The Valkyrie’s Ghost

Author's Notes:Ta da,Part 10ofThe Valkyrie's Ghostis here. Notice that it still carries the scarlet badge ofBetadue to my lack of any grammatical talents and the struggle to get the concepts out to a few people who DM with a request to hurry with the next offering (see, it isn't my fault!). This section will eventually move into the hands of one if not two editors, so read for the story and not the grammar.

I would encourage all new readers to start with01 - The Valkyrie's Ghostand move through the previous ten sections before starting this.

We are getting close to the end of this part of Riley and Lysandra's story. I see one, maybe two additional parts (~10 chapters). I am also investing time in adding threads that will connect these characters with characters from my first series, Come Fly with Me. Well, to the promised 2nd book of the CFWM arch. It was a blast pulling these characters out of storage and bringing them back.

Finally, I do read comments and I smile at the feedback. I have had a few direct messages that had me choked up. To hear from someone who has been in foster care or a survivor of trauma to take the time to share your take is humbling and I am very grateful.

Enjoy!

PHD

Chapter 51

Riley Rivers

Sunday, January 18th

The Five House

8755 Ridgeline Hollow Road

Grants Pass, OR

Riley----------------

Riley was in a tough spot as he stared into the red numbers of his phone as it clicked to four-twenty-nine a.m.. He almost laughed, problem? He was in bed with a Nordic goddess who was lying on his chest, slack limb, the rhythmic breathing and warm body irrefutable evidence to his disbelieving mind that this was all just a dream.

What was the problem that constituted the tough spot? It was twofold.

First, the Lieutenant Colonel had set up morning PT with the Vanguard and Whisper at O-four-forty-five and his clock with a four-thirty alarm, which should wake the said Nordic goddess in a few heartbeats.

The potentially more embarrassing and troubling aspect of the tough spot was that Riley's parasympathetic nervous system went rogue and decided that four-twenty-five was a fine time to divert blood flow to a particular part of his body that was at this moment in direct contact with the Nordic goddess's left thigh that she had hooked around his legs in the tossing and turning of sleep.

There was no way to hide it. Lysandra grumbled at the early alarm, but confessed she needed to start exercising as well, and tomorrow is as good as any other day to start.

The phone played the Beatle's Here Comes the Sun, and Lysandra stirred. Her eyes parted, finding her human pillow, she arched her back like a cat and moved to an elbow.

"Good morning," She smiled and with an obvious attempt not to let morning breath escape, she leaned down and planted a loving kiss onto his waiting lips.

Riley's mind was recalling everything about the world's slowest sport, baseball, but his bat had a mind of its own.

"Good morning." Riley smiled back and tilted his head up to claim his own kiss.

Riley could see the second her mind made the connection. Her brows went from puzzled, to shock, to end with a naughty smile.

Lysandra smiled devilishly. "I think your little guy is also saying good morning."

She slowly dragged her thigh down his groin and used her arm to pull back the covers as if they were the curtain to a burlesque show in Paris.

The release of her thigh and the covers combined with loose boxers and Riley presented his new girlfriend with a not small pop tent.

"If I was in my old room, I might say something like grandma, what a large cucumber you have in your sleeping shorts!" Lysandra was barely able to finish her quip when she exploded in laughter.

"Sweetheart, you might add a sweatshirt on our run," Riley looked directly at her sleep tank and found two small erasers making their presence known. Then he provided her the most lascivious wink he could forge.

Lysandra crossed her arms across her nipples and rolled on the bed laughing at Riley as he escaped to the restroom. The closing door followed by the click of the lock caused Lysandra to redouble her laughter.

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The pair of Escalades rolled down the Josephine County roads as they headed to the airport. Talia sat in the front passenger seat as she and Elise chatted about the morning run. It surprised everyone that Elise must have been birthed from an antelope. Her ground eating gate shocked the grizzled Vanguards who assumed based on her height that she might be left behind. She was a strong third behind a photo finish between Ghost and Valkyrie.

Riley smiled as he remembered how the signs of recovery from the loss of Breaker peaked from the dark storm clouds after they had finished PT. Talia started to give Torque some gruff when he stepped up and with a slight grunt held her above his head. She laughed and the team when to hit the small shower in the Sentinel. Whisper claimed first shower as her right for her PT win. The Vanguard groaned but begged her to save some hot water for Torque's last shower because it was vital for the air quality of the Sentinel for him to shower and shower well.

