Soldiering On (Soldiering On #0.5)

by Aislinn Kearns

  Chapter 12

  Duncan called Sam first to get it out of the way. It was going to be the easiest of his three tasks for the day.

  “Hello,” she greeted him cautiously.

  “Sorry I was an ass.” No point beating around the bush.

  He heard her breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you for apologising.”

  “So, I’m forgiven?”

  She thought about that. “You’re still learning. We all are. As long as we can admit our mistakes we can still grow. So yeah, you’re forgiven.”

  “Thanks, Sam.”

  “And don’t say shit like that again, obviously.” Her voice was deadpan, and he knew she was serious.

  Duncan grinned. “Obviously.”

  “You sound calmer than when we last spoke. What brought that on?”

  “I had coffee with Destiny yesterday.”

  “Ah, yes, the mysterious Destiny. I still haven’t met her yet. Is she going to be joining our team?”

  “Sadly, no. She’s got her own journey to go on. But I’m sure your paths will cross soon enough. You’d really like her.”

  “Cool. So when do we start work? Surely you’ve been dragging your feet long enough?”

  Duncan took a deep breath. “I need to talk to Mandy, but soon. Really soon.”

  “Should I give my two weeks’ notice at this hellhole?”

  Duncan hesitated. “Yeah. Do it. Let’s get this started.”

  After a few more minutes, the two hung up. Which meant that Duncan had to check off the next item on his list and call Paul.

  Instead, he stood and walked over to his coffee machine. It was a new purchase, and a rather indulgent gift to himself. He was still getting used to the damn thing. The instructions, which no doubt would have been helpful, had ended up in the bin the instant the packaging was open. A decision based on arrogance that he now regretted.

  Still, he managed to make some reasonably drinkable coffee. Just.

  When he’d procrastinated enough, Duncan finally called Paul.

  After a quick greeting, and some inane chitchat wherein they both avoided the elephant in the room, Duncan put his plan into action. Destiny’s idea had been a good one.

  “Hey, so, I know you don’t want to officially join the company and everything. I don’t want to put any pressure on you. But I need a good eye to help me decide on some purchases for the specialist equipment we are getting in, and I was hoping you could help. Just as a friend.”

  He held his breath, waiting for Paul’s reply. The man deliberated for what seemed like an inordinately long time. Perhaps he sensed the trap?

  “Yeah, sounds good. What kind of equipment?”

  “Mostly computer software and hardware. But maybe also some of the more high-tech weaponry on the market. I’m not sure exactly what we’ll need yet, but it’s better to be prepared.”

  Paul mulled this over. Duncan held still, anticipating the answer.

  “When do you want me?” he eventually asked.

  Duncan could have cheered. Instead, he contented himself with grinning and trying to keeping his voice even. “How about tomorrow? I can show you the stuff I’m considering.”

  “Yeah. Yeah, that works.” Paul sounded nearly as pleased as he felt.

  Going for the hat-trick, Duncan called Mandy. She sounded so surprised to hear from him that he felt terrible all over again.

  When he asked where she was, hoping to meet up, she replied that she was on her way to sign the papers for their new offices and he was welcome to join her.

  He walked into the offices twenty minutes later. The space was bigger than he remembered. A deep calm settled over him. The place was perfect. It was amazing what a change in attitude could do.

  “Hi,” Mandy greeted him. “The realtor is on their way.” She tucked her hair behind her ear as she looked at him. Perhaps she was as nervous as he was about this encounter?

  Determined not to make her be the one to extend the olive branch, considering their rift was entirely of his own making, Duncan graced her with a smile. “This place is great. You did a terrific job finding it.”

  She blinked. Hesitated. “Thank you?” she said suspiciously.

  “I mean it. You must have put a lot of effort into getting this up and running.”

  “I haven’t minded it, actually. Though if you think I’m taking over too much, I’m happy to pass some of the items on my to-do list over to you, if you’d like. Maybe the interior decorating in the office?”

