Stephanie enjoyed the classes she was taking with Jeanne Ellen. They have a lot of fun studying and working on assignments. Stephanie took a creative writing course as her elective. The professor said she could take a second elective to complete her degree. Stephanie decided to take a class in Microsoft Office software. She would become more proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher during the course. The programs would help in the Security company they planned to open.
Her assignments were relatively simple. Stephanie worked with the programs at home, but having someone teach her to build macros in Excel or quick tricks for formatting documents and presenting everything in PowerPoint was irreplaceable. She led the men on how to use the software. Taking the class benefited the guys more than Stephanie.
Tank loved the Excel spreadsheets. He used Stephanie's computer to play with the software, learning the tricks to get it to work how he envisioned. Hector spent hours showing Tank how to build and run macros on the tabs.
Lester and Tank left on a mission a few weeks after Carlos and Bobby returned. They followed the exercise routine Stephanie devised. Carlos reluctantly sparred with Stephanie when she insisted.
"I'm proud of you, Babe," Carlos breathlessly said. Stephanie had knocked him to the mats using the moves she perfected on Tank.
"Thank you," she replied. "It's important for me to be proud of my achievements."
Stephanie and Carlos showered before meeting Bobby and Hector for breakfast. Hector made scrambled eggs with spicy salsa. He added extra jalapeƱos and cheddar cheese for Stephanie's benefit. "I love it when you make this, Hector," Stephanie said after eating the last bite.
Carlos passed on the eggs, preferring to eat a bagel with reduced-fat cream cheese, one half of a grapefruit and drink his black coffee. Hector anticipated his selection and prepared them. Stephanie thought Carlos didn't eat enough. Carlos didn't want to pollute the temple from the fats in the cheddar. Stephanie didn't mind worshipping at his temple.
Bobby, Carlos and Hector compiled a list of suppliers and weapons required to open the security business. There were a lot of details involved in selecting the manufacturer for the items they wished to own. Stephanie let the men conduct their checks and lists while she worked on her creative writing class assignment.
The assignment was relatively simple for Stephanie. She had to select a year in her past and write a comical story about an event during that year. Stephanie chose to write about the time she jumped off the garage roof and broke her arm.
She felt unsure if the story was funny and gave it to Bobby to read. He couldn't stop laughing. Stephanie nervously waited for Carlos to read her story. His lip twitched in amusement. He tipped his head back and laughed when he finished reading. "Babe," Carlos said.
"Thanks for reading it, guys. I believe it contains enough humour for the professor." Stephanie went to the office to print another copy. She placed two copies of the story in her backpack. Carlos raised a brow, and Stephanie explained her logic. He laughed when she glared at him.
"You're the asshole, Babe?" Stephanie never realized she had told him that part of the story. "I hope you never stop being the amazing woman you are."
Stephanie's knees weakened, and her heart raced as Carlos tugged her until his arms wrapped around her waist. "Hmm. We don't have time to do whatever entered your mind," Stephanie said when she felt his erection pressed against her stomach.
"I only need a few minutes," Carlos growled.
"You'll be in trouble if I'm late for class," Stephanie warned, giving in to his desire. With a flip and a squeak from Stephanie, Carlos tossed her over his shoulder and carried her upstairs.
Bobby and Hector laughed before they turned on the music loud enough to drown out the noises Stephanie made during sex. "The construction team is coming next week to soundproof their bedroom," Hector said, speaking in Spanish.
"I can't wait until that happens," Bobby confessed. Listening to Carlos and Stephanie having sex was like listening to a porno without the benefit of watching the action. The guys couldn't pick up random women to release the build-up of pressure and sexual urge. A few times, Stephanie suggested they go out for a night to meet women. None of the men accepted the offer. Bobby planned to visit the local bar the following night.
Tank and Lester returned a few days after Stephanie had her spring break. She had expected them to be gone longer, but they were only on a reconnaissance mission with their troop. Since Stephanie was starting the second half of her semester, the higher powers decided to leave the men with Stephanie.
Frank and Matt Meyers arrived during Stephanie's break to discuss the case. E. E. Martin sent a recruiter to Douglass for business graduates. Stephanie attended the seminar and applied for the position. Upon successful course completion, she would hear if she got the job. The recruiter conducted interviews during the workshop. E. E. Martin wanted to hire ten graduates.
Stephanie was confident she would get hired. When Stephanie asked about the requirements, the recruiter claimed they only considered hiring women with a GPA higher than 3.2. Stephanie knew she would be eligible.
"Do you think they'll hire you?" Agent Meyers asked.
"Definitely. I noticed the recruiter avoided the women she thought were too attractive," Stephanie replied. She shook her head at the ridiculousness of Sheryl Parkinson.
"What makes you so sure?" Frank asked.
