by J. P. Comeau
“Apart from the nausea, she’s doing great.”
“Still nauseous?” Clint asked.
I gasped playfully. “He cares. Shout it from the rooftops, Zane! Clint cares!”
Zane barked with laughter. “All right, you can cut it out now. I think you’ve tortured him enough for one day.”
“More like one lifetime,” he murmured.
I wrapped my arm around Clint’s shoulders. “So, I take it your showing up is your way of taking us up on our offer?”
He slowly looked over at me. “Get. Off.”
I held up my hands. “Okay, okay. I get the picture.”
Zane snickered. “Finally.”
We all sat down at the breakfast nook and sipped our coffee. I took stock of my brother as he gazed out the window as if he were looking for something. When I peeked over at Zane, I saw the worry on his face. Even though there were several years between them, Zane seemed to always worry about Clint. Especially, after he had enlisted long before Zane and I went off to college.
His third deployment hadn’t been kind to him.
“I decided not to re-up,” Clint said.
I sipped my coffee as Zane locked his eyes with Clint’s.
“Want to talk about it?”
Clint shook his head. “I’m good.”
“You know you have a—,” I changed the subject.
Clint nodded. “I know, yes.”
Zane leaned forward a bit. “So… have you decided what you’re going to do about our offer?”
That’s when Clint slowly looked over at both of us, glancing back and forth between us. Clint’s third deployment had changed him, and not always for the better. He had became much more stoic. Much quieter. He told us he didn’t sleep well, and when he did, he would wake himself up talking. And Clint had admitted to me once soon after he returned home, that he woke himself up intentionally sometimes.
The only time I ever saw him remotely smile was when he hugged Mom.
“Security for your properties, right?” Clint asked.
I nodded. “Right.”
Zane added on. “For the properties we own, yes. But, once we sell them, your responsibilities are over. The buyer has to provide his own security, as you might imagine.”
Clint licked his lips. “What if they want my services as an add-on? Have you guys thought about that?”
I looked over at Zane with an ‘I told you so’ look. Just because Clint was a bit fucked in the head didn’t mean he wasn’t like us. The man had a mind for business, whether we wanted to admit that or not.
“Well,” I said as I looked across the table at Clint, “I suppose that depends.”
“On?” Clint asked.
“On whether or not you’d want to build your own team and create a business for yourself out here in Vegas. As I’m sure you know, security companies do very well here. Businesses, hotels, casinos, you name it. Everyone has to have building and sometimes private security for their employees. And the casinos… they usually provide their own. But there are times they sub-contract out certain tasks to independents.”
Zane nodded. “What we’re hiring you to do is secure the properties we own until we sell them. But what happens after we sell them is between you and the buyer.”
Clint threw back his coffee. “Noted.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You’ll be responsible for patrols, day and night. If you hire someone else to help, you’ll have to find a way to pay them. And we are assuming you will need to hire several crews.”
“You’re offering me five hundred grand a year to do this. I’m pretty sure I can afford it,” he said gruffly.
Zane picked up his mug. “That’s just for your salary. We can sit down later and do a loan for you after you get things rolling to take care of your growing security agency. But only if you find this is something you want to do long term.”
“And also, you get two weeks of half-time paid medical leave,” I pointed out.
“And the health insurance.”
Clint held up his hand. “I got it, thanks.”
I sat on pins and needles as Clint’s eyes panned back out the window. I mean, I couldn't blame him. Zane’s place was easily the most serene in all of Vegas. How the hell the man managed to create his own little slice of quiet paradise just outside of this chaos, I’d never know. And with the small feminine touches, Karina brought to the place, it made me envious of what my younger brother had.
He had a home. A gorgeous view. A wonderful woman who thought he was everything and a child on the way. He had everything I dreamed of at night. Everything I thought was just out of reach for a crazy guy like myself.
“All right. I’ll do it,” Clint said.
His voice ripped me from my trance. “What?”
My older brother looked at me. “I said, I’ll do it. I’ll take the job.”
Zane held out his hand. “Shake on it?”
“I’d rather have a contract.”
I slid it out from my coat pocket. “Like this?”
Zane held out his palm and wiggled his fingers. “You know you want to.”
I grinned. “Shake the man’s hand so he stops looking like an idiot.”
Clint smirked, but he shook Zane’s hand. And it didn’t take him thirty seconds to sign the contract and date it. It wasn’t an extensive document. We knew Clint was capable of providing high tech security that would more than meet the needs of Stonewater Realty. Hell, the man had been a Navy SEAL, for crying out loud.
Our properties would be in good hands.
“Another coffee?” Zane asked.
“Just water, thanks,” Clint said.
I nodded. “Sounds good. One for me, too?”
Zane scooped up our mugs. “Water for three, coming up.”
Then, my focus fell back to Clint. “Dude, seriously.”
He grunted. “What?”
“What’s going on? Are you really okay?”
His gaze didn’t budge from the window. “I guess.”
“Are you still seeing that therapist?”
His gaze snapped to mine. “How the fuck do you know about that?”
“You told us about it a few months back. Don’t you remember?”
His nostrils flared. “Doesn’t mean you have to bring it up.”
