Derek (Hunter PI & Security #1)

by Sharon Cummin

  Six Months Later

  Derek

  Drake and I worked at the building every moment we possibly could Monday thru Friday. Gabe had even agreed to pay him, so that worked out for both of us. I was planning on halving what I made with him and was happy that I wouldn't have to. Being off for a year and a half really depleted my bank account.

  We took the weekends off to spend with Jenny and each other. Things changed so much between us. There was such a huge age gap, so we'd never been close. It was more like we were two only children. That had all changed the moment he moved into my basement. I hadn't really known just how bad things had been for him. He said I'd had enough on my plate while I was in the service and even more after. He said he didn't want to burden me. I was pissed. If I'd known the shit he was going through daily, I would have found a way to get him out sooner. He was with me, and that was where he was going to stay.

  We bonded more than I ever thought we could in that six months. I guess working so close together, with nobody else around much, does that. Things were looking up for him. His eyes didn't have those dark circles under them that they'd had when I first picked him up from the airport. He was getting sleep, eating well, and spending time with people that actually gave a shit.

  Drake's first goal was learning to drive. The fucker couldn't even drive. Don't get me started on how pissed off I was about things having to do with him. It was all in the past. There was nothing I could do about that. Shit! I hadn't even known. His future was going to rock, I was going to make damn sure it did. He'd gotten his license and his first car, and he was happy. I wasn't charging him rent, so his money was his. I made sure he put a bit of it away each week and taught him how bank accounts work. The man was twenty and hadn't been into a bank. What the fuck! My next step for him was his GED. Jean took him under her wing on that one. She loved teaching people and had really missed it after retiring. That was her department, and she was loving it. Drake was kind of digging it too. He had a lot to learn, and he also had the drive to do it. I was so damn proud of him.

  I was surprised how quickly I was able to get the cameras in at the company. Once I sat down and began planning it out, it just came naturally. I was so into what I was doing. I was like a kid in a candy store. Gabe was laughing when I was showing him what we needed. Keeping things safe was something I loved, and it only being a building and not a group of my men made it that much easier. I learned a lot as a SEAL. Some of the things I never thought I would need again were the same things helping me figure out the logic of where to place everything. I didn't want to waste Gabe's money, and I wanted to make sure the cameras were placed in the perfect spots to do the most good. Thinking ahead about different situations had me so eager to jump in and start my own thing. He could have gotten a security company, but I looked at things differently than they would have. It's hard to explain. I wasn't just about having something every so many feet or anything like that. My thinking was more complex. In my opinion, mine was more realistic.

  Gabe's building was secure and ready for almost anything, maybe even a little too ready. I'd even put a screen in my office that showed the camera in the front lobby. That way I could pay attention to the building's entryway from my own desk whenever I wanted to. Doug walked through with Gabe one final time, and they were both laughing.

  “We're just running a company here, Derek,” Doug said with a smile. “Is this place going to lock down with the touch of a button? I feel like secret, bulletproof sheets are going to slide down from the ceilings to cover the windows and lasers are going to shoot out from every corner.”

  “Laugh it up,” I replied. “I have one question for you. Do you feel safe?”

  “Hell yeah I do,” he answered.

  “Then I've done my job,” I said with a laugh.

  “I guess you have,” he answered, as he pat me on the back.

  If I hadn't walked through with him and Gabe and explained everything, they would have had no idea what was around the place.

  “You've got this place about as locked up as you do yourself,” Gabe said.

  I'd gotten to know Gabe and Doug through the months we'd been working together. We'd met up many times to talk about the security stuff and eventually just to shoot the shit. I usually listened more than I spoke. That wasn't me. I kept my shit inside. They knew I had a daughter and a few other things about her mother, but that was it. I was a private person. Only the closest people in my life really knew me, and that was pretty much my brother, my little girl, Jean, and Joe. I didn't let many people into my circle, and I wouldn't have changed that either. My circle was small, just the way I liked it.

  “Very funny,” I said. “I don't know everything about your life either.”

  “Very true,” he said.

  “There's not much to know about his life,” Doug said. “He has a pain in the ass sister, but you'll never meet her. She's way too fucking good to come here. Other than that, he lives and breathes this company. That sums Gabe up completely.”

  “Like you're so different,” Gabe began. “Leave my sister out of this anyway. I don't know what the hell you two have against each other, but it's getting old hearing about it. You do know you're grown adults now. If I didn't know better, I'd think she broke your heart or something. You're always bitching and complaining about her never coming here. If she did, you'd just give her shit.”

  “There is no damn way she ever broke my heart,” Doug snapped. “At least I have a life.”

  “No,” Gabe said. “You have a different woman sucking your dick every night. That does not make a life.”

  “Like you're one to talk,” Doug replied. “When is the last time you've had a woman anywhere near you?”

  Gabe's eyes widened and his shoulders went back. The two of them had no idea how ridiculous they looked.

  “Seriously,” I said a bit louder than I should have. “You want to know why I keep my shit locked up? Right here, this is why. You two are crazy. So, I now know that Doug had a thing for your sister.”

