CEO MILITARY

her gaze shifted from me to Cain. She pointed a finger in his direction. - It was you who brought him and Aline together. Who put them together in Iran and then let them go to the bar... - Calm down. - I stood up, keeping my arms and hands loose. When you're as big as me, you learn the best way to stand without looking so threatening. - Yes, I slept with Aline when we were in Iran, and she was working, but Cain had no way of knowing I would do that. Hell, I didn't know I was going to do that. - You are my employee... - Cain began. I also cut it. - Aline is an adult. Was it stupid? Yes.

But I didn't force her or take advantage of her. I didn't bother to mention the fact that she kissed me first or that the reason I gave in was because she thought I didn't want her. Firstly, I wouldn't do anything to make either of them think better of me, and secondly, it wasn't her business. "It has nothing to do with the agency anymore," I continued. - That's all between Aline and me. - I gave the snarling woman a moment to absorb what I said before saying the words that ripped through me like a knife. - And it's over. You know it. Cain glanced at me but didn't ask. The expression on Freedom's face disappeared. - You mean she didn't come to you? Didn't you ask if she could stay with you during your tantrum? I felt like a bucket of ice water had just been dumped on me. - What are you talking about? Now, I saw the concern beneath the anger. "Sunday morning, she threw a fit after I told her that I-" Freedom's voice faltered, her eyes darting to the side, but not before I saw a flash of guilt. - She's gone. We went to the bus station to look for her. Our parents and I try to call her, but the phone is off. We called the police, but she is an adult and there is no evidence of foul play. My hands balled into fists as fear and fury fought in my chest. Freedom didn't say that, but I could guess what she said to Aline on Sunday morning. It was by no means a coincidence that they got into a fight just hours after Freedom told me about Aline being a virgin. Yes, I had left and hadn't spoken to Aline since, so that was my fault. Truth be told, I knew Aline well enough to know that if Freedom had told her about our entire conversation, Aline would have been even more angry at her sister for betraying her than she was at me for leaving. - I tried calling the phone company to get her call and text history, but there was nothing after Saturday night, nothing but our calls and texts to her. I went back to our apartment in Stanford, but she's not there either. All of her things are still there. She only took some things from our parents' house. Her credit cards were also unused. The way Freedom was explaining the situation made me think that this was how she was trying to convince the police officers why they should be looking for Aline. I was worried about Aline, but it honestly seemed like she was upset with her family and decided to take some time to calm down. - Then, on Monday, Aline took money from her trust fund. Money. No surprise that Aline had a trust fund, but it was neither here nor there, as my mother liked to say. It seemed to me that she really didn't want to be found and was smart enough to know how her family would try to locate her. Again, I couldn't really blame her, even if logic wasn't doing anything to make me less anxious. - None of her friends have seen her? - Cain asked. Freedon gave him a dirty look. - If they had, do you think I would be here, talking to him? "Would they tell you if she asked you not to?" - I asked before thinking better. Freedon looked at me. - Of course. They know how worried we are, they would have told us if they knew where she was. All our friends know that Aline doesn't always think about things. Freedom said "our friends", which made me wonder if Aline had any close connections that weren't as close as her sister. I didn't ask, though. Freedom already looked like he wanted to kill me because of my question. Well, my question and all. "Maybe she just needed some time to think," Cain offered. - She had just been through something very terrible. "That's why she shouldn't be there alone," Freedom countered, clenching her fists on her hips. - On her best days, she can barely take care of herself. Now, she needs us even more. I remembered thinking something similar about Aline when I met her, but those circumstances were crazy. Besides, I wasn't her brother. I couldn't imagine one of my brothers treating me like that. Or me treating any of them like that. My sisters would castrate me if I ever suggested that they weren't adults and completely responsible. Maybe that's why I felt the need to say something. - She's twenty-two years old, she's not a child. "You know what," Freedom took a step toward me, "if you just kept your dick in your pants, none of this would be happening." Aline would be home with us, where she belongs and not out doing who knows what. She was right... But I couldn't take all the blame for that. Aline would probably still be at her parents' house if Freedom had minded her own business too. But I wasn't crazy enough to say that, Freedon had that "murderous" look that I had seen in my sisters' eyes at various times throughout their childhood. I liked my balls right where they were. Fortunately, Cain intervened. "Let's look for her," he said. - No charge, of course. Let's make sure she's okay. - Don't worry. - She shook her head. "If you don't know where she is right now, then I don't want anyone in this room near her." - She pointed at me. - Specially you. And then she was gone. TWO Aline Until I moved out of my parents' house earlier this week, I hadn't realized how many of "my" friends were actually friends of Freedom or our parents who simply became mine by association. They liked me well enough, I didn't doubt it, but their loyalty wasn't to me. At school, I was much younger than everyone else and we didn't share common

honestly wasn't sure if any of them would have chosen me. I could only think of one person who would take me in and not feel obligated to tell my family. Martina Chavez and I grew up side by side and actually attended kindergarten and first grade together. Even after skipping two grades, we remained friends. Her mother was our neighbors' babysitter, so they left after the kids grew up, and I didn't get to see her as often as I used to, but we still kept in touch.

