Meanwhile, in a rented house a few miles away from the house with the pool, six men gathered around an old wooden table. "We have almost all of the pieces in place. Soon you will change the course of history. We have only to select a target and determine the best day to strike. These Americans are dumb and arrogant. Thinking they’re safe in this country when they are not. We shall have no obstacles in attaining our goals. You will be famous all time, My Brothers.""Fame is not my goal," replied a large man with a swarthy beard and white complexion. "I only hope to do my share to bring our true religion to this country. These people are godless, flaunting their bodies and respecting nothing and being in a nontrue religion. Only eight million of the American people will service the rest will get what they deserve death.""Nevertheless," replied the first man named Jacob, "you shall be famous, and our family will be well rewarded. Soon these heathens will know fear whenever your name i
Tyler and Jared both showed their surprise at Mitchell's request. Their jaws dropped and their eyes seemed to bulge. Willow and Jade swung their attention to the two friends for a few seconds."I'd be willing to work with Tyler, if Jade's up to risking her life working with the big guy. I don't want any money, but you must do something nice for us. You can surprise us; that is if Jade is Willing to go along with it.""I don't know how much you weigh, Jared, but you'd better not stomp on my feet." declared Jade. "It'll be like helping the underprivileged or doing charity work. Count me in, and that surprise had better be a good one."Jared and Tyler were dumbfounded. Somehow, they were suddenly obligated to learn to dance with two very attractive girls. They were embarrassed that they knew virtually nothing about dancing, but excited about the prospects of holding a pretty girl in their arms.Before Mitchell and Christine began their practice that evening, Donna made a point of as
Before anyone could guess his intentions, Kurt delivered a nasty backhand to her face. She fell backward and the group suddenly went silent. Everyone saw Mitchell step up to Kurt and say something quietly into his ear. Kurt grinned and headed for the back door. Mitchell asked Jared to close the door behind them and not to allow anyone out.Jared nodded his head in understanding and took up a guard position in front of the closed door. When he refused to let Christine by, she called for her father and her Aunt Donna's husband. The two men had heard the gasps and screams caused by Kurt's blow to Ashley Lyons and were entering the studio when Christine called for them."Dad, Uncle will. That brute, Kurt, just backhanded Ms. Lyons hard. He knocked her down and Mitchell said something to him. They both went out the back door and Jared won't let anyone by. Mitchell may be in trouble. You men have to go out there and put a stop to whatever's going on."Maddie and her date had just helped
"I thought it might be hard to understand, but I'll try to explain it better. Maddie loves her family. Because Christine and I are close, Maddie loves me, but like a brother. There Will never be any sex between us for a few reasons. Maddie Will never betrays her sister. I will never betray Christine. That makes me safe for Maddie to flirt with and tease. She knows that I understand, and she loves me for it. The same goes for Hailey. They love me mostly because Christine does. That's how close the sisters are."If you and Maddie get close, Hailey and Christine Will treat you special, once they decide that you're good enough for their sister. They'll love you like Maddie and Hailey love me. You must tease and flirt back with them, but never make any sort of inappropriate advance that could make them think you would be unfaithful to their sister, regardless of how seductive and flirty they behave. They expect you to be safe to tease. Never break that trust."I know this is unusual, but
"Was it necessary to have that scene outside with Kurt? He would have left that night and it would have been over with," reasoned Christine."How about Ashley? Are you confident that he would have left her alone after that evening? Don't you think he might've abused her again? I wasn't Willing to take that chance. He's a bully. He struck a woman. The only thing he'll understand is pain. He needs to know that there'll be dire consequences if he bothers Ashley again.""I didn't think about him going back to see Ashley again. She could be in danger if he did. I may have been hasty in thinking you were too rash in confronting him, Mitchell. I just don't want you to be hurt or get into trouble. I can see how he could have been a real threat to her. I've got to learn to trust your thoughts and actions when dealing with men, especially bad men. I'm sorry for suggesting that you're too keen on using violence. I saw how you risked your life and almost died to save those two little boys. You'
Nell O'Leary had reserved a room in the mansion for the girls to change their gowns. It was a bedroom in the living area of the mansion. Mitchell was shown what appeared to have been a large closet where his tuxedos were hanging."It isn't much, but you get changed so fast there wasn't much reason to use another bedroom for your clothes. We have a full house tonight. I'll be sleeping in the room the girls are using for their gowns. This is going to be a big night for my dad, and for us. I have a few media people that owe me favors and they'll be mentioning that I designed the girls' gowns and your tuxedos. Christine said she has her favorite reporter here as well. I think we should be able to garner a lot of good publicity. I expect you to save a dance for me."Mitchell quickly changed into his first tuxedo for the evening and stepped into the hallway, bumping into Nell Daniels as he did so. "Excuse me, Ma'am. I apologize for being such a clumsy oaf. Are you a supermodel? Here for t
"Thanks. I know I'm a lucky guy. You seem to be doing alright for yourself, Mitchell. You're always surrounded by beautiful women. It must be tough.""It's a cross I have to bear, Captain. There's no use complaining," laughed Mitchell."I can tell you have a military background. You knew from my uniform that I'm a captain and you addressed me like an officer. I understand your father was a Army Green Beret. I've had the pleasure of working with some and if I can't find an Army Ranger to watch my back, Army Green Berets are my next choice. They're very good."Christine watched the two men interact and realized that was one of the things that set Mitchell apart from the other kids at school. He was military in his poise and confidence. He was a natural leader. He and Nell's fiancé were very much alike. They were relaxed and smiling, but the steel in them was always apparent. They were men, not boys.When the dancing began again, Mitchell found himself with some very pretty daughters
"He's on Route 66 headed home and Maddie won't miss him for a second. She just traded up about a hundred positions in the draft. Jason has the look of a solid, dependable type of guy. He's almost through West Point and he'll be commissioned as an officer soon. I'd say Maddie may have found her Prince Charming.""He was awfully good looking, although it wasn't very flattering that he never even looked at me. I guess I'll forgive him this time. He sure looked good in that uniform.” Maddie stated.Melissa and Laura joined Christine in the ladies' room between songs. "Christine, do you know who that young man in uniform is that's so attentive to Maddie? What happened to Mike?""Mike got all jealous and left. That handsome guy drooling all over Maddie is Jason Hunter. His brother is engaged to Nell. He's graduating from West Point in a few months. Mitchell seems to approve, and so do I. Maddie may have found what she's been looking for all these years," responded Christine.The evening