  “I did not,” Doug snapped out.

  “I also know Doug gets laid and you don't,” I continued.

  “I do too,” Gabe said sternly. “I just don't brag about it all the time.”

  “You know what,” Doug began, but I cut him off.

  “Are you two pussies going to stand here all day trying to prove your men, or are we going to finish this shit so you can move your company in?” I asked.

  They both turned and looked at me, but neither of them said a word. I turned around and started walking. There was no way I was going to let them see the smile on my face. They really were good guys.

  We finished looking around, and Gabe was extremely happy with everything. He looked at Doug and smiled.

  “You ready to own this place?” he asked him.

  “I'm ready to get out of that small ass place if that's what your asking,” Doug said. “I need my own office.”

  I stayed at the building with Drake during business hours while Gabe and his team moved everything over. Not a single person came through those doors that shouldn't have been there. Gabe's secretary stayed with Doug at the other building directing everyone on where to go and what to do. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. They really did have their shit together.

  Before long, companies had started moving in. Some were friends of the guys and some were not. There was a guy named John. He was a lawyer. I guess he'd met Gabe in college or some shit. From what I'd heard him say, he was just getting his firm up and started and was also the company's lawyer. It was almost like we were in the same situation, but I wasn't fond of the guy. He was a weasel. That was my first impression anyway. There was also a small accounting firm as well as a few other smaller businesses. Gabe would call me in to meet each of the renters and tell them all about the safety of the place. He'd acted like it was all too much to me, but to them, he'd brag about the same shit.

  Once things began to settle down and it didn't feel lik
e someone new was moving in each day, I decided to focus on starting my company. Drake was right there and more than ready to help. He'd shown me during the time we worked on the building that he was willing to work, and I was damn proud of him. He was going to be my right-hand man, and I was going to make sure he knew how happy I was to have him on my team.

  The two of us moved furniture into my office, the largest one with the most windows, and two other offices as well. He'd picked the one right next to mine for his own. I figured I'd start small and see how it went. We even put a larger table in the big room for meetings. Most of the furniture came from Gabe's old place. He'd gotten all new stuff at the big building and wasn't going to use the older stuff. It was all in really good shape, and I was more than willing to take it once he'd told me that if I didn't, he was throwing it out. Would he really have, I'm not sure.

  The office was ready. We were ready. I'd put a few computers on my charge card and gotten some other things we'd need like pens, paper, and a large whiteboard for the conference room wall, along with a small fridge and coffee maker. The last thing was a sign for the front office door. I waited until I was sure I was ready before getting it put on. When I did, it was the best feeling ever. The words Hunter PI and Security looked amazing. I looked over at my brother and then back at the words. That was for both of us. We were Hunters, and I was so damn happy he was there to share it with me. We were ready to open.

  Just as we were locking the door to go home that day, Gabe and Doug came out of the elevator.

  “What are you two up to tonight?” Doug asked with a huge smile on his face.

  “Going home to see my little girl. Tomorrow's the day,” I said, as I looked over at Drake. “I think we're both tired.”

  “Come out with us for a drink before you head home,” he said.

  “I'm not sure, man,” I said. “Where are you two headed?”

  “The bar we met you at,” he answered. “We're having a few people from the office join us. I guess it's a little celebration on moving, and check you out. You're ready to open.”

  “We are,” I said, before turning my attention to Gabe. “I can't thank you enough either.”

  “Then come out,” Gabe said. “We aren't staying long.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Doug said.

  Gabe narrowed his eyes at him.

  “Just kidding,” Doug said. “I'll be here bright eyed and satisfied in the morning.”

  “What do you say?” Gabe asked. “Brooks is meeting us there. He asked if you were coming.”

  I looked over at Drake who shrugged and then back at Gabe.

  “We'll come by for a few minutes,” I said, before turning to Doug. “My little brother is only twenty. Don't be trying to lead him down that dirty path of yours.”

  Doug rolled his eyes and turned back toward the elevator.

  “I'll meet you guys there,” he said. “Is Bridget coming?”

  The doors opened, and we all stepped in.

  “No,” Gabe said. “She has something to do.”

  I saw an odd look pass between the two of them. Talk about silent communication. They had it going on big time.

  “I don't how you two do that shit,” I said.

  “What?” Doug asked.

  “Have a whole conversation without saying a word. It's kind of creepy actually. I'll be thinking about that shit for hours.”

  The door opened, and I stepped out first with Drake following me. Then I turned back to them and spoke quietly.

  “I'll be wondering if she really has something to do, that look you shared meaning it's something crazy. Or maybe it's because you two don't really want anyone else involved in your night. Maybe you two.”

  “You know what,” Doug said, cutting me off. “I liked you better when you didn't talk so much.”

  “Defensive much?” I asked, as I turned around and walked toward and out the front door of the building.

  “Fucker,” I heard Doug bark out before the door closed behind Drake.

  I was laughing before I even made it to my truck. Drake got in the other side and looked over.

  “I knew I should have driven myself today,” he said.

  “Come on,” I said. “We won't stay long.”

