The press room at the Brooks-Pendleton Agency was huge. It held at least 250 people. It was filled to capacity for the retirement announcement from Luke. Many in the sports world were still stunned by the young man’s decision to retire at what some considered the peak of his career. Nick Brooks, Luke’s agent, was proud. He was in the prime of his life and had found his happily-ever-after.
Reporters were still broadcasting from the press room as Luke and Nick Brooks walked back to the private offices.
“That went well,” Nick stated. “You look like a happy man who knows what he wants to do with the rest of his life.”
Luke took a seat in Nick’s office. “I’m ready for the next phase. I have a woman who I love and she loves me back. The possibility of a different kind of career.”
“Possibility? Man, just pull those cleats back out and sign the new contract with Washington. I know they want you, not to mention a few other teams.”
“I enjoyed the game while I was playing. It’s time for something different. I have money, Nick. I don’t need another contract. I have more money than I would ever spend in this lifetime. Compared to some of my teammates, I live rather moderately.”
“You do still have endorsements—that’s pulling in a few million a year. I’m certain there will be more to come,” Nick advised. “There are a few networks asking about the possibility of you commentating. Are you interested?”
“Maybe later. Right now, I want to establish my life with Sasha. Enjoy my family for a while. If I did not learn anything else over the past year, I learned that family is my base. That’s my core, and I want to be there for them and for Sasha. If anything happens to me, that ring I put on her finger is going to carry her through.”
“If anything happens to you, that ring will be the last thing she would get rid of. Besides, you are not marrying a woman who you have to be concerned with. It appears that she plans on having her own career.”
“Sasha depends on herself. She loves the house in Alexandria, however …”
“The condo in Richmond is the place she prefers,” Nick interjected.
“I think so.”
“Why don’t we reach out to Xavier to build you one in Richmond? The man can plan out any structure you can dream of.”
Luke smiled. “I may do that. I’m driving to Richmond when I leave here. I’ll reach out to him.”
“How are you going to handle things if she gets the job in DC and you are here?”
“We’ll find a way to make it work,” Luke replied. He checked his watch. “Speaking of which, I need to make another appointment.” Luke stood followed by Nick.
“I’ll send your files to OT Accounting for them to take over the personal finances. Your endorsements will still flow through this office,” Nick replied as he shook his hand.
“Listen, Nick. For ten years you have been there for me. You guided my career, man, and I cannot thank you enough for all your advice.”
“It’s what we do. You made it easy, Luke. You are and will always be a part of The Brooks-Pendleton family.” They shook hands. “Reporters are still out front. Let’s get you out through the back to avoid the press. Good luck to you, Luke.”
After shaking Nick’s hand, Luke walked out the back of the office to the next phase of his life. He would miss some of his teammates and the games. That was a fact. He figured Sasha and their future plans would help to cure that feeling. The future. Luke smiled just thinking about Sasha. She fell into his life a little over a year ago with her beauty, her intelligence and no expectations. No demands on his time, or his space. She came in to do a job and quickly became the love of his life.
Luke checked the address he had received for an interview. This wasn’t an ordinary, everyday-type interview, no, Luke had to smile. This was an interview with his little sister, Sapphire Lassiter. His smile turned into a full, outright laugh the more he thought about it.
Phire, the nickname that the family had for her, was all grown up. Like the other Lassiters, she excelled to heights no one expected. Now that he’d witnessed what she was capable of, he could not be prouder. He could no longer look at her as the tell-everything, bratty little sister. She was not only intelligent, but she also had a sense of patriotic duty that seemed to match all of them.
The Lassiters were twelve deep: six boys, six girls. Five out of the twelve had chosen to work for the government in one capacity or another. Phire made six, however, her line of work was to ensure the people voted into office or appointed to serve, stayed honest and dedicated to the Constitution. It was her task to keep the country honest. One day, Luke would learn how that all came to be, but he was certain that the current President had had a hand in placing her in that position.
When Luke first heard of the appointment from his brother Adam, he questioned the stability of the President. However, after being assigned as one of Phire’s trainers, Luke had the chance to spend quality time with her. He understood and admired what President Harrison had tasked her to do. With the current political atmosphere, Luke was also compelled to add his skillset to the organization Phire was tasked to lead.
He pulled into the semicircular driveway of a castle-like home located in a neighborhood on the north side of Richmond, Virginia. There was no sign indicating it was anything more than a residential home. The address on the house and his sister standing near the driveway entrance was the only indication that he was in the right place.
“You have a silly grin on your face again,” Phire, his baby sister said as she approached his vehicle.
Luke laughed. “No sillier than the one you wear these days.” He stepped out of his SUV and looked around. “This is a hell of a place you got here.”
“A perfect deception to the world,” Phire stated as she walked him towards the covered side entrance. “Its location is the reason we need your skillset.”
At first glance, Luke estimated the building had at least four levels, maybe more. Only three levels were visible to the naked eye. However, Luke noticed the markings at the base of the house and knew a basement was there.
“Whew.” He looked around at the antique trimming around the fireplace and the back staircase.
“Wait until you see the front entrance with the stained-glass window. It reminded me of the one you have in your house in Arlington,” she said as she guided him into a parlor-type room. “However, before you can see the rest of the house, you have to be confirmed as a member of The Administration.”
“Confirmed? This isn’t an interview?”
