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“These are really good, JoJo.”
“Thanks.” I plated Graham with the third waffle and newly fried bacon. Then I refilled everyone's coffee, letting the compliment ease some of my irritation.
Seth cleared his throat. “So, have you guys found out anything since yesterday?”
Graham paused to sip his coffee. “Actually, they were due to give us a briefing this afternoon at the office, but I asked them to come here earlier after we got your call.”
“Us?” Seth asked.
“What have they found?” Seth asked.
“I'd rather let them tell you. They should be here soon.”
The kitchen fell quiet except for the sound of forks against plates. I could practically feel the wheels turning in both my brothers' heads as they processed this information.
“Good waffles, Joy. I especially like the homemade whipped cream.” Seth smiled at me, the first genuine expression I'd seen from him since he'd arrived.
“Mom's recipe.”
“I know. Tastes just like home.”
Something loosened in my chest at the warmth in his voice. Seth might be overprotective, but his heart was always in the right place.
“More coffee, anyone?” I went to the kitchen before they could even answer and came back with the pot and topped off their mugs, trying to shake off the lingering tension.
Randy was studying Graham with new interest. “Simon runs a tight ship. Wasn’t he high up in the Navy?”
“Lieutenant Commander,” Graham said, not offering any more information. Finally, he went on when Randy didn’t ask any other questions. “Most of the men who work at Onyx have special training besides just their normal time in the service. We have a couple of civilians who are exceptional who work with us on an ad hoc basis.”
“You’re ad hoc, right?” Seth queried.
Graham nodded. “Onyx has enough inquiries that they could easily expand. Simon is looking for more specialized operators before he takes on the work. Smart man.”
“Look, man, I get the fact that you might not want to toot your own horn and all, but you’re closest to our sister. Were you a SEAL or not?” Randy was clearly frustrated.
“I was in the Navy for twelve years. Eleven years spent in SEAL teams.”
The silence that followed was loaded with new respect. Both my brothers had tried to enlist after high school, but Randy had been turned away for a heart murmur and Seth had blown out his knee in a training accident before he could ship out.
“Twelve years.” Randy whistled low. “You must have seen some action.”
“Some.” Graham's tone made it clear the subject wasn't open for discussion.
I watched my brothers absorb this information, seeing the shift in their perception of the man sitting across from them. Whatever they'd been expecting, it hadn't been this.
The doorbell rang, breaking the moment.
“That'll be Simon or Nash.” Graham stood, squeezing my shoulder as he passed. “I'll get it.”
Voices carried from the front hall, then Graham returned with everybody.
Both Simon and Nash walked into view.
“Coffee?” I offered.
“That'd be great, thanks.” Nash settled into the chair Graham had vacated, while Simon remained standing.
I poured coffee while the other men arranged themselves around the patio/dining room table. The shift in atmosphere was palpable; conversation time was over.
