Chapter 167

The transport pulled up in front of the house and Gail watch her armed escort flood out of the truck, taking positions of defense.  She wasn't used to this yet.  Hell, she wasn't used to her new office yet, but this was a visit that she needed to make.  She needed to find out if Brie Draiman was REALLY her niece Irian Cartwright.  She slid out of the truck and walked up the stone pathway to the front door and rang the doorbell.  A tall husky man with black hair that came to his shoulders, a bar bell through his right eyebrow, and a single stud under his lip answered the door.  "Hello, can I help you?" he asked.  "Whatever it is you're selling, lady, we're not interested."

"Mr. Donegan, I presume", she said with a smile.

"You're not the ONLY person in the world that knows I'm Dan Donegan of Disturbed, sweetheart.  Again, I ask, what can I do for you?"

"I'm Director Gail Richardson.  I'm your new boss, Mr. Donegan."

"Oh, shit!  I'm so sorry.  I didn't mean to be disrespectful."  He turned back into the house.  "David!  You have company!"

"Don't tell me it's the Commandant, Danny.  I'll have to punch you in your face."

"Who you threatening to punch, short ass?  You'd need an entire army to beat my ass, shrimp.  And no, it's not the Commandant.  It's our new boss."

A bald man around her height came to the door.  She assumed it was David, but he wasn't wearing his signature double labret piercings.  He extended his hand.  "Director Richardson.  Pleasure to meet you.  David Draiman."

She took his hand and shook.  "Pleasure.  May I come in?"

David made Dan move back and let the Director in.  An tall German looking man with black hair walked over.  "Director, this is our Drummer, Mike Wengren.  Mikey, this is our new boss, Director Gail Richardson."

He extended his hand.  "Hello, Director."

A shorter man with long black dreadlocks walked in the room as she shook Mike's hand.  He walked over to where David and Mike were standing with her.  "And, this, Director is our bassist John Moyer", David said.

John extended his hand and she shook his hand.  As she shook, she spotted someone come around the corner then duck back around it.  "David, who was that that ducked back around the corner?" Gail asked.

He glanced over.  "I don't know. I didn't see them.  I can go find out."

"Would you please?  Meanwhile, Dan, Mike, and John can introduce me to their wives and kids."

David nodded and went around the corner to his and Brie's room.  He found Brie sitting on the bed with a hand to her chest, hyperventilating.  "Brie, baby, what's wrong?"

She looked up to him, her eyes haunted.  "That woman out there is my aunt, David.  My dad's sister.  I haven't seen her since Malachai was born."

David sat down on the bed next to her.  "Will you be okay with her here?"

She took a deep breath.  "I don't know, baby.  Like I said, I haven't seen her in years.  I'm scared to death that she's going to fuck us over."

He pulled her into his arms.  "I don't know about all that, honey, but you haven't seen a family member since Matt about two years ago after his promotion.  He's been busy as hell training snipers and shit like that.  As for your aunt, I'll be right there with you the entire time.  Don't worry."  He kissed her temple.  "Come on, let's get the kids and introduce them to their great aunt."