Chapter Twelve First Operative #2
“Yep, that’s me. This is my girlfriend, Nissa.” Tommy turned, taking her hand and gently pulling her forward. “She hasn’t been here since she was a kid, so here we are.”
“Hi.” Nissa smiled warmly after giving Tommy a look that clearly promised he’d be hearing about this later. “Sorry about him, he’s hard to control when someone catches his attention.”
“Right.” Cole studied them both, his suspicion obvious. “So, you just walk up to random tourists, start pitching zoo alternatives, and introduce yourself? Because that definitely sounds like something the CEO of a multinational conglomerate would do.”
“Nope, first time,” Tommy admitted, hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels with an easy grin. He had to admit; Cole’s sarcasm was fair; it wasn’t exactly normal behavior. “Want to grab lunch?”
Lana’s face lit up. “Yes, please, we’d love -”
“Lana!” Cole hissed, cutting her off with a sharp look. “Look, man, we’re not interested in a swinger thing or some orgy, so…” He slid a hand to Lana’s lower back. “Thanks for the offer, but we’ll pass.”
Nissa raised an eyebrow and gave Tommy a look that said, this is why we needed a plan. As Cole guided his wife away, Tommy ignored her, chuckling softly.
“Yeah, no, that’s not what I had in mind,” he said, amused. “I wanted to offer you a job.”
Cole froze, his shoulders tensing before he turned back around, scanning the area with a soldier’s precision.
His gaze stopped on Thorn, sitting on a nearby bench, eating an ice cream cone like he didn’t have a care in the world.
The moment their eyes met, Thorn grinned and stood, tossing his cone in a nearby garbage can as he made his way over to them.
“So, this wasn’t a chance meeting,” Cole said, eyes narrowing as he looked back at Tommy. “How’d you find us?”
“No, not exactly,” Tommy admitted, still impressed that Cole had spotted Thorn so quickly. “And really? I own one of the biggest tech companies in the world. How do you think I found you?”
Cole groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as he looked at his wife. “This is why I told you to delete your social media,” he muttered, half-affectionate, half-exasperated. Lana looked properly abashed by his admonishment and tucked her phone back into her pocket quickly.
“Alright,” he sighed, turning back to Tommy. “Since you went through all this trouble to track us down on our honeymoon, what kind of job?”
Tommy’s grin turned sheepish, he’d forgotten they were on their honeymoon in his excitement.
“Honestly, I would’ve flown to Kentucky to talk to you.
This was just a lucky coincidence that you happened to be in town.
” Cole raised an eyebrow and Tommy hurriedly continued, not wanting him to walk away before he got a chance to give him the job pitch.
“But that’s beside the point, let’s grab lunch, and we’ll fill you in. ”
Cole studied him for a long moment, then sighed and looked at Lana, who gave a small nod of encouragement. “Fine,” he said finally. “But if this turns weird, we’re out.”
“Fair enough,” Tommy said easily, slipping his hands back into his pockets. “I know a place not far from here.”
**********
Within thirty minutes they were being shown into a private room at Marea.
On the walk from the zoo, Tommy had kept the conversation light, asking where they’d been, whether he was interrupting any plans, and promising to get them to the Statue of Liberty before it closed when Lana mentioned it was the only thing left on their list.
Once their first course arrived, Tommy steered the conversation back toward the job offer.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I recently started a new company, Sloane Consulting and Security Services.
We provide security guards and surveillance systems to businesses, and supply bodyguards for VIPs. ”
“I did hear something about that,” Cole admitted, starting in on his sogliola, which he’d ordered after Tommy assured him lunch was on him.
“A few guys from the vet groups have mentioned applying for positions.” He glanced between Tommy and Thorn.
“None of them mentioned being approached, though. I’m pretty sure it would’ve come up if Tommy Sloane reached out personally. ”
“Thorn’s in charge of all that,” Tommy said, sipping his wine. “Doing a great job, too. We’re in high demand, especially the bodyguard division.”
Cole laughed. “What makes you think I want to protect spoiled rich people? Or is that why I got special treatment? You figured you’d recruit me face-to-face?”
“I have got plenty of former military applying,” Thorn said, leaning back and folding his arms, clearly unimpressed by Cole’s tone. “I am not so hard up I need to chase them down and beg.”
