Bryce: The Project (Indie Rebels Book 3)

by Miranda P. Charles

  Bryce let out a whistle. The Indie Rebels’ systems were as secure as any of the best government security systems, created and maintained by IR agents whom Bryce hadn’t met yet. As an initiate, he was limited in what he could know about the Indie Rebels, including most of their identities. But Bryce’s brother, Jaxon Caine, who’d joined the IR long before the two of them had reconciled, had told him that their IT gurus were two of the top technology geniuses in the world.

  So to have their guys believe that a person could succeed in hacking them wasn’t something to take lightly. No wonder the chiefs wanted Bryce to drop everything for this. “Looks like Addison’s really pissed off with us to hire someone like this Jester guy.”

  Aidan snickered. “Just before you joined, we caught his younger brother Edgar—Emma’s uncle and Sharryn’s father. We gave Edgar up to the police along with a big drug shipment they’d already paid for and smuggled into the country. So not only did they lose capital, they also missed out on earning the millions of dollars in profit for selling their contraband in the Australian black market. And they knew it was us. Edgar himself had been subdued by people in all-black attire.”

  Bryce grinned. “I thought it was just the cops who caught him. I didn’t hear the IRs mentioned in the news regarding that case.”

  “You know the police. They don’t want to publicly give us any credit if they can help it.”

  “Yeah. Anyway, I’m on my way to the city right now to have my chance meeting with Emma. What cinema is she in?”

  “Cinema Five. The movie should be finishing in about half an hour.”

  “Copy.”

  “Good luck. Keep me updated.”

  “Will do.”

  Bryce hung up and let out a loud exhale. It occurred to him just how massive his responsibility was. The very existence of the Indie Rebels could depend upon him finding Jester, so he’d have to pull out all stops to succeed.

  Emma’s smiling face filled his mind.

  Damn it. Did she have to be Addison Fern’s daughter?

  He’d first met her two years ago, when she’d stayed as a guest at Plank Island in the Whitsundays where he’d been ordered to work as security personnel. The security company that had employed him at the time had been in bed with the Flowers. Since Bryce had refused to have anything to do with drugs, kidnapping, murder, or smuggling, he’d been stationed there to monitor true resort guests—those who’d been blissfully unaware that the neighbouring Shallow Waters Island was being used as the headquarters of a crime syndicate.

  He chuckled mirthlessly, remembering the multiple times he’d planned his escape. But there had always been other guards with him, also doing the same job and very much loyal to the bosses. So no matter how Bryce had looked at it, he couldn’t have left without powerful speedboats with armed men chasing after him, ready to bombard him with bullets.

  So much for fatherly love.

  Had Emma known that he was Doug Green’s son when she’d slept with him? His father’s name had been revered in the underworld, as Doug had instigated cooperation among criminals regarding exchange of information that would help them stay a few steps ahead of the police.

  Regardless, Bryce had tried to fight the instant chemistry between him and Emma. But it had proven difficult to stay away from her.

  Had anyone else known what he and Emma had gotten up to on her last night there? He couldn’t remember a hotter night than the one they’d shared, and he’d never felt disappointment like the one he’d experienced when she’d had to go home the following day.

  He blinked, shaking his head to ward off the memories and cursing himself for getting aroused. For him, the Emma he’d known wasn’t Addison Fern’s daughter. She’d simply been Emma to him, since they hadn’t shared surnames. If he’d realised then who she really was, he’d have avoided her like the plague.

  Thank God he’d had the sense to not pursue anything further with her. At the time, he’d simply hadn’t wanted her to be linked to him and the Flowers syndicate for her own protection. Turned out he was the one who’d dodged a bullet.

  In a few minutes he’d be meeting the real Emma Fern. No matter how hot and sweet his memories of her were, her surname was now a total repellent.

  Of course it might help if Emma thought he was still into her. It could be the easiest way of getting her to trust him and eventually give up information that could lead to the whereabouts of her father and the secretive Jester.

  Bryce pressed harder on the accelerator.

  He’d do what he had to do to protect the Indie Rebels, even if it meant having to charm Emma Fern again.

  Chapter 2

  Emma Fern glanced at her cousin as they left the cinema. Sharryn was still teary, dabbing the corners of her eyes. “Aw, honey.”

  Sharryn sniffed. “We should have chosen a different movie. That was so sad.”

  Emma smiled. Sharryn had known the film was about a father who’d been caught by terrorists.

  “I wish I could visit Dad,” Sharryn said in a low voice.

  “Then why don’t you? I’ll go with you.”

  “No.”

  “Why not? I honestly don’t mind.”

  Sharryn shook her head. “Let’s talk about that later. For now, let’s go to my favourite Chinese restaurant.”

  Emma smiled sympathetically, feeling for Sharryn. On the day her cousin had gotten engaged seven months ago, Sharryn’s dad had been caught in a warehouse with crates of drugs. Edgar Fern had been maintaining his innocence, claiming that a group called the Indie Rebels had set him up.

  Emma didn’t know her uncle well, having not seen him in years. But she was sure Edgar couldn’t have been a drug trafficker. Her memories were of a kind, jolly man.