When Torque barked about lifting weights is PT as well, the Van tackled him to be quiet.

Lysandra looked to Riley and asked. "A simple wood floor to dribble basketballs?"

"I am not responsible for the fact my family likes you way better than they like me." Riley quipped back. The massive smile on Lysandra's face helped the scout in Riley better understand this needs of this most insidious of foes. Love.

Riley's phone rang, which was limited to a privileged few. He pulled it out of his cargo pants and saw Jordan Hallowell-Kierce's name and photo of her and him at a surprise birthday party Amanda had arranged.

"Rivers." Riley answered. In the seat to his right was Lysandra who looked over in interest. The front seats went quiet. He wasn't sure why, but he held up the phone and turned on speaker phone, tapping the volume to max.

"Riley, I have Cole's sister, ex-wife, and her son stashed here in New York." Jordan's voice seemed troubled. "I just had breakfast with them, and they are getting a bit stir crazy. They are almost demanding to know what is next."

"Cole mentioned his sister is in her final semester of medical school, is the correct?" Riley asked.

"Yes, she is top in her class. I earned my MBA from King's College back in the day and a former schoolmate, who is in the Vice-Chancellor's office, did some discrete questioning here and there. She is one hundred percent confident that the medical college would provide her with compassionate consideration and allow her to finish her work remotely from the US. Then she would be able to apply for residency anywhere." Jordan spoke confidently. "I had a side conversation with Admiral Stratis who mentioned that it is likely the president would be happy to ask for support from the US Marshals and federal witness security program to help get Cole's loved ones settled."

"Therefore, the question that is on the table, where do they want to be settled?" Riley asked a bit surprised.

"It is a question on the table." Jordan replied. "However, that is not the most important question to Sophie and Emily. The most important question to them is who is this Ghost guy that Cole said would stand in for him now that he is gone."

"Did they see the whole video?" Riley asked.

"Sophie asked to wait. Emily did, but Ollie has not seen anything." Jordan offered sadly.

"I have Lysandra and Talia in with me." Riley shared. "Can we have thirty seconds?"

"Absolutely." Jordan replied. "I will keep the line open."

Lysandra dug in her pocket, pulled her phone out and scrolled through the favorite and tapping on her target.

"I am so sorry to wake you Octavia." Lysandra said, both Riley and Talia smiled. "Can you get the Valkyrie One to fly to New York City?"

"We have three passengers flying to Grants Pass." Lysandra said. "The sooner the better!"

Riley leaned over and said loudly towards the call. "Tell Carmen that Riley will reimburse for fuel and pilot time!"

Lysandra scowled at Riley. "Just in case you didn't get that, Tell Carmen that I will reimburse Nike for fuel and pilot time!"

The Lysandra stuck her tongue out at Riley.

Riley, seeing it was middle school social time, returned the favor.

"Holy shit!" Talia almost screamed.

Whisper swerved back into the road with an, "Oh, my good lord." Followed by a "Sorry about that. It was a tongue.. er turtle." Flustered, Whisper started again. "Sorry, I thought I saw a turtle in the road."

Riley looked around the cabin of the SUV. Talia's eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. Whisper's eyes kept darting to the rearview mirror and back to the road. Lysandra looked a bit pink.

"I am a bit lost." Riley confessed. "Did I do something wrong? I was just returning the salute that Lysandra sent my way."

"Octavia, yes, I am still here." Lysandra came to herself, "Thank you for making the call. Just let Jordan at Aegis know the time and place."

Lysandra blushed. "I will tell you later sweety. Riley needs to get back to Jordan."

Riley hit unmute on his cellphone. "Lysandra just ordered the Valkyrie One to New York City. I believe Octavia should be contacting you with details."

"Do you recall the flight time?" Jordan asked.

Riley looked to find the same looks by the Cadillac's passengers and even driver. He took a deep breath.

"I think it was four hours. So, say the are able to get out of here by seven am, it should be around two p.m. when they arrive in New York. That would return them to Grants Pass around four our time."

"Are you sure, Riley?" Jordan asked. "You have a lot of plates in the air."

"Breaker asked me to step in." Riley said with conviction. "I can't do that if they are on the other side of the country."

Lysandra leaned over and said. "We want them here with us Jordan."

"I knew the answer before I called, but I wanted you two to be sure." Jordan said. An influx of emotion choked her. "Cole was a smart man choosing you Ghost." She took a deep breath. "Just so you know, Cole left a bit over seven million in a trust with Sophie, Emily, and Ollie as the beneficiaries. You may or may not be surprised, but you are the sole trustee."

