Unexpected Trouble (The Unexpected Series Book 3)

by Stacy Eaton

  Maybe some civilian contractors could, but not the ones they were using. They were poorly trained and ill-equipped for the violent confrontations that they were bound to come across if word got out. Jake was pissed; although, to anyone who looked at him in passing, he was totally in control. He wasn’t the only one that was fit to be tied, though.

  I hadn’t even gotten a chance to talk, and Jake had spoken for two fucking minutes before he was cut off and told that our help would no longer be needed. I thought Jake would lose his shit for sure, but he hadn’t. He had clamped his jaw shut, nodded, and waited to be dismissed.

  The entire way to the airport, his body had practically vibrated with frustration, and I was waiting for it to erupt. I knew it was only a matter of time, and the longer it took, the worse it was going to be. I watched him from the corner of my eye as we sat in the lounge at the airport, and he tossed back the third shot of whiskey in as many minutes. If he kept this up, I’d be carrying his ass to the plane, but at least he’d probably sleep the whole way home.

  He slammed the shot glass down, and his phone began to vibrate on the bar; the office number showed up, and he pushed the phone toward me. His way of asking—no telling—me to take the call.

  “Blaire here,” I answered.

  There was a pause. “Why are you answering Jake’s phone?”

  “He’s busy; what’s up, Alice?”

  “How did it go?”

  “All sorts of fucked.”

  “Aw, shit, what is he doing? Are you at the airport? Is he drinking?”

  “Sitting in the airport lounge and Roger on the adult beverages.”

  “Dammit, Greg. Don’t let him get trashed. He gets airsick when he drinks too much before a flight.”

  “Copy that.” I chuckled slightly. “Did you need me to tell him something?”

  “No, actually, I was trying to reach you, but you weren’t answering your phone.”

  “Sorry, cops still have it, what’s up?”

  “Maggie Valor called looking for you. She asked me to have you call her as soon as possible. Said it was important to speak with you.”

  “Did she give you a number?”

  “Yeah, I’ll text it over once we get off the phone.”

  “Did she say anything else?”

  “No, but she seemed disappointed that she couldn’t speak to you right away.”

  “How long ago did she call?”

  “Five minutes ago.”

  “Alright, send the phone number over; I’ll give her a shout.”

  “Are you guys still on the flight I booked you?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Because someone will have to get his ass home. He’s not going to stop drinking now that he’s started.”

  I glanced at Jake; his face was void of emotion, which was pretty scary for a guy like Jake. “I can get him home.”

  “But then he won’t have his car.” She sighed. “I’ll take an Uber to the airport and be there when you guys arrive. I’ll get him home.”

  “You are a good woman, Alice. Too good of a woman to put up with our shit.”

  “Don’t you know it! I should get paid more!”

  “Little Alice needs hazard pay.” I laughed. “I’ll put in a good word for you.”

  “You do that; he might listen to you. He likes you.”

  “Ha! You could have fooled me. Send that number over Alice, and thanks.”

  “You got it, lover boy.” I chuckled as I hung up, and Jake turned to me, brow raised. “Alice was looking for me.” He nodded and turned his attention back to his beer. At least he seemed done with the shots for now.

  His phone vibrated in my hand, and I saw the text. “Mind if I return someone’s call?”

  He shook his head and took a long pull off his bottle. Damn, there wasn’t anything scarier than Jake in quiet mode. It pretty much freaked me out, and I decided not to tell him that Alice was going to be waiting to take him home. I wasn’t sure what he would say to that.

  I memorized the number for Maggie and then dialed it. She answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

  “Maggie, it’s Greg.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad you called. Is this your phone number?”

  “No, it’s my boss’ cell. I don’t have mine back yet and didn’t have time to grab a new phone. Is this your work number?”

  “No, it’s my cellphone. The police released the phones this afternoon. I should have grabbed yours for you.”

  “That’s okay; I can swing by the precinct on my way home. Is that why you were calling?”

  “No. Um…” She paused. “Would you be able to meet me tonight? I need to talk to you about something.”

  “What time? I’m actually in Washington right now. Our flight is in about an hour. It’s going to be a couple hours until we are back in town.”

  “Do you think you’ll be back by say, eight?”

  “Yeah, I should be.”

  “Okay, would you mind stopping by my house? I’d meet you someplace, but I need to be home for Mom tonight.”

  “That’s not a problem; I can stop over when I get back. I’ll swing by the police station, get my phone, and then send you a text to let you know I’m on my way.”

  “Perfect.”

  “Are you okay, Maggie? You sound stressed.”

  “I am stressed, and that’s why I want to talk to you. It’s about yesterday.”

  “Alright, but remember, I told you that we shouldn’t be talking about yesterday.”

  “I know, but that’s what I need to talk to you about, not talking about it.”

  Say what? “Well, I’ll let you know when I can get there.”

  “Thanks, Greg. Have a safe flight, and I’ll see you tonight.”

  “See you tonight,” I echoed and hung up, looking forward to seeing her.

  Jake grinned at me. “Booty call tonight?”

  I laughed harshly. “No, far from it. Maggie wants to talk about yesterday.”

