by Skye Turner
Noah didn’t need the financial help from Richard since, technically, his family was one of those that fit in the American elite class. But, his friend wanted to be a part of it and had frequently sent work his way. Richard was more of a silent partner. At first, Noah was concerned about Richard’s involvement being a conflict of interest. Every time Richard sent a security request to Steele Security, it was through the official channels, complete with contracts, official signatures, and notaries. Richard convinced Noah to stop worrying. After Noah received several commendations from various Senators and DoD leaders, he no longer questioned his friend. Richard could be very persuasive when he wanted something.
For the last three years, the work continued to come in from all the usual sources. Noah and Richard easily engaged in a light banter, as Noah relayed some of the more memorable stories. Noah felt like a part of him had been restored in getting his friend back, but another part of his heart felt like it had been ripped in half again.
When the news first broke of Richard, he had held onto some hope that Brianna would emerge alive, too. But when Richard confirmed she wasn’t with him, he knew she had been on that fateful flight, and he felt like he had lost her all over again.
It was hard to keep his mind on the conversation at times, even though he was very happy to be with his old friend again. His mind kept going back to Brianna and how tense their relationship had become those last few weeks they were together. If only he had one more chance with her.
The conversation lagged and Noah finally said, “I’m going to go now and let you get some rest. You probably have people coming out of the woodwork to talk to you. I’m just glad you’re home, man.” They each gave a manly hug and pat on the back and Noah left, trying to push down the thoughts and feelings he thought he had put to rest.
Noah thought about his friend’s sudden return. They had been friends in high school and joined the Army at roughly the same time. Moving through the ranks and trainings, they both became Airborne Rangers. When Noah decided to go for the elite Delta Force group, Richard soon followed. They were brothers and worked well together.
Noah felt guilty for the fleeting wish that Brianna had returned, instead of Richard…or even with Richard. He was glad for his friend, but something was off about the circumstances. There had been no report of any demands for his release. The US government doesn’t negotiate with terrorists, so that wasn’t an option, either. Something didn’t add up in the way that Richard suddenly appeared on the scene, in Miami, and seemingly unscathed.
You’re sounding like a conspiracy theorist now. He shook off his suspicious thoughts and chalked it up to the fact the press hadn’t been given a lot of information, yet. More would come to light after all of the government officials debriefed Richard, and they decided what unclassified information could be released. His military career had taught him all too well how some top-secret information would never be declassified.
Climbing in his truck, he pulled out his cell phone and punched in his friend’s number. He recounted his visit with Richard to Bull, another of his long-term Army buddies, and one of his closest friends. Bull worked at Steele Security for Noah and had frequently been at his side during some of the worst skirmishes they’d ever encountered. They ended the call with Bull promising to relay the information to Rebel, too. They were all glad, and shocked, to hear of Richard’s return.
Chapter 3
“Noah, can we talk about what’s going on?” Her voice was quiet, and for the first time since he met Brianna, she seemed almost afraid to ask him a question. Her eyes moved around the room, not settling on any one thing for too long. He saw the sadness in her eyes and didn’t know how to respond.
Yes, Brianna, what exactly is going on?
There had definitely been a change in their relationship. It had never been…calm…by any stretch of the imagination. She was a headstrong investigative reporter, and he was newly discharged from the military when they got together. So, yeah, he was headstrong, too.
He knew that she was ambitious. She didn’t get the good stories by sitting on the sidelines, or being afraid to ask the tough questions. She had never backed down from a good debate, especially with him. But for the last several weeks, there had been a different air between them.
“I don’t think now’s the time, Bri.” He couldn’t look her in the eye, so he continued studying the paper in front of him. He didn’t really see one damn thing on the page. He chastised himself for being such a coward.
Clearing her throat, she replied, “OK. I don’t mean to bother you at work. I know you’re busy.”
“Yeah, lots to do. We can talk later, k?” He still couldn’t look her in the eye.
In his head, he heard, “Pussy – man up and look at her!”
She lingered in front of his desk for a few seconds longer and inhaled, as if she was about to say something else, but then turned and slowly walked away. He looked up then and watched her leave. He noticed how her toned, athletic body moved. She had the muscle-toned body of the true Yoga fanatic and long distance runner he knew she was. He noticed how her long, straight, blond hair glittered under the lights, even under the unforgiving fluorescent office lights.
But one thing was definitely different in her stance. She had always held her head high, shoulders back, as if she were ready to take on anything and anyone. Now, as she left his office, he noticed she looked at the ground, and her shoulders almost slumped, as if she had the weight of the world on them.
“If only I’d known that would be the last time I ever saw you.” Noah shook the memory from his mind as he drove on.
