That was when I heard a laugh, like deep in the gut laugh, coming from a guy sitting at a table not far away.
“That shit is not funny,” Brooks snapped. “I'm here with a couple guys I know and thought you might want to come hang with us, but fuck you.”
“Okay,” I said. “I'm sorry for calling you a pussy.”
“You're such an asshole,” he said. “Come on.”
“No thanks,” I said.
“Get off your ass and come over there,” he said. “You don't need to be over here alone. The guys are cool.”
“Cooler than you, I hope,” I said.
I grabbed my beer and walked over to the table the laughing guy was sitting at with another guy.
“Hey,” the guy said, as he extended his hand toward me. “I'm Doug.”
“Hey,” I said, as I gave him a hard shake, letting him know I wasn't to be fucked with. “I'm Derek.”
“This is Gabe,” the Doug guy said, as he motioned toward the guy sitting next to him.
“Hey,” I said, as I extended my hand for a firm shake with the quiet one.
“How do you two know this fool?” I asked.
“We met him not long after we moved here and haven't been able to get rid of him since. We come in for a drink once every couple of months,” Doug answered. “Nice move back there.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I don't deal well with people walking up behind me and grabbing me.”
“I said your damn name,” Brooks said sarcastically, as he walked up to the table with four beers. “I had them put these on your tab. You owe me.”
“I don't owe you shit,” I said. “Stop touching me and things like that won't happen to you.”
Before long, conversation around the table began to flow, and I was actually having a decent time. For just one moment I'd forgotten the shitty things. That was pretty unusual. Normally, I was stuck in my head.
“Derek,” I heard from next to me.
“Yeah,” I said.
“What do you do?” Doug asked.
“Not much,” I said. “I've been thinking about my starting my own business, but I haven't really figured it all out yet.”
“Oh yeah,” he said. “What kind of business?”
The Gabe guy was looking down at his phone typing away as if the rest of us were invisible, but neither of the other guys seemed to notice.
“I'd like to get into private investigating and security,” I said.
For the first time in a few minutes, the dude looked up from his phone.
“Really?” he asked. “Have you done that before?”
“The dude was a damn SEAL,” Brooks said.
“Really?” Gabe asked in a shocked tone. “How long have you been out?”
“Over a year,” I answered. “I've had some shit going on, so I haven't done much since.”
“Interesting,” he said, as he looked over at Doug and an odd look moved between them. “What exactly are you waiting for?”
I felt like telling the guy to go fuck himself. Who did he think he was? I didn't owe him an explanation of why I hadn't done anything yet. Then I thought about it. What was I waiting for?
“I'm not sure,” I said. “I need to get a spot, but I don't have any clients yet, and I don't have a ton of capital either. It's not something I want to do out of my house.”
Gabe gave me a questioning look. I wasn't one to share shit about my personal life, but I got the feeling he thought it was just an excuse.
“I've got a kid,” I said. “I don't want that shit anywhere near my little girl.”
“Makes sense,” Gabe said. “I wouldn't want that either if I had kids. So, you haven't found a spot yet?”
“Not yet,” I answered.
Gabe looked back at Doug, who just shrugged. Then they both looked at me.
“I just bought a new building for my business, and I'm renting out a large part of that building to other business owners. I've been looking for someone to do security for the building. I want the people who rent from me to feel safe there. Since you haven't started your business yet, I'll make you deal.”
“Oh yeah,” I said. “What's that?”
“I need cameras and all that other shit,” Gabe said.
“Okay,” I said.
“But I think my renters would feel even safer if they knew there was actually a security company watching over the place on site. Since you don't have a place yet, we could help each other out.”
I gave him a strange look, but I didn't say a word.
“If you take care of the security for the whole building, I'll give you an office for your business rent free.”
“What?” I asked, sure that I'd heard him wrong.
“I want to move my company over to the new building in six months. That gives you time to get everything we'll need and have it all set up. I'll pay you to work full time until everything is in place, so I would expect you to work only for me during that time. Once we are up and running there, I'll pay you for anything I need that's security related. If I need new cameras or if there is an issue and we need you to handle it, you'll take care of it and will be paid. You will have your space in the building for your company rent free. So, you'll have an office for the building security, and then you'll have your own place for your personal business.”
“Seriously?” I asked. “Why would you do that? Rent is freaking expensive, and you don't know me.”
“Seeing the way you jumped up when Brooks touched you and knowing you were a SEAL is enough for me. If it will make you feel better, I'll do a background check and all that other shit on you. I need the people in my building to feel safe. I have a feeling you being there will do just that.”
“You're serious?” I asked.
“Very,” he said. “I've been trying to figure out what I was going to do, and you showed up at the perfect time.”
“When do you want me to start?” I asked.
“Is tomorrow morning good with you?” he asked with a smile on his face.
“It works for me,” I said. “I will not disappoint you. Thanks for taking a chance on me.”
