That tiny woman is infuriating. She might be small, but what she lacks in height, she makes up for in defiance.
I know she’s holding something back. I can see it in her eyes.
Behind those big brown eyes, I see fear. I’ve seen it one too many times in my thirty-nine years not to recognize it. Being in the Navy, you see it every damn day. Some disguise it better than others, but if you know where and how to look, it’s as clear as day.
How the fuck am I supposed to protect her if she won’t let me know what she fears. Or better yet, who?
I tip back my rocks glass, letting the amber liquid drip down my throat and warm my chilly disposition.
“What’s got you in a mood?” Ren, my little brother asks from across the library.
He is one of the five founding members of our private security firm, WRATH securities. What started out as a small hometown operation run by childhood friends has now grown into a nationwide enterprise, providing services to some of the most prominent figures in our country.
We all have our roles to play. William is the entrepreneur, he’s the one behind all the paperwork; Ren is a tech guru, the man can hack into any system, regardless of who’s built it; Titus has investigative skills that could make the pope shudder in fear; Hudson is our money guy, he oversees all the financials; and lastly, myself—As a former Navy SEAL, I’m the chief of security, usually ending up with the higher profile cases.
And right at this very moment, we’re all gathered at William and Bella’s home for their Sunday dinner. A new tradition started by my daughter in an effort to keep our group together as everyone grows into their own lives.
“He’s always in a mood.” Titus ribs. “He’s probably still messed up from those blows to his head.”
“Ha, ha. Hilarious. Keep joking and I’ll make sure you end up back in Arkansas.” I give him a poignant stare and he calms the fuck down, knowing I’m not joking. About a year ago he did a job in some tiny town where his usually bountiful supply of women was cut down to zero. It’s safe to say he hated it there.
In all sincerity, I know they still worry. It’s been a long six months since I’ve recovered from a brain injury. Apparently multiple bullet wounds and trauma to the head left me with a much shorter fuse than normal.
When I found out that William, my thirty-two-year-old business partner and close friend was dating my eighteen-year-old daughter… Well, let’s just say I wasn’t a bowl of sunshine and rainbows.
For the past couple of months, I’ve been working on rebuilding the relationship with my daughter and getting my home life situated. Bella is now engaged to William, and my two eight-year-old boys are home, where they belong.
“You can be in whatever mood you want whenever you want, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the wedding.” William, my business partner, friend and soon to be son-in-law chimes in. “You’ll need to be in top form for the fittings and wedding preparations. Don’t think you’re off the hook just because you haven’t been around. Make no mistake, we want you involved in every excruciating process.”
I chuckle, “Unless you want to end up with lime green tablecloths or ribeyes for a dinner entrée, I suggest you leave me out of the planning. I’m good for writing checks, though. Isn’t that what the father of the bride usually does, anyway?”
“Yes, but if the rest of us are being dragged into planning the festivities, then so are you. No exceptions just because you’re Daddy Warbucks.” Titus raises his glass in my direction.
“Hudson, you’re the only one who hasn’t put their two cents in. Everything okay?” William looks at Hudson expectantly. He’s usually the talkative one in our bunch, but tonight he’s borderline recluse.
“What? Oh, yeah. Everyone has to share in the misery of wedding planning. No exceptions.” Hudson gives a quick nod before his eyes return to the window. Something’s definitely up. I make a mental note to ask him about it later.
“Aiden, how’s the new live-in nanny working out? You know the boys are welcome to stay with us anytime you need help.” William’s sincerity shines through his eyes, and despite everything we’ve all been through, I take comfort in knowing I can always count on our crew. I really couldn’t have asked for a better group of friends.
Bella had been helping me care for the boys since the age of fifteen when their mother died. And when I suffered my injury, William took them all in, helping Bella with all the duties she’d been undertaking on her own.
Bastard did a better job than I’d been doing, that’s for sure. Not that I’ll ever admit it.
“Thanks, brother, but I think we’ve got it handled. Bella’s done too much for far too long. I fear I’ve robbed too much of her adolescence with all of the responsibilities I laid on her. I think the new nanny and I can manage.”
It’s true. That woman is a powerhouse. She’s like the grandmother I never had, doting on the boys as if they were her own flesh and blood.
“So, how’s the new job going?” Ren’s sincere question has Titus snickering into his glass.
“The way he dotes on the woman, you’d think she was his long-lost love.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head at Titus’ dumb-ass remark. “She’s our charge. The most high profile one we’ve had yet. I’d hate to fuck up our reputation because little miss perfect doesn’t want to give me all the facts.” Bringing my rocks glass to my lips, I take a long sip before continuing. “I think she’s hiding something, but I’m not quite sure what it is. Have we identified why the Texas Rangers were discharged as their private security?”
Typically, senators have a government assigned protective detail. In Texas, that responsibility lands on the Texas Ranger Division.
William runs his hand across his face. “Yea, about that…”
I’m not liking the sound of this.
“Did something not make it into the briefing? Something I should know about?” I raise a brow, waiting for the proverbial bomb to drop.
“It’s all on the down low. Very hush-hush and definitely not in any official record. We got word that the senator was accusing one of the rangers of having illicit interactions with his wife.”
“Illicit? Does she have a drug problem?” I spit out a wild theory because there is in no way that little spitfire was having an affair. She doesn’t strike me as the type.
But then what the hell do I know. My late wife had been having an affair for years and I hadn’t the slightest clue.
“No. The senator accused them of having extramarital relations.”
Fuck.
“Is there a reason I wasn’t informed of this sooner?” My entire body turns rigid, completely uncomfortable with my new reality. I’m in charge of protecting a cheater. A fucking cheater.
The men look at each other, but only Ren has the balls to say anything to my face. “Look, we know how you feel about infidelity. We didn’t want it to taint your performance. Like you said, it’s the highest profile case we’ve landed, and we wanted our best on the job.”
“I’m flattered, really.” Grumbling, I lift my hand to my hair, running it through and pulling at the ends. “But seriously, this is something I should’ve been informed about.”
“Hey, maybe she did nothing wrong, and the senator is the one who’s a jealous fuck. Don’t tarnish the image of your perfect little princess just yet.” Titus shoots me a toothy grin.
“She’s not my anything so cut that shit right out.” I stand to head outside, needing some space from these men. They’re family, but family can definitely get annoying. “I expect the entire roster of her previous detail to be in my inbox tomorrow morning. I’ll want to talk to them myself.”
I get a unanimous ‘Mhm,’ and though we all hold equal rank, I know they’ll put in the appropriate request and make it happen.
I need to get to the bottom of her secrets. However disturbing they might be.