“No. We know everything we need to know about you. The only issue that needs to be resolved is to see if you are a good fit with the team.” She opened the double doors then stepped aside. “I’m certain you recognize everyone in the room.”
Luke stepped inside as Phire closed the doors behind them. The room looked as if it was a royal setting, with high ceilings and windows from the floor to the top covered in drapes on three sides of the room. A fireplace in the center of one wall was accented with hardwood flooring, which was covered with a Persian rug in the center, two large Queen Anne sofas facing each other, with an oval coffee table between them. The people sitting on the sofa stood.
“Good afternoon.” Luke extended his hand to the first man.
“Good to see you, Luke.” James Brooks, Chief of Staff to the President, shook his hand.
“Mr. Brooks.” Luke nodded as he reached for the next hand waiting for him.
“Luke.” Al “Turk” Day shook his hand.
He was surprised to see his soon-to-be father-in-law in the room. Luke spoke. “Al.”
He then gave the next man a fist bump. “Joshua.” He spoke to one of his brothers.
“Luke, does Sally know you are here?” Joshua raised an eyebrow.
“Does she know you are here?” Luke responded with a smirk.
Joshua nodded. “Good reply.”
“You may not know Dr. Edward O'Sullivan III,” Joshua stated. “We all call him Ned.”
Luke shook his hand. “Ned.”
“Another Lassiter, oh what a joy.” Ned smiled.
Luke smiled. “We can be a bit intimidating.”
“Luke,” Phire touched his arm as she pointed to the monitor on the wall. “Vice President Lacey, meet Luke Lassiter, the creator of CUTS.”
“Mr. Lassiter, thank you for taking the time to meet with us today. We will not take up much of your time. Please, have a seat.”
Luke sat in a chair at the head of the circle. Al and James sat on one sofa, while Phire and Ned sat on the other. Joshua stood next to the fireplace. “It is an honor to be invited to speak with you.”
“What do you know about our organization, Mr. Lassiter?” Ned asked.
“It seems to be an organization staffed with patriotic ex-government officials with the sole purpose of protecting democracy against domestic enemies,” Luke answered.
“What are your thoughts on the government policing the government?” Al asked.
“It is an oxymoron. One cannot police oneself. It would judge its actions as justified every time.”
“What are you willing to do to protect your country?” Joshua asked.
“I will protect my country the way I always have, by any means necessary.”
“Are you willing to kill American citizens to protect your country?” Vice President Lacey asked.
“I am willing to kill enemies of this country. American citizen or not, if they are a threat to democracy, I will take whatever steps necessary to stop them.”
“This is a covert operation, Mr. Lassiter. You were invited to speak with us because of your ability to live multiple lifestyles without detection,” James Brooks stated. “Are you willing to continue down that path?”
“I am about to be married. I will not lie to my wife about my occupation. However, the sharing of information will be limited to what is allowed.”
“Looking over your file, reviewing your finances and knowing you personally,” Phire smiled, then continued, “you could literally write your own ticket. Why put your life on the line in this manner?”
Luke thought about the question then answered from his heart. “The future of my children, your children and all those children I do not know depends on us getting it right. In my opinion, this country has been so busy ensuring democracy for other countries that we failed to keep democracy safe at home. We are a superpower. If we continue down our current path, we will destroy democracy around the world. Like it or not, we are the example that other countries look up to. Our Capitol, the very place where we uphold our laws and where every citizen is supposed to be represented, was attacked on January sixth by a minority who wanted to force their beliefs on all. If we do not hold people accountable for what they did on that day, it will happen again. The brave men and women who prevented democracy from being stripped away that day are dwindling. They are discouraged and losing hope because up to now, those who fought against them are still in power. They are still conspiring to destroy democracy for all. Someone has to join the fight and have their backs. To hold those who assisted, planned or coordinated the attack in any manner, accountable for their actions. Then we must ensure no one ever gets that close to destroying our country again. I want to be one of those who stands up for the idea of democracy before this country is torn apart.”
The people in the room were silent. Phire glanced at the monitor where Vice President Lacey slightly nodded her head. She then glanced at James; he nodded. She then glanced at Ned; he nodded. She glanced at Al; he nodded. She then glanced over at Joshua.
Joshua exhaled. “I’m thinking, which one of us will have to tell Sally?”
“That will be my job,” Phire stated, then looked at Luke. “The six people in this room are voting members of The Administration. Before we take on an operation or additional members, the team must unanimously agree. You have been approved as a voting member. Before you accept, it is imperative that you understand fighting for democracy is a lifelong commitment. Only when the threat to democracy no longer exists will we cease to function. Do you understand the position being offered?”
“I do.” Luke nodded.
“Do you come to this position of your own free will?”
“I do.” Luke nodded again.
Phire stood, as did all the members of the team in the room. Joshua walked over to the area where all of the members held out their hands on top of each other’s. “Luke, would you place your right hand on top of ours?”
Luke stood and did as requested.
Vice President Lacey stood at her desk and spoke. “By the powers vested in me by the President of The United States, Luke Trymaine Lassiter is confirmed as the seventh member of The Administration.” She pressed a button on a remote in her hand.
A glow appeared in the ceiling above them. A laser pointed down on the hands in the circle. Luke could feel the heat from the laser. The feeling was similar to that of receiving a tattoo, but there were no needles or ink that he could see. Seconds later, the light disappeared.
Phire placed her free hand on top of his hand. “Welcome to The Administration.”