Sam's surprise.

Chapter 15,

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After pressing the trunk release, Michael moved away to keep an eye on what was happening along the street. It was a quiet night in Naranjas, there was only a few people out and about. Across the other side of the street, the Panthers stash house was being guarded by two young men who seemed more interested in rolling dice than doing their job. So far none of the Lords motorcycle club had made it out this far north. But Michael knew it would only be a matter of time.

Glancing back at the car Michael saw that Sam had Darryl out of the trunk and pinned up against the side of the car. He checked his watch, they needed to be on their way soon. Personally he had wanted to throw Darryl out of the trunk and let him figure out the predicament he was in all by himself.

"Hey Darryl. We're letting you go." Sam reached into the trunk of Fiona's car and hauled their prisoner up and out in to the night air. Pushing him back against the side of the car, Sam kept Darryl still by placing a forearm across his throat.

With his face only inches off Darryl's, Sam narrowed his eyes and hardened his expression. "In a minute I'm going to untie you, and you'll have a decision to make."

If it had been his choice Sam would have left Darryl gift wrapped outside the Lords clubhouse, but while they had been discussing what to do with their prisoner neither of them had noticed Marti listening in. As soon as she had realized what they were talking about she had made them promise that they would tell him what had happened and how dangerous it would be for him to stay.

"Tick tock." Michael sounded impatient, his voice carrying from the street corner, interrupting Sam's flow.

"My friend just wanted to let you go. Let you discover the kind of trouble you're in all by yourself. But luckily for you I'm not as hard hearted. Your club thinks you're a traitor, that you've ratted them out to the DEA." Sam told him the bare facts.

Darryl began to struggle, trying to yell at him through the gag. Sam kept him still, putting more weight through his arm. "Oh we know you haven't ratted them out, but the evidence we planted around your place was very convincing, some of our best work in fact. At the moment your friends are out looking to spill your blood. So you see, if you stay round here they're going to kill you." He wasn't sure if the biker believed him. To be honest he didn't care that much either.

Michael checked on Sam, whistling through his teeth to attract his attention. Then with a wave of his hand to let Sam know what he was about to do, he pressed the trigger on the remote detonator. As the Panthers store room disappeared in a fiery ball, Sam slipped a piece of C4 into Darryl's jacket, before cutting him loose. Quickly moving out of the way, Sam aimed his gun at the now free man.

"Go out on to the street now and the panthers will kill you on sight for what's just happened." Sam pointed out. "Call your gang and they'll kill you on sight as well. See where I'm going with this?" Sam threw a cell phone at him. "This is your only chance. Press one on the speed dial and some nice men will come and pick you up. How much you tell them will probably effect how much protection you get."

Michael was back in the car with the engine started. "Time to go!" He ordered. As soon as Sam slipped into the passenger seat he put his foot down and they left the area at speed.

"So what do you think he'll do?" Michael asked, as they drove north towards Miami.

"As long as he's gone by morning. I don't care what he does." Sam replied, making it plain he didn't want to discuss the matter any further.

…...

Marti woke up, lying on her back staring up at the ceiling of Madeline Westen's guest bedroom. She could hear Brady's soft gentle snoring next to her. It was early, not yet fully light outside, she could hear the birds beginning their morning song in the trees outside the window.

She remembered the previous night how bubbly and full of praise Fiona had been. All the way back from Homestead the older woman had complimented her on how well she had handled herself. Told her how proud Sam would be when he heard the whole story. She had let Fiona's words wash over her, soothing her shattered nerves. Then as soon as they had got back to Madeline's, she had gone to bed. Gathering up Brady's sleeping form in her arms she had tried to sleep.

Wide awake now she turned on to her side and stared at her sleeping son's profile. There was so little of Darryl in the little boy, he had her colouring hair, eyes and complexion. She narrowed her eyes trying to decide if maybe the shape of his mouth, or his nose belonged to his daddy. She traced a finger lightly over his features, wondering if, for what must have been the hundredth time she was doing the right thing.

With a sigh, she wiped a hand over her eyes, she had to be strong and put Darryl out of her mind he was gone, there was no turning back the clock. They were on their own now, and she needed to think about how they were going to cope.

Getting up without disturbing Brady she crept along to the bathroom and freshened up. Back in the bedroom she changed into clean clothes, shorts and a vest top. Then sitting on the floor she went through the jewellery she had taken from the house in Homestead. She had no idea on the value of what she had taken. It had all been bought for her, over the years. She hoped there might be enough to pay the deposit on renting a small apartment.

She was still sat there trying to work out how she was going to stretch her meagre funds when Brady launched himself on to her back. "Hey sweetie pie!" She grabbed hold of him, swinging him round to sit on her lap. "You want some breakfast?" Later on she would ask Madeline to watch him while she found a pawn shop and looked for a job.

Walking in to the lounge she was surprised to find Sam sat up on the couch, he had obviously stayed over night. She let go of Brady's hand as he pulled away, rushing over to sit down next to his granddad.