Between my move to Stanford and her transition from high school to cosmetology school, our visits were less and less frequent, but we had such a unique bond that whenever we were able to talk or spend time together, we picked up where we left off. I had last seen her in June when we took a trip to Vegas, but on Sunday morning, I didn't hesitate to catch a bus to the high-end boutique where she worked. She simply gave me the key to the apartment and said I could talk to her later. I was grateful for her help, but I didn't say anything more than that I was tired of being treated like a child. Each day, she asked what had happened to finally motivate me to take action, but I was unable to form the words. Twenty minutes ago, she texted saying she'd pick up Thai food on the way home, and I knew that meant she wouldn't accept my terse answer this time. She wanted to hear the whole thing. Some women ate ice cream or chocolate, or both, as comfort food, but with Martina and I, it was always Thai. That's what she brought me when I was fourteen, when I heard two senior boys making fun of the outfit I wore to school that day. Or rather, they were making fun of the fact that I wasn't able to fill her any better than a fourteen-year-old boy could. I called Martina in tears, and she came with sesame chicken. A few months later, I brought her the same dish when her boyfriend dumped her two days before the big spring dance. I had to admit, she had been beyond patient with me, letting me sleep in her guest room and not giving an ultimatum about when I needed to move out or start paying rent. Not that I intended to take advantage of her. I had gone to the bank on Monday to get money from my trust fund and had it in an envelope to give her when she asked if I could keep it a little longer. Just as long as I figured out what I wanted to do. I've barely had time to get my head together after everything that's happened in the last few weeks. After her phone call, I decided it was the best time to ask, after explaining everything. With that plan in place, my nerves relaxed a little. She waited until we had been eating for a few minutes to say, "Speak up." I swallowed quickly, ready to trust my friend. - First, I have to thank you for letting me stay and not forcing me to talk. - You won't escape this time. - She pointed at me, her obsidian eyes narrowing. - You need to deal with these things. I raise my hand. - You're right, and I'll tell you what happened. I just wanted to thank you first for not trying to get it out of me sooner. She smiled. - Yes, I'm an incredible friend. I rolled my eyes, but appreciated the provocation. I was going to tell her everything, and it wouldn't be pleasant, but she was trying to make it as easy as possible for me. -Did you see the story on the news the day before Thanksgiving about the hostages in Iraq who were rescued from being sold? - It seemed as good a place to start as any. She remained completely still. - Yes. - Four of them were taken in Iran weeks before. - I pressed my hands together to keep them from shaking. - I know why I was caught by them too. The color drained from Martina's face, her normally honey skin as pale as I'd ever seen it. - Freedom had to have an emergency appendectomy last week in Iran, so she went straight from the hospital to the airport where I was supposed to meet her. On my way there, some armed men stopped the taxi, grabbed me, threw me into a van and took me somewhere on the outskirts of the city. - How come it wasn't national news? International? Hell, same location? - Martina looked like she was going to vomit. - Freedom kept everything a secret because she wasn't sure what had happened to me at first. She was trying to get the police to look for me when she received a rescue video. - I still got cold every time I thought about what it must have been like for her. No matter how upset I was with her, I knew she loved me, and it must have been horrible for her. - She knew our parents could pay the ransom, but she didn't trust the kidnappers to honor their agreement, so she called an old boyfriend who runs a security agency and hired him to find me and get me out. The story became easier to tell with each word, and soon they were flowing. I told Martina everything. From being sure she was going to be raped when I was dragged out of the cell, to watching the men die in that hallway. I told her about Eoin pretending I was a prostitute and how I kissed him. And more. I also told you everything that happened after I got