Theron imagined, with five bedrooms in the house, the younger Johnsons were ecstatic to not be sharing one room. He would also think Bailey and Cassidy were enjoying the master bedroom, which had its own bathroom. They wouldn’t have to share with the kids, and since two of them were teenagers, the bathroom was hogged by them a lot. Heck, the kids as well as their parents probably also enjoyed having so much space with the various rooms and a spacious kitchen with nook and a pantry. Theron had shaken his head in wonder when he first saw the pantry. He’d never lived in a house with one before. The houses were unfurnished, and Theron hadn’t even gotten around to figuring out what he wanted to get for his house.
It was all part of the Jenkins’ idea to hide the private facility in plain sight. In total, there were ten houses built around the center, and the property was set up to resemble a gated community. Everyone was urged to treat the houses as their homes. They could invite any guests they wanted, but only those in the know would realize the houses were part of the private safe haven facility. The homes on the site were set up so that someone visiting wouldn’t be able to find the Treble Duo building unless they already knew it was there, how to get there, and what to look for.
At what was really the front entrance to the center, Bailey’s home was on the second road to the left, and Theron’s was on the right. The rest of the houses at the front and back entrance were used by members of the center’s security and housekeeping teams. In the middle of the eight houses that made up the fake gated community was the main Treble Duo building, and the last two houses—one in front and the other in back of the main center—were for the special cases or long-term residents who needed their facility. Each had personnel from the security firm living there.
“I can’t wait to see. We’ll set something up soon. I can’t believe Cassidy already has your house set up. I still haven’t even fully moved in yet.” Theron shook his head.
“You know Cass. She’s one organized, crazy woman.” Bailey chuckled. “She’s been running the kids ragged while I work to get it done before they go back to school and she goes back to work.” Cassidy had taken the week off to get settled in their new home. After the opening they’d had, Theron wished he had used the time before the center actually opened to do the same.
“At least the commute won’t be so bad since you have another vehicle now,” Theron said.
“Yeah. The Jenkins brothers are… they are too much. Giving us an SUV so we can have another car to use.” Bailey narrowed his eyes, looking at Theron. “Don’t think I didn’t figure out you had something to do with it.”
“It wasn’t me.” Theron put up his hands. “I just menti—”
Bailey cut him off. “Mentioned it. Another of those ‘mentions’ that helped us out. We were going to get another car, eventually.”
“To get it past Leslie, it would have to be a good car. And you know how picky he is.” Theron smiled. “So I saved you a headache.” Leslie Hannigan was a friend who owned a garage and was very particular about cars and what types of cars his friends drove.
“God. I regret asking him to help us find a reasonably priced car. I forgot how crazy he could get.” Bailey shuddered. “I’ve been letting Cass deal with him. She works better with his demanding ways.”
“None of you have been coming around to things we do for a while, so of course you forgot. He and Cass share a similar way of being completely focused on getting the best with what they do. They get such a laser-like focus it’s a little much.” Theron laughed, then sobered. “I’m very happy that Cass said she’d take some therapy groups and individuals here at the center.” Theron glanced around his office again and at the pile of papers that was already there. “We’ll be working our asses harder than we ever did before.”
“Yes, and I’m already loving the challenge it will be.” Bailey’s smile was wide. “It’s a good thing we already had the volunteers, staff, and security in place before the official opening.”
Theron nodded in agreement. In addition to the staff Theron was in charge of, he also had ten full-time security people who worked for him. Eight of them lived on the property, while the other two lived off-site in houses that were also considered part of the center operations. Since Theron’s friend Harper had moved in with Del Jenkins, his partner, they used his house for operational needs, while the other house had once belonged to Tomas Rodriguez and Bernie Jenkins. All security personnel were employed through their contract with Guardian Shield Security. Theron remembered it had been a long process to find the right people for the positions they were trying to fill.
The Jenkinses had been adamant about hiring enough security for the protection and privacy of the staff and clients. Theron knew from his previous job that some of the parents or adults they protected the residents from could be dangerous, and he was glad they had found qualified professionals to accept the long-term assignment. The head of the team handled all the scheduling and so on, then reported to Theron if there was anything he needed to know. Guardian Shield Security also handled their cybersecurity, as well as any other security needs they had.
“Looks like the Jenkinses were correct in building this place and the additional two houses.” Theron leaned back, looking out first one, then the other window, from which he could make out the houses in question. He focused back on Bailey. “Four days since our official opening on August thirteenth, and we’re almost full on the first resident floor.”
Treble Duo was four stories high. The main floor was made up of classrooms, meeting rooms, offices for people working there, many bathrooms, and other areas for the various activities they offered the residents. In the center of the main floor was an area for relaxing with comfortable couches, chairs, and beanbags. It sported a large TV complete with DVD player and game consoles. A separate dining room held many rectangular tables for eating, and off that room was the spacious kitchen, with a large pantry to hold the volume of groceries they needed to feed the residents. There were two bedrooms, one on each side of the floor, used by the overnight security guard and any other staff who stayed over as needed.