“That good, huh?”
“Yeah. Those VA guys are the best.” His gaze fell back outside.
I held out my hand. “Clint, if you ever want--.”
“You got a date in mind for me to start?”
I looked over at Zane, and all he did was shrug.
“I mean, as soon as you can. If that’s what you want,” I explained.
Clint nodded. “Good. I’d like a list of all the addresses of the properties the agency owns. It’ll help me get an overview of how to discreetly surveil them. I need to know where all the vulnerable spots are before I can draw up an extensive security plan.”
Zane opened the fridge. “I can have that to you by tomorrow morning. No later than nine.”
I grinned. “Which means until then, we can celebrate.”
Zane groaned. “Come on. Not another one of your parties.”
He tossed me a water bottle, and I cracked it open.
“Hey, it’s not your celebration. It’s Clint’s,” I said.
“No, thanks,” Clint muttered.
Zane held out his hand. “See? No one likes your celebrations.”
I leaned back. “Well, the joke’s on you, because my parties are amazing.”
Clint snickered. “And boozy?”
I pointed. “Was that… almost a laugh?”
Zane nodded. “I think it was.”
“This is a bad idea.” Clint shook his head.
I leaned forward. “I bet if you come out with me tonight, I’ll have you laughing by the end of it.”
Zane sipped his water. “There isn’t enough alcohol in the world.”
“Watch it.” Clint shot him a look.
“Shut up, old man.”
I barked with laughter. “Come on, look at us. The three amigos again. The three musketeers. The three wise men. The three…”
Clint stared at me. “No, no. Go on. I want to see what you come up with next.”
Zane turned to face me. “I do, too. What’s the next one?”
I palmed my hair. “You guys get the picture. What do you say? Zane, I know you could use at least one more night out before that baby comes.”
“I’m not sure Karina would want me going out, though. Especially since her nausea is worse at night.”
“Well, I’ll get her some ginger chews, and she can come with us.”
Clint’s face fell. “Seriously? Ginger chews?”
“My sentiment exactly.” Zane scoffed.
“Oh, come on, guys. Don’t tell me we’ve grown into old farts already. Here. I’ll see if the girls want to go out.”
Despite my brothers’ protests, I shot off text messages to Karina, Kelly, and Roxy. And almost immediately, I got responses back from the three of them. To which I turned my phone around and showed my brothers.
“Still convinced Karina doesn’t want to go out with us?” I asked.
Zane sighed. “Fuck you.”
“I second that.” Clint raised his water.
I slid my phone into my pocket. “Doesn’t matter, we’re all going out tonight. We’re going to celebrate Clint’s joining our team, we’re going to celebrate his life, and we’re going to celebrate Zane’s new life he’s bringing into this world.”
Zane clapped my back. “That’s actually really sweet of you. Thanks.”
“What’s in this for you?” Clint narrowed his eyes.
“Girls. What else?”
Zane rolled his eyes while Clint groaned, and all it did was make me laugh. On the inside, though, I was excited for all of us to go out. It gave us a reason to bond again. It gave us a reason to catch up. Lord knows all of us needed to wind down after the craziness of the past few months, and I sure as hell needed a drink.
Especially if Kelly was going to show up.
Our flirty banter was something for the movies. The way she looked at me with those doe eyes of hers always made me wonder why the hell she had constantly turned me down in college. No matter how many times I asked her out, I never could get her to go on one date with me. That’ll do something to a man, you know. It dented my self-confidence for a long time. But, I refused to give up on her. One of these days, I’d get her to accept my offer for a steak dinner.
And maybe, just maybe, tonight might be that night.
“All right, guys. As top quality as this water is, I’m going to head back to my condo. I need to get ready if we’re going to meet up with the girls at nine,” I said.
Clint finished off his bottle and crushed it in his hand. “Where are we heading?”
Zane butted in. “Where Brenden always wants to start. Club Verona.”
Clint scowled. “What’s Club Verona?”
“Only the hottest spot in Vegas at the moment. The music is always on par, the drinks are outstanding, and the women are drop-dead gorgeous,” I told them.
Clint’s voice fell flat. “Great.”
I stood from my seat. “Cheer up, big guy. I’m sure you’ll find someone to keep you warm for the night. But, if I don’t get out of here, I’m going to be late.”
Zane snickered. “You’ll be late anyway.”
“Which is why I really need to go, otherwise I’ll be much later.”
“Just make sure you have condoms. Otherwise, your flavor of the night may have a surprise for you in a few weeks,” Clint added.
Zane laughed as my jaw dropped open.
“Was that a joke?” I asked.
Clint shrugged. “I can still make them.”
Zane held his stomach as he continued to laugh.
“Well, I look forward to many more of them tonight,” I said with a smile. “It’s good to have you back, Clint.”
He nodded. “It’s good to be alive, Brenden.”
Yes. It sure as hell was.
3
Kelly
“Who in the world is that?” I asked.
Karina giggled. “You like what you see?”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please, I’ve just never seen him around before. Who in the world is that guy?”
“Well, you know the rumored ‘big brother’?”
