Chapter 21 Dear Spears

Note: I noticed Aunt Sarah started out as Aunt Susan...sorry for any confusion. It's now Sarah. I'll have to go back and change it for when I upload this to Ao3 after it's finished. It was also pointed out to me by one of my readers so thank you for the reminder…. I almost forgot.

Barney's

Barney and Ava smirked as Sarah left with Galgo for the night. Apparently he had a spare room and he'd love the opportunity to share more 'stories' with her. He even rolled her suitcase out for her while she wrapped her arm around his. Who knew Aunt Sarah had such game.

Barney cleaned up a few plates that hadn't been brought to the kitchen while Lee and Ava cleaned up. He made his way back for the last plates and paused as his phone rang. He answered quickly after noticing the number.

"Bonaparte! You have my information?" Barney asked sternly.

It had taken longer than usual and Barney was a bit concerned.

"Well Ross, this wasn't the usual information," Bonaparte sighed heavily, "This got a bit more personal."

"Tell me about it," Barney agreed.

"So you have a daughter that gets in just as much trouble as you?" Bonaparte laughed.

"Thankfully not quite as much," he said, "She's become our at home tech expert."

"Good thing to have nowadays," Bonaparte paused, "You might want to sit down for this one."

"How bad is it?" Barney asked lowly.

"I had to do some digging from a few years ago to find all that was needed," Bonaparte paused, "Her cousin wasn't accidently killed by a gang. He was killed on purpose to keep him away from Ava so this prick could have her all to himself. Seems he was protective of his little cousin and could sniff out bad ones from a mile away."

Barney sighed heavily, "Well her aunt just arrived last night so at least the family is all together for safety."

"Good thing too," Bonaparte agreed, "Her aunt's house was just burnt to the ground. Prick is obsessed with fire it seems. I couldn't track the aunt so it's good you have her there. Mike Spears is tying up loose ends dealing with your precious progeny. Her former boss was found hanging from a rafter in an abandoned warehouse. This guy has some sick stuff in his past, and coming from me that's saying something."

"What's he into?"

"His daddy and him run a drug ring aimed for the rich people of New York. His father also runs the legitimate businesses as a cover. Few dirty cops on the payroll. Human trafficking in young children and young women. It'd take a lot to end this guy without taking down a lot of his crew. The only time he isn't surrounded by muscle is when he's with a woman…. or with Ava."

"That ain't happening," Barney gritted out.

"I understand," Bonaparte said sighing, "Just thought you should know."

"You have anymore?"

"Should arrive by courier tomorrow… wanted to tell you the highlights tho."

"Thanks, we'll take a look and plan from there."

"I'll wait to hear from you then."

Barney clicked his phone shut and stared at the wall in front of him. He was going to have to tell Sarah about her son and Ava about her cousin. She'd seemed heart broken already when she spoke about it. He was going to hate how she reacted when she found out it was all because of Mike Spears.

Lacy's

Lacy stomped around her partially destroyed kitchen. She normally didn't break dishes and throw silverware like a child, but she couldn't believe Lee was with Ava. She'd lost him and the credit card she'd been given. Sure she'd paid off the house and paid ahead on her bills, but she was now accustomed to a certain way of life. She'd need to replace her broken dishes and she loved the feeling of a new dress that made her look sexy. Plus her makeup was the expensive stuff with no chemicals. A woman has to look good after all.

She paced back and forth with her hands on her hips. Lee had mentioned once that Ava had an ex. Maybe he'd be interested in where to find her? She smirked before walking into her office and popping open her small, red laptop. It was rarely used, but she knew how to online shop. A search engine should make quick work of finding anything about Ava Ross.

New York

An annoyingly loud beep repeated and echoed through the empty room as if a sonar had been turned on. It wouldn't turn off until someone pressed a code into the computer. A text notification was also sent to two numbers so they were aware of the alert.

Not even ten minutes passed before one Mike Spears ripped through the door and punched in his code. He leaned over the empty chair and glared at the computer while the alert processed and popped up what he wanted to see. Someone was looking up his Ava. He punched a couple keys and watched the new text appear.

