Page 10 of Fighting for Family

“I suggest you clarify yourself, sir,” Kassie said, her voice holding an angry edge. “Our family has a lawyer, and Leo and Catherine use the same.”

“I didn’t mean to distress you,” Mr. Harold said to Catherine. “Your husband visited me around five months ago. He seemed distressed and asked me to put some things in order,” he said, opening his briefcase. He pulled out a folder and handed each of them a letter. “I have communications for Saint, Taco, Ragu, Sparky, Stormy, Cole, Hollywood, Knight, and Patch, too. I delivered one to Michael earlier before coming here. I hope this explains why I have called this meeting. Mr. Armstrong urged me to wait three months after his demise to give you this. It’s my understanding they haven’t located his body. I’m truly sorry for sounding crude. Unfortunately, your husband likes things done his way.”

Catherine glanced down at the envelope with Kit Kat scrolled in Leo’s writing. Her fingers traced each letter as if imagining him writing it.

“These you may read in private. In the case of his absence for longer than three months, I’m instructed to put his plans in place,” Mr. Harold continued. “He asked me to deliver this straight to you, and I have four letters for your children, Mrs. Armstrong. Depending on your medical condition at the time, he requested I give them to you or Mrs. Winters. He seemed positive she’d be here to support you.”

“Did he say why he used you instead of our regular attorney?” Catherine asked, confused.

“It seems he worried about your condition and didn’t want to frighten you. Since you see the attorney in question sometimes, he didn’t want him to mention anything to you.” He handed her a manila envelope. “I’ll let you read over the contents, and if you have any questions, you may call me anytime.”

“You say my husband gave this to you before he left?” she asked again, not understanding what prompted Leo to do it.

“He knew you might have questions. Mr. Armstrong told me to reassure you. He’s explained everything in his letters.”

He passed out business cards to each of them, then rose and walked out the door.

“I’ll be damned,” Chase said as he watched the man leave. “You didn’t know anything about this, Catherine?”

“I don’t know him at all,” she said, glancing at the envelope. “If I didn’t recognize Leo’s handwriting, I’d say he was lying.”

Chase glanced at the envelope and asked, “Shall we open them?”

Kassie peered at Catherine. “You don’t have to. If you want to open it privately, we understand.”

Catherine gave a shaky breath and swallowed back her emotions. “Why don’t you open yours? I’m not sure if I’m ready,” she confessed.

Chase nodded to Whiskey, who tore open the last letter from his friend.

Whiskey,

If you’re reading this, it appears we’ve traded places, my friend. We've gone through hell and back for one another. Besides my wife and kids, rescuing you remains one of the proudest, happiest moments of my life.

Now, I’m ready to call in my favor. You must ensure Serenity Securities’ future by running it. Before you list all the reasons you can’t, I saved your starved and beaten, flea-ridden ass, and you owe me one. It’s time, Whiskey, for you to remember the man before they took you. If I didn’t think you capable, I’d give it to someone else.

This business will provide for Catherine and my children. Chase has his legacy with the hospital. Kassie made her own by saving people. Let this be mine. Watch over our military when needed and help those who have nowhere else to turn. Make it a place we can be proud of, my friend.

I love you, brother, and I’m counting on you. The only easy day was yesterday. It’s time.

Leo

Kassie sniffed and handed Catherine a tissue from the table beside her. Whiskey’s eyes filled with tears as he nodded and put the letter back into the envelope.

Chase unsealed his and took it out.

Chase,

Thank you for sharing your mountain with all of us. Every day, I wake up next to my beautiful wife and gaze out the window thinking I’m a lucky man. You’ve become one of my most trusted friends and brothers.

I hope you’ll never have to read this. If you do, I’m counting on you to keep Kassie in line. She’s getting way too much like Victoria in my opinion. Remind her to say no. Take those family vacations we talked about at the facility. Spend the time with your wife and never forget to remind her how much she means to you. I somehow forgot to do this.

Take care of my family. Hopefully, Melody will work beside her mama one day as a nurse inside your hospital. Read Grace my books on bombs and underground shelters. She loves “One Thousand and One Ways to Torture Someone.’” Be sure to read it to her again when she starts dating or, better yet, have Victoria instruct her. I’m pretty sure she wrote the book. Derrick will need a man to teach him how to treat a woman. (Please get your balls back from Kassie before you instruct him.) Last but not least, tell my future son or daughter about me. Don’t let them forget how much I loved them.

When I first proposed this idea to you, I never expected anything this big. I didn’t have a father like yours, but I’ll be sure to tell him you turned out great. Thank you for your friendship, your brotherhood, and your generosity. It’s one of the greatest gifts of my life.

I love you, brother,

Leo