Held (Before, A Prequel)

by A Lexy Beck

  HELD

  (Before, A Prequel)

  By A Lexy Beck

  www.alexybeck.com

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author/publisher.

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products references in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.

  Third-party websites addresses listed in this book are accurate and age appropriate as of the time this book went to press, but are beyond the publishers control. The publisher cannot guarantee that the content of these sites will not change.

  Copyright © 2015 A Lexy Beck

  First Edition: September 2015

  Chapter One

  Music pumped over the gym’s loudspeaker. It was a tune that sounded familiar, but I didn’t know the words. Jenna, however, knew every verse and even the chorus, which she practically shouted as she ran full blast on the treadmill.

  “It breaks me! You break me, baby!” she crowed.

  Thankfully, this was a private gym—it was in the secluded building on the edge of my father’s property. It was a perk for me since I still lived with him. I curled the weight, taking my last rep. I couldn’t help but grin at Jenna in the mirror.

  No, Jenna couldn’t sing worth a shit, but she had other qualities that drew me to her. Jenna Quinn had a sweet soul, a rare intelligence, and a body that continually amazed me. I thought about the first time we’d met. I caught a ride to school with David. She was in the back seat with his sister, Raley, and the two of them were singing something by REM. The memory had been burned into my mind for good. I’m not a sentimental kind of guy, but it was safe to say it was love at first sight—or something like it. Maybe I loved her later, I don’t know.

  “Okay, J Lo. I think you should focus on the cardio and not on a music career,” I teased her.

  “Hey, that’s sweet. You think I sound like Jennifer Lopez?” She smiled prettily, showing two perfect dimples on either side of her mouth. She hit the stop button and stretched in place.

  “Um, no. Not at all. In fact, when I see Jennifer next week, I’m going to tell her that you killed her song.”

  Jenna made a pose like she was a rock star. “Yeah, I killed it!” She bounced off the machine and wiped at her neck with her towel. She walked over and kissed my sweaty lips. She sang again, “Break me, baby!”

  “I’ll break you,” I gave her a sexy smile, or what I thought was a sexy smile. My moves were lame but sometimes she threw me a bone. Romance wasn’t my strong suit—my style was more the “ask and hope.”

  Before she could respond, my father walked in. He wasn’t coming for exercise; he was dressed for work in a sharp-looking suit, a perfectly crisp white shirt, and a straight tie. He stuck his hands in his pockets and gave me a disapproving look. I could feel the anxiety immediately pour over my body. Dad never wanted to just chat and catch up on things. He always had some ulterior motive.

  “Torrey, Jenna. How was the workout?”

  Jenna stepped away from me and wiped her face. She gave my dad an innocent smile and answered for the both of us. “It was great, Mr. Held. Have you tried the new machine yet? I’ve never seen one like it and I think I’m in love.”

  “New machine? I guess Torrey took the liberty of adding to the gym without telling me.” Dad shot a stern glance in my direction and then walked over to Jenna.

  She and my father talked for five minutes about the machine, the manufacturer, and a host of other workout-related topics. I gave them their space and grabbed a bottle of cold water from the fridge on the opposite side of the gym.

  I knew my father. He didn’t want to like Jenna, mostly because I did like her, but my girlfriend had a way about her. It was hard not to like her. Watching the two of them talk gave me the chance to observe him without any smart-ass comments. In his fifties now, James Held had graying blonde hair but the difference in color was so slight, you had to look closely to see it. He had a rock-hard body because he’d been a faithful fitness follower since I could remember. I had his dark blue eyes, but that’s where the similarities stopped.

  “So,” Dad rubbed his hands together and turned his attention to me, “dinner tonight. I’ve got some big news to share with you. You too, Jenna. You’re practically family.”

  “I’ve already made plans,” I said. “Sorry.”

  I ignored Jenna’s frown as I wiped down the machine with a clean towel. I had worked up quite a sweat. I didn’t challenge him by meeting his icy stare, but I was holding my ground. I knew what this was about. Another ploy to get me to work with—no, for—him. That was never going to happen. I thought he’d chew me out, but he didn’t.

  “Come on, Torrey,” my dad cajoled. “Don’t be stubborn. Ryan has already said he’d come.”

  “I’m–”

  Before I could make a smart-ass remark, Jenna answered. “Sure, we would love to, Mr. Held. What time?”

  “Seven. At the Bull and Bear. Would you like me to send a car?”

  “No,” I snapped back. “We’ve got that covered. See you there.”

  My father stood with his hands on his hips. Here it comes.

  “What do you see in this guy?” he asked Jenna. “You’re such a nice girl.”

  Jenna blushed and looked back and forth between us.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded.

  “I mean she’s got manners.”

  “Okay, let’s leave Jenna out of this. If you have something to say to me, just say it.” I threw the towel down on the bench.