home. All the way until I left my parents' house and showed up at her work. When I finished, I felt surprisingly better, like I had purged myself of something that was making me sick. I reheated my food and ate it while Martina thought things over in silence. Finally, as I was finishing, she came over and placed her hand in mine. "I'm so glad you're safe. With a start, I realized that no one had spoken to me that way. The relief and joy at seeing myself safely home was genuine, but it was always tinged with a hint of exasperation, as if I had some level of responsibility for the chain of events. Maybe it was unconscious on my family's part, and I sincerely hoped that was the case, but either way, it just proved that I made the right choice in leaving. Things needed to change. THREE EOIN This is not how I imagined my first official week at my new job ending. After Freedom left, I waited for Cain to tell me he was fired. Instead, he slumped back into Bruce's chair and sighed. - No more fucking clients... or your sisters. - He rested his head on the back of the chair and closed his eyes. "Never again," I promised. - I'm done with women for the foreseeable future. They're not worth it. He lifted his head and opened one eye. - You're forgetting who you're talking to. I dated a Mercier woman. They are worth a lot. I let out an exasperated sigh. - Not that much of a problem. He shrugged his shoulders and lowered his head. - Wait and see. They are much more addictive than you think. I dated Freedom for about three months and then, right before I got my new assignment, she dumped me. It took me almost a year to get over it. Shit. "It's not the same," I insisted. - Aline and I weren't like that. It could have been, if things hadn't gone to shit every time I was with her. I slept with the woman three times, and each time, all hell broke loose soon after. The better the sex, the crazier things get. - Mm-hm. - It didn't seem like he believed me, bu

standing with a serious expression. - What do you need? - Time. - I put my phone in my pocket. - Family emergency. He nodded. - Do what you need to do. The work will be here when you get back. Do you need me to do something for you? I shook my head, my mind already halfway home. - I'll be fine. I just have to go. - So go. He didn't even stop, he just told me to go, and he meant it. I didn't know the other guys well, but I knew they would understand too. Family came in all shapes and sizes, which I understood better than anyone.

And that's why I planned to get back to San Ramon as quickly as I could. Another part of my family was hurting and needed me. The five and a half hour trip sucked. It was long enough for me to hate every second of it, but not so long that it was worth trying to find a flight. I spent two drives before realizing it might have been smarter of me to ask one of my brothers who lived in LA to drive me. Smarter because that's when I started hearing that echoing sound, the tunnel vision, that warned me a flashback or panic attacks, or both, was coming. I pulled over, hating myself for wasting time, but knowing it would be worse if I tried to fight it while I was behind the wheel. Fortunately, it didn't take long for me to calm down. I focused on getting to Israel and Nana Naz, being there for them because Léo couldn't, helped. I kept that in mind as I finished the drive to the hospital. At the first red light I hit in town, I texted Israel to let him know where I was, and he said he would meet me in the lobby. He didn't call to give me updates, but I was taking that as a positive sign. Plus, I doubted he would leave Nana Naz alone to go down to the lobby if things were that bad. I refused to think about anything else. When I entered the lobby, I immediately saw Israel. He was always a big man. Even though he was two inches shorter than me, he was broader, more muscular. The first time I saw him after Léo's death, he seemed older but still larger than life. Now, he seemed...smaller. The realization made my heart and stomach twist, but I didn't let anything show on my face. I had to be strong for Israel, I had to be at least a fraction of the man Leo was. I made a silent promise to my friend that if I had to give up everything in LA to take care of his father and grandmother, I would do it. - Thank you for coming. - Israel hugged me and I wish he had been able to hug his son. - How is she? - I forced myself to ask the question, even though I feared the answer. "She's resting," he said as he backed away. - Let's