Stephanie snorted. She covered her mouth as her face turned red. "Sheryl has red hair and brown eyes. The blond women with above-average breast sizes were bypassed during the interviews. Tabitha, a shy girl in my Economics class, didn't get an interview. She resembles Jennifer Lopez, but Tabitha has blond hair and green eyes," Stephanie explained. Lester held his hands several inches from his chest, indicating that Tabitha had large breasts. Stephanie smacked his arm.
"Why would she avoid the attractive women?" Bobby asked.
"To prevent us from arriving on their doorstep," Agent Meyers replied. He ran his fingers through his short blond hair. His blue eyes looked haunted.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Stephanie said. "Wife, sister or daughter?"
"Amber, my daughter," Meyers confessed while removing a photograph from his wallet. "She got hired at E. E. Martin two years ago. Amber disappeared during a work business trip. She accompanied Evan Martin to a clothing manufacturer. He returned within a week and claimed Amber remained behind to attend several conferences. Amber never came home."
"Did the FBI search into Evan Martin's past?" Carlos asked.
"Yes. We also checked the airport CCTV. Amber was last seen at the airport when Evan caught his flight home. She drove him," Meyers replied. "We checked the plane manifest for her name. Amber had a return flight purchased but never used it. She disappeared between driving Evan Martin to the airport and the conference the following day. Amber never signed in. She was seen driving away in her rental car."
"What about Elmer?" Stephanie wondered.
"Not visible on the CCTV or manifests."
Stephanie slumped in her chair. She felt powerless to help Amber. Everyone knows the kidnapped victim has the best outcome within the first forty-eight hours. Amber was gone too long. The chances of finding her alive were slim.
"Why now?" Carlos asked.
"Children are disappearing. One child, a thirteen-year-old girl, belonged to the FBI director. His ex-wife, Carla, is also missing. Nobody had seen Carla and Penny since they attended a charity function before Christmas. Elmer and Evan Martin were in attendance. The police questioned everyone. Witnesses saw Carla and Penny leaving in a cab," Meyers explained. "We never suspected they were taking children until then. Agents and precincts in other offices discovered many foster children are missing in their jurisdictions."
"Agent Meyers, did Carla work undercover at E. E. Martin?" Stephanie asked. He lowered his head as she shook it.
"What charitable event?" Carlos asked.
"Raising money to help abused women and children," Meyers replied.
Stephanie looked at Amber's picture to memorize the woman's face before returning it to Meyers. She hoped to find the agent's daughter and the other missing women and children.
Carlos squeezed Stephanie's knee. She wondered why Agent Meyers never told her father about the director's ex-wife and daughter. It was vital information to have from the beginning. Stephanie and the others would have searched and contacted people they trusted to be on the lookout for them.
"We didn't know the director's ex-wife and daughter were missing until a few weeks ago. He was supposed to visit with Penny during her spring holidays," Agent Meyers explained. "Carla and Penny may not be with the women and children captured in the human trafficking ring."
"But your instincts are telling you they got snared in their trap," Stephanie said. She felt in her gut that Agent Meyers was right. Stephanie prayed they could find them before it was too late.
Matt Meyers returned the photograph to his wallet behind the plastic window. He stroked a finger across the image of his daughter's face before folding and tucking it away.
Frank and Matt left after updating Stephanie and the team. They had more to do besides shutting down the trafficking ring. Carlos and his men had to find the missing women and children. There was more to the case than anyone had anticipated.
Hector swept the living room for hidden devices the agent may have placed. He found none, much to Stephanie's relief.
"Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?" Stephanie asked.
"Someone in the military or law enforcement is involved," Tank replied.
"Exactly."
"Who?" Lester asked. Stephanie shrugged. She was out of ideas.
"I only know it isn't Dad or Agent Meyers," Stephanie replied.
A few months later, Stephanie and Jeanne Ellen took their exams to graduate from Douglass College. Jeanne Ellen wanted to attend the graduation ceremony in June. Stephanie couldn't be bothered. She had to get that job at E. E. Martin to uncover Elmer and Evan's deepest secrets.
The professors strongly recommended that Stephanie continue for another year to obtain her MBA. Stephanie politely declined. She had more important work to do. Stephanie emailed a copy of her transcript to E. E. Martin's recruiter, Sheryl Parkinson. A few days later, Stephanie received a job offer, which she readily accepted. Sheryl asked her to arrive at E. E. Martin in three weeks for her orientation.
Jeanne Ellen had nervously asked Stephanie to be in her bridal party, which Stephanie accepted. Sophia, Jeanne's oldest sister named after their grandmother, was pregnant and stepped down from being the matron of honour. She was expecting twins and expanding at an alarming rate. Sophia's dress didn't fit, and they couldn't modify the gown to accommodate her baby bump. Stephanie had to get the dress altered to fit snugly across the waist. Jeanne Ellen was thrilled when Stephanie agreed to be the matron of honour. Kyle and Jeanne wanted their siblings in the wedding party.
