Call You Mine

by Claudia Burgoa

  “So, it’s free?”

  “Nah. If a guy like Henry wants our services, we’d charge him a hefty amount,” I answer and grin.

  As if I had invoked the boss, my phone buzzes. I grab it, and I grunt. It’s a text from Bradley. Call me now!

  No, dude. I’m not doing your daughter, yet. Leave me alone.

  Though I’d love to ignore him, I can’t. I’d rather have him yelling at me for five minutes straight over the phone than have to deal with him for days because he had to fly to me.

  “Yo,” I answer.

  “When you ask for a sabbatical, you don’t request your team to babysit your brother,” he exclaims. “It’s like I have to repeat the fucking rules to you every two minutes because you can’t follow them.”

  I flinch. Fuck, I forgot this guy monitors everything. Okay, we need to set up our own server until we get back to The Organization—if we get back to them.

  “It was important,” I debate.

  “I’m listening.”

  Oh fuck, why does he have to be rational? Can’t he just tell me not to do it again and move on?

  “Vance didn’t know about the jobs he did with his unit until today,” I mumble. “By the way, my brothers know that I work for you.”

  “You think those two sentences give you a fucking pass?”

  “No, I don’t have much to report—since I don’t work for you.”

  “Beacon, I need you to take a moment to regroup and take this seriously,” he orders. “I understand that yesterday I wasn’t professional. I called you in the capacity of a concerned father. Today, I’m your fucking boss, and you used a server because you’re worried about your brother—the mercenary. I need to know if there’s more to it.”

  I clear my throat and walk him through everything that’s transpired since yesterday. I’m impressed that he doesn’t call me out on my fucked-up shit. I forgot the CCTV. That’s so stupid on my part.

  When I finish, he asks, “Are you concerned?”

  “No. I…I’m not sure,” I mumble, but then say out loud the one thing that alarmed me while I was speaking to Vance.

  * * *

  “Listen, he left a voicemail with one of his buddies. The guy he used to date. I might be off, but what if he wasn’t supposed to know any of that information? Does that put him in danger? What about our family? I don’t know if there’s going to be any consequences.”

  “I bet there might be some. These jobs are classified. It seems like only a few knew exactly what they were doing. These people are the type who really will kill you if you find out who they are,” Mason concludes. “I’ll ask again, are you concerned?”

  I fidget with my chin while I try to figure out how to prevent a tragedy. “Yep.”

  He grunts. “Your sabbatical just ended,” he informs me.

  “Nice try. I’m still dating your daughter,” I joke, trying to lighten the situation. We both are thinking the same. If we’re not careful, something can happen. My family is on the line. “But maybe she should go back home.”

  “If she knows what’s happening, I doubt she’s going to agree with either one of us. Plus, you need her.” He sighs heavily. “I hate you, Aldridge.”

  “You Bradleys have a funny way of telling me how much you love me,” I joke.

  “I’ll be there tomorrow so we can work on a contingency plan. Figure out how you’re going to house the rest of your team,” he orders. “I’ll bring Ainse, so it seems like a family visit. Keep this airtight. Only the team can know about what’s happening. Do you understand?”

  “Loud and clear, sir.”

  “And tell your team to be on maximum alert.”

  My gut tightens. This is one of those times when I should bring up Pierce and the stupid lawyer. My family should be out of here and somewhere safe until I know nothing will happen to any of them.

  “What if I get them out of here?”

  “We’ll cross that bridge later, okay?”

  Easy for him to say. His family isn’t in danger of being killed by heartless assholes.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Grace

  “I was promised fun toys—for me. Not shit for my nephews,” Beacon complains when he closes the trunk of my SUV. “That tricycle is too small for me.”

  “Why are you here again?” Sophia asks, then glares at me. “We agreed, no Aldridges during this trip.”

  I raise my palms and shrug. “I didn’t call him.” I point at Vance. “Or him.”

  “We thought it’d be best if we get there in thirty minutes. We have a family meeting,” Beacon declares.

  “I’m not leaving my car in Portland.”

  He extends his hands. “I got that covered.”

  “Of course, you do.” I hand over my keys because it’s not a request. It’s an order. Something happened. I can see it in his eyes. I also got a text earlier saying there’s a meeting at the cabin later today.

  He owns a secluded cabin that he only uses to hold meetings with The Organization, switch cars so he can leave the town, or disappear from his brothers.

  Leyla frowns and looks at me. I shrug, feigning ignorance. Something terrible must have happened that my father asked Beacon to forget his sabbatical. With Sophia and Leyla by my side, I couldn’t text or call anyone. I assumed that if they needed me before, they’d call—or pick me up in Portland.

  I gulp. Okay, so something is happening, and we have to leave.

  “We can skip next week’s festival and come back again,” Leyla suggests.

  Sophia rubs her belly and shakes her head. “With these two passengers, I’d rather stay home. Asking where the restroom is in every store was an experience I don’t want to repeat anytime soon.”

  Beacon drives us to the airport. When we arrive, one of the guys is waiting for us.

  “Seth should be here in twenty minutes,” Beacon announces. “Wait for him and then head to Baker’s Creek. See you at eight.”