go. Let's walk while we talk. As he led me to the elevator, he told me what had happened. - She was starting dinner when she had to sit down because she was having trouble breathing. She sat there for a few minutes before I walked in and asked if she was okay. You know Mom. She's always fine. Except she said she didn't feel well. That alone was enough to explain why he looked so ragged. I had seen Nana Naz take care of a dinner for an entire church while she had a kidney stone. - I wanted to call an ambulance, but she said she just needed to rest, but then she passed out and that was it. I called 911. She woke up on the way here, but she was disoriented, groggy. I was worried that she had had a stroke. Her father passed away when she was twelve. I did not know that. - It was a? We got out of the elevator onto the ICU floor and he continued - No, thank God. The doctors ran all the tests and said they thought it was a combination of dehydration and a drop in blood pressure. They're going to keep her here until at least tomorrow because they're having trouble stabilizing her blood pressure. That was good to hear, but it didn't make me any less worried. Nana Naz wasn't really old, but she wasn't young either. And she's had a stressful year. Hell, she's had a stressful life, losing her only son, helping to raise her grandson, and then losing him too. - I thought I'd call you and tell you that you didn't need to come. - Israel stopped next to what I assumed was the door to Nana Naz's room. - But honestly, I wasn't sure I could spend the rest of tonight and tomorrow alone. I knew what it cost him to admit that, which meant he was even more scared than I imagined. "I should never have left," I said, shaking my head. - I promised Léo that I would take care of you two, and I can't do that six hours away. Israel gave me a stern look. - Where would you two be if my son hadn't died? I grimaced. - What do you mean? - You two planned to have a full career in the army, right? Even if you guys decided to get married, none of you planned on leaving the army anytime soon. "Okay," I agreed. - Yes, we would still be in the army. - In that case, you could be on the other side of the country or the other side of the world, and I would be right here. - Israel put his hand on my shoulder. "I'm grateful to have you here, but I don't want you to think that means you have to stay in San Ramon for the rest of my life or Mom's life. I would tell Léo the same thing. Knowing he would have done exactly that didn't make me feel any better, but I didn't argue with him. I wasn't here to prove a point. Nana Naz was asleep when we entered the room, and although she looked peaceful, she also looked fragile, with an IV in her arm and an oxygen tube in her nose. I always thought of her as an unstoppable force. Invincible. People always talk about how teenagers think nothing can touch them, but I think most people forget that when we're young, we think all the stable people in our lives will be there all the time. The loss of a mother I didn't really remember and my time in the army changed both their mindsets very quickly, but the reality of Nana Naz's mortality hadn't really hit me until that moment. - The doctor said her oxygen is also very low - Israel said softly as we moved to the chairs next to her bed. - He asked me if she was a smoker, and all I could think about was that day when she caught you and Léo smoking. I smiled at the memory, surprised at how little it hurt to think about it. Léo and I were in sixth grade when, for a reason I couldn't remember, I decided that the two of us should steal a pack of cigarettes from those racist high school students who never missed a chance to pick on Léo. As soon as we got the cigarettes, I had the bright idea that we should smoke some, just to show the world how tough and grown up we were. Nana Naz caught us and slapped us on the back of the head. So she made us tell Israel and my parents. She hadn't, however, made us apologize to the guys we stole them from. About that, she just said that we should have let the air out of the bike tires too. "None of this was Leo's idea," I admitted. - Neither stealing nor smoking. I know what he said, but it was all me. - We knew. Israel laughed. - Most of the time, when you guys got into trouble, it was your idea, and he went along with it. I grimaced at the memory. - I still have no idea why you never told him not to hang out with me. "You always had a good heart, Eoin," said Israel. My face must have shown my thoughts o