Chapter 20 – Drake
DRAKE
My shirt clung to my chest, sweat dripping down my face. I removed a handkerchief from my suit pocket and dabbed at my forehead. The New Mexico heat was like a sucker punch to the face. Trapped in the desert, I missed Connecticut and the icy breeze that flew off the bay.
I couldn’t wait to go home.
Tate stood beside me as people applauded my presentation at Tech Wars. I knocked it out of the park, impressing the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps with Lovelace’s technology. Dozens of my competitors displayed their weapons, but none were on the same level as Battle Industries.
As I approached the water cooler, Tate nudged my arm with his elbow. “You killed it, brother. Battle Industries is coming out on top.”
Tate was not only my half-brother but my best friend. Even on my darkest days, he was the light at the end of the tunnel. He was the only person other than Olivia who made me feel whole.
“Our dad would’ve had another heart attack if he’d seen what I did with his company. He never approved of my techniques. He called my ideas science fiction and said they would never work.”
Tate slid a hand through his sweaty dark hair and laughed. “You proved him wrong.”
“Yeah. I sure did.”
He poured water from a jug into two cups and handed one to me.
“I’m glad he’s gone. I know that sounds shitty, but he didn’t give a damn about me when I was alive.
He waited until he was dead to burden you with a half-brother you never knew existed.
We could’ve grown up together. You could’ve had siblings, and I wouldn’t have had to live in bullshit foster homes or on the streets. ”
I gulped down my water and filled the cup again. “The only good thing he ever did was leave me that letter.”
“I’m glad he did. These have been the best five years of my life.”
We rarely had heart-to-heart moments or discussed our father, but after riding out the high and excitement of a successful demonstration, we were both overcome with emotion.
“I’m ready to get out of here,” I said, wiping more sweat from my brow. “When is our convoy leaving?”
Tate shoved up his shirtsleeve and checked his watch. “Twenty minutes.”
I pointed at the tent to our right. “Let’s get out of the heat.”
We took cover under the tent and found an open bench. I stripped off my suit jacket and rolled up my sleeves. Already feeling ten pounds lighter, I fanned myself with my hand.
Tate passed me a water bottle from the cooler. “Here, bro. You need to cool down.”
I held the bottle to my head and let the beads of perspiration drip down my face. The water felt good, but the feeling didn’t last long. Within minutes, the water was warm.
Someone sat beside me, shifting the bench. I turned to my left, not at all surprised to see the owner of Titan Tech, Mark Ruben.
Just what I need.
For the past two years, Mark had done everything in his power to get his hands on Lovelace. He offered billions of dollars, sent professional whores to my workplace, and even tried to entice me by dangling special editions of my favorite comic books in front of my face like a carrot.
“Drake.” Mark raised a bottle of water as if toasting to me. “Great presentation. You killed it out there.”
“Thanks, Mark.”
I glanced at Tate, giving him a look that said Get him away from me.
He smirked and whispered, “Play nice. He won’t bite.”
I rolled my eyes.
Mark had been breathing down my neck for the past year, offering me everything under the sun to get his hands on Lovelace. My deal with the government didn’t grant them exclusive rights to my algorithm, nor did it prevent me from leasing the technology to other companies.
Mark tapped my forearm. “Think we can meet later to talk about Lovelace? I have a proposal for you that’s too good to pass up.”
“She’s not for sale.”
I never intended to let anyone get their hands on her.
Lovelace was my baby, my pride and joy. She was more than a piece of software.
If the board of directors at Battle Industries hadn’t forced my hand, I would have kept her to myself.
And now that everyone knew what she could do, including terrorist groups like The Lucaya Group, I wished I’d never shown her to anyone.
“I saw the press release,” Mark said, leaning into my shoulder. “That’s why I came here today. It’s not a done deal. You have time to reconsider my offer.”
“I’m signing the contract when I return home,” I said to get him off my back. “And like I’ve told you before, I’m not interested in granting you the exclusive rights to Lovelace.”
Mark sneered, his nostrils flaring. “I always get what I want. We’re not done.”