  “Are you organizing a party and not inviting us, Beacon?” Leyla asks as we make our way to the helicopter.

  “You’re welcome to join us,” he invites her. “Just don’t bring your stuffy husband along.”

  She laughs. “I’m more concerned about leaving my baby behind. It’s been hours since the last time I held him. We should’ve brought him with us.”

  “We said no children,” Sophia reminds her.

  “Yet, Beacon is with us,” I joke.

  He winks at me.

  The ride from Portland to Baker’s Creek doesn’t take long. Everything happens too fast. One second, I’m at a parking lot shoving all the clothes and toys we bought for the Aldridge boys 2.0—that’s how everyone is referring to Arden, Carter, and the babies that are arriving within the next few months. The next, I’m sitting in the living room, eating tacos, and listening to Beacon talk about his undercover job.

  I don’t pay much attention. My mind is trying to figure out what exactly is happening. We have a team meeting later tonight. Seth’s team will be here too.

  “You work with him?” Blaire directs her attention to me.

  I smile. I could say yes, and that my father is our boss. I don’t.

  “Of course, she does,” Leyla confirms. “Why do you think she has that innocent look but can swat a fly if provoked?”

  “I’ve never swatted a fly,” I correct her.

  “Or so you say,” Leyla huffs.

  “Are you or are you not?” Sophia stares at me.

  I burst into laughter and shake my head. “I’m not admitting anything, but you have to be careful with this information. Like, don’t tell it to anyone outside the house. I’d prefer if the kids don’t learn about it—ever.”

  We didn’t know about Dad’s company until we were old enough.

  Everyone starts talking on top of each other, and Beacon claps. “If you don’t mind, we have to leave.”

  “We have questions,” Blaire says.

  “That’s all I can disclose,” Beacon responds. “I play w
ith the good guys. You’re safe around me. I can’t tell you more.”

  Once we’re in his truck, I ask, “What happened?”

  “Maybe nothing, but I want us to be prepared.” His answer doesn’t make me feel any better.

  When we arrive at his cabin, it’s empty.

  “Was that a ruse to get me alone in the woods, Aldridge?” I joke as I watch him lock the doors and set the alarm.

  He makes a low, deep sound. It’d sound sexy if I didn’t know it’s his way of saying we’re fucked.

  “What’s happening?”

  He brings me up to date then says, “If I have a say in it, I will send you home until this is over.”

  “The team needs me.”

  He opens his arms. “I know that I need you, but I also need you to be safe.”

  “It’s better when we’re together,” I remind him.

  He bends his head, I lift my chin, and our lips meet. There’s no tenderness to this kiss. It feels as if he’s stealing all the air from my lungs. He’s trying to absorb my essence as he dives in deep. His hands rest on my ass, pulling me to him. The taste of him is becoming my new favorite.

  There’s nothing gentle about this kiss. He takes everything, demands more from me, and gives me all of him. As the bulge in his jeans presses against my pelvis, I become excited, maybe even needy. I’ve been fantasizing about him for too long. The burning desire is overtaking me when the alarm goes off.

  I jerk out of his embrace.

  “I’m going to take a cold shower.”

  “The alarm,” I remind him.

  “I set it up, in case the guys came before the time we agreed. I didn’t want them to catch us…making out.” He winks at me.

  “Can I shower with you?”

  He shakes his head. “Nah, we haven’t had a date yet.”

  “What are you two doing?”

  “Go away, Byron.” I groan.

  “Oops, am I interrupting?”

  I glare at him.

  “You don’t get to eat any of this delicious food.” He shows me some bags.

  “Where are the guys?”

  “Mane is giving instructions to Henry’s bodyguards. It’s just a precaution since we’re all going to be in a meeting.”

  I look at Beacon. “Do you think they’re coming?”

  “As I said earlier, I don’t know if I’m overreacting, but I’d rather cover my ass.”

  Lang tilts his head and whistles. “He has a fine ass.”

  “San and Fish?” Beacon ignores him.

  “They went to Happy Springs for water, soda, and beers. I suggested hard liquor, but it seems like we can’t have a big party.”

  Beacon places a kiss close to my ear and whispers, “We’ll finish our conversation after the meeting.”

  “Looking forward to it.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Grace

  At three in the morning, we’re in Beacon’s room, playing our hearts out. We brought a few instruments from the studio. He’s too stressed. I doubt he’ll be able to settle down tonight. I, on the other hand, am about to fall asleep standing while playing the violin.

  Knowing him, he’d rather be in the field looking for these guys and settling things with them. I’m not sure what settling would entail.

  I stop, placing the bow on top of the desk. Once he stops strumming his guitar, I ask, “You want to be wrong, don’t you?”

  Beacon nods.

  “I’m glad you soundproofed this room, or your brothers would be banging on the door.”

  He grins. “I like to say it’s to avoid listening to them having sex with their wives. It’s to ensure I have some privacy in case I need to make calls or lead a mission from here. Fuck, I can’t believe this is happening—and I don’t even know what this is.”

  “Stop worrying,” I insist.

  “This is one of those instances when I can’t even plan to avoid the outcome,” he answers. “What the fuck is the outcome?”