“Thanks for saving my ass,” he said.
The door to the bar opened, and I looked up to see a very nervous looking woman walk toward our table. Gabe was on his feet in seconds.
“Hey, Bridget,” he said, as he motioned for her to take a seat between him and Doug.
“I brought you the papers you asked about,” she said quietly, as she handed him a large envelope, but she didn't move to sit down.
The woman never even looked my way. There were only two places her eyes went, and that was to Doug or to Gabe. For a second, I almost thought maybe they had some kind of sharing thing between them. It was none of my business, and I wasn't going to ruin the amazing opportunity I'd just been handed by bringing it up. Starting a business rent free while making a solid income was not something I was risking. I stood up and reached my hand toward Gabe.
“I'll let you get back to the real reason you were here,” I said.
“No hurry,” he said, as he shook my hand.
“I should be getting home,” I said.
“Let me give you my number and the address for the building. I can meet you there at eight. Would that work for you?” he asked.
“Of course,” I said.
We exchanged numbers and he sent me the text with the address. On my way out, I felt eyes on me and knew it was her. She hadn't given me one look while I was there. There was a story there, I could tell. Again, it was none of my business. I made my way out to my truck, got in, and shut the door. Then I looked up and said a silent thank you. There was no way it was a coincidence that Gabe was at that bar just when I knew that I needed to get my shit together.
All I could think about was Jenny, as I started my truck and headed home. I was doing it for her. She was my little girl, and I was going to make her proud to call me daddy.
Chapter 2
Derek
I barely
slept at all and was up way earlier than I needed to be. I'd gotten dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, figuring that I'd probably be in places where I might get a little dirty. Then I hurried down the stairs and made breakfast. That wasn't something I'd done in a very long time. I planned to wake my little girl as soon as her food was ready, but I heard her making noises and ran in to get her early. Once she was changed and dressed, we made our way out to the kitchen. I put her in her high chair and started cooking. Watching her play and laugh made me happy. I talked to her and laughed with her the whole time. Just as the food was getting done, Jean came walking around the corner, wearing a robe, with her eyes barely open.
“You didn't have to get up, Derek,” she said. “I would have gotten Jenny.”
She stopped frozen and looked around.
“You're making breakfast,” she said.
“I am,” I said, as I walked over and kissed her on the forehead. “I've got some news. You were already asleep when I got back last night, so I didn't bother you. I've got a job.”
“What?” she asked with confusion written all over her face.
“I'll tell you about it over breakfast,” I said, as I went back to finish up the last couple of things. “Is Joe still in bed?”
“I'm right here,” I heard from around the corner. “I wasn't sleeping through the smell of coffee and bacon.”
Joe walked into the kitchen, bent down to kiss Jenny, and then began grabbing cups out of the cabinet.
“You seem happy today,” he said to me. “I like that look on you.”
“Very funny,” I said.
“What's the occasion?” he asked with a smile. “You've made a huge Sunday breakfast here.”
I filled our plates and put them on the table. Then I got Jenny's plate ready and her food cut up. We all sat down, and I explained what had happened at the bar the night before. Jean was so damn excited for me. Joe was a bit skeptical, and I honestly didn't blame him.
“We'll help you any way you need us to,” Jean said. “Your own company. That is going to be amazing.”
“I'll be working for Gabe for now. Once his building is ready, I'll start working for myself. I'll still be in charge of security for him, and that's fine. I'll make money for anything he needs and still get my office rent free.”
“You know we would have helped you,” Joe said sternly.
“I do,” I said. “This is something I want to do on my own. It's a man thing.”
“I get it,” he said. “I'm proud of you.”
“Thanks,” I said. “That means a lot to me.”
“We love you, Son,” Joe said. “They definitely got the right man for the job. Maybe going to the bar hasn't been all bad.”
I sucked in a deep breath but said nothing. Not many men intimidated me. None other than Joe actually. He wasn't big, and he was far from built, but that man could make my knees shake. It was funny to think about, and I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face. What Joe thought of me was important. The thought of disappointing him freaked me the hell out. He wasn't thrilled with my bar visits and hadn't held back on letting me know. We'd had a few moments during that last year. He didn't hesitate to stand tall to me. Any other man would have backed down when I stood up in front of them, but not Joe. He'd put me in my place without a second thought, and I had more respect for him than ever when he did it.
“Joe,” Jean said with a shake of her head. “He's a grown man over thirty. Leave him alone.”
Jean was the only one that stood up to Joe, and she did a mighty fine job of it too.
As soon as breakfast was finished, I grabbed my plate and headed for the sink.
“I'll get that,” Jean said. “You have somewhere to be.”
I took off as soon as she said it, after a kiss for my favorite little girl of course.
The building was larger than I expected, and for a few seconds, I began to question my ability to get the job done. Then I thought about my life and everything I'd been through and realized I'd figure it out, no matter what I had to do. Gabe was going to be damn glad I was on the team.