The center was designed to feel like a home instead of just a place to get shelter or help. They wanted each resident to get the feel of being in a large, supportive family, something a lot of them would not have gotten at home, and why they needed to come here in the first place. The other three floors of the center were split into two wings—female and male. Each floor had a total of sixteen rooms set up as homey bedrooms with complete bedroom sets, including an armchair, couch, bookcase, desk, and TV. Each side had four individual bathrooms shared by two people each and assigned based on the room they were in. In the middle, between the eight rooms on each side of the division between the sexes, was a large common room that also had comfortable furnishings and a TV set up just like the first floor. For the protection of the center, the cyberactivity was monitored and the security team would be notified if Treble Duo’s location was revealed. Unless it was someone who was authorized, the program would automatically create a security breach, which would be handled by Security and Theron.
For each resident there were educational arrangements and many other things they had to agree to in order to be at the center. The most important rule was that each resident had to participate in individual therapy sessions as well as group. They didn’t have to say a word, but they had to attend. They hadn’t started those yet, but the residents knew about them. Another thing they required was the location of the center be kept secret. In addition, there were many other protocols they had for protection of the center, residents, and the staff. Theron knew they would add more as things came up.
“One week before we opened, we had eight kids already, and now we’re already up to fifteen.” Bailey sighed. “I know there are people out there who don’t give a damn about their children and hurt them, but damn, I didn’t think we’d get so many already.”
Theron felt the same. “It’s why we’re needed. Maybe we can make a change in so
me of these kids’ lives.” He shrugged. “At least we don’t have all that red tape we used to go up against.”
“Yeah. We have lawyers to handle that, and they’re working with us instead of against us.” Bailey crossed his ankles.
“Yep. About the lawyers. They tracked down Jordan Bridges’s parents.” Theron was disgusted even as he said it.
Jordan Bridges had been the first resident to come to them, a little over a week before they opened. Jordan had gone directly to one of their safe houses. He’d been nothing but skin and bones from malnourishment, and had jumped at the littlest noise. Theron thought he had been living on the streets because he was so dirty and scared. Jordan told him he’d been living with his parents and they’d locked him in the basement, but he’d escaped when they went on a trip. The information had made Theron furious. It sounded so close to what the Jenkinses had gone through. At the time, Theron hadn’t been able to see if it had shaken Del, who’d been with him during the meeting with Jordan. Theron made a mental note to call Del about it. Theron wasn’t his therapist, but a friend he trusted to talk with about such things. Although it was getting easier for Del, it was still hard to discuss what had happened to him.
“I hope the police arrested them.” Bailey’s words caught his attention.
“They did. Hector says he’s going to be Jordan’s lawyer when they go to court. Until then, Dante will be handling getting him emancipated.” Theron tapped his finger on the desk.
Rodriguez-Berkus was the firm on retainer for all the center’s legal matters. It was run by two of the Rodriguez brothers, who Theron was good friends with, and Dante Berkus, who had become a partner in the firm a while ago. Theron didn’t know Dante that well, but knew about him through their mutual friends and his brother Robert Berkus, who was also life partners with a Rodriguez brother.
“Do you still think he wants that?”
“Yes.” Theron didn’t have any doubt. Not after the conversation he’d had with Jordan when they first met.
“Do you think we should start the sessions earlier with Jordan, or wait until the group session?” Bailey asked.
“No. Although he was here earlier than the rest, as were a few others, we’ll keep to the original plan—group sessions by floor, and individual weekly sessions. Let them get settled this week first, then next week we start.” Theron looked at the schedule and noted what workshop was going on now before focusing on Bailey. “Next week will be the guide for how we will handle the therapy aspect of things. Then, at the end of the month, we’ll have our first all-floors meeting.”
They were designing the session as more of a family meeting atmosphere than therapy. All the therapists would be there as well as whatever residents were at the center. They planned to cook a meal with their help, and then eat, relax, and watch movies.
“They will be resistant. Talking isn’t easy when you’ve been taught to hide or shut up.”
“I know. But they only have to attend. They don’t have to talk.” Theron smiled.
Bailey laughed. “You know, some of the residents are already saying that’s your motto.”
“Good. Then they know what’s expected of them.” Theron chuckled, then rolled his shoulders. “Anyway, I don’t know about you, but I’m glad it’s Friday.”
“Me too, although I’ll be at Cassidy’s mercy for the weekend to finish setting everything up.”
“At least you’ll be finished. I’ll be taking the weekend to unpack.” Theron glanced at his watch. “My brothers will be bringing my stuff from my apartment in about an hour.”
“You haven’t moved in yet?”
Theron laughed at Bailey’s surprise. “Nope. I just grabbed a few things I needed so I was here if the early residents needed me. I didn’t get a chance to get the rest, since I was doing the last-minute stuff that needed doing for the center.” Theron shrugged. “I’ll get it all done this weekend. I still have to buy some furniture because I got rid of some of it when I was deciding what to move out of my apartment.”
“Maybe you can take Cassidy shopping with you.” Bailey said it so hopefully.
