CHAPTER1
Brutus
“And you’re sure everything is scheduled for the security detail for Aaron’s trip next week?” I asked, staring at my second in command as we stood outside of the Williamsport Airport entrance.
Joseph’s eyes glistened and wrinkled at the edges. My stomach tightened along with the muscles in my face. I knew his ass was on the verge of a wisecrack.
“No. Would you mind running the plan by me for the fiftieth time this morning? I’m not sure I wrote down the exact color of Aaron Townsend’s tie on the third day of his trip,” he replied.
I stepped closer and stared down at him from my six-foot-eight height to his six-foot-three frame. “Everything’s a damn joke to you,” I growled.
He sobered up but only slightly. “Brutus, this is your first vacation in what? Five years?” He shook his head before placing a hand on my shoulder. “You know we’re capable of doing our jobs as well as you.” He stopped when my eyes narrowed. “Well, almost as well as you. The Townsends are in skillful hands.”
I gritted my teeth but stepped back. After all, Joseph was right. I’d personally vetted and trained all twenty-five employees on the Townsend Security staff. As the head of Townsend Security, I oversaw everything from close and personal protection to thwarting cyber security attacks to investigating business rivals and current or potential employees.
Though with the family growing, that placed more demand on my team. We were slightly understaffed since I recently let go of one of our employees. Guilt swelled in the pit Fof my stomach at the notion that I was leaving the Townsends uncovered.
“We’ve got this handled,” Joseph assured me again.
On a deep inhale, I reassured myself with the knowledge that I would only be a phone call away if they needed me. My handpicked staff was adept enough to adjust to any changes that may come their way.
“Don’t forget that you have a three-thirty training session with Kyle, Kennedy, Cole, and Diego today,” I added.
Joseph nodded.
“Don’t let Kyle and Diego joke around too much. And remind Kennedy that her father insists she takes part in these self-defense training sessions. She’ll try to con her way out of it to read instead.”
He rolled his eyes. “I know. She tried it on me a few months ago.”
I let out a sound, something between a chuckle and a snort. Kennedy Townsend, the oldest daughter of Aaron and Patience Townsend, preferred reading over just about anything, especially over the mandatory self-defense practice that all of the Townsend children partook in, under the mandate of their parents—mainly their fathers.
Truthfully, after the shit I’ve seen as head of security for this family, I one hundred percent understood why all of the adults wanted their children to know how to protect themselves in any scenario.
“Listen, if you keep standing here, thinking of the thousands of ways things could go wrong, you’re going to miss your flight.”
I frowned. “Thousands? Are you talking like a few thousand, tens of thousands, or hundreds?” I wondered out loud. I’d only thought of a few thousand ways that my taking a two-week vacation could go sideways, but Joseph’s words caused another wave of anxiety to push through my stomach.
Was there something I hadn’t thought of?
“Brutus, lighten the fuck up. It’ll be fine. It’s been five years since you’ve been on vacation. Go.”
I glared at him one final time before picking up my carry-on and hoisting it over my shoulder. With the suitcase handle in my other hand, I nodded at Joseph and finally headed inside.
I guessed I was doing this. I was going on my first vacation in over five years.
* * *
Minutes after passingthrough the security check, which was a breeze with the travel security clearance I had, I decided to head to the lounge area to get a drink and some food before my flight.
As I started toward the lounge, my phone buzzed in my pocket.Fuck, I bet it‘s work already. I knew taking this damn vacation was a mistake. It isn’t the right time to take off.
Those thoughts stopped swirling in my mind as soon as I pulled out my phone and saw the name flashing across my screen.
“Rick, shouldn’t you be taking your second nap of the day?” I casually asked my father.
He grunted on the other end. “I was, but then I got hungry.”
I snorted.
