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“You’d be a great fit for our team.” He holds up a folder and drops it on the desk. "Everything about you that’s on paper, I already know. Anything else you’d like to add?” His intense eyes wait for an answer, or he’s searching mine for one. My heart slams a hard beat against my chest and I swallow. Telling him I killed my dad isn't a good idea to bring up during an interview. “Look, we all have skeletons. I just don’t want them coming back to life and knocking on my door. I know that your father went missing after you left for the Navy.”
Missing? That explains why no one has questioned me. They never found his body. “My father was an abusive drunk. I wouldn’t be surprised if he picked a fight with the wrong person.” I shrug half-heartedly, trying to feign indifference rather than guilt. Max sits back in his chair, studying me. I keep my breathing even and slow. “When I left that town, I left him and all those jacked up memories.” I lean forward in my chair. “Forever.”
He nods in understanding. I'm not certain he believes me, but he’s giving me the benefit of the doubt. “It’s hard to say forever to a place you own.”
I release a heavy sigh. “If my grandfathers could see me now, I’m sure I’d be a huge disappointment to them.”
“I doubt that,” Max states matter of fact. “I’m sure they fought for that land, just as you fought for the people of this land. Don’t sell yourself short because you didn’t become a rancher. They’d be proud.”
“Not when I sell it.” I’ve waited for the day I could break free from that place and the memories that haunt me. It can’t come soon enough, but I still feel like I’m letting down my heritage.
“Considering they’re dead, who cares what they’d think. It’s your land to do as you please.” I like Max and his no bullshit attitude. He reminds me of a couple of guys on my team. “The job is yours if you want it.”
I flash a tentative smile. “That’s it? No, ‘I’ll call you back in a few days. Thanks for coming in?’”
He smirks and shakes his head. “Nope.”
“Okay.” My grin widens and my energy spikes. “Hell yeah, I want it.”
The possibilities of being on this team flash through my mind. Everyone in the security business knows about Max Shaw’s team. And he asked me to work for him.
“How long do you need to move out here?”
“I’ve already got everything I own with me. So… I can start as soon as possible.”
“You’re as certain getting the job as I am giving it to you.”
“I know a good thing when I see it and I was fairly confident.” I leave out the part that I own nothing other than clothes and one box of important stuff.
“Wouldn’t have offered you the job without it. Take a week to settle in. I have a friend who’s a realtor.” He reaches into his desk drawer and pulls out a card. I take it when he holds it out. “Her name’s Pepper and she can help you find a place. Don’t fuck her.”
I jerk my head up from the girly business card to his hard stare. “Yes, sir. I mean Max,” I stumble. He cocks a smile at my obvious state of nervousness.
“Most of the guys live in Gilley Cove because it’s only fifteen minutes away and off the beach. Pepper will be able to help you. I have a case I need to leave town for and I’m not sure when I’ll be back. Stone will get you set up and answer any questions.” He pushes his chair back and stands. I stand, adjusting my suit jacket. “And I don’t know who told you to wear a suit, but that shit needs to stay in your closet. When I left the FBI, I swore I’d never wear a suit to work again. Unless you’re getting married and force me to wear one,” he grumbles the last part.
“Got it,” I say, sticking the card in my wallet.
He holds out his hand, “Welcome to the team, Kase.”
Chapter Six
Kase
A red-head looks up at me from behind her desk. "I’m assuming you’re Max's new guy?" Of course she’s flaming gorgeous. I nod, flashing a quick smile. “Have a seat.” She gestures for me to sit in the empty chair.
“Thanks.” I wipe my hands along my jeans after I sit. My neck tightens, and I hold off from cracking it. I’m nervous as hell around this woman. When someone tells me not to do something, I use it as an opportunity to test my boundaries. This time, I’d be kissing my job goodbye and burning bridges I can't afford to burn if I want to be in this business. Everything I do could be construed wrong and she’ll think I’m flirting with her. “I’m Kase Nixon.”
She leans back, fidgeting with a pen and studies me. “Max gave me a heads up you were coming. Welcome to Gilley Cove.”
“Thanks.”
“What area do you like?” She spins her chair around to her computer but looks over her shoulderto me.
I shrug. This is the first time I've been in this town. “Stone told me the Village was good.”
She snorts as her fingers press keys. “Of course he did.” She searches for available properties and I feel I’m the butt end of this joke.
“So, what’s the Village?”
