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“Lots of things, but I’ll let Ryker explain on the drive over.”
Bella was quiet most of the way to Jac’s except to ask Ryker about the people they expected to meet.
“Okay, so there is Jac and Sharlee with their son Storm who’s about a year and a half. Jac owns the security agency, and his wife is part of the tech team. Then Garrett and Callie. Garrett is part owner, and Callie is his wife, who is also on the team. They have their pre-adoptive placement, Danica. Monroe and Mallory, she is a pharmacist, and he is on the team. Mark and Jessie, he is on the team, and she is the agency accountant. They have a newborn, Anora.”
“Wow, that’s a crowd.”
“And there is more. Kaden and Ivy, he’s a team member, and she is a martial arts instructor. I’d like you to take defense classes with her, if you would, Oakley. It couldn’t hurt.”
“I’ll talk to her about it. Bella, you could go too. You were worried about not us getting girl time in.”
“Sure.”
“Okay, where was I? Oh, right, there is Carter and Becky. He’s on the team, and Becky is Jac’s personal assistant and office manager. Then there is Finley, Storm’s nanny and a prior Marine, who is single. Levi is also on the team, a prior Marine, and is also single. For now.”
“So, are you on their team, or do you work for Jac, too?”
“I’m the agency’s and Jac’s attorney. Not one of his team members, but we are all family. Many of us are prior military. It’s a bond. Jac has a family he works with, and one of the women in the family is a therapist. Like me, Jac keeps her on retainer for his Alpha team and the other two teams he has. It’s important to have mental health back up.”
“It really is,” agreed Oakley. “Wow. Is this Jac’s place?” she asked as they approached the manned gate.
“Holy shit, this is huge.”
“It is, but Jac isn’t like what this property implies. He is intelligent and won’t be fooled, but he is also generous and ferocious about protecting his business, employees, and everyone he considers family.”
“Wow, Ryker, you picked well when looking for a friend,” said Bella.
“We hit it off in college and stayed close through military service and now in the civilian world.”
***
THE EVENING WAS FULLof laughter and getting acquainted. Dinner was the most fun Oakley had experienced in a long time. Oakley tried to remember everyone but was sure she didn’t do it. The delightful seafood feast was cooked and served outdoors in an extensive patio area with heaters to keep off the growing chill as the night descended.
Bella was one to make friends quickly, so it was no surprise when she seemed to settle in quickly. It took Oakley a bit longer, but the group was so inclusive Oakley didn’t take much longer than Bella to feel included.
So, twenty people, one precocious five-year-old girl, one adorable little boy, and a newborn little girl attended the party. Storm lasted through the meal before his mother, Sharlee, took him to bed, returning with a monitor some minutes later. Every thirty minutes, either Jac, Sharlee, or Finley would go up to check on him. Someone said something about notes but nothing else.
Oakley blushed more than she had thought possible, but the teasing was good-natured and not distasteful.
“Thank goodness you’re a shrink. Ryker has always been just a tad off.”
The women took her and Bella, who was making eyes at Levi, aside and gushed over her and Ryker.
“I knew the man had taste, but you were better than we had hoped,” said Ivy.
Mallory said, “Ivy, filter, dear.”
“I don’t know why people keep telling me that. Kaden says I’m just an open book, and I figure everyone else is too. I try to think before speaking, but honestly, I don’t know what I’m saying wrong.”
“Well, keep trying, dear. The good thing is,” said Callie dryly, “if you do upset the wrong person, you have the martial arts skills to stay safe.”
“Oh, right, that reminds me. Ryker said you do martial arts classes. I don’t know when I’ll fit things in, but I’d love to slide into one of your classes.”
“I’ll work it out for you. I love new victims.”
“Thanks, Ivy. Bella might come too.”
“Right, where Oakley goes, I go.”