He rose from the bench, face twisted in disgust, and stormed out of the tent. His words left me with a strange feeling deep in my gut. Something always rubbed me the wrong way with Mark.
The son of an oil tycoon, he started Titan Tech with his father’s money but lacked the skills to back it up.
Battle Industries was successful because I modernized my family’s manufacturing company.
My father thought producing guns and basic weapons was enough to keep us on the map.
But before I took over, Battle Industries rarely made headlines.
It was a multibillion-dollar company that quietly operated in the background.
Sometimes, I wondered if I should have stayed under the radar. If I hadn’t made a big splash with Lovelace and my new weapons, none of the people I loved would have been in danger.
“That was interesting,” Tate commented after Mark was long gone. “He never gives up.”
“Nope. He won’t stop until he gets his hands on Lovelace.”
“There’s something off about him. I’ve always felt it. He’ll do anything to get access to Lovelace.”
“When we get back to the house, I want you to put surveillance on Mark, his homes, his company, and his associates.”
Twenty minutes later, I was ready to pass out from heat exhaustion when two soldiers entered the tent behind General Shafer.
The general extended his hand. “Mr. Battle. We’re looking forward to using Lovelace. That was one hell of a show you put on for us.”
I stood and shook his hand. “Thanks, General.”
“Your convoy is ready to go.” He tipped his head at the man on his right. “Follow Major Smith. He’ll make sure you get back to your car.”
None of the people competing in Tech Wars could drive themselves to the launch point. We were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by burnt-orange rocks and sand.
Two men guided us to a Humvee. The four of us climbed inside and drove down a dirt road that seemed endless. The military vehicle didn’t have air conditioning. And with the windows rolled down, dirt and sand blew in through the windows.
Our chaperones didn’t speak or even move. They sat ramrod straight, staring out the windows.
My cell phone dinged with a new message from Olivia, and my heart raced in anticipation as I opened it.
Olivia
When will you be home?
Drake
In about six hours, if we don’t have any delays.
Olivia
I have a surprise for you.
Drake
Can I get a sneak peek?
Olivia sent a topless picture of herself. I tilted the phone to the side, keeping it away from Tate’s line of sight.
Drake
You’re so sexy, baby. Can’t wait to see you.
Olivia
I’ll be waiting for you just like this.
Tate started side-eyeing me, so I typed out a final text.
Drake
Gotta go. I’ll see you soon.
I stuffed the phone into my pocket, and Tate tapped my arm.
“Who was that?”
“Liv.”
“What did she want?”
“Asking for an update on when we’ll be home.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, giving me a look that said I know you’re lying, Battle.
The Humvee took a sharp turn, knocking my shoulder into the door. I grabbed the seat to steady myself, but the bumpy ride continued.
“Sir, we have company,” the driver shouted, sounding unnerved.
The motionless men across from us turned around. One spoke to the driver while the other listened. Over the road noise, I couldn’t hear much of their conversation. We took another sharp turn down an even more desolate road, headed in the wrong direction.
“Major, what’s going on?” I asked.
“Nothing to worry about. Just making a detour.”
“Why?”
“Unidentified vehicles are blocking our way out. Just hang tight. We’ll get you back to your car shortly.”
Tate shifted his weight and leaned into me. “I don’t like this.”
I nodded in agreement.
All day, I had a strange feeling about coming here. We were exposed, vulnerable without our own vehicle or security team. I could only bring Tate with me.
“Hold on,” the driver said, swerving to the right, tilting the vehicle ever so slightly.
As the Humvee gained speed, I peeked out the window and spotted oncoming vehicles. Four armored black SUVs built to withstand just about anything. They were almost as indestructible as the Humvee.
“Battle King,” Tate whispered to me, a worried look in his eyes. “Do it now.”
“What? No.”
“We’re about to be taken, Drake. Do it.”
Four SUVs approached from all sides. Any second, we would collide. I’d prepared Cole for this very moment. He would know what to do when Lovelace put my homes and offices on lockdown.
I raised my watch to my mouth and tapped a button on the face. “Lovelace, initiate Battle King protocol.”
Those were the last words I spoke before four SUVs smashed into us on all sides, sending the Humvee flying across the desert.