  “I guess,” he said.

  I looked over to see him looking out the window. There was so much I still didn't know about him. What kind of brother was I, I wondered? I shouldn't have assumed his life was all rainbows and shit just because he'd come to live with me. I should have known better.

  “We'll stay for one round, and then we'll leave,” I said.

  He nodded without a word.

  We pulled into the lot, and Gabe pulled in before we even made it to the door. As soon as the doors opened, the music blasted out at us. I was definitely getting too old for that shit. Gabe caught up with us and lead us over to a table where a few of the guys on his team were sitting. I sat down, and Drake took the seat next to me. A few seconds later, I heard my name come from behind me, but I didn't answer. Let the fucker wonder if I heard him, I thought.

  “I am about to walk up behind you, Derek,” I heard him yell even louder. “I am approaching your left shoulder. I am two steps away.”

  I looked over where Gabe had taken a seat to see him laughing hysterically. Drake shook his head and looked up at the guy behind me.

  “If you touch me, I will kick your ass,” I yelled back. “What is it with you and touching anyway?”

  “You're such an asshole,” Brooks said, as he punched my arm.

  I shook my head and looked at my brother.

  “The fucker can't help but touch me,” I said with a shrug.

  Drake looked between me and the guy behind me, and I couldn't help but laugh.

  “What do you want to drink, Derek?” Brooks asked. “I heard you're about to open your company. Good for you, man.”

  “Two cokes,” I answered.

  “Seriously?” Brooks asked. “That is how you celebrate? What's wrong with you?”

  “We have to be up early tomorrow,” I said. “We have to get to work. I have an idea.”

  “And what's that?” he asked. “I can only imagine what your smart ass has to say.”

  When I felt the weird shit oozing from my brother in the truck, I would have gone home. I still planned to find out what that was about. The main reason I'd agreed to go out in the first place was the fact that Brooks was going to be there. I'd been thinking about it for a few weeks. I'd talked to the guy enough times to know he wasn't having the best time. He worked, but he was far from happy. It was his only way at the time. There weren't many options. He'd hooked me up with Gabe and Doug, and I knew damn well he knew they needed someone when he did it. They gave me a chance, well Gabe did really, but Doug ran that company as much as he did. Anyway, I was going to give Brooks a chance just like they had given me one. If he didn't take it, I'd kick his ass. I knew he wanted out of the crappy job he had.

  “Why don't you roll out of bed and come in with us?” I asked. “My brother here is working with me. I don't know how long it will take us to get work, but I think it will look better if there are three of us when a prospective client comes through the door. We won't look so green and inexperienced. You can work part-time until we build up our client base.”

  “Seriously?” he asked, and I nodded. “Are you fucking with me? That shit is not funny.”

  “I mean it,” I said.

  “I don't have any experience in private investigating or security, Derek.”

  “You'll learn,” I said. “I'm thinking we'll have some down time. I'll teach you everything I know.”

  “You're not pulling my chain?” he asked.

  “Not at all. I don't want my hands anywhere near your chain,” I said with a laugh. “I've known you through the bar for a bit, and I trust you, Brooks. I want you on my team. I know you really hate that shit job. Just give it a chance.”

  “Hell yeah,” he said. “I'll still have to keep the shit job for a
while. You're cool with that?”

  “Sure am,” I said.

  “I'll have my ass there early tomorrow,” he said. “So, you're his brother.”

  “I am,” Drake said as he nodded.

  “His ass looks old compared to you,” Brooks said.

  “I can change my mind,” I said, as I shot Brooks a dirty look and he held his hands up in defeat. “He's only twenty, but that's none of your business. Don't make fun of my age, or I'll kick your ass.”

  “Yes, Boss,” he said.

  I shook my head, got up, and went to the bar to get the sodas Brooks never even moved to get. After drinking our drinks and talking to all of the guys for a bit, I got up and Drake followed.

  “See you in the morning,” I said, as I pointed to Brooks.

  “I can't believe you're going to let that fool in my building,” Gabe said.

  Brooks looked over at Gabe and flipped him off before turning back to me.

  “See you bright and early, Mr. Hunter.”

  I shook my head and walked out. On the drive home, I looked over at my brother.

  “What's up with you and drinking?” I asked.

  “What?” he asked, seeming a bit shocked.

  I could see his knee bouncing out of the corner of my eye.

  “You heard me,” I said.

  “Not for today,” he said.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Not feeling like talking about it,” he answered. “Maybe later.”

  I was shocked. It was the first time he'd shut me out since he'd gotten there. I'd let it go for the moment, but that subject would surely be opened again.

  Jenny was at the door the second it opened. I scooped her into my arms and spun her around.

  “Daddy,” she squealed, as I threw her into the air before catching her.

  “Were you good for grandpa and grandma today?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she answered.

  I reached into my pocket, got out a sucker I'd gotten earlier in the day for her, and kissed her cheek as I handed it to her. She moved around until I put her back on her feet. Then she went right back to watching the cartoon she'd been watching when we walked in.

  “I'm tired,” Drake said. “I'll be in my room.”