He knew R.I.S.C. was one of the most well-known and elite security companies in the world, but damn.
“Just do me a favor and think it over.” Jake stood and grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair. “It’ll be a few months before we get things going, but I’ll need an answer as soon as possible. I want the team to be in place and start training early so you guys can get to know one another. You know, make sure everyone clicks well before you start going back out into the field.”
“You say that as if I’ve already accepted your offer.” Trace followed the other man to the door.
“I hope you do.” Jake reached for the knob but stopped to face him once more. “I know all that shit that went down with Delta hit you hard.”
“That’s not—” He started to lie and say that wasn’t why he hadn’t jumped at the offer, but Jake cut him off at the pass.
“There wasn’t a man on our team who blamed you for getting out when you did. But I also know that, regardless of how much time has passed between us, you and I...we’re the same. We need to be out there, making a difference. Not by playing bouncer at some bar or escorting some arrogant software designer who’s worth millions.”
“How did you—”
“I had my guy do some digging.” Jake shrugged. “Now, if you’re truly happy doing what you’re doing, then by all means, tell me to fuck off. But if I’ve learned anything these past few years, it’s that life is too damn short to settle for anything less than what you really want.”
A moment of silence spread between the two men before Jake stepped into the hallway outside Trace’s room.
“I’ll think about it,” Trace finally spoke again.
“Good.” Jake grinned. “I wrote my personal number on the back of the card. You make a decision and let me know. Either way, it was damn good to see you, again.”
“You, too.” Trace offered the guy his hand, not surprised when he was pulled in for another strong hug.
Jake left and Trace closed the door behind him. Walking over to the room’s small table, he picked up the empty pizza box and tossed the discarded napkins and paper plates inside before carrying it over to where the miniature-sized trash can was.
Rolling his eyes at the pointless wastebasket, he leaned the box against it and went back to grab his water. Instead, he picked up Jake’s business card and sighed.
He thought about the unexpected opportunity that had fallen into his lap. The chance to not only be on a team again, but toleadit...without his hands being tied by the same fucking red tape he’d been faced with before.
When Trace left the Army, he’d vowed to never let himself get put in the position where some political jackass a world away was making decisions that ultimately cost innocent people their lives.
But, according to Jake, if he took this job working for R.I.S.C....
You’ll be free to run the team the way you want.
And he’d be able to stay in Richmond. Close enough to D.C. to have access to potential heavy players without actually having tolivein the same city he’d grown up in.
The money was more than enough, and he’d be doing the same type of ops he’d done with Delta, only without Uncle Sam breathing down his damn neck.
Do you really need time to think about it?
“Shit.”
Shoving the card in his back pocket, Trace grabbed the plastic key to his hotel room and rushed out the door.
If he was fast enough, he might be able to catch up with Jake before he drove away.