  “I wish I could say it’s going to be okay, but what if it’s not?”

  “Exactly,” he agrees. “If your dad approves my idea, we might be fine.”

  “We don’t hunt people,” I remind him.

  “We’ll be keeping an eye on them,” he corrects me. “The way I see it, they can easily come to Baker’s Creek and try to kill Vance. What if they think we know something? Then maybe they’ll just get rid of the entire family. They wiped out an entire town in Mali. You saw the pictures.”

  I cringe. They were horrifying. I set the violin down and sit on the bed next to him. “Let’s get some sleep. We can make more decisions tomorrow.”

  He nods, kissing the top of my head. “We should talk about the kiss we didn’t finish.” He presses his lips on my bare shoulder. “Have a late-night snack.”

  “I thought you said sex was off the table.”

  “I’m just planning on making out with you before I fall asleep.”

  Shrugging, I say, “Well, you lost your chance.”

  His features switch from playful to serious. “Okay. There’s no pressure on my side. I’m going by what you think you need.”

  The way he says it, with determination, warms my heart.

  “Do you have any idea how adorable you are?” I ask.

  “I’m not sure if I like the term, but tell me why you are comparing me to a teddy bear.”

  “I never realized you’d do anything for me.”

  It’s like someone took off the eye mask, and I can see how this man lives to make me happy. I clung to the idea that we are just friends so desperately that I never noticed how he treats me. Yet, it makes sense why not one guy was good enough for me. They weren’t Beacon. I’d be lying if I said he’s stealing my heart little by little. I think he’s had it all along, and I never noticed.

  “You anticipate my every need. Still, you respect my wishes. How you manage it is a mystery, but I think I love it.”

  He nuzzles my hair. “I have a PhD in all things Grace,” he jokes. “Do you want me to stay in the bedroom with you? If not, I can sleep on the couch if you want me to.”

  “Stay,” I request, kissing him. We fall into the bed and stay entangled—lips, limbs, and hearts—for a long time.

  The next morning, we go through the day as if nothing is happening. Mom and Dad arrive around eleven. They are waiting for us at the rental house. We put a leash on Mozzy and walk to meet them. Several bystanders stop to take pictures of him.

  When I open the door and take off the leash, he goes running to Mom. I hug her and then look at Dad. “Hey.”

  “Can I have a word with you, Gracie?”

  I nod and follow him toward the small office at the end of the hall. After I enter, he closes the door.

  “Are we here to talk about the Aldridges or what you did—eleven years ago.”

  His gray eyes stare at me for several seconds. The silence is deafening. I argue for either one of the subjects, but I can’t start the conversation until he makes the first move.

  “As I told you on Friday, I did what was best for you. I apologize for treating you like a child when I am aware that you’re mature for your age. We could’ve handled it better. Your request to decide your security detail is difficult to process. I hope you allow me to help you make the right decisions when the time comes. With that said, I don’t know what we’re facing, and I suggest you leave with us.”

  “Why?”

  “These men are dangerous.”

  “This isn’t my first rodeo, Dad. If I wasn’t your daughter, would you ask me to stay back?”

  He shakes his head. “I don’t know why I don’t feel comfortable with this case.”

  “A hunch?”

  “This is new to us. We go in, do the job, and leave. This is unprecedented. I don’t even know if there’s a real threat,” he explains. “I was talking to Harrison and Anderson last night. The possibility of this becoming a clusterfuck is high. We can’t stand down and wait for things to happen. Knowing that not
only one but three of my children are involved is fucking scary.”

  “Is Nathan going to work with us?”

  He shakes his head. “I mean Beacon. He’s family.”

  I smile. “You like him.”

  “He’s annoying, but yes. I do.” He waves his finger. “That doesn’t mean I’m happy knowing you two are together.”

  “We’re still working on that,” I inform him. “The guy lied to me for eleven years, and even though it doesn’t look like I’m upset, I’m still angry about it.”

  “That’s your prerogative. Just remember life is short. Don’t keep him in the doghouse for too long.”

  “So, you approve now?”

  He shrugs one shoulder. “If I have to choose, I guess he’s better than any of the losers you paraded. At least, he has good reflexes and might move fast enough when you try to break his nose.”

  I raise an eyebrow and cross my arms. “Really, Dad?”

  “What can I say? It’s still funny.”

  “It was never funny,” I say, but hug him. “You’re the best dad in the world.”

  “I doubt that, but I have the best daughter in the world.” He hugs me back. “Let’s get to work. We have a lot to plan, and I promised your grandparents I’d be back in time for dinner.”

  My parents leave at four. Mom promises to come back the weekend after. She loves to come down during the festivals. Plus, she wants to spend more time with Arden and Carter. She adores babies and toddlers.

  During dinner, Beacon updates his brothers. It’s not a full explanation, but he tells them enough so they can cooperate. The next morning, Beacon calls the team for another meeting. This time, Seth’s team joins us. These are extraordinary circumstances. A team never overlaps missions, but Seth says that the Bryant case is under control. We can’t do anything until the end of March.

  “Are we taking them down?” San asks once we are all gathered in the cabin’s living room.