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“Think about it when you’ve calmed down. I’m not saying this to hurt you. I love you and Kally. I want to see you put this whole shit fest behind you.”
I nod. I have no words to even talk to my brother right now, and the words that are springing to mind probably won’t do me any good.
How the fuck can we ever move forward from this?
Chapter 12
Jared
I sit down on my bed, take in a deep breath, and let the air release slowly. The Skype call I’m about to make is one I never wanted to. I never wanted to cash in on the favor the Shawland brothers owe me. I never thought I’d be in a position to need it. When I left the army about eleven years ago, I thought I’d left the bad behind me. I never thought I’d walk into a butler’s role and end up needing security, but I guess you never know what’s around the corner.
I open my laptop and click on Clay’s name. I see my picture on the screen, and a few moments later, Clay’s face appears on the screen beside mine. We’re a stark contrast from one another. He’s young and vibrant, whereas I’m aging, and the wrinkles and pale skin are starting to show.
“Hey. How’s it going?” asks Clay. “I never expected your name to pop up today.”
“It’s going. How about you? How’s Shay?”
Clay shrugs and smiles. “She’s doing well. She just started working for the local first responders. So, is this a personal or business call?”
“Both. You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
“What do you need?”
“I need your help,” I blurt out.
“When? How?”
“Now. I know you’re in Chicago, but I don’t trust anyone besides you and your brothers.”
“Okay. I think you need to start at the beginning.”
And I do. I tell Clay everything. It’s a long story, but he sits back and listens carefully to every word I say, asking questions when they come up.
“And Kally is now with Clark at his house?” I nod. “And his security is tight enough to give us a couple of days to get something together?”
“His security is tight enough for a house of this size, but not under the circumstances. He really wants tighter security for Friday. They plan on burying Kally’s little girl here on the grounds. He wants her to be able to say goodbye without his family trying to ruin it.”
“Understandable.” Clay looks at his watch. “Give me an hour. Let me talk this over with Caleb and Chris. I’ll be with you by tomorrow evening, but I’m not sure what other resources we have to spare. I’ll be in touch with something.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it, Clay.”
“No thanks needed. I owe you. Speak soon.”
He closes the chat window, and I lean my head back against the headboard. It doesn’t matter when I see my army buddies, my head and heart are transported back. I hear those words from my sergeant. “I’m sorry, Jared, but she passed away in childbirth.”
I shake my head. I don’t want to go there. Clark and Kally need me to be present, not stuck in the past.
A knock sounds on my door, and I shout, “Come in.”
Clark walks in with his head down and sits on the side of my bed. He runs his hands through his hair and puts his head in his hands over his knees. I sit forward and squeeze his shoulder. This man is still like the teen I came to know when I started working for his parents. He was a lost soul then, and he’s a lost soul now. His family has a lot to answer for.
“I just got off the call with Shawland Security. Clay will be with us by tomorrow night. I’m not sure what staff he’s got available yet, but Clay’s the best sniper in America. He’s all we need. Any more is a bonus.”
“Get Nancy to set up the spare rooms just in case we need them all.”
I nod. “Want to talk about it?”
He shakes his head. I sit quietly to let him process whatever brought him to my room. Clark never comes in here. He’s more like me than he realizes. Our space is personal.
