Chapter 10
Bear grabbed a bottle of water from the small conference room fridge and looked over at him. “How’s your mom, Moose? Got a plan yet?”
The question hit harder than he expected, and memories flew through his mind like a rocket ship—raw and burning with anger at how Nancy had been treated like less than human, scarred by cruel words he could never forget.
He recalled trying to protect her as a kid, building a refuge in that cave far from judgment and pain.
Through it all, her music was the first true sign that she was more than what others saw—a truth the town missed but the doctors recognized.
Moose tightened his jaw, determination burning in his chest. After all she’d endured, he wanted to give her a chance to live on her own terms, in peace. He pictured her at Mountain View Farms, far from Banner’s noise, surrounded by people who saw her brilliance and where her music could flourish.
This was his chance to build her a sanctuary filled with acceptance and calm. He refused to let the past define her. She deserved that much, and he was ready to fight for it.
“I want to bring her here, to Mountain View Farms, to live with me and the team. But I’m not sure how you guys would feel about that.” His voice wavered slightly; he wasn’t used to being so vulnerable.
Before he could say more, Bear exchanged a quick glance with Link, then gave Moose a firm nod. “To be expected, Moose. We’re ready for it.”
Link shrugged with a small smile. “Yeah, you’re family. We wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve already thought about how we can help make sure she’s comfortable.”
Sipping his water, Bear led them towards the basement.
“We’ve made a few changes since you were last here,” he said, punching in the security code to get through the first door—a heavy steel barrier designed to withstand significant force.
Moose followed closely, noting the heightened security that surrounded them.
This was a far cry from the home he first visited, a necessary upgrade given the nature of their work.
The atmosphere felt different now, more fortified.
Link stepped forward, scanning his eye on the retinal scanner to open the second door. Moose raised an eyebrow at the advanced technology, surprised by the extra layer of security.
Bear noticed his reaction and chuckled. “We added that because our kids are too damn smart and figured out the code. With our armory down here, we couldn’t risk their curiosity.”
As the second door swung open, Moose stepped into the basement.
The warm, cozy farmhouse atmosphere gave way to a more utilitarian environment.
Steel-reinforced walls met cool, slightly sterile air.
Shelves lined the room, stocked with everything from tactical gear to high-tech surveillance systems.
In one corner stood a secure armory, firearms and ammunition meticulously organized and locked away.
Moose felt a mix of pride and unease stirring within him.
His team was no stranger to danger; they had faced hostile missions overseas, where every moment demanded vigilance and precision.
But this was different. Now, their mission was protecting their home, their families—the people they loved most—from threats that lurked too close to heart.
The security measures were vital, a necessary shield, yet they also served as a stark reminder that the battles they fought had shifted from distant battlefields to the very doorstep of their lives.
This basement was more than a workspace; it was the operations hub for the Blue Ridge Protectors.
Monitors displayed live feeds from cameras scattered around the property, while a large table was cluttered with maps and case files.
It was clear Bear and Link had been hard at work, preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Moose whistled low, grinning as he took it all in. “Well, would you look at this—Mission Control Central. Link, you built your own personal playground!”
Bear cracked a small smile but kept his steady tone. “We’re doing what needs to be done. Hank and Swede helped outfit the armory and electronics. Their support makes this possible.”
Link flicked a few switches and pulled up some feeds, eyes bright behind his glasses. “If only I could automate my coffee, this place would be perfect.”
Moose laughed. “You’d rig the coffee maker to a drone or something, huh?”
“Already coded the prototype,” Link said without missing a beat.
Moose’s grin faded a little as he looked at Link. “Well, since you’re the resident brainiac; think you could dig up some info on someone for me?”
Link’s face lit up. “You know I’m all about the data dive. Hit me.”
Bear’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Is this about your mom? What’s going on?”
Moose rubbed the back of his neck. “Uncle Jim went and hired this young woman off the street to help with Mom. Like, she was literally homeless before that. I don’t know. I’m just nervous about the whole thing.”
Link softened his tone, nodding thoughtfully. “Totally get it. You want to vet her, make sure she’s not a psycho.”
“Bingo,” Moose said, half-joking. “No offense to homeless folks, but it’s sketchy, yanno?”
Moose rattled off what Jim had told him. “Her name is Elena Robertson. She’s in her early twenties—I think he mentioned she’s from Detroit.”