  “She’s the hot blond that you were swooping in on from the front page.”

  “I wasn’t swooping in on her; I was making sure she was alright. I told you, we go way back.”

  “Yeah, whatever.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  He waved the bartender over and pushed his shot glass forward. Was this going to be the fourth or fifth?

  “Nothing, it means nothing, Blaire. You live your life the way you want, and I’ll live my life the way I want. Alex, Trevor, Mike, and Harvey can live the way they want too, and Alice! Alice, yeah, she can do whatever the hell she wants.”

  Well, damn—had I missed a few shots in there? It had been a long time since I had seen Jake going into a muttering tangent stage.

  “You know what?” He looked at me, and I noticed that his green eyes were bloodshot and a little glassier than they should be.

  “What, boss?”

  “I don’t want you to get a booty call from that lady, cuz if you do, you won’t want to travel anymore.”

  I chuckled. “Where the hell did you get that idea? What makes you think that if I slept with Maggie, I’d stop traveling?”

  “That’s what happened with Alex and Trevor. Damn twits got whipped! Getting married, and, and, and, having babies and shit. It’s stupid, and if you sleep with that woman, you’ll be just like them.” He pointed a finger at me before throwing back his whiskey.

  “Jake, I’m pretty sure neither of those things is going to happen. I have no intention of sleeping with Maggie, and as for getting involved with her, or anyone else, I have no plans. Maggie knows how I feel about that too, so I’m pretty sure she’s not looking for a one-night stand. You’re safe, boss; I’m not going anywhere.”

  He glared at me. “You better not, Blaire. I need you, man. I need you to keep traveling and help me with this company. You’re important to me.”

  He might be drunk, but that was a compliment coming from him, and I appreciated it. Maybe Alice was right, and he did l
ike me. “I’m here for you, Screamer. Whatever you need.”

  He grinned. “Did I ever tell you about the time that I scared the shit out of my drill sergeant in boot?”

  “Uh, no, I don’t think I have heard that story.” For the next thirty minutes, Jake entertained me and half the lounge with stories of grandeur from boot camp. By the time we needed to head to our gate, we were both pretty wasted from the additional shots that had been sent our way from other patrons.

  The minute the plane was in the air, Jake and I were both passed out. When we landed seventy minutes later, I had sobered up, but Jake woke with a massive chip on his shoulder. His normal disgruntled behavior amplified by ten. Poor Alice, she was going to regret coming out to get him.

  When we got off the plane, Jake made a beeline to the nearest bar, then tossed back two more shots and a beer before he let me talk him into heading out through the security doors. I’d already sent Alice a few messages to let her know our status, and when we stepped through the exit doors, Jake stopped in the middle of the walkway and stared at her.

  I shifted my gaze from him to Alice and felt my jaw drop—no way. Was there something going on between Jake and Alice? The two of them stared at each other with more heat than a damn volcano, but it only lasted a few seconds before Alice shook herself out of it and approached him.

  “You’re a mess,” she said to Jake, taking his computer bag. “You could at least keep your tie straight and your shirt tucked in properly.”

  “What the hell are you doing here?” he growled toward her.

  She got in his face, which was a bit difficult since he was about a foot taller. However, she yanked his tie forward so that his head had to come down to her level, and I bit back a laugh.

  “I’m taking you home because I knew you’d be shit-faced. I wasn’t going to let you drive or force Greg to have to deal with your sorry ass longer than he already has. Now, let’s go. I assume you have a bag that was checked since you don’t have your garment bag on your shoulder. Or did you lose it while you were drinking?”

  I chuckled. “He checked it. He didn’t want to bother with lugging it around.”

  “Of course, now we have to go stand around and wait for it.” She shook her head as if she were exasperated.

  “You want me to go get it? I can drop it off at his place later.”

  “No, go ahead and go, Greg. I’ll do it.” She sighed dramatically as we started to walk toward the escalator. “I’m getting paid overtime for this, and you are not.”

  Jake snapped. “I’m not paying you overtime to take me home.”

  “Oh, yes, you are.” She rounded on him, getting into his face again. If I hadn’t seen it, I would not have believed it. Jake literally backed up and dropped his chin to his chest. It was like his alpha had just issued a command, and I almost laughed out loud. Here Jake was, talking about Alex and Trevor being whipped, and he didn’t even realize that he was right in line with them. He just didn’t have the added benefit of a sexual relationship that they did. Unless—no, they weren’t sleeping together. Or were they?

  Huh, I’d have to talk to the guys and see if they knew anything. When we reached the luggage carousel, I said my goodbyes, wished Alice luck, and headed out to find my truck.

  By the time I got back to town, picked up my phone, and arrived at Maggie’s, it was after eight. I parked in the driveway and studied the house. It looked the same, only a few minor differences since I was last here. Movement on the porch caught my eye. I hadn’t noticed anyone sitting there, but an older woman stood and waved.

  I climbed out and started up the short walkway. “Hello, Mrs. Valor. It’s—”

  “Gregory Blaire!” She grinned widely, and I was surprised that she remembered me. With how Maggie described her, I figured she wouldn’t remember me at all.

