Chapter Three
Jonah
Leaning back in my chair, I stared out the window, wishing I had a fresh cup of coffee. I thought back on how I ended up back at home running the family business. The plan had been to be career military for the rest of my working life. I trained like a dog to become a SEAL and I was fucking good at what I did. Some would even say I was the best, but I wouldn’t go that far. After twenty years, I had to admit I was getting more than burned out. The last mission nearly cost me the sight in my right eye and almost my life. Left with a deep, angry scar from shrapnel that hit me point blank on the left side of my body, my face taking the full brunt of the hit. I was sliced from my temple to the edge of my chin and then a larger piece lodged itself on the right side of my chest. Pain. That was all I knew for a long time. The doctors at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. wanted me to have another surgery. It would have been one of many I’d already had to try smooth the scar on my face, but I refused. It served as a bleak reminder of the day I almost died and of my comrades that weren’t as fortunate.
I remembered how I struggled with what the next chapter of my life would look like. When my convalescent leave was nearing the end, there had only been a short time to figure out if I was going to re-up or retire. What the hell was I supposed to do with my life if the military, wasn’t it? It was all I had known for twenty years. But one evening while chilling with a buddy at the NCO club having a beer, the decision had been abruptly made for me. Upon receiving word that my dad had suffered a massive heart attack and may not make it through surgery, I knew it was time go home. My old man was one of the strongest men I knew and I would be dammed if he would die without me seeing him one last time.
Jumping on the redeye, I was back in my hometown within forty-eight hours, chomping at the bit to see not just dad, but to support my mom, too. My brother, Shane, had been keeping me up to date on Dad’s stats. I was so relieved when the text came through telling me Dad was doing fine after surgery. Thank God. When Shane picked me up at the airport I expected our sister, Shayla to be with him, but she was taking care of business at Bradford Security so my dad wouldn’t have to worry. As we climbed into his car, Shane filled me in on dad’s prognosis. It was better than I hoped, but Dad would need a long stint of rehabilitation. And he would never be healthy enough to run the family business again.
Things were touch and go with dad for about a week but then he finally turned the corner. During those first few days, fear and anxiety filled my heart as I helplessly watched my mother cling to his hand in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. I always pictured my parents as these mighty gods that the world’s worries could not touch. They were that impenetrable barrier from the evil that existed in this world for me and my baby brother and sister.
Then the tables turned and their children stood vigil to keep them from harm. It was that hard slap of reality that I needed then, showing me where my place in this world was. It was at home, with my family.
A month after Dad’s surgery, while Mom planned for home care during Dad’s recovery, she pulled, Shane, Shayla and me into his study. Martha Bradford had never looked more tired in her life yet she was still tougher and stronger than any drill sergeant I’d encountered. Piles of papers laid in front of her, stacked all neat and tidy. Though the smile she gave us when we entered was just enough to warm our hearts, I noticed that it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her normal shine, seemed to be missing. Her determined expression forced more steel into my spine. Something was coming. I could feel it. My mind raced with possibilities, but I was totally unprepared with what was about to happen.
“Well children, we have a lot to discuss today. Your father, by the grace of God, made it through, but he must change his lifestyle. No if’s, and’s or but’s about it. He will try to fight me on this. That cranky old goat would be back at work today if I had not found the most assertive nurse money could buy, to aid in his recovery. I think he might be a bit scared of her, too. When she says, ‘No work’ in that deep Russian accent he just stares at her and says, ‘No Ma’am.’ Never thought I’d see the day your father would listen to anyone other than me.” She smiled, sadly, as she looked from one of her children to the other, waiting for one of us to bring up the elephant in the room.
Shayla abruptly stood up, looking between Shane and me for a few moments before the biggest shit-eating grin formed on her face. That was it. The moment we both knew we were fucked.
“Mom, listen. I love you and Dad more than you know…” I began to say.
“Hush, Jonah. We have some news to share with you and your brother,” Mom said as she took Shayla’s hand in her own, giving it a loving but gentle squeeze of reassurance. “Shayla honey would you like to go first?” Mom asked with eyes now as bright as her smile.
I began to squirm in my chair. This couldn’t be good. What the hell was she about to say? I watched Shayla, who beamed at Shane and me. Then I tilted my head to the side and looked her over. Oh hell! Holy crap! I covered my face with my hands and rubbed vigorously, letting a deep moan escape. Shane sat there, just fucking sat there, glancing between all of us, without any clue.
“Congrats Sis, when are you due?” I managed to muster up enough enthusiasm to please my mother instead of the weariness I truly felt.
“Thank you, Jonah! I knew I could count on you to be supportive. Baby number two should be here in about six months and we are thrilled!” Ok, she was glowing, not beaming. How could I be anything but happy for her? Another nephew or niece to spoil? Hell yeah! I jumped up and walked around the desk, sweeping her up in a big but gentle bear hug.