Talia closed her eyes. "The cheeky bugger." Wraith laughed and opened her eyes and looked into Riley's eyes. "They are set for life, right boss."

Riley smiled sadly and said, "They just could be."

"Talia, is that you?" Jordan asked. "You were my next phone call. Well it seems Cole has made you the executor of his estate. He left a will and a healthy life insurance policy over what Aegis provides. The estate may be north of two-million in its own right."

Talia's eyes bugged open. "Well sh... ship." Turning to Riley. "You lease out to advise people who are totally out of their league, right?"

Riley smiled and looked to Lysandra. "I am way out of my league in several aspects of my life at the moment, so yea, I will help you anyway I can!"

"Thanks Ghost." Talia said, letting a breath escape with the promise of an assist.

Riley turned his attention to the phone and Jordan.

"Jordan, thank you for stepping up and playing host. Please let me know if there is anything you need." Riley hit end on the call and looked around the cabin.

Whisper just pulled the SUV onto the tarmac as the O'Davoren Corporate Jet pulled off the runway to taxied to the assigned spot.

"Whisper, you are magical." Talia offered. "That is some sweet timing. Good thing you were able to dodge that tongu... er turtle." Wraith cackled like a... well a wraith. "or we would have been late."

Talia turned serious, reached down to the floorboard and pulled up her HK416 rifle, opened the door and joined Grim, Torque, and Nyx from the second Escalade as they spread around the site and waited for Valkyrie to greet her mother.

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Dana Vale and Fiona Rowan-Callahan were dressed in smart outfits seen in the highest of the fashion magazines launched themselves down the built in staircase of the Cessna Citation Latitude and threw themselves into Lysandra's waiting arms. Dana was an imposing woman, but Lysandra easily accommodated both and tears, hugs, and kisses flowed like drinks at a happy hour.

It was Dana who called, "Riley dear, get your cute little butt over here."

The tableau replayed itself with Riley's cheeks peppered with kisses and his ears receiving thank yous.

Riley jumped easily in back and after some discussion and impromptu game of rock-paper-and-scissors, Fiona joined him in the back seat. Lysandra and Dana had the two middle seats, and Whisper climbed in behind the wheel and Wraith assumed the front passenger seat.

It was Lysandra, the Judas, who was looking out of her window. "Whisper, were did that turtle go?"

A gale of laughter, an overly descriptive narrative of the size of Riley's tongue, and the inexplicitly effective cajoling of Aunt Fiona and Riley demonstrated that he was able to touch an inch up his nose and the bottom of his chin.

When Riley saw Dana pat her daughter on the shoulder with a huge smile, Riley made the connection and turned scarlet, pulled up his phone, and ignored all further requests.

Lysandra saw Riley withdraw and immediately felt bad. "Hey you guys, leave my boyfriend alone."

The car was absolutely silent. The tire's movement across the wet asphalt was muted behind the luxury appointments.

Lysandra looked back at Riley who was smiling until he caught the look of Dana who had frozen in place. His peripheral vision found Fiona in the same exact same state.

Dana and Fiona spoke at the same time.

"Boyfriend?" Dana asked.

"You are dating Riley?" Fiona asked.

Lysandra grimaced. "Um, it is something new." The WNBA start turned first to her mother and back to Fiona. "I am assuming you didn't see ESPN's Kendra Slone's report?"

Again, the two older women spoke at the same time.

"NBC." Dana said.

"ABC." Fiona said

"Sorry, I may have panicked and told the world?" Lysandra said hesitantly. "Well, minus the two most important women in my life!"

Riley made a huge production of pulling out his phone and typing on the screen.

"Mmm, Riley, what are you doing?" Fiona asked.

"Taking notes on groveling." Riley responded. "This is gold!"

Everyone laughed.

Fiona then attacked Riley with a massive hug. "These Vale women are too serious. You are exactly what they need. Hansome, delectable body, smart, has mad skills in the kitchen, nice to a fault, and a sense of humor." She kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you for protecting my Lyssie," Fiona's jovial voice cracked with emotion. "I am not sure I would make it without her in the world!" Then she burst into tears and Riley was comforting her.

Dana's hand snuck back to grab Riley's. "Yes, thank you for keeping my baby safe."

