“So, back to my offer.” Jake linked his fingers together and rested his forearms on the table. “What do you think?”
Trace kept his expression steady. “I think I’m wondering why you’re under the impression I need a job.”
He didn’t. Not financially, anyway.
Trace was single, had never been married, nor did he have any children. Every penny he’d earned over the years that wasn’t spent on necessities had been invested in several wise and lucrative business ventures.
Not wanting to rely on his parents for financial support , Trace had learned all he could about the stock market. Then he used that knowledge to turn a few thousand into more.
Much more.
Though you wouldn’t know it to look at him, Trace was actually a very wealthy man. So no, he didn’t technically need a job. The truth was, he worked because he needed to keep himselfbusy.
Otherwise, he’d wind up like other Veterans he’d seen.
Ones who got out, but still struggled to cope with all they’d seen and done throughout their years of service. Men and women who either wound up drunk, strung out, or eating a bullet to end the painful reminders of the evil this world often created.
Trace didn’t want to end up that way, but he feared that’s exactly what would happen if he let his guard down for more than a day or two at a time.
So he worked. A security gig here, bodyguard job there...whatever he could find that would allow him to use the skills he’d been taught, while at the same time, keeping himself in check.
Because he’d lost control once before, and in that moment, the emotions he’d set free had damn near cost him everything.
“I’m not offering you a job because I think you’re strapped for cash,” Jake responded. “I know you’re more than good on that front. I chose you because I want someone with the necessary training who knows what the hell they’re doing. Someone I can trust.”
“We haven’t seen each other in years.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Jake’s blue eyes stared directly into his. “I know the kind of man you are. The kind of soldier you were. The two teams I’m putting together...Charlie and Delta...they need leaders who know what the hell they’re doing. Someone who will get the job doneandkeep their people safe. I need someone like you, Winters.”
“You’re offering me my own team?”
The other man nodded. “I run Alpha Team, a former SEAL named Gabe Dawson runs Bravo. I want you to be the one in charge of Charlie.”
The man’s words created a mixture of emotions. Pride and fear warring for the strongest of them all.
Trace couldn’t help but feel proud that the best leader he’d ever worked under wanted him to head up one of the two new black ops security teams he was putting together.
He also felt a healthy dose of fear at the thought of being responsible for anyone but himself.
“The pay’s great,” Jake continued. “The benefits are even better. We’ve been scouting out real estate in Richmond for the team’s base, which is an area you’re familiar with.”
Yes, he was. Having grown up in D.C., Trace knew Richmond almost as well as he knew the country’s capital. His mom also lived in Richmond, now.
Something he had a feeling Jake already knew.
“And Delta?” He asked out of genuine curiosity. “Where will they be?”
“Chicago.”
Richmond was definitely a better fit for him. And Trace had to admit, he liked the idea of being able to stay near his mom.
She was only sixty-three, which wasn’t old at all. But she’d had a couple of health scares over the past few years, and with his dad gone, Trace wanted to stay close to her, just in case.
“Look, Trace. I know you miss the action, brother. And if you accept this position, you’ll be back in the game. Only this time, you’ll be able to play without all the bureaucratic bullshit.”
One of Trace’s brows arched high. “Are you saying you guys have carte blanche?”
“Not exactly, but damn close. We work closely with Homeland. We’ve worked with all the alphabet agencies, and we have White House support.”