  Plus, she’d seen how some of the evidence against him had been manipulated. Her dad’s explanations made total sense. But, apparently, more proof was required to exonerate Edgar due to the sophistication of the manipulations.

  She linked arms with Sharryn as they made their way through crowded George Street. Even though one of her main reasons for being in Sydney was to meet her three-year-old half-sister, she’d quickly re-established bonds with Sharryn.

  They’d been best buddies when they were little, being the same age. And when Sharryn had asked her to be one of her bridesmaids four days ago, she’d been so touched that all her misgivings about reconciling with her father had started to dissipate.

  The whole Fern family, like her dad had assured her, were keen to reconnect despite her being estranged from them since she was ten. After fifteen years of no contact whatsoever, she’d been wary of meeting with them. She’d even doubted they’d greet her with open arms.

  But they had. They’d even organised a “reunion” party for her the other night, when she’d arrived from Brisbane. She’d felt nothing but warmth from them, and she was slowly letting her guard down.

  “By the way,” Sharryn said, “we could be meeting my future brother-in-law for dinner. He said he might be around here at this time, and I said to catch up with us at the restaurant.”

  Emma narrowed her eyes. When her father had rung her this morning, he’d talked up Sharryn’s fiancé’s twin brother as a great and trustworthy personal security officer.

  “What?” Sharryn asked innocently.

  “Why would I need a bodyguard? My dad and I are only just getting to know each other again, and I’m not in any way connected to his and your dad’s business.” The very thought of having someone follow her around everywhere made Emma want to shudder. How intrusive would that be?

  “One thing you need to know about your dad is that he’s anal with security. So even if he just wants someone to accompany you while you play tourist, he’d rather it’s a bodyguard.”

  “I don’t need a tour guide, either,” she said with a laugh.

  “Well, Uncle Addison feels so guilty that his overseas business trip couldn’t be rescheduled or he’d be the one to take you around.”

  Emma smiled reg
retfully. She’d known for a while that she would be in Sydney for three and a half months—the first two weeks as a holiday, and the rest for work. She’d been promoted as a sous chef at a high-end restaurant in Brisbane, and her boss had sent her to Sydney to learn from their newly hired chef who’d won plenty of awards.

  At the last minute, she’d accepted her father’s invitation to connect. And she was surprised at what had happened to Sharryn’s father. She’d seen Edgar Fern in the news, but she hadn’t paid much attention to the name of the man who’d been caught red-handed by the police. She’d had no idea he was her uncle, and had gotten the shock of her life when her father had told her the reason for all the crazy security for the Fern family.

  “I should have given Dad enough notice that I was coming,” she said. “I totally understand he just can’t change his schedule, especially when this sounds like a big business trip. But I’ll be spending lots of time with my adorable little sister and my future stepmother and, of course, you. You guys already have bodyguards, so surely I won’t need one.”

  “But we can only see you after work or on the weekends. Trust me, you’d like Kallan. The best thing is he lives in the building next door to where you’re staying. He’ll be handy to have around.”

  “I’m sure he’s great. But in a week and a half, I’ll be going to work. I’ll be with plenty of people there. Please don’t think I’m minimising the safety issues surrounding you guys. It’s just that Dad said this whole thing with the Indie Rebels stemmed from a business misunderstanding of some sort. Like I said, I’m not connected to the Fern business, so I don’t want Dad being anal with something unnecessary.”

  “Look, just meet Kallan anyway. He’s hot and handsome and dreamy because he looks exactly like my Kerrod, except for the hairstyle.”

  “What? You’re trying to set me up with him now?”

  Sharryn chortled. “No. I was just trying to tell you that my fiancé’s hot and handsome and dreamy because he looks exactly like Kallan, except for the hairstyle.”

  Emma laughed, pleased that she was getting along well with Sharryn. She had to admit, she was very touched by her cousin’s warmth.

  “Here we are—my favourite Chinese restaurant.” Sharryn steered her inside a busy eatery and advised the waiter of her reservation for three people. They were escorted to a table by the window.

  “Have you visited your dad with Kerrod?” Emma asked gently after the waiter left them with menus. She was keen to steer the conversation back to her Uncle Edgar being in jail while awaiting trial, as she still couldn’t fully wrap her head around the whole thing.

  Sharryn let out a sigh. “No. Dad doesn’t want us to go, actually. He said until he’s been proven innocent, he doesn’t want anyone else visiting him, in case the cops think we’re all part of a drug cartel.”

  Her eyes widened. “Really? Surely the police won’t suspect all of his relatives to be criminals just because we go there to see him.”

  “I know. But Dad and Uncle Addison… Well, they don’t want…umm…. There’s their business to think about, you know? They don’t want their clients getting wind of the fact that my dad’s in jail, much less the reason for it.”

  Emma furrowed her brows. “What about those who might have seen him in the news?”

  Sharryn drank from the glass of water the waiter had placed before her. “Fortunately, the people Dad liaises with are mostly their overseas partners. I doubt the news we saw here would have been broadcast overseas. As for their business partners here in Australia, your dad is their main point of contact.”

  “Right. Has any of them actually asked if the Edgar Fern in the news is related to Addison Fern?”

