Chapter 3
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay while I’m gone?” Caitlyn asked her father as he drove her to the airport in Charlotte.
“I’ll have to be. I’m sorry you thought twice about accepting this great work opportunity.” He rubbed his neck. “I don’t mean to drag you down. I just worry.”
Caitlyn’s stomach muscles knotted. He hadn’t mentioned her mother, but he was thinking of her.
Yes, they’d caught Caitlyn’s at a fairly early stage which, by itself, was unusual.
But ovarian cancer was linked to other forms of cancer, so she had a higher risk of developing it in other parts of her body.
“I’ll take extra special care of myself. Noah and I have already brainstormed a bunch of ideas I’m really excited to discuss with the rest of the team.” She’d been nervous about meeting with him one-on-one, but he’d acted professionally, if a little stiff, which had encouraged her.
“I just worry about you,” her father said, pulling her from her thoughts. She reached over and squeezed his hand.
“I’m looking forward to doing something besides think about the cancer.”
“You’re right.” He grimaced. “This’ll be good for you.”
“Dr. Dean said she’s really encouraged with my progress, and she thinks this trip will help both of us.” Caitlyn gave his shoulder a playful push. “You need to get a life again too.”
Her father let out a big breath. “It’s not just cancer I’m worried about in New York.”
“Dad...”
“I know. You said there will be a bodyguard, but he’ll be along for the owners, not you interns.”
“Focus on yourself for a change and try not to worry about me, okay? I’m twenty-one years old.” Caitlyn gave him the stern look he’d used on her when she was little. “Repeat after me: I will get a life.”
Her father shot her a flat look but, at her firm gaze, he repeated the words.
“Thank you.” She leaned against the headrest. “You’re going to expect me to give you an accounting of what I’m doing to take care of myself. Well, you’ll have to do the same for me.” When he started to shake his head, she raised a finger. “If it’s fair for me to do it, it’s even more fair for you.”
“You’re so like your mother.” He chuckled, pulling up to the airport’s passenger drop-off.
Caitlyn was glad he could make the comparison and smile, but whenever he said those words, she could only hope she wasn’t too much like her mother.
“There’s Joe, the bodyguard.” She pointed to the tall black man wearing a suit, despite the warmth of the June morning. She recognized the new intern, Max, standing nearby, watching with interest as people drove up. “And there’s Zoe hugging her parents. Nothing can be bad if she’s there.”
“