Turning around I noticed Shane sitting there with his mouth gaping open. “What the hell Shane? Get up and congratulate our beautiful sis!” I said with a low growl.
Shane shook himself and got up slowly but the smile on his face said it all. He was clearly thinking about another little one to spoil in the family. “Shayla, I couldn’t be happier for you and Alex. There is just one demand that I have.”
Shayla eyed him, her eyebrows drawing down into a frown. “And what would that be my dear Bubby?” she said with all the sarcasm she could muster. She knew damn well he hated being called that.
“Well, Sis, if the baby is a boy, I insist you name him after me. Shane is a mighty fine name. Hell, you can even use Shane if it’s a girl, too!” he proudly stated, ducking just in time, avoiding her slap on the shoulder. We all had a good laugh at his commentary and then looked towards Mom for her news. I had a feeling, deep in my gut it wouldn’t be as joyful.
“Ok boys, have a seat again. That was part one. Now it’s time for part two,” Mom said with a serious expression.
Taking our seats, we noticed that Shayla did not join us. Instead she silently made her way to the door and let herself out. Crap. We were screwed. I could tell Shane knew it too by the way he stared at the door that had already closed.
“It’s time boys. Time to step up and take over Bradford Securities. Ahhhh….” She held up her had to stop our complaining.
“Your sister has worked here for eight years, all while having a child. She would like to stay home with her kids once this one is born. She has earned this. Shayla will stay on a few more months to get you up to speed on the ins and outs of running the company daily.” Looking at us she sighed and said, “Go ahead and voice your bitches, gripes and complaints. But be very careful what you say.”
“I already have job. I cannot just up and quit, Mom. My job is important to the entire community.” Red faced, he turned to me, “Jonah, you are the oldest and this is your responsibility!”
“Who the hell are you to tell me what my responsibilities are Shane?” I spoke through gritted teeth. He was way overstepping and I was more than happy to inform him of that fact.
As we bickered back and forth, neither of us noticed our mom calmly and quietly got up from the desk with a newspaper in her hand. We never even saw the swing coming. WHAP! WHAP! Right upside our heads. We sat stunned while Mom glared back and forth, raising the newspaper again. This time we both managed to duck, knowing it was going to sting.
“How dare you!” her disappointment evident. “Your father was on his deathbed and here you two are bickering about who bares the responsibly to take over for him? Shayla has done more than her fair share, too!”
Mom huffed and puffed and was just about to whack us again when Shane jumped up and ran around the desk to escape her. What a pussy! WHAP! “Damn, Mom that one hurt!” I yelled, feeling chastised like a ten-year-old.
“Shane, sit down now!” Mom demanded. “I am sick of hearing you bicker back and forth about whose responsibility it is. I guess you both expect me to do it? Is that it? Me? Who will take care of your father and make sure that he fully recovers? Help him to live many more years with us? Right? Guess what my dear selfish sons, we decided that you both will run the business together!” She dropped the newspaper and wagged her finger between us. “Yes, that’s right, together. Your father worked hard to build this business and to leave you with a legacy. I will be damned if I watch it go down the drain because you are being petty. Grow the hell up!”
Holy shit! Mom cursed. She only cursed when she was so angry she could skin a bear with her teeth. We were done. There would be no talking her out of this. Nope. And I felt damn guilty at that moment. I actually wanted to do this. I just didn’t like Shane telling me that it was my job. Shane looked defeated. I started to laugh and laugh, then Shane joined in. Mom stared at us both, mouth agape as if we had lost our freaking minds. Maybe we had. But that was how we became co-directors of Bradford Security.
They say everything happened for a reason. That seemed to be the case in this scenario. Shane and I put our heads together and closed the private celebrity security division. It just wasn’t right for us as a team. We decided to go into corporate security. Surveillance, systems, monitoring and investigative work for several police departments.
Now things felt as if they were just the way they were supposed to be. The job was good, great as a matter of fact. But something was missing in my life. I was pretty sure I knew what it was. There was this beautiful brunette, with a stunning smile, the kind that knocked me on my ass when she flashed it my way. And she had the most adorable freckles that I had ever seen. Freckles? Adorable? When did I start thinking anything was adorable? I had it bad, I knew it.
There was something off with her though. Something almost sad and most certainly scared. Most people thought she was just shy, but my instincts told me it was something more. A wary vibe radiated off her whenever I was around. With the scar on my face, I couldn’t really blame her for staying at least twenty feet away from me, but my gut told me it was something else. Now, I needed to figure out what that was. Turning around, I flipped open my laptop. “Ok, Ms. Ally Black, it’s time I find out who you really are, since you won’t give me the damn time of day.”