He regretted how poorly he handled the last conversation he had with Brianna. He still didn’t know why things had changed between them those last few weeks. His feelings for her hadn’t changed, and he realized he should’ve fought harder for her, and for them. I realized too late, he thought.
Brianna received a call about a major break on a big story she was working on, shortly after leaving his office. She had to leave immediately for the briefing and to board a flight to the Middle East on a military plane later that day. She had left him a voicemail to let him know. Though he regretted not answering the call at the time, he was glad he still had the voicemail to replay, and hear her voice from time to time.
Noah drove to his office at Steele Security. It was Saturday afternoon, so he could’ve gone home instead of to work. His men were fully capable of planning and coordinating security for the foreign dignitary reception, at the Miami Premiere Banquet Hall later that night, but he really didn’t want to go home, yet.
Noah didn’t date for a full year after Brianna’s death. He just couldn’t bring himself to even remotely care about another woman. He had occasional dates over the past two years, but nothing serious.
The reception tonight was both a blessing and a curse. On the good side, his firm was hired to provide additional security for the major international event. His firm worked with the local Miami police department, and with various other federal organizations to coordinate coverage. His business was doing very well and had gained significant accolades from influential people in the world. Tonight would only further that, and then he could think about opening more security firms in other major cities, employing more ex-military men in a position that suited their training and discipline.
The downside was he wouldn’t actually be working tonight. While he always considered himself to be on duty, his date for the evening didn’t. And he wasn’t looking forward to spending the evening with this particular….acquaintance. Alexa Bishop was part of the Miami elite club, and her wealthy family made significant contributions to political campaigns.
The woman was absolutely ruthless when it came to business, but her elegant good looks and instant charm fooled many people in the boardroom. They would never guess she was the biggest shark in the water. She knew what she wanted, and she was accustomed to getting it.
Alexa had made it clear, on more than one occasion, t
hat what she wanted was a commitment and a ring from Noah. He had made it abundantly clear to her that scenario would never happen.
He frequently encouraged her to find someone else and get married, because that was not in the stars for him. She always sidestepped the conversation and acted as though she hadn’t heard him. He wasn’t playing hard to get, and deep down he thought Alexa knew he was telling her the truth. But for now they would continue to use each other and take what they needed, whether that was an occasional escort to a high society function, or for sex.
Alexa’s father, William Bishop, built his business in exporting and shipping goods to other countries. Through his business dealings, he became quite familiar with various foreign dignitaries, ambassadors, business leaders, and other officials at all levels of the U.S. government. William would be rubbing elbows with all the right people at the event tonight, who could grease the wheels at the shipping ports, speed up the customs’ red tape, and make him even wealthier than he already was.
Noah opened his email to double check any last minute security changes that would be needed for the evening. He found an updated attendee list adding Richard Hollingsworth to the party.
* * *
Richard closed the door after Noah left and smiled. So far, so good. Noah was so shocked to see him, he didn’t doubt his concocted story at all. Not yet, anyway. Now, Richard was intent on getting his side business back up and running.
Richard picked up the phone and dialed. “Remember me, old friend? It’s time for me to come back to work. I will need your help in getting started, and I will make it worth your while.”
The voice on the other end hesitated, then answered, “Richard. Saw your picture in the paper. What can I do for you?”
“Meet me tomorrow night. We need to talk, live,” Richard demanded.
“Let me know where and what time. I’ll be there,” the man replied.
“One of my men will contact you tomorrow. Looking forward to it.”
Richard fisted his hands and paced in the hotel suite. That stupid little bitch. She thought she could beat me. Three years I’ve had to lay low, and now I’m going to make her pay for it. Slowly and painfully.
He had quite the business set up before Brianna somehow got ahold of incriminating information against him. She went into hiding and took that information with her. Until he got it back, his life was on the line. Technically, he had always been in danger, due to the type of people in which he conducted business, but he could handle them. As long as he obtained the goods they needed, there was nothing to worry about.
But Brianna was on a mission to tell his story and nothing would sway her from that. Nothing but Noah. He thought he had made sure his tracks were covered, but somehow Brianna found out. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
Richard had gotten word that there was a dirty CIA agent looking to make a small fortune. That agent turned out to be an old friend from his military days. He would use his friend to make his business lucrative again, and just as importantly, keep his customers from cutting his head off. His CIA friend would have the right connections to get the specific weapons he needed for this shipment.
Richard made a few more calls to old friends and business partners. Most of the men he used as his security team had less than stellar backgrounds, but he was fine with that. Someone less educated, less cunning, and with a criminal history makes a great fall guy, in the event something went wrong. Still, he would be very careful in how he set up business meetings.
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