“And yet your boss is wining and dining me and my wife hoping I’ll take a job,” Cole shot back. After a beat, he tilted his head. “You don’t want me for bodyguard work, do you? Need another trainer or something?”
“That would be part of it, yes,” Tommy said, pushing his plate aside.
No point in pretending. Thorn had been sure the former Green Beret wouldn’t walk away once he heard the details.
“But there’s another side to the business,” Tommy continued, keeping his tone light and conversational.
“We’re putting together a small team.” He studied Cole over the rim of his glass. “Have you heard of grey ops?”
That got Cole’s attention. His fork stilled, shoulders straightening. “Grey ops?” He looked at his wife, whose hazel eyes were suddenly filled with wariness. “As in mercenaries - soldiers for hire?”
“Something like that,” Tommy said with a faint smile. “But all official and legal.” He paused, then added, “Well, legal-ish, anyway. We’ve been quietly looking for people who’d be a good fit,” Tommy continued, nodding toward Thorn and Nissa. “And we think you’re one of them.”
Cole leaned back, folding his arms. “What would a job entail?”
“Nothing you haven’t done before,” Tommy said easily.
“You’d work alone or with a partner. The entire operation would be yours to plan, start to finish, with full access to Sloane resources.
” Interest flickered in Cole’s expression, but Tommy knew it wasn’t him he had to win over.
He turned his attention to Lana, who was frowning down at her plate, looking like she wished she’d never spoken to them at the zoo.
“We’re also looking for an executive assistant to help Nissa,” Tommy said lightly. “She’s Director of Strategic Operations, but like Thorn, she’ll be in the field sometimes.”
“You’re offering us both jobs?” Lana’s head snapped up, eyes wide as she looked between Tommy and Nissa. “Just like that?”
“With signing and relocation bonuses, and temporary housing until you find a place, yes,” Tommy said with a nod. “Plus, competitive salaries, performance bonuses for Cole, full health coverage, and company benefits. All standard for Sloane Enterprises employees, no matter the division.”
Cole and Lana exchanged a look before Cole sighed. “That all sounds great, but the reason I left the Army was so we could start a family. I don’t want to be gone all the time anymore.”
Nissa laid her hand over Tommy’s, giving him a warning glance before she spoke.
“While we can’t predict everything,” she said calmly, “you’ll be home more than you’re away.
Most operations are short, research is done while you plan your op, then in and out quickly.
Ideally a less than a week, two at most, unless extensive on-ground recon is needed. ”
“And in between jobs, you’ll be training the bodyguards and security personnel which keeps your employment legit,” Tommy said.
He noticed Lana still wasn’t completely convinced and smiled.
“Did I mention one of the perks of working for Sloane Enterprises is a full year of paid maternity or paternity leave?”
He saw her hand go to Cole’s knee under the table and knew he had her. “Really?” she asked, glancing at Cole. “And there’s no limit on how many times someone can take it?”
“I mean, no.” Tommy frowned slightly. “But ideally there’d be at least a year between leaves, not just because it wouldn’t be very financially responsible for my company, but because I’m pretty sure it’s not medically recommended to have kids back-to-back.”
Lana let out a soft giggle. “I don’t plan to, but I do want three or four kids.”
“Oh. Yeah, then no, there’s no limit.” Tommy shook his head, amused. Three or four kids seemed excessive to him, but then again, he was an only child. “There’s also an on-site daycare for employees with both drop-in and long-term options.”
Cole took a slow breath, running a hand through his short, sandy-brown hair before glancing at his wife.
“So, just to make sure I’ve got this right; you want to hire me as a grey operative, training your bodyguards and security teams between assignments and you want to hire Lana as an executive assistant for Nissa.
We’d get signing and relocation bonuses, free room and board until we find a place to live, and you’ll help us find that place? ”
“Correct,” Tommy said, swirling the wine in his glass.
“This division’s still new, and I’m taking my time finding people I trust, people I want to work for me.
I want this team to be the absolute best. I’m keeping it small and elite, no more than six or eight of you.
” He smiled faintly. “You have a way of fading into the background despite your size, which is impressive. Not to mention, you clocked Thorn in the park and come highly recommended by your former COs.”
Cole and Lana shared another look and this time she nodded, smiling broadly. “You know, I was just telling him I’d love to live in New York City.”
Cole chuckled and held his hand out to Tommy. “Looks like we’re in.”