Location: New Orleans, Lousiana

Subject: Ross, Ava Marie

Identity Confirmation: Picture not available in local area. Unconfirmed target location

He tapped a few more keys and watched a map show up with additional information.

Searching…

Searching…

Global location confirmed. IP owned by Lacy Cunningham.

Searching Lacy Cunningham…

Property owned by Lacy Cunningham at the global location.

Photos spit out across the screen of Lacy with a variety of men, but quite a lot of Lee.

Known associates: Lee Christmas classed as possible romantic interest. Amy Bosworth classed as friend. Marcy Grimton classed as friend. No living relatives. Lacy Cunningham classified as low threat and expendable.

Mike Spears grinned wolfishly, "Well baby, let's find out why a pretty thing like you is looking up my girl."

He stood and grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair before striding out the door. He pulled out his top of the line phone and tapped a button. He held it in front of him as it picked up on the other end.

"What was the search on?" his dad asked skipping straight to the matter at hand.

"Ava," he said smirking as he left the building and headed to his car, "Someone is looking her up in New Orleans."

"I'll arrange the private jet and your usual crew."

"I sent the system on a more thorough search of this chick's social circle. She might have a boyfriend I can use against her if she doesn't want to talk."

"Just tie up your loose ends," his father said sternly before hanging up on him.

Mike clenched his jaw and tossed his phone in the passenger seat. He whipped his car out and headed to the airport to wait on the jet while everyone arrived.

New Orleans, Barney's

Ava washed the last dish and rinsed it before handing it off to Lee. She felt a chill go down her back and she froze as she frowned in thought.

Lee noticed the pause, "Ava?"

"You ever get the feeling that something really bad is about to happen?" she whispered.

"Like a sixth sense?"

"Yeah."

"Barney gets those all the time. He's never been wrong," Lee said setting the towel aside and turning her towards him.

He set his hands on her hips and pulled her against him, "Have you had this feeling before?"

She looked down to his chest and rested her hand against his heart, "Yes. Before my cousin died. Before I found Mike with those women. I've never been wrong either."

"Then we should tell Barney."

"Tell Barney what?" Barney asked as he walked into the kitchen tucking his phone away.

"She's got the Barney Tell. She felt that chill," Lee explained.

Barney stood straight and crossed his arms, "You ever been wrong?"

Ava shook her head no and rested her head against Lee's chest.

"When did you get them?" Barney asked.

"Before her cousin died and right before she found Mike with those women," Lee answered as he wrapped his arms around his woman and held her tight.

"You aren't gonna like what Bonaparte found then," Barney said quietly.

Ava lifted watery eyes up to look over at her father.

Barney sighed, "He killed Sarah's boy."

Ava's eyes widened and the tears let loose to stream down her face. They continued to flow as Ava tried to breathe. Her lungs felt tight and Lee tried to calm her down. Black spots formed around the edges of her vision. She was going to pass out and she was unsure how to stop it. That was her last thought before her eyes rolled back and Lee caught her in his arms. Lee's eyes widened and he looked to Barney.

"Sounds like her cousin was the protective older brother she never had. They were close."

Lee nodded and shifted his arms so he could pick her up in a bridal carry. Barney followed him as he went to lay her down on the couch. Lee brushed her hair out of her face and sat down next to her on the edge of the couch. Barney took a seat nearby.

"She's not gonna like the rest of it," Barney said solemnly.

"How bad is it?" Lee asked.

"The Spears have graduated from drugs to include human trafficking. Children and women mostly."

Lee shook his head in disgust. They both looked at Ava and sighed.

"She's gonna blame herself for not noticing anything," Barney said quietly.

Lee nodded in agreement.

"I'll call the team," Barney said quietly, "The rest of the information should be here soon. Once we're all on the same page we can make a plan."
"When do our plans not go to shit?" Lee asked.

Barney sighed as he ran his hand down his face, "Don't remind me."