Everyone travelled to Newark a week before the wedding. Carlos and Stephanie stayed with his aunt and uncle, preferring to avoid the madness leading to the ceremony. Stephanie helped whenever Jeanne Ellen asked, but it mainly verified the hair, makeup and nail appointments.
The morning of the wedding was chaotic. People ran around getting the venues decorated. There wasn't much to do at the church. The priest didn't want anything taped to the pews. Large white bows were carefully tied around the end of every third pew along the aisle. Stephanie thought it looked perfect. Two massive bouquets of roses and other colourful flowers sat on the floor at each side of the altar. The unity candle sat on a table the church's custodian placed to the right of the altar.
When the music played, Marisol hugged Jeanne Ellen before walking toward the men standing with the priest. Celia followed Marisol down the aisle after she hugged Jeanne Ellen. She was proud of her sister for following her dreams.
Stephanie hugged Jeanne Ellen and her father-in-law before going down the aisle. Carlos locked his eyes with hers. He couldn't stop staring at his gorgeous wife. Jeanne Ellen selected the perfect shade of blue to match Stephanie's eyes. Watching Stephanie walk down the aisle reminded him of their wedding in Atlantic City. Most of the guests didn't know Stephanie and Carlos got married. Carlos told his immediate family. Stephanie felt Javier staring at her, but she ignored him.
Javier thought his sister-in-law was the hottest woman in the church. Stephanie's curves filled the dress despite her breasts being smaller than he preferred. He imagined Stephanie watching him as she walked toward the altar. Javier thought Carlos didn't deserve to have Stephanie as his wife.
Carlos could feel the anger rolling off his brother. It irritated him that Javier thought he was more attractive and deserved to have whatever woman he desired. Carlos raised his brow imperceptibly. Stephanie could read his expression. Her husband wanted to punch Javier. Carlos' lip twitched when Stephanie slightly raised her chin.
"Stop it," Jeanne Ellen hissed when she stood between Stephanie and Kyle.
Stephanie accepted the bouquet from Jeanne Ellen, rubbing her wrist in apology. "Thanks," Jeanne quietly replied. Jeanne caught Carlos' eye and raised a brow. The groom's side of the family could see her face, but not her family.
Jeanne Ellen was relieved when the ceremony ended, and she got to kiss her husband. They kept their kiss chaste. Stephanie returned the bridal bouquet to Jeanne Ellen to place on the table while they signed the paperwork. Once Jeanne Ellen finished, Kyle took his turn. Stephanie put her flowers beside Jeanne's as she signed as a witness. Ryan, Kyle's brother and best man, signed as the second witness to the marriage.
After the priest, Father Gary added his signature to the license, he told Stephanie and Ryan to return to their positions. Father Gary announced, "I am pleased to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Burrows. Please join me in congratulating the couple." Everyone clapped.
Before they walked down the aisle to follow the bride and groom, Ryan reached for Celia and whispered to Stephanie, "Your brother-in-law is being a creep," leaving Stephanie to walk with Carlos ahead of him and Celia. Stephanie and Celia pretended it was part of the plan. They rode in the limousine to the park for pictures before going to the reception hall.
At the reception, Javier kept talking to Stephanie. She was polite and answered his questions. He waited until dinner ended, and Carlos was preoccupied with talking to his mother. Stephanie excused herself to use the washroom. She sensed someone was following her and was relieved when Celia caught Javier's attention.
However, when Stephanie returned, Javier caught her arm and pinned her against the wall. Carlos was talking to his mother and grandma and couldn't leave without being rude. Stephanie kneed Javier in the nuts, making him clutch them tightly and fall to the floor. Javier howled in pain as he called Stephanie every derogatory name he thought of.
Carlos and his father, Ricardo, arrived to see what had happened. Stephanie stood over Javier, looking crazy and ready to kill her brother-in-law. Her hand rubs down her stomach, and she gasped. Carlos asked, "Are you okay, Querida?"
"I'll be fine. Your asshole brother punched me in the stomach. It's going to leave a bruise," Stephanie replied.
"Why?" Carlos demanded. He lifted Javier from the floor and pressed him against the wall.
"To make her lose the baby," Javier groaned.
"I'm not pregnant, asshole," Stephanie snarled.
"I saw the test in the garbage at Tia Luisa's house," Javier argued. Luisa was Lester's mom and Maria Manoso's sister.
Stephanie rolled her eyes. The test belonged to their cousin, Isabel, Lester's married sister. She found out that morning after Stephanie bought the pregnancy test the previous day. She didn't want to announce to everyone that Isabel was expecting. "It wasn't mine, asshole. Someone else is pregnant."
Carlos and Lester removed Javier from the reception hall. They put him in a cab and sent him home. Stephanie returned to the tables across the room and sat with her mother-in-law.