Fiona reached out and grabbed Lysandra's hand, who was hugging her mother, who was holding Riley's hand, who was hugging Fiona. The connection seemed to do its magic as Whisper and Wraith rode quietly in the front. Dana loosened her grip and then leaned forward to place a hand on Talia's shoulder.

"Dear, thank you for keeping my baby safe." Dana said with an emotion-laden voice.

"Ma'am." Talia looked back and smiled. "It is our privilege. Besides Valkyrie embarrassing us in PT, she is a peach."

Chapter 52

Lysandra

Sunday, January 18th

The Five House

8755 Ridgeline Hollow Road

Grants Pass, OR

Lysandra--------------

It was ten-thirty when Lysandra knew that if anything Riley had soft peddled when Whisper pulled up and Carmen Virelli and Jack Halden spilled out of the SUV, only to have Octavia and SiSi join them. What did Riley say... Oh, yes. 'The project started as a building a wooden floor to dribble a ball,' was a total cover up.

Wraith and Shade appeared carrying their HK416 rifles in relax posture, apparently they heard of the arrivals over the comms. She would ask Riley to get her a unit of her own. Wraith smiled as Lysandra turned to jot down the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, Lysandra turned to glare at Riley who just held his hands up in the air as if he was innocent, before she jotted across the gravel walkway to greet the Nike executives and add her glare to her own Judases. Umm, her own team.

"Jack?! Carmen?!" Lysandra sung as her heart began to race. "I would ask why you are here, but Riley sort of whispered something about a wood floor to bounce a ball on."

Lysandra turned towards the porch, only to find Riley a step behind her. He pulled his hands up slowly in surrender. "I specifically told the who group to make a chat thread without me so I could be found innocent by Judge Vale."

Lysandra laughed, turned and opened her arms to Jack. "Would you mind a hug from the most grateful person on the earth."

Nike's CEO was taken back, but quickly smiled, "It would be my honor."

The six-foot-two late fifties man was in excellent shape, but he was swallowed whole by the WNBA player.

"Lysandra bent down. Thank you." Lysandra breathed. "Thank you for caring enough to invest in me. Thank you for agreeing to fund Aegis." Then in a light whisper, "thank you for bringing me Riley."

Lysandra leaned back and then in an impulse kissed Jack on the cheek.

The CEO was dumbstruck. He understood the shoe business, and he was always weary of the intitled athletes. But the sincerity that Lysandra projected made it seem like his favorite daughter just hugged him and thanked him for some treasured advice.

Lysandra moved to Carmen, who was standing thunderstruck herself. "I am not even going to ask," Lysandra smiled and enveloped her into a hug using her massive wingspan.

"Thank you Carmen. Thank you for pitching the Valkyrie line. Thank you for asking Nike to support my security needs." Lysandra took a deep breath and leaned back and kissed her on the cheek.

"I thought I had a few days to get Octavia started on this," Lysandra looked at Riley who was beaming, "but seeing Riley is the only innocent," Wraith and Shade both cleared their throats loudly, "um, Riley and the Van are the only innocent folks here."

Octavia eyes went wide and turned to SiSi and then back to face Lysandra.

"Jack and Carmen, the minute Nike is interested in a second contract, I will sign it." Lysandra smiled. "I don't care if it is just a year or a lifetime contract, you have showed me who Nike is and the little fact that I would not be here without your kind offer, makes you not a corporate partner, but family."

Carmen's eyes went wide, she glanced at her boss before she launched herself into Lysandra's arms.

"Are you sure?" Carmen almost screamed.

"I had an itch that I mentioned to Octavia on the flight to the SI thing, but I spoke with my family this morning. It was Riley who said, once you are in a foxhole with bullets flying, you know the true measure of a squadmate." Lysandra stepped back and stepped into Jack's waiting arms. "The bullets have literally flown bye, and you put me first. You allowed me to use the Valkyrie One. I am more important that a quarter's bottom line. Thank you."

Stepping back and wiping a tear, she smiled. "However, I will not ask Octavia and my new lawyer, Kate Martin, to take it easy on you. But I promise you they will be fair."

"You know we were not here for anything but the court, right?" Jack asked as Lysandra gathered Carmen in her left and Jack in her right arm.

"Oh, I know you are a member of the underground conspiracy." Lysandra laughed. "Well, that is what my boyfriend says. Right after he claims he was just going to install a wood floor that I could dribble a ball on."

Jack looked first to Octavia, then back to Carmen. "We are guilty Ms. Vale. I hope you can forgive us for getting excited about a project Octavia and an Amanda recruited us for."