  “I don’t think so. They’re probably too polite to raise that question.”

  Emma pursed her lips. “I really should learn more about their business. All I know is that it’s wholesale importing, and there’s no branding or anything. Dad said he’ll explain it to me, but he hasn’t had the chance yet. Maybe you can tell me.”

  “Well, they source the best products overseas for the cheapest prices, then sell it to retailers here for a tidy profit. They don’t specialise in particular items. They just take advantage of whatever they think would sell well.”

  “Okay. So there’s no warehouse or shop I can have a look at? I’d love to check out some of their items.”

  Sharryn smirked. “No. Once the stuff arrives in Australia, it goes straight to the retailers who bought it. And if I were you, I wouldn’t worry too much about the ins and outs of the business. Listening to them explain it is so boring you’d regret asking.”

  Emma smiled. Sharryn might not be that interested in their fathers’ business, but she was. “Sometimes I wonder if the clothes or other things I buy from the shops were something our dads had sourced.”

  “Unlikely,” Sharryn said with a snort.

  “Why? Dad said that clothes are always profitable.”

  “Um, yeah. I guess. Frankly, I doubt our dads even see the actual items. They just do the negotiating, then their staff takes care of the logistics. So even they won’t have a clue if the shirts they’re wearing were something they’d bought and sold wholesale.”

  “I guess that’s true. I wonder why they nicknamed their company the Fixers.”

  Sharryn’s eyes widened, her mouth hanging.

  “What?” Emma asked with a laugh.

  Sharryn shook her head as if to clear it, glancing around.

  “Isn’t it called the Fixers?”

  Sharryn leaned close. “Apparently, some criminal gang is also called the Fixers, so we don’t want the Fern business to be mistaken for that, especially when my dad’s in jail.”

  Emma gasped. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “Who came up with that nickname then?”

  “I think it had something to do with the business being the fix for the family’s financial problems a long time ago. But seriously, don’t go around saying that nickname out loud.”

  Emma grasped Sharryn’s hand. “I won’t. And I’m sure Uncle Edgar will be successful in his defence.”

  “I hope so too,” Sharryn murmured. “Anyway, tell me more about your dinner the other night with Jill and Myra. What do you think of them?”

  Emma smiled. “It was great. Dad was so thrilled that the four of us were finally together. And Myra was just as nervous as I was in the beginning. She was shy but very hospitable. As for Jill—oh, she’s just too adorable! She insisted on me feeding her instead of her mum, and she sat on my lap the whole time while we watched TV.”

  “Yes, Jill’s such a darling. So bubbly and smart and chatty. She’s always the centre of attention during our family gatherings. Everyone always wants to cuddle her.”

  Jealousy crept up Emma’s chest. She would have loved to have been there when Jill was born, and when she’d taken her first steps and said her first words. Emma wasn’t feeling clucky. She was just smitten by Jill. Her little sister.

  An image of her mother’s last day in the hospital popped in Emma’s head, and she inhaled sharply at the guilt that hit her. Vilma would have hated that she’d reconnected with the Ferns. And her mum would have especially loathed that Emma was crazy about her father’s other child after only just meeting her. Vilma had never gotten over the fact that Addison had hardly been around after Emma was born.

  She looked at the table. I love you so much, Ma. I promise I’ll never forget you even when I spend time with them.

  “I can imagine Uncle Addison being over the moon that you guys got along so well,” Sharryn mused. “He couldn’t wait to get you back into the Fern fold.”

  “You know, when Dad first contacted me a month ago to say he wanted us to reconnect, I wasn’t interested. To his credit, he kept on trying. It was when he said I have a three-year-old sister that I decided to put aside my hurt from him having abandoned me and come here to meet Jill. I’m so glad I did.”

  “Is that what you think? That he abandoned you?�
�

  “Well, he just stopped calling not long after the divorce. And when I tried to call him, I found out he’d changed his number.”

  “He did try to contact you! After you and Vilma moved from your old place, he couldn’t find you. He did change his number, but he tried to call your mum to tell her about it. But she wouldn’t answer. Then after a while, Vilma’s number changed too. He didn’t just decide to forget you, Emma. Your mother simply didn’t want you to have anything to do with him and had gone out of her way to hide you from him.”

  Emma’s eyes welled. “Yes, that’s what he told me. I didn’t know. I grew up believing he never wanted me.”

  “He found out about your mum’s multiple sclerosis, and he understood the strain you were under looking after her,” Sharryn said soothingly.

  Emma nodded. She supposed she could give her father credit for that too. If there was anything she’d learnt in this life, it was that nothing was ever simple. Things that appeared open-and-shut or black and white on the outside could be anything but on the inside.

  “So what else did you catch up on with your dad and Myra?”

  “Well, we mainly spoke about food and my work. Then we watched a movie after dinner. To be honest, it felt like we just all wanted to relax around each other, so no one brought up any heavy topic. Myra did briefly offer her condolences for Mum’s passing, but for the most part, we simply tried to enjoy each other’s company.”

  Sharryn sat back, smiling. “I remember when we were kids. I loved playing with you. Then when your parents got divorced, we never saw you again.”