I couldn't stay there any longer. Joey is not the girl I once knew, and I have to claim responsibility for the way she is now, as she was so young when I got her pregnant. She went to that man to save me, so the woman she is now, unfortunately, is the product of what happened years ago.

Somehow, I have to bring her back and make her strong again. These breakdowns she is having are driving me crazy, but I can't hold her or tell her it's going to be okay. I did that years ago, and I let her down.

I parked my truck, and went straight into the bosses office.

"I thought you didn't want to see me for a month." I said.

"Have a seat, Engle." He pointed at a chair. I did as told, and he walked over and sat by me.

"I got an interesting phone call from some higher-ups here in D.C. It seems your father is working and not retired." He said.

"I'm aware."

"It also seems the Dallas office believes you are interfering on their case."

"What case would that be, sir?" I asked.

"A case involving a Robertson Lattire. He is dead now, as you probably know, but it seems two certain CIA agents have gotten in the way, and they think you're helping."

"Sir, I can assure you that I'm not there to get in anyone's way. Lattire was my children's grandfather." I said.

"Jake?" He tilted his head.

"No, I have sixteen-year-old twins. They just returned with their mother from Europe, and I brought them to D.C. so the CIA could do their job without risking my children or their mother's lives. I had no idea the bureau was involved, the agents you speak of are both family." I said.

"So your father?"

"Yes, sir"

"You want me to believe, you just went home, after how many years, and stumbled into this case?" He asked.

"I had Jake with me, you know I wouldn't take him if that was the case." I said.

"Well, you're back on active duty and will be reporting to the Dallas office. They want a man they believe may come to town, and they want him alive. The CIA will just take him out." He said.

"It's happening any day now, the FBI is too late. He raped and tortured someone special to me, so I'm with the CIA on this one, and I'd like to stay on leave. Unless I get to torture him myself, the CIA can have him." I said.

"We are investigating certain men, but that man has everything we need." He said.

"I'll call my father."

"No, the CIA is protecting the wrong men, we want Beaumont alive." He said.

"I can't do anything from D.C., and I won't work against my father." I stood. "I'll resign before I betray my dad."

"Then what? Move back home and farm or something? You're a damn fine agent." He said

"I'm an overworked agent. All I want to do is protect my children and their mother. Either let me stay on leave, or accept my resignation. My family is here, and I'm in nobody's way." I said.

"I'll talk to them." He assured me.

"I have never taken a vacation or anytime off, let me have this time with them, and I will stay out of the mess."

"Okay, I'll talk to them, but don't breathe a word to your father." He said.

"I won't betray him. If it's his life or Beaumont, I choose my father. Beaumont should already be in hell anyway. That man is my children's stepfather, I'm too close to the case." I said.

"Understood, stay safe out there, and call me when it's over." He said.

"Yes, sir"

Before I got home, I sent a text to my dad, telling him to keep Beaumont alive for me.

Joey was dressed and ready to go when I walked in the door. Mason was staring out the window, and Serenity was typing away on her phone.

My daughter stood. "So, Pops, where are you taking us? I call seafood." She said.

"Serenity, you know your brother doesn't care for seafood," Joey said.

"Italian?" I suggested.

"Sounds great, she can get shrimp." Mason walked over and stood by me. I seriously think this kid is going to be taller than me, soon.

"It's perfect." Joey had a smile on her face.

"Dads been calling like crazy!" Serenity said.

"Wait, you don't have a safe line, do you? Shit!"

"What?"

"He can track you here to D.C., instead of Texas." I said

"Well shit, you're supposed to be the cop." She said.

"Serenity!" Joey yelled.

"Actually it's fine, let me just make a call."

I stepped out to the hall and called my boss, and he's sending backup. This way if he comes here, the FBI will get him, and I won't be involved.