“Uh-uh. I’m not taking your wife shopping to get her out of the house.”
Bailey pouted, then sighed. “Fine. Don’t forget, we need to do dinner soon.”
Bailey rose. Theron stood and grabbed his messenger bag, put some files in, then slung it crossways over his body. They walked toward the open door. Theron always kept his door open unless he was in session or working on something sensitive. It was a subtle way of letting everyone know he was available to talk anytime. Theron stopped at the door, straightening his sign that read “Hard at work with mayhem. Do not disturb.”
“See you Monday,” Bailey said, going into the first office on the right.
“See you.” Theron closed and locked his door, setting the alarm.
He strode down the hall, passing Bailey’s office, then waved to the other therapist on the left as he went. As he passed he urged anyone still in their offices to go home. Working here would be demanding, and there would be many days of long hours, but not the opening week. The common area was empty, but he could smell the wonderful scents of cooking. Although he was tempted to see what delicious food their chef was coming up with, Theron resisted and walked to the hall farthest from the main area. He stepped into a doorway at the end of the hall, then leaned against the jamb.
“If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, then don’t come back.” The deep voice was rude.
Theron frowned at the aggressive tone. Although Theron couldn’t see the speaker, he imagined who it had to be. Theron focused on where the voice had come from, which seemed to be behind a piece of wood. The residents—those on kitchen duty were the only ones missing from the group—were listening with rapt attention, and didn’t seem at all offended or scared by what had been said. Theron listened, not really understanding what the man was describing.
That bass voice spoke again. “You have to go with the grain of the wood. Feel in your gut what it’s going to be. Coax it to life, but do it easy and slow.”
Theron shifted as his cock got hard. He was grateful he had his shirt untucked so it covered the front of his jeans.
He’s just talking about wood, Theron. Pull it together.
Suddenly the man rose from behind the piece of wood, still speaking, but Theron didn’t pay attention to what he was saying. Aristotle Berkus was an imposing figure and was easily above six-five in height. Even across the room, Theron, who was six-one, had the feeling of being towered over. It wasn’t just Aristotle’s height that gave him that intimidating aura. He was very broad and muscular, which Theron assumed was from his profession as a furniture maker. Theron had heard stories of how disagreeable and how much of a loner Aristotle was. He also knew this firsthand, since Aristotle and the other two Berkus brothers didn’t come to many of the things Theron and his friends did. They tended to keep to themselves, but all their circle knew they would be there if needed, as they had recently shown when they had come out to show their support at the opening of Triumvirate Deuce—the community center that was open to the public—and Treble Duo—the private facility. Aristotle had left the party at the public center early, disappearing before Theron had a chance to talk with him.
When he’d come to Treble Duo, he found Aristotle relaxing with the residents already there, watching TV. It shocked Theron that they were so comfortable with Aristotle, seeing as he was so large and gruff. He was also surprised that Aristotle seemed at home there and didn’t censor his grumbly ways for them. Before he could talk with Aristotle, however, the others had started arriving. Since he was head of the center, Theron had to play host. The party was only for family and friends who knew of the center’s existence and purpose. Throughout the night, he’d tried to speak with Aristotle, but his duties made it impossible. By the time he was free to look for him, Aristotle was gone. Theron would admit to himself he’d been frustrated, because something about Aristotle fascinated him. His
exterior was prickly, yet from what Theron had heard, Aristotle was much more than met the eye.
Theron glanced around at the residents and noted their attention was all on Aristotle, and some who hadn’t warmed up to anyone in the center yet were smiling faintly at him. He focused back on Aristotle, studying the features that were similar to that of his brother, Robert. But where Robert was almost pretty, Aristotle was more rugged, making him seem harder. His blond hair fell to his shoulders in disarray, while his shrewd and intelligent blue eyes studied those in the room. When Aristotle saw Theron at the door, he glanced at him a moment as he continued talking, then focused back on the kids.
“Okay. That’s enough for today. I’ll see you all next week. Come and pick one item from the box.” Aristotle ran his hand over the wood.
Theron bit the inside of his mouth, wondering how those blunt fingers would feel on his skin. He waited as the kids surrounded Aristotle, and they each took something out of the box on the stool by him. Curious, Theron watched as they came closer; then he realized the box held some sort of woodcarvings. From what he could see, they were different things, including flowers, animals, and some that had sayings. Theron stepped back in the door after the last person came out.
“Jordan.” Theron smiled at the sixteen-year-old. They had developed a rapport, which made Jordan comfortable in his presence. Jordan seemed less haunted, but had a long way to go to gain the weight he needed to look healthy. “I have some news.”
Jordan’s smiling face went solemn. “They found them.”
It wasn’t a question, but Theron answered anyway. “Yes. They’re in jail, and Hector will be coming to talk to you about what’s next.”
“I want emancipation.” Jordan’s tone was flat and firm.
“I know, and we’re working on that too,” Theron assured him, touching his shoulder. “We’ll discuss all that next Tuesday when they come by to discuss your case.”
Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles) Page 74