His sister had started dancing at the age of five.Most kidsoutgrew it, but not Elodie.She was attending a prestigious university andexpected to join a company when she graduated.
He’d had his shot at the career he’d thought he’d beendestined for, and it hadn’t worked out.“I’m very proud of them both.”
“But you wish you had that spark,” his father prompted.
Nate shook his head.“No, I wish I knew where I belong.Don’t think I’m not grateful, Dad.I love my family, but I don’t belong hereanymore.At least when I was working with the team I felt some sense ofpurpose.”
He’d been called in to help with an op Tag’s daughters andtheir team had been running in Sydney.Naturally it had all gone to hell, butit had been the one thing in months that made him feel like he mattered.
“You won’t be working with the Agency,” his father pointedout.“You’re going into the bodyguard unit.It’s not the same.Do you want tobe an investigator?Because Damon probably has more room for you to movearound.”
“I’ve lived in London.I want something new.I want to trythis.Like I said, I don’t mean to hurt you or Mum.”
“We’ll be fine.I simply want to make sure you’re notrunning away for the wrong reasons.”
“I don’t think I’m running away at all.I’ve been drifting.I don’t want to work the station the rest of my life,” Nate admitted.
His father’s arms crossed over his chest as he looked outacross the lawn.“I don’t have a problem with you wanting out.Your sisterwants another life, too.We came back to help your grandmother.She’s gone now,and we’ll probably sell the place.Your mum has a hankering to travel again.”
His mother’s version of travel would be to go to the world’sforgotten places and try to make them better.His father would be right besideher.“She wants to open another clinic?”
He’d been born in a clinic his mother had run outside ofSierra Leone.
“Her kids are grown and I think she wants to do more good inthe world.And I’ll be honest, I’m looking forward to having time with her, butI worry what happens if we’re out wandering the world and you need us.Am Iwrong to not keep a place for you to come home to?”
Damn, but he loved this man.“You and Mum and Elodie are myhome.Not some space.I know if I ever need you, you’ll be there.I’m trying tobe brave, Dad.It would be easy to stay here and work this station and marrysomeone from town, but it’s not what’s in my heart.”
“Then you have to go into the world and figure it out,” hisfather said, putting a hand on his shoulder.“Find your passion and don’t letit go.But I want you to consider what I’m about to say to you.Sometimes thepassion we need isn’t a career.It’s a person.It’s a family.I’m not evergoing to be as smart as your mum, but I learned my place long ago.It’s to loveher and build this family with her.To support her and you and your sister.Iwouldn’t take it back for anything in the world.Certainly not for somehigh-powered career.It’s the best job for me.Be open to what the universeoffers you.And know no matter where we are, we’re here for you.”
The door opened and his mother stepped out.“We should geton the road if we’re going to make it to the airport in time.”She strode downthe steps and joined them.“Oh, I’m going to miss you.All my babies are flyingout of the nest.You should know I’ve already called Avery, and she’s going tomake sure you have everything you need.Are you sure you don’t want to waituntil you find an apartment?”
He was staying with friends.Well, with people he knew backwhen he was a kid.He’d known Aidan O’Donnell since they were babies.Theirparents were friends who would get together every couple of years.
“I want to get a feel for the city,” he explained.He wouldbe living with Aidan and two of his friends.Their extra room would work untilhe decided where he wanted to live.
The fact the room was also close to a BDSM club Aidan andhis friends ran was a plus.He’d been raised around lifestylers, but the clubswere few and far between here in the outback, and he hadn’t had occasion toplay during his time in the military.Unless he went to Sydney, he didn’t play,and Sydney was so far away.
But that wouldn’t be a problem in Dallas.There were severalclubs he would have easy access to.He would go and figure his life out.Andmaybe spend some time with a pretty sub or two.
“Let’s get going then,” his father said.
He took his mum’s hand and moved to the truck so he couldstart his future.
* * * *
Dallas, TX
One week later
Daisy O’Donnell was ready.
Real estate hadn’t worked out for her, but she was allright.She wasn’t meant for the restaurant world either.The fifth time she’ddropped a platter of five-star food had proven she was not a perfect server.She’d never actually seen her Uncle Sean cry before.The man was serious aboutfood.
She’d moved through a series of jobs, but nothing had stuckyet.
Until today.
“So you think you know how to use the phone system?”Herbrand spanking new boss was named Harlow Dawson, and she was twelve kinds ofawesome.She ran the Dawson-Lockwood Agency along with her business partner,Ruby Lockwood.
