33. Chapter 33 Freddy
Chapter 33: Freddy
A couple weeks later, Freddy’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, his eyes unfocused as he stared at the screens before him. The latest tech developments at Taylor Industries blinked and scrolled, but his mind wandered to the dark warehouse where he’d been held captive just days ago. He shuddered, pushing the memory away.
His phone buzzed, startling him out of his reverie. Gabe’s name flashed on the screen. Freddy’s brow furrowed as he answered, “Hey, what’s up?”
“Freddy, I’m coming home,” Gabe’s voice crackled through the speaker, urgent and determined.
“What? Why?” Freddy sat up straighter, suddenly alert.
“I’m taking over physical security for Taylor Industries,” Gabe declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. “After what happened to you... I can’t sit back anymore.”
Freddy’s heart raced. The conviction in his brother’s voice was unmistakable. “Gabe, are you sure about this? What about your career?”
“This is my career now,” Gabe replied firmly. “Our family needs me. You need me. I should’ve been there to protect you.”
Freddy swallowed hard, emotions welling up inside him. He’d always felt invisible to his family, but here was Gabe, ready to upend his life for them. “I... I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Gabe assured him. “I’ve already made up my mind. I’ll be there in a week.”
As the call ended, Freddy leaned back in his chair, his mind reeling. A mix of excitement and apprehension swirled within him. The thought of having his brother back home stirred up warm memories of their childhood, but he couldn’t shake the nagging worry about how their father and Patrick would react to this sudden decision.
He ran a hand through his shaggy hair, sighing heavily. Nathan had always been protective of the company’s operations, and Patrick took his role as CEO seriously. Would they see the urgency behind Gabe’s choice? Or would they view it as an unnecessary overreaction?
The soft click of the door opening pulled Freddy from his thoughts. Sabrina entered, her brow furrowed with concern.
“Everything okay?” she asked, moving to stand beside him.
Freddy nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, just got off the phone with Gabe. He’s coming home.”
Sabrina’s eyes widened, a flicker of relief passing across her face. “Really? That’s great news!”
Her reaction eased some of Freddy’s tension. Seeing the hope in Sabrina’s eyes reassured him that they would face whatever came next together. Still, a shadow of doubt lingered as he contemplated the potential clash of wills when all the brothers were back on the same mountain.
“I just hope it brings us closer together,” Freddy murmured, more to himself than to Sabrina.
She squeezed his shoulder gently. “It will. Your family is stronger than you think.”
Freddy nodded, turning back to the screens before him. Change was on the horizon, and with Gabe’s support, he felt ready for the challenges it might bring.