a boy she wasn't so sure. It didn't matter.
"Will you marry me?"
Tears had spilled from his eyes and she was giddy quickly saying yes to his question.
He was happy…happier than he'd ever been…
Savannah stepped out into the cold night air pulling her coat tightly around her body. She checked her watch and hurried across the street to her car. It was getting late and she needed to get back to the hospital. Derek had insisted she go home for a while to get some rest instead she used the time to meet with Omar who'd demanded a meeting with her. She feared her mentor he'd shown countless times that his evil and violence had no limits. His demand for loyalty was not mirrored in his actions and killing her would be easy for him. She'd never feared for her life not until now. She was carrying Derek Morgan's child…eight weeks, eight weeks…
"Savannah…I'm sorry." He whispered through his pain.
"For what?"
She was so happy to see him awake determined to apologize.
"I was late for dinner."
Her heart broke for this man who'd been an assignment. In that instant she realized he was so much more…he'd always been so much more.
"But you made it."
Omar was right she had broken the rules. She wasn't supposed to fall in love and she wasn't supposed to plan a future with him. Now she was pregnant and she had accepted his marriage proposal. Worse than that she loved him, totally and hopelessly loved him.
"The next time you ask I won't be late for you…or our son."
She didn't know if it was a boy and she'd told him as much. It didn't matter. Tears began to run down her face as she started her engine; the tears she'd fought so hard to keep from Omar. Pulling away from the curb she knew what was expected of her. She had a job, a mission and it was not to be questioned. She knew better. Loving Derek Morgan had become a complication. After all was said and done and she was once back in Omar's good graces Savannah knew that Derek's words would haunt her to her grave.
"Do you know how much I love you?"