  She was teasing him, he knew. But he still took a step back and shook his head vehemently at the mention.

  “No, that’s really not my area of expertise. You do what needs to be done, and I’ll just show up and enjoy it.”

  She smiled at him, possibly her first wholly genuine one aimed in his direction. His heart kicked dramatically.

  Duncan cleared his throat. “You’ll probably be really glad when we finally open and it’ll all be over.”

  “Over?”

  Distracted by exploring the space, he didn’t answer her. He was even more excited now that this was becoming a reality. He’d finally get his business back. While she’d been invaluable in getting everything set up, they’d both agreed that he would run day-to-day operations. He wasn’t sure if she intended to be in the offices at all, but he suspected not. She’d done her good deed by setting him up, but now she was free to move on to her next project—while collecting a percentage of the profits from Soldiering On.

  “Oh, hey, I thought of a name.”

  “Yeah?” Her eyes lit up. She really did have quite spectacular, whiskey-coloured eyes.

  “What do you say to Soldiering On?”

  Her whole body softened. “Oh, it’s absolutely perfect, isn’t it? I’ll get started on registering it right away.”

  Their eyes caught in a moment of accord. Tension surged through him, like he hadn’t felt since the moment he’d first caught sight of her. His breathing grew heavier, languid. Her eyes darkened in response. He almost took a step towards her, but caught himself.

  What was he doing, making eyes at his business partner? Even if he liked her—which he didn’t—that would be a recipe for disaster, no question.

  He cleared his throat and turned away. Thankfully, the realtor chose that moment to stride in, her expensive heels making no sound on the hideous navy carpet.

  Her gaze turned predatory the instant she laid eyes on him. “You must be Mr. Lennox.”

  Duncan reared back in horror. “What? No!” He turned his shocked gaze on Mandy, who looked equally horrified.

  “Why on earth would you assume that? Do your clients generally bring their husbands along to do business deals wholly unrelated to them?” Her voice was smooth, but a muscle ticked in her jaw, betraying her anger.

  The real estate agent looked flustered only for a moment. Then she gathered herself. “If you must know, it’s not uncommon.”

  Mandy’s eyes narrowed. “It’s such a shame that women feel so preyed upon by real estate agents that they feel a need for back up.” She paused delicately. “Yourself excluded, of course.”

  The realtor conceded the argument with a jerk of her head.

  Duncan gave Mandy points for such a polite set down. She certainly had a gift. Though, he admitted to himself that it rankled slightly that she was so horrified by the idea of him being her husband. He hadn’t been perfect, he knew, but did she have to be quite so adamant?

  After the initial awkwardness, Mandy and the realtor completed the sale without any more hiccups. The other woman stepped out of the offices, leaving Duncan and Mandy alone in their new business space.

  “So,” Duncan began.

  “So,” Mandy replied.

  “This is all real.”

  “It is,” she confirmed. “This is your moment. It’ll all change from here on out. But, we’ll start slow and iron out the kinks as we go. Let’s just get it all started before we get into all those details.”

  Elation soared in
him, only slightly tamped by his terror.

  Chapter 13

  Mandy tapped out an aimless rhythm on her kitchen table, staring at her phone. She’d been putting off this phone call for too long—weeks, really—and the tightness in her chest urged her to delay just a little bit more. But she knew it would only get worse if she procrastinated any more.

  Taking a deep, steadying breath, Mandy dialled.

  “Mandy?” Her father’s hesitant voice broke her heart. He’d never sounded so unsure of her, so uncertain of his welcome.

  “Hi, Dad,” she murmured. A tear slipped from her eye, even as a hesitant smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. A nauseating mixture of residual anger, guilt and happiness at again hearing her father’s voice swirled in her stomach.

  “How are you?” he asked. Again, that hesitation.

  “I’m good,” she replied. “I’m really good.”

