Finnegan (Shadow Warriors #4)

CHAPTER ONE

Finnegan Jordan knew that he would always be number three amongst his siblings. It wasn’t that his parents, friends, or family liked him third best. It wasn’t that he was the third best looking. It wasn’t even that he was third in intelligence, fitness, or kindness.

It was that nothing was going to rush Finnegan.

Nothing. He took his time. Thought things through carefully.

His mother joked that he watched his two brothers go into the world and laid back, waiting to see if they returned with a message to stay put.

He did eventually make his appearance with a little coaxing but he did so quietly and without fanfare.

While Quinn and River were screaming their displeasure at the lights, sounds, cold, and faces, he was calm and quiet, taking it all in.

That was how Finn, as he was known to friends and family, approached life. No noise, no fanfare, no brooding emotions moving up and down the spectrum. He was large, quiet, handsome, and generally standing behind his two brothers giving them the support they needed.

He supported them at school and in sports. With Quinn and River both pitchers on the baseball team, he was the catcher, saving their wild pitches. While they were quarterback and running back, he was the defensive back on the football team, stopping the opposing team from scoring.

When the triplets made the decision to pursue their dreams of becoming Navy SEALs, Finn was ready for the challenge and willing to do whatever it took to make it happen. He had only one requirement.

“I want to be on the same team as my brothers,” he told command.

“Son, we can’t guarantee that,” he said with a sly grin.

“Sure you can,” said Finn quietly. “My grandfather was on the same team as his brother. My father was on the same team as his brother. Now, I’d like to be on the same team as my brothers. That’s the deal.”

“The deal? Son, you misunderstand how this process works. We tell you what team you’re going to be on.”

“That is true, sir. But we both know that getting Special Forces operators who are trained as well as my brothers and I, is rare. We’re not asking for favors because of our ancestry. We’re asking that you place us on a team, together, that will form one of the strongest teams you’ve ever had.”

Finn just stared down into the eyes of command. He didn’t let on that command’s boss was standing behind him, because he obviously was too focused on trying to push Finn around to hear the older man.

“You listen to me you little fuck. I know your cocky father and his brother. I know your whole damn family and what they do. I know they all think that the sun rises with them, and the moon sets with them. They believe they have the ear of the POTUS and every other fucking dignitary in the world.

“I don’t give a shit. You go where I tell you,” he said as his face turned an unnatural shade of red.

“Actually,” said the deep baritone voice. “I tell you where they go and where you go.”

He immediately stood straighter, his shoulders back as he turned, rolling his eyes the entire time.

“Sir!” he said giving a crisp salute.

“Don’t fucking salute me inside the building.

I’ve told you it’s not necessary. The way you spoke to this man is unacceptable.

You clearly have a problem with the Jordan family and my guess is it’s because they refused to interview you for their company.

See, I know a few things as well and I know a few people as well. I know exactly why you’re pissed off.”

Finn went wide-eyed, then looked at his commander. Now he understood. He was pissed because someone deemed him not good enough. That said more to Finn than anything in the world.

“Sir, I didn’t interview. I was curious and put out some feelers,” he said.

“Feelers which got back to me about your unhappiness with the way the SEAL teams are selected. I don’t like when people talk about us behind my back. If you don’t have the balls to speak to me directly, maybe you’re in the wrong business.”

He said nothing, unsure of what to say. Admiral Robinson turned to Finn and grinned.

“You’re right. Putting the three of you together would make a team damn near unstoppable. You understand the risks, right? You understand that it makes you a moving target, especially being identical to one another? Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”

“Yes, sir. And my parents understand the risks, and rewards, as well. This is what we want. We work better when we’re together and we have that weird triplet thing where a look speaks volumes.”

“I’m familiar with that multiples thing,” laughed the older man. He turned to the commander and jerked his head. “You. Meet me in my office.”

The man turned and left, not even saying a word to Finn.

“I don’t want to get him in trouble,” said Finn. “But he sure didn’t seem to want to listen to me or anything I had to say. I couldn’t figure out why he was pissed. Quinn, River, and I were the top of the class.”

“Don’t worry about him. He’s already in trouble. Harassed a couple of recruits before they even stepped in the door. Accused of harassment by a few women in the DEVGRU operations team. I won’t put up with that bullshit. He’ll be moved to another role of lesser importance and watched. Like a hawk.”

“I understand, admiral. Thank you for stepping in. I didn’t want to fight for this but I would have.”

“I know, son,” he said grabbing his arm. “Come with me. I want to talk to you.”

“Have I done something wrong? Don’t you need to go see the commander?”

“You’ve done nothing wrong and that little shit can wait. Finn, you said something back there that’s very true. You and your brothers are like having a whole team by yourselves. But you need to know something.

“I’ve watched all of you. I’ve watched your training, I’ve watched you go through BUDs, I’ve seen hell-week. I’m impressed as all fuck with the three of you. You’ve been trained by the best in the world, and I don’t mean just here.”

“Thank you, sir,” he said nodding.

“You and your brothers are something else. Smarter, stronger, faster, greater emotional intelligence. You guys are the whole package wrapped up in three men. But. I would rank you first with your brothers.”

Finn stopped cold, unable to move as he looked at the older man, shaking his head.

“No. I mean, no sir. My brothers are always up front. Not me. I’m happy to stay in the background for support.”

“Son, you are up front and you don’t even know it. Finn, there are so many things that go into making a great SEAL. Strength, power, intelligence, emotional intelligence, a calm demeanor, and so much more. You possess all of that and something that’s very hard to teach.”

“What’s that, sir?” he asked genuinely unsure of what the man was going to tell him.

“You, Finn, possess the ability, in a split second, to assess a situation, calmly weigh the options and always choose the right one. And do you know why you do that?”

“Because that’s what I was taught, sir.”

“No, son. It’s because you have the ability, somehow, someway, to slow down your response, your amygdala’s fight or flight response, assess what’s happening around you, and in a split second make a decision that’s right for everyone involved.”

Finn just stared at the man unsure of what to say. He never really thought about any of that. His decision-making process was simple. How do I minimize loss of life? How do I ensure my brothers are safe? And how do I secure this mission?

“I don’t think I do that intentionally,” he said. Admiral Robinson chuckled, continuing his walk down the hall.

“No. You don’t do it intentionally like someone told or taught you to do it.

That’s what makes you amazing, Finn. You do it out of instinct.

I can’t teach that. You either have it or you don’t.

Now, don’t get me wrong, your brothers possess it as well.

But you? You’re on a level like I’ve never seen before.

You’re going to do amazing things for the SEAL teams and for our country. ”

“Thank you, sir,” he said shaking the older man’s hand. “Should I worry about the commander trying to come for me or my brothers?”

“Nope. He’s about to feel the steel toe of my boot straight up his ass and then he’s on his way to the coldest outpost this side of Siberia.

If I could get him to Siberia, I would. He’ll be retiring soon enough,” he said with a wink.

Finn tried not to laugh but he did. When he turned around, his brothers were waiting for him at the end of the hallway.

“Well?” asked Quinn.

“We’re on the same team,” he smiled.

“We know that,” said River punching his upper arm. “We’re here, Finn. Just like Dad and the others. We’re here in Coronado.”

Finn just smiled at his brothers, nodding his head. He didn’t care where they would be stationed. They were serving together and he could keep an eye on his brothers.

Until then, he’d do what he does best. Watch.