  “That’s right; it’s Greg Blaire. How are you?”

  She came to the edge of the porch, her arms open wide, and I stepped in to hug her. “You sure have grown a lot for a young man.” She pulled back and stared at me. “I’m not surprised that Maggie loves you so much. The two of you are going to be so happy one day when you get married, and your children are going to be just gorgeous.”

  The sound of the storm door opening captured my attention, and Maggie stepped out, looking mortified. I winked at her to let her know it was okay.

  “You’re right, Mrs. Valor. Someday, Maggie and I will be very happy together.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Maggie

  I was mortified at the words that came out of my mother’s mouth. Why couldn’t tonight have been one of those times that she wasn’t quite sure who anyone was? Sometimes that in-between place was so tough to deal with. Her ability to recognize people, but not put them in the right timeline, was brutal at times.

  Thank god Greg wasn’t upset and went along with it. Tomorrow my mother probably wouldn’t even remember that she had seen Greg again. I could only hope.

  “Mom, it’s time for you to get ready for bed.”

  She grinned at me. “You just want Greg all to yourself. Alright.” She tossed her hands into the air. “I’ll just go hide in the bedroom. Just don’t let your father catch you two messing around on the couch. You know he doesn’t understand young love.”

  She leaned toward Greg. “Although, we were just like you two when we were young. We didn’t wait for marriage either.”

  “Mom! Greg does not want to hear about your sex life. Oh, my god! Let’s get you ready for bed.”

  Greg scrubbed a hand over his jaw, and I knew it was to hide the smile on his face.

  “Oh, Maggie dear, Greg is a young man; his mind is always on sex.”

  I closed my eyes, stunned at my mom’s comment as Greg chuckled softly. Like the disease itself wasn’t horrible, the fact that my mother no longer had a filter just made it all the more fun to deal with.

  “Let’s go, Mom.” I held the door open for her and peeked at Greg, who was now openly smirking as he stepped closer and leaned forward.

  “You know, she’s right. I do think about it quite often.”

  I glared at him. “Stop, do not encourage this.”

  He laughed a little more as he stepped into the house.

  “Can you give me a few minutes to get her situated?”

  “Take your time.”

  “I set aside a plate from dinner in case you didn’t get a chance to eat, and there is beer in the fridge. Help yourself. I’m sure you know how to use a microwave.”

  “I appreciate it; I am starving.”

  “Alright, make yourself at home. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I helped my mother get situated in her room, turned on one of her favorite television shows, and then told her I’d check on her later.

  I expected to find Greg in the kitchen, but instead found him sitting on the front porch swing, his empty plate in his lap as he moved slowly back and forth.

  “Wow, either you were starving or that took me forever.” I took his plate as he laughed huskily.

  “I was starving.”

  “You need another beer?” I asked him.

  He held up his mostly full bottle. “No, I’m good.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

  I left the plate in the sink and collected a beer for myself before I joined him on the swing.

  “We used to sit here every Sunday night.”

  “Yes, we did.”

  “It seems like forever ago, but at the same time, it seems like only yesterday, too.”

  “I know. Trust me, every day is like that here. Some days she’s really with it, others she mixes time up, and even I get confused about what is real or from the past. I’m sorry about what she said.”

  Greg took my hand. “Don’t be. She’s sick, Mags. You can’t control that, and I know it’s hard. I am rather humbled that she remembers me, though, and that she would have approved of us being together.”

  “Yeah, if things had been different.”

  “Yes, if t
hings had been different.”

  “You know, after you broke up with me, she cried with me. I think she was almost as heartbroken as I was.”

  He sighed and started to pull his hand away, but I held on tighter. “I didn’t say that to make you feel bad. I was just letting you know how much she thought of you.”

  “I bet she was angry.”

  “No, never,” I told him, and when he didn’t look at me, I let go of his hand and pulled his chin toward me. “She said to me that she knew it was gut-wrenching and that I probably thought that my heart would never heal, but that eventually, it would. And that one day I would understand your decision and how hard it had been for you. She knew that you had a higher calling—that you were destined to do more than just work a job but to immerse yourself into your career. Be one with it.”

  His brow furrowed slightly. “She said that?”

  “Yeah, right here on this swing.”

  “Did you ever understand my decision?”

  I let go of his face and turned to stare out at the street as a car passed. “I think so.”

  “You think so?”

  “Yeah, I mean, I get why you wanted to join the military. Trust me, after 9/11, I wanted to join the military and go after the bastards, too. I think the hardest part was realizing that while you cared about me, I would never be your everything. How could I compete with your pride and love of country?” I laughed softly. “I really did forgive you years ago; I know I joke about it, but I did get over you.”

  “Did you?” he said, a brow cocked sexily.

  I bumped my shoulder into him. “I did; it’s you that has secretly been pining for me all these years.”

  He leaned his head back and laughed heartily as he put his arm along the back of the swing and squeezed my shoulder. “I have, I admit it.”

  “See, I knew it!” I leaned into him, putting my head on his shoulder. For a few moments, the two of us rocked back and forth, lost in our own thoughts.