  Hands still on his hips, he grinned, showing perfectly white, straight teeth. “You know, this is my gym.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” I let off a growl of exasperation. “You know what, yeah, it is your gym. My bad, I won’t come again. It’s not the only damn gym in LA.”

  “Just show a little respect, Torrey. I’ll see you both tonight.” Dad spun and left the gym as quickly as he’d crashed our workout session. As usual, he’d worked me up enough to make me willing to kick his ass, but then he walked away. That was how he operated. He liked challenging me and pushing me, but knew my limits before I broke.

  “One of these days I’m going to show him what I think about him.”

  “Torrey, your dad only wants what’s best for you. You can see how much he cares about you. You need to stop acting like such a stubborn little kid around him and see him for what he is—your father.”

  “A stubborn little kid?” I ran my hand through my sweaty hair. “Why did you say we’d go? I thought we were taking the boat out.”

  “You need this more than a midnight boat ride. You and your dad need each other.” Her wide blue eyes were sincere, but I thought she was being naïve.

  “I know you think you’re helping, but you’re not.”

  She stepped closer to me, her expression more serious now. “Torrey, you don’t know the pain. One day I’m fighting with my mom, telling her what a lousy parent she is, and then the next day—she’s gone. That’s hard to live w
ith, Tor. I don’t want that for you. I really don’t.” Her eyes searched mine; I could see the unshed tears.

  I held her, thinking about the late Mrs. Quinn and Jenna. I didn’t think her situation applied to me and Dad because at least they’d loved each other, but now wasn’t the time to argue that point.

  “Fine. But we take the boat out next weekend.”

  “Okay, Torrey.”

  “I love you, Jenna Quinn.”

  “Even if I can’t sing?”

  I chuckled softly and kissed her. “Yeah, even if you can’t sing. You have other skills.”

  She grinned and pushed me away as she punched me in the arm. “Way to ruin the moment, Torrey Held. It’s a good thing you have other skills.”

  “Yep, that’s a very good thing.”

  Chapter Two

  “Stop fussing,” Jenna said. “You look hot.”

  “I know I do,” I smiled, “but I hate this whole thing.” I screwed with the tie, using the rearview mirror as my guide.

  “Your tie is fine, Torrey. You’re such a perfectionist. Just have fun tonight.” She tossed her lipstick into her clutch.

  I scowled and rolled my eyes. I got out of the car mumbling to myself, “Have fun. Right.”

  I walked to the passenger side door and opened it. Jenna looked like a million bucks. She wore an emerald green silk dress that showed off her tanned legs and toned arms. She tossed a gold silk wrap over her arm and held a gold clutch in her other hand. I offered her my arm and tossed the keys to the valet.

  “I like you in green,” I whispered to her as we walked in. I needed a distraction.

  “That’s good to hear. You’ll like what I’m going to wear later.” With a catlike smile she tilted her head. “But you have to be good, Tor.”

  I squeezed her hand and paused at the maître-d’s stand as I scanned the restaurant, looking for Dad.

  The tall, lanky maître-d’ smiled blandly at me. “Mr. Held, the rest of your party is already seated. Please, follow me.” He led us through the maze of tables, finally guiding us to a secluded table in the back corner of the restaurant.

  Ryan and Dad stood and welcomed us. My younger brother wore a dark blue tailored suit and had way too much gel in his hair. Beside him was a skinny brunette in a yellow dress. She sipped her wine and gave us an absent smile. She didn’t appear as if she wanted to be there, either.

  “Dad, Ryan,” I pulled a chair out for Jenna and sat beside her at the opposite end of the table.

  “Good to see you, bro. This is Shelby. Shelby, this is my brother Torrey and his girlfriend, Jenna.” Ryan gave Jenna a lingering glance and then caught my laser stare. “You look great, Jenna.”

  “Thanks. You too, Ryan. Nice to meet you, Shelby.”

  “You too,” the younger woman said, taking another sip of wine. She raised her empty glass to a waiter who happened to be passing by the table.

  “Anyone else?” the waiter asked.

  “No, I’d like water,” I said. “What about you, Jenna?”

  “Actually, I’m ordering champagne,” Dad interrupted. “I’d like to celebrate, if you’d indulge me.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Jenna smiled.

  It didn’t sound too good to me. I knew what this was about. Once again, Dad would attempt to guilt trip me into working for the family business and once again, I would refuse. We had tried that once before. It didn’t work. Dad didn’t want an employee—he wanted to control me, dominate me. That wasn’t going to happen, but I didn’t object to the champagne. I would give him the benefit of the doubt, for Jenna’s sake.

  Ryan chatted with Dad like they were the only two at the table. I leaned back in my chair and watched the two of them. It was amazing to me how a parent could have such a different relationship with his children. With Ryan, Dad was easy and loving, even though everything that came out of Ryan’s mouth was bullshit.