He pulled up next to me in an old beater of a car. I was pretty shocked after seeing the size of the building he'd just bought. The moment I stepped out of my truck and looked over at him, he held up his hand.
“Not a damn word about my car,” he said. “I have an order of business. The fancy cars will come in time. Right now, I'm building a house and buying this place.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said. “It is definitely huge.”
“My company will take up a nice size space, but I'll rent out the rest. That's where you come in. You'll make everyone feel cozy and safe, so safe they won't want to go anyplace else. Come on in.”
He unlocked the front door, and we walked through. It was a nice place, that was for sure.
“I'm going to want cameras outside as well as inside,” he began, as he started walking through the place.
By the time we got through the building, I knew I had my work cut out for me. When he'd said six months at the bar, I thought it was a long time. It wasn't. It was going to take me a long while to get all of the security in place, and I had no doubt that I was going to need some help between that and getting my business started. He walked us to a back corner on one of the floors and unlocked a door. When we walked through, he looked over at me.
“This will be the security office for the building. I'm thinking there's enough room between these few rooms for all of the screens and things you'll need.”
“It looks great,” I said.
Then he walked out that door, moved over to the one next to it, and opened that one. When he flipped on the light, I looked around. The place was amazing. It was at the corner of the building, and there were windows everywhere. He walked down a hallway that seemed to have at least ten offices in it. Then he walked into a huge room that could fit a huge table in it.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“It seems pretty cool,” I said. “What's this place for? It's going to be next to building security.”
“This is where your company will be,” he said. “I figured it's close in case you have to go back and forth.”
“You've got to be shitting me,” I said, as I looked over at him. “Oh, you're serious. I thought you were pulling my chain or something. I'm just starting my business. I can't fill a place this big.”
“For now,” he said. “When it grows, you'll still be able to fit right here.”
“I'm sure you could get a pretty penny for this office, Gabe. I don't need something this big.”
“It's yours,” he said. “I need to keep your ass happy and right here with me. I'm telling you man, you being here is going to make me money too. I'm not going to lie, it's not all for you.”
I couldn't help but laugh at his honesty.
“Come on,” he said, as he motioned for us leave.
Once the building was locked up, he looked over at me. Then he reached out and handed me a set of keys.
“Don't give me some crazy look,” he said. “I've got a business to run a few blocks down. You'll be here all the time. Before you say anything, don't bother. Brooks said you're a good guy, and I believe him. I already told you, we're going to be helping each other. I get the feeling we're going to know each other for a very long time. Call me when you figure out exactly what we need.”
We got in our vehicles, and he pulled out of the lot. I sat looking at the ring of keys he'd just given me and couldn't believe what was happening. I'd gotten a job, and I was going to start my own business. I had my work cut out for me, but I was excited.
Gabe was only paying me, and I knew I could hit his goal of six months, but I knew some help would assure that everything would be perfect. I'd also need some help starting my company. Only one person entered my mind, and I wasn't waiting an extra second to get them there with me. I pulled out my phone and hit call on his number.
“Hey, bro,” I heard, as soon as it rang.
&
nbsp; “Hey, Drake,” I said. “How's it going?”
“You know how it is,” he said. “Same shit, different day. This fucker is about to take a beating. He's driving me crazy. I've put up with his shit for way too long.”
I put him on speaker and pulled up my phone's browser.
“Well,” I said.
“What?” he asked.
“Pack your shit, Little Brother,” I said.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I just booked you a plane ticket,” I said. “You're coming to live with me.”
“Are you fucking serious, Derek?” he asked. “Don't play with me man.”
“As long as you don't mind working for me,” I said.
“Working for you,” he said more to himself than to me.
“Get your ass moving,” I said. “Your flight leaves in three hours. Pack a suitcase and a carry on. The rest can wait.”
“That's about all I have anymore,” he said. “How long will I be there?”
“What part of living with me with did you miss?” I asked.
“I can't live with you,” he said.
“Not forever,” I replied. “Just until you get a place of your own.”
“If I get a ride to the airport and find out this is a joke, I'm going to find a way there to kick your ass,” he said.
“I told you I'd get you out of there one day,” I said.
“I'm twenty,” he said with a laugh.
“Better late than never,” I said with a laugh of my own. “I would have done it sooner if I could have.”
“I know it man,” he said. “I'm sorry. You've had your own shit to deal with.”
“Get your ass in gear,” I said. “I'll be there to get you when you land.”
“I love you, bro,” he said. “I'll be there. I can't wait to get out of this place.”
I hung up the phone and for the second time looked up and said a silent thank you. In twenty-four hours, I'd gone from not knowing what the hell I was going to do with myself to having a job, finally getting my little brother out of his mess, and feeling hopeful about the future. I hadn't felt that feeling in a long time.
Chapter 3
Derek (Hunter PI & Security #1) Page 2