I slowly looked over at her. “That’s Clint?”
She smiled. “Yep. That’s him.”
“The guy’s that rumored to have -?”
“That’s him,” Karina assured me.
“Oh, my God,” I gasped, looking away out over the crowd.
Club Verona was a bit on the chill side tonight, which I loved. Their weekends were always loud and bombastic. But, during the week? They toned it down a bit. The lights of the club didn’t flash or strobe. Instead, the warm white and red lights set off an ambiance of relaxation while the smooth jazz music filled the club from corner to corner. A live band had been booked for the evening, and the smell of cigar smoke lingered around the entrances and exits. No one on the dance floor was gyrating or grinding. Instead, they were swaying and smiling up at their partners while the rustic band crooned and ad-libbed into their microphones.
I enjoyed it when things were toned down like that.
The leather chair greeted me as I sat with my cosmopolitan martini in my hand. Then, I crossed my leg over my knee, drawing in a deep breath of air. Fresh, too, which was almost unheard of in a club like that on the weekends. While sipping my drink, I let the taste of cranberry and cotton candy dance on the edges of my tongue. I closed my eyes, allowing the alcohol to seep through my veins. The soft, pulsing rhythm of the plucked bass downstairs made me sway and sigh. A smile crept across my lips as I leaned back against the buttery leather chair.
I could’ve stayed like that all night.
Had the girls simply left me alone.
“Kelly, here, thinks Clint’s cute,” Karina said.
Roxy squealed. “Oh, my God. That would be perfect. So, so perfect.”
My eyes snapped open. “Uh, what? I didn’t say--.”
Karina shot me a look. “Come on. A man built like that. And let’s not forget he was a Navy SEAL, yum.”
Roxy grinned. “And his nickname. Have you heard it?”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t care about any of that kind of stuff.”
Roxy sat down on the edge of the chair. “Seriously. He would be perfect.”
“For what?” I asked.
“Seriously? You’re going to act like you don’t know what we are talking about?” Karina asked.
I shook my head. “No. I’m not going along with something like that.”
Roxy shoved me playfully. “Oh, come on. You know it’s going to help you gain some confidence. A bit of no-strings-attached fun to get you going and get you some experience, then boom! You’re ready for the market.”
My drink sloshed onto my hand. “Thanks. You owe me another one.”
Karina giggled. “Not like you paid for it.”
I blinked. “Yeah, I did. I gave you the money for it.”
She nodded. “Yep. And Clint usurped me and bought our drinks. Yours included.”
I quickly set it down. “Wish you would’ve told me that sooner.”
Roxy sighed. “Come on, you damn party pooper. I’m tired of seeing you this way. Always moping, always pining, and never actually getting out to have any fun. This isn’t college anymore. You get to own your space now. Go out there and show them who’s boss. You’ve got your own clothing line, for fuck’s sake!”
I pointed at my sister. “Almost. I almost have my own clothing line.”
Karina took my hand. “Whatever. Get up. Don’t make a pregnant woman work, either. That’s not a good look.”
With a roll of my eyes, I stood to my feet. I slid my hands down the skin-tight dress I had on for the evening and shifted around in my heels. They were n
ew, courtesy of a belated birthday present Mom sent me. And while the red-backed, stiletto-black heels looked spectacular, my ankles were already screaming for mercy.
And I was pretty sure one of my toes was already bleeding.
“I need more alcohol for this,” I murmured.
“If you play your cards right with Clint, that’s exactly what you’ll get,” Roxy said.
Karina slid her arm around mine. “Besides, I hear he’s really a teddy bear beneath his gruffness.”
I paused. “Wait, gruffness? No one said anything about gruffness. Why is he gruff? Is he mean?”
Roxy took my other arm. “Not like it matters since it’s no-strings-attached. Right?”
My eyes widened. “Of course, it matters! It matters to--.”
Karina interrupted me. “Hey! Clint! Can you come here for a second!”
“I’m going to kill you both,” I murmured.
Roxy giggled. “If Clint’s cock doesn’t do you in first.”
Karina hissed. “Roxy. Come on. Don’t scare the girl.”
“All I’m saying is I’d love to take a ride on it myself. Just a little test drive.”
I felt myself blushing. “I’m going to slaughter you both.”
Clint walked over to us. “What’s up?”
The girls looked at me as if I was just supposed to blurt it out. But, as I gazed up into his face, I saw what the girls saw. I mean, older men weren’t my kind of deal. Anything more than two or three years, and it felt weird to me. But, he was handsome for an older guy. A strong jawline. Sizzling eyes. A piercing stare that made my core shiver. In a good way, though, if that was possible. The cologne he had on smelled outstanding, too. It smelled familiar. Like home, almost.
Where have I smelled that before?
“Kelly? You going to say something?” Karina asked.
Roxy sighed. “I always have to do everything. Okay, here’s what’s up, Clint. My sister here is a--.”
I cut her off. “I’m not very confident in the dating world because I don’t have any sexual experience.”
Clint blinked. “Okay.”
“And the girls here apparently think that if I obtain said experience, I’d be more confident in my dating prowess.”
He blinked again. “Okay. I can understand that.”