  Young, handsome, and somewhat wealthy thanks to Dad’s success building armored cars and security supplies for the government, Ryan was not as tall as I was. Still, he was strong and muscular. So strong and muscular that he thought he could take on the world. Add some alcohol to his attitude, and he was a recipe for disaster. Ryan wasn’t even twenty-five yet, and we’d bailed him out twice already. I didn’t pay much attention to his friend, but Jenna tried unsuccessfully to engage her in intelligent conversation. She was just one girl in a long string of girlfriends.

  “So what are we celebrating?” I finally asked.

  “You haven’t told him?” Ryan grinned like the smartass he was.

  “I was waiting for the right moment. I guess that’s now.” Dad set his glass down and shared his polished smile. “We’ve been really fortunate the last eighteen years. Held Security has dominated the government armored car market and when we broke into personal vehicles for the wealthy, it put us in an enviable position.” Dad looked around the table as if he were speaking in front of hundreds of captive audience members, and a small smile crept across his face as he continued. “Our private clients are always asking what’s next for us. Well, now we know. Private security.”

  I let out a chuckle as I looked at Dad and then Ryan. “Really? Held Security is going to be rent-a-cops? That’s why I’m here?” I pushed out my chair and shook my head. “No thanks.”

  Jenna grabbed my hand and looked over at me, mouthing the words, “Torrey, please.”

  “No, Torrey, not rent-a-cops. Bodyguards, private security, private drivers in our armored vehicles. Something celebrities, dignitaries and the rich will pay for. We’ll be ramping up in the next few months. We’ve already locked down three big names everyone would recognize…”

  I saw Shelby perk up in her seat. Ha. Now she was interested, at the mention of money and celebrities.

  “We start in the next few days. I’ve already recruited some great talent. Former stunt drivers, professional fighters. Now all we need is someone to take the lead. We’re all going to go through some additional fitness and fight training, and defensive driving strategies.”

  “Sounds like you guys are going to boot camp.”

  “Not just me and Ryan—you too, Torrey.”

  “I don’t think so. Why would I do that? I don’t work for you, James.” Using his first name always pissed him off. I felt Jenna tap my leg with her shoe under the table.

  “I know that. You’ve made it abundantly clear who you don’t work for, but as a member of the family, I want you to at least come and check things out. See what this is really about.”

  “Why? I have no intention of changing my mind. I’ve got some other things going.”

  “Yeah, I know. How long do you really think that personal trainer thing is going to last? You’re going to get bored. You have all that military experience and you want to squander all that so you can help a few D-list celebrities get into shape?” Dad didn’t try to hide the disdain in his voice. I knew what he was thinking. He thought I was wasting my life.

  “How is that worse than working security for those same people?”

  “It’s not the same thing, Torrey. These people need people like us, like you, to protect them in public.”

  “Jesus, Torrey, are you stupid?” Ryan sipped the last of the booze in his glass. He seemed more antsy and arrogant than usual. I held back my urge to reach across the table and smack him.

  “I’m not going to live forever, you know,” Dad said. “I’m trying to build a business that you both can run when I’m gone. Something you both enjoy and were built for.”

  I glanced at Jenna, who did a good job of hiding her feelings. I knew what she was thinking, just as if she were talking in my ear. Your father is not going to be here forever.

  “Dad, I can handle it.” Ryan smiled at Dad, but Dad didn’t say anything to him. The silence was deafening, at least to Ryan. I could see the disappointment on his face.

  “Do you think your people really need additional training?” I asked.

  “Probably not, but I have to satisfy o
ur insurance standards, and that means training—for everyone. Even I have to do it. I guess military training and boxing championships don’t mean much when you’re my age.”

  “Wait! You were a boxer? Were you famous?” The slender brunette sat up in her chair, suddenly interested in the conversation again. She didn’t seem to notice that we were in a heated family discussion.

  Dad graciously dismissed her question with a smile and brief nod as Ryan turned a few shades of red.

  “I’m still not convinced I need to do this,” I said. “Ryan seems ready to step up, Dad.”

  “I know that, and I have total confidence in Ryan, but this is a family business. That’s the way your mother would have wanted it—that’s the way I want it. I’m only asking for a few weeks of your life and then you can go back to your no-name celebrities and so-called high paying clients or whatever it is you’re working on.”

  I sighed. I knew it. Everyone at the table stared at me. If I said no, I’d look like the asshole son who didn’t care if his father died, and who didn’t care to fulfill his mother’s dream. If I did as he asked, I’d be back under his thumb and he’d think he could command every part of my life.

  Dad had his game face on. His fists clasped, his gold wedding band on his right hand, shining under the crystal chandeliers of the Bull and Bear. Soft music played in the background. Jenna pretended to study the menu and Ryan shot daggers at me. Shelby was preoccupied with her wine glass.