10 Years Later

“Why’d you leave the Navy?”

It’s a question I’ve been asked a lot. The lie I’ve told everyone else almost slips out. Except, this is Max Shaw. Former FBI Agent, known for his behavior expertise, who has built a security team of only the best. To be sitting here is an honor. He sits forward in his chair, leaning his elbows on his desk and watches me closely. I clear my throat and sit up taller. I haven’t been this nervous since… hell, I can’t even remember ever being this nervous. He knows the answer; he’s just testing me to see if I will tell him the truth.

 “It was time to do something else.” His eyebrow cocks up. He bought that as much as he buys bullshit from a grocery store. I hate talking about this. It's a secret I've tried to forget since I left home almost ten years ago. “My trust becomes available this year.” I look past Max, out the large window behind him to the vast open ranch. His chair squeaks as he sits back and I meet his eyes.

“So, why are you looking to work? Why not just kick back and enjoy being rich?”

“Because that’s not me, sir.”

Max shakes his head, dropping his head for a second. “Stop calling me sir.”   

“Sorry, Mr. Shaw.”

“Max. Call me Max. You make me feel old. I’m only two years older than you.” His chuckle makes me relax. I’ve heard so many stories about Max and his elite team. It shouldn’t have been a surprise when I received an email responding to my application, but it was. I know I’m the best, it just reinforces my thinking when other people think so too.   

“I’d like to learn from you and someday open my own security firm. There are stipulations in my trust I won’t be fulfilling anytime soon, so I won’t receive the entire amount of money. Plenty to get me started in my new life though.”

“You’d be a great fit for our team.” He holds up a folder and drops it on the desk. "Everything about you that’s on paper, I already know. Anything else you’d like to add?” His intense eyes wait for an answer, or he’s searching mine for one. My heart slams a hard beat against my chest and I swallow. Telling him I killed my dad isn't a good idea to bring up during an interview. “Look, we all have skeletons. I just don’t want them coming back to life and knocking on my door. I know that your father went missing after you left for the Navy.”

Missing? That explains why no one has questioned me. They never found his body. “My father was an abusive drunk. I wouldn’t be surprised if he picked a fight with the wrong person.” I shrug half-heartedly, trying to feign indifference rather than guilt. Max sits back in his chair, studying me. I keep my breathing even and slow. “When I left that town, I left him and all those jacked up memories.” I lean forward in my chair. “Forever.”

He nods in understanding. I'm not certain he believes me, but he’s giving me the benefit of the doubt. “It’s hard to say forever to a place you own.”

I release a heavy sigh. “If my grandfathers could see me now, I’m sure I’d be a huge disappointment to them.”

“I doubt that,” Max states matter of fact. “I’m sure they fought for that land, just as you fought for the people of this land. Don’t sell yourself short because you didn’t become a rancher. They’d be proud.”

“Not when I sell it.” I’ve waited for the day I could break free from that place and the memories that haunt me. It can’t come soon enough, but I still feel like I’m letting down my heritage.

“Considering they’re dead, who cares what they’d think. It’s your land to do as you please.” I like Max and his no bullshit attitude. He reminds me of a couple of guys on my team. “The job is yours if you want it.”

I flash a tentative smile. “That’s it? No, ‘I’ll call you back in a few days. Thanks for coming in?’”

He smirks and shakes his head. “Nope.”

“Okay.” My grin widens and my energy spikes. “Hell yeah, I want it.”

The possibilities of being on this team flash through my mind. Everyone in the security business knows about Max Shaw’s team. And he asked me to work for him.

“How long do you need to move out here?”

“I’ve already got everything I own with me. So… I can start as soon as possible.”

“You’re as certain getting the job as I am giving it to you.”

“I know a good thing when I see it and I was fairly confident.” I leave out the part that I own nothing other than clothes and one box of important stuff.

“Wouldn’t have offered you the job without it. Take a week to settle in. I have a friend who’s a realtor.” He reaches into his desk drawer and pulls out a card. I take it when he holds it out. “Her name’s Pepper and she can help you find a place. Don’t fuck her.”

I jerk my head up from the girly business card to his hard stare. “Yes, sir. I mean Max,” I stumble. He cocks a smile at my obvious state of nervousness.

“Most of the guys live in Gilley Cove because it’s only fifteen minutes away and off the beach. Pepper will be able to help you. I have a case I need to leave town for and I’m not sure when I’ll be back. Stone will get you set up and answer any questions.” He pushes his chair back and stands. I stand, adjusting my suit jacket. “And I don’t know who told you to wear a suit, but that shit needs to stay in your closet. When I left the FBI, I swore I’d never wear a suit to work again. Unless you’re getting married and force me to wear one,” he grumbles the last part.

“Got it,” I say, sticking the card in my wallet.

He holds out his hand, “Welcome to the team, Kase.”