"Hello sunshine." Sam picked Brady up and sat him down on his lap. "What are we watching this morning?" He used the remote control to switch the TV on and started searching the channels.

"What happened?" Marti asked. "Last night. I mean." She stuttered, not really sure she wanted to know.

"We gave him his choices and let him go." Sam answered. He had stopped changing channels when Brady had squealed and pointed at a large purple dinosaur singing and dancing on the screen.

She nodded, a little disappointed at the lack of news. Turning away she went to fill up the coffee machine.

"Hey." Sam called out to her. "How about we wait for Maddy to get up and then go out for breakfast." Hoping a little bit of a distraction would cheer her up.

"Sure." She agreed. Then once the coffee machine was bubbling away she disappeared into the bedroom coming out a few seconds later with her jewellery box and a look of determination on her face.

"Sam. Do you think this stuff is worth anything?" She sat down next to on the couch and opened the box.

…...

Michael was woken by his cell phone ringing, with Fiona's head resting on his chest, he didn't want to move so instead he reached out blindly with his hand eventually picking up the call.

"Hello?" He muttered.

"Michael, it's Sofia. I thought you would like to know a member of the Lords of Hades mc was picked up last night by a couple of our agents and he has agreed to help us with our investigation." She sounded happy. Darryl must be giving up some valuable information, he thought.

"Thanks for letting us know. Where is he being taken?" He wanted to be sure he was going to be out of the way.

"He's at the field office for now. We'll be moving him shortly." She paused as if waiting for Michael to say more but when it became plain he had nothing to add. "Well I've my own cases to work so take care." She hung up without another word.

As he put his phone down, Fiona's hand came up to his cheek. "Who was that?" She asked, stretching out against him.

"Sofia. Just letting us know Darryl gave himself up last night." Michael answered, turning towards her, his hand lifting her chin so he could plant a good morning kiss on her lips.

"We'll call Sam later and let him know."

"Yes." Fiona agreed. "Later." Deepening the kiss.

…...

Two months later.

"Brady sweetie pie come and get your shoes on!" Marti chased the little boy around the open plan floor space of her one bed apartment. Finally grabbing hold of him, she dropped him onto the sofa that opened up at night into her bed. Catching hold of one kicking leg she managed to get one shoe on and then repeated the process with the other.

"We're late Brady." She glanced at her watch. It was two thirty, they were meant to be at Madeline's already and she still had a fifteen minute drive ahead of her.

Picking Brady up she rushed out the door and because the elevator was broken yet again ran down the two flights of stairs to the ground floor. Crossing the street she made it to her car and placed Brady back down on his feet. For once he didn't wriggle about as she strapped him into his seat. With a big sigh she got in behind the wheel and started the engine.

"Ok let's go see what Aunt Maddy's great emergency is this time." She pulled out into traffic, hoping the roads weren't going to be too busy.

There was no room on Madeline's drive, Michael's Charger was parked behind Madeline's vehicle and Sam's was on the road outside the neighbours house. Parking up she got Brady out and headed round to the garden where she could hear Sam's laughter from out on the street.

"Hey there she is!" Sam called out as she came through the gate. Brady was already off and running, straight into Sam's arms giggling as he was thrown up into the air a caught before being launched skyward again.

"What's all this for?" Marti asked, looking around.

"It's a celebration honey." Madeline announced, handing her a bottle of beer. Before she could ask what they were celebrating, Sam called out to her.

"Hey come here I've got something to show you."

With Brady still in his arms Sam led her into the house and over to the table. "I got a letter through yesterday, it took me until this morning to sort a few things out." He told her. "Just have a look through, let me know what you think."

"Sam?" She was worried at his awkwardness, she glanced nervously at the envelope lying on top of a pile of what looked like official documents.

He tapped the top of the pile and then turned away. "Take a few minutes." He walked back into the kitchen to get Brady a drink.

She picked up the letter first, pulling the single piece of paper out and opening it up. Holding it in one hand her other searched out the back of a chair. Pulling it out she sat down heavily. It was the results of the DNA test they had sent off. Most of it didn't mean anything to her, just the part that confirmed what they had both known. It was 99 per cent positive Sam Axe was her biological father.

Refolding the letter she looked at the rest of the paperwork. After the first page she put it all away, he had named her as his sole beneficiary in his last will and testament. Pursing her lips she looked up at him. "I didn't come looking for all this." She told him, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I know but you've got it now, if you want it. The whole deal." He answered her seriously.

She gave him a crooked smile. "What about all backdated birthday and Christmas presents?"

"Huh." He grunted, a fake stern expression in place. "That goes both ways young lady."

The End..

This last chapter has for some reason been very hard to write. I must have re writen it a half dozen times and to be honest I'm still not completely happy with it. But I just wasn't getting anywhere further with it. I hope it's not too bad.

A big thank you to everyone who has reviewed everyone was greatly appreciated.