  At that, he let out a breath. One that might have been relief. At least, she hoped it was.

  “How’s…things?” she asked. The awkwardness hovering between them flared. It had never been like this between them. For all his faults, Mandy had always been her father’s favourite and had enjoyed that bond.

  “They’re fine. Your brother is coming to work for us now.” Defiance had entered his tone. Mandy wasn’t sure why. Was he expecting her to question that choice? Or did he want her to be jealous?

  Her brother, Dean, had always been the wild one of the two of them. Even from a young age, he had been determined to rebel against their father’s expectations. The fact that now her father had offered him a job and that Dean had taken it was baffling to her. But it really wasn’t the most pressing matter on her mind.

  “I’m glad.” And she was. Her father would still get the dynasty he had always wanted. That was, if Dean could bring himself to stay under their father’s strict expectations.

  He cleared his throat. “So, you’re not planning to come back, then?” The note of hope hovering in his words was almost too much for Mandy. Another tear spilled down her cheek.

  “No, Dad. I’m actually starting up a new business with a friend.” Well, friend was a stretch, but Mandy didn’t know how else to explain Duncan to her father.

  “Competition?” he asked. She could almost see his spine stiffen at the thought.

  “No, not at all. It’s a security agency.”

  There was an empty pause. “After all your talk of making a difference, I wouldn’t think that would be something that would interest you,” he said carefully, the question implied.

  “It exclusively employs veterans—except me, of course—with a particular focus on those that were permanently injured. It’s a real opportunity.”

  He must have heard the excitement in her voice, because he softened slightly. “That sounds like a good cause.”

  “It is. But it’s also a business. We open tomorrow.”

  He made a noise of surprise. “So soon?”

  “I’ve been working on it almost since I left.”

  He was silent for a long moment. “I didn’t think you’d really go. I thought you’d come back.”

  Her heart cracked dangerously. “I need to find my own way, Dad. One that makes me happy. I love you, but I don’t think we are suited to work together.”

  “I don’t want this to be the end. You are destined for great things.”

  “Then don’t let it be,” she replied fiercely. “Believe in me.”

  “I won’t give up on you. I want this company to be yours one day.”

  “Give it to Dean. It’ll stay in the family, then.”

  He sighed. “We both know…” It didn’t need to be said. Dean was many things, but she doubted even he could see himself running a company, let alone a multinational one like their father’s.

  He changed tack. “You belong here. Maybe I can change, and learn.”

  The fact that he hadn’t already tried to do so after she’d quit told Mandy as much as she needed to know about her father’s desire to have her return to the company. He wasn’t committed to changing, he just wanted her back in the fold. She couldn’t continue to do the emotional labour in their relationship without it damaging her permanently.

  “I’ve found my calling, Dad. And it’s here at Soldiering On.”

  “I’m going to keep trying,” he told her. “You can do so much more than a failed startup.” Mandy supposed she was meant to be flattered. Instead, she just found his insistence frustrating. If he couldn’t believe that she knew her own mind in this and wasn’t open to it being changed, then she knew the lack of trust and respect in their relationship was worse than she’d thought.

  “Please don’t. I deserve better than that.”

  “So do I,” he told her. “I’ll be here. If it fails, I’ll be here.” She knew what he really meant, though. When it fails, not if.

  With that last parting shot, as if by mutual agreement, they hung up.

  Mandy let the remainder of her tears fall. Not just for her father, but for her fears and frustrations about the business, and Duncan, and all the little worries that had plagued her.

  Once the dam broke, it all poured out in a great, gulping mess.

  Mandy allowed it, this once. It was cathartic, as with each gasping sob, the knot in her chest loosened. When the tears finally subsided, she felt stronger than before, less fragile. As if the eggshells she’d been stepping on had been cleared away.

  She needed to make this business a success. Not just for herself, and the people that will work for them, but also to prove her father wrong. She needed to show him that she could go it alone and succeed on her own terms.