Bear gave a firm nod, his voice steady and reassuring. “Smart move. Link will run her.”
“Thanks, guys,” Moose said, feeling a weight lift off his chest. “All I want is to know my mom’s safe and that Elena’s really there to help, not cause trouble.”
“Consider it done,” Link replied, already swiveling to his multi-screen setup. Moose appreciated the support. The Brotherhood, whether in or out of the Navy, even when things got messy, he wasn’t in it alone.
The rapid clatter of Link’s fingers hitting keys and mouse clicks filled the room as he dug through databases with laser focus. Bear leaned in, pulling three thick file folders from his stack and dropping them on the table in front of Moose.
“Here,” Bear said, nodding toward the folders. “Hank sent over a batch of recently separated operators looking for gigs. I picked out three candidates I want you to check out.”
Moose flipped open the first file. “Who we looking at?”
“First one’s Sergeant First Class Maya ‘Viper’ Reynolds, an Army Ranger with a solid combat record in multiple deployments.
Second and third are SEALs—Lieutenant Jason ‘Jax’ Monroe and Chief Petty Officer Eli ‘Shadow’ Torres.
You and I actually crossed paths with Jax and Shadow during service,” Bear added, watching Moose’s expression closely.
Moose scanned the details, tabs marked with medal citations and mission briefs. “Reynolds has grit—solid Ranger pedigree. Jax… I remember him from that joint operation in the Med. Good guy to have at your back. And Shadow—his rep precedes him; a ghost in the field.”
Bear nodded. “Thought you’d recognize them. Wanted your take before we reach out.”
Moose nodded as he flipped through the files, a slow grin spreading across his face.
“Any gal who makes it through Ranger school is damn solid. Viper, she’s a no-nonsense operator.
” He looked up at Bear, giving a firm thumbs-up.
“Jax and Shadow, we know their reputations. Sharp, reliable, and battle-tested. They’re the real deal. ”
He tapped the folders lightly. “I’m good with these three. Let’s do it.”
Moose glanced at Bear, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. “But why are you asking me? I’m not even sure when I’ll be able to link up with you all—Navy’s still dragging me through the wringer, trying to sort out my orders.”
Bear laughed, a low, easy sound. “Well, you know Hank’s connections. He’s given me his word that you won’t have to report back to Norfolk. And you’ll retire with a solid fifteen years under your belt.”
Moose shook his head in disbelief, eyes wide. “Damn, that man is good.”
Before he could say more, Link’s fingers paused briefly, then resumed their rapid tapping. Suddenly, he grinned and exclaimed, “Ding ding ding—we have a winner!” His eyes flicked between monitors as data streamed in. “Okay, pulling up Elena’s files… Got her records loaded. Let’s parse this out.”
“Chicken dinner?” Bear added with a laugh.
Moose leaned in, intrigued. “So? What’s the verdict?”
“Hold your horses.” Link grinned, running a few scans and filters. But then his smile faded as he dug deeper into the logs.
Moose rolled his eyes, “Y’all have really gone to the farm…chickens and horses!”
“Alright… this just went sideways. Elena’s not just some random off the street. She’s a witness in a Detroit gang shooting.”
Moose’s stomach tightened. “Wait, seriously?”
“Yeah,” Link said, voice low and serious now. “She got caught in the crossfire—bad luck, wrong place, wrong time. Now she’s got some serious heat on her. That’s probably why she ended up homeless.”
Moose ran a hand through his hair, the tension weighing heavily on him. “Damn… I was hoping she was just a nice homeless kid.”
Link pulled up Elena’s photo on the screen, her face sharp and clear on the monitor. Bear stepped closer, eyes narrowing as he stared at the image. “So this is something that could put everyone in danger.”
“Exactly,” Link agreed firmly. “If this is true, bringing her into your mom’s home could bring trouble knocking.”
Moose stared at the picture on the computer screen, and a sudden zing shot through his heart, an unexpected sharp pang of attraction.
It caught him off guard. She was striking, but another reality hit him just as quickly.
She was nearly twelve years younger than him.
The thought stirred a mix of emotions—concern, protectiveness, and something deeper he wasn’t ready to name.
His lungs seemed to forget how to breathe for a moment, leaving him stunned by the complexity of his feelings.