  Mandy felt stronger now, more determined than ever. But firmer footing didn’t mean that she didn’t still need her friends. Once she was back under control, she called Sierra and arranged to meet at her apartment later under the guise of celebrating tomorrow’s grand opening of Soldiering On.

  Wine, of course, was a must. And if she added a few tubs of caramel ice cream to her cart, Sierra wouldn’t be one to complain.

  Chapter 14

  It was opening day.

  He and Mandy had spent weeks working closely and in a panic to get everything in order for the big day. It had been a shock for Duncan to realise a week in that he and Mandy actually worked quite well together.

  On the way into the office, he called Paul on the Bluetooth connected to his car’s speakers. He still found technology amazing. He knew he was about five years behind everyone else on that one.

  “It’s the big day,” Paul greeted him. He sounded like he was grinning, which made Duncan smile in return. It somewhat lessened the nausea he’d been feeling since he woke up at 4am and began worrying about the day ahead.

  He was on his own, now. It was up to him.

  “It is. I just wanted to thank you for your help. Your advice was invaluable.” He was talking too loud, practically shouting, but he still hadn’t figured out the sensitivity on this Bluetooth thing. Where were the microphones picking up his voice? In his phone?

  “It was no problem. In fact, I enjoyed it.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  A suspicious silence radiated from the speakers. “Duncan…”

  “You don’t have to take me up on it now. But I just wanted to say that the offer will always be open if you want it.”

  “Thanks. I really mean it. Thanks for sticking with me.”

  “Of course,” he replied. “Office hours start at 9am.” Paul laughed, and Duncan took that as a good sign. He really hoped Paul showed up.

  Duncan pulled into the underground parking at 8:35am. He would have been earlier, given his early morning start, but he forced himself not to leave the house until 8am. His leg was already aching like a motherfucker after the two-hour workout he’d forced himself to get through. He’d needed to pass the time somehow.

  This was it, the first day of the rest of his life.

  He stepped into the office and immediately felt a calmin
g sense of home. It looked amazing. Mandy had hired an interior designer, and it had paid off big time. The hideous carpet had been ripped up, replaced with polished floorboards. The black furnishings might have made any other office look too dark, but with the high ceilings, huge windows, and pale walls, the look was masculine but elegant. Chrome and green accents were spotted around the office, adding another texture against the grainy woods. He couldn’t fault her taste.

  He had expected the place to be empty, given the fact he’d arrived early, so he’d have time to settle in. But Blake, Zack, and Sam filled one corner of the room. Blake stood, his arms folded across his broad chest as he leaned casually back against the receptionist’s desk. His fitted shirt proclaimed that he was intending to put an effort into his work attire. Duncan shouldn’t be surprised. Though Blake was the outdoorsy type, he was also enough of a show pony that it was natural he’d dress well for a more corporate environment.

  Sam was sitting on the desk beside him, no doubt to take pressure off her injured calf. She wore her standard black tank top and cargo pants. Unlike Blake, she was clearly not intending to dress up for work. Again, Duncan should have expected it. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her in anything resembling a dress or a skirt in all the time he’d known her. She gave him a smile in greeting as she caught sight of him.

  Zack was a surprise. If anything, Duncan had expected him to adhere to a dress code, even if just for his own standards. Instead, he wore a hoodie that hung over his face, obscuring the scars.

  Duncan chose not to comment at that moment, but resolved to talk to the man about it later.

  “You guys are early. That’s a good sign.”

  “I wanted to get first pick of a desk,” Blake replied with a grin. “But I realise now there isn’t enough for all of us.”

  There were three desks in the room. One, clearly designed for reception, was to Duncan’s right. The other two were next to each other on the opposite side of the room.

  “If all goes to plan, you guys won’t be in the office much, you’ll be on assignment. And I kind of thought you guys could be home if you didn’t have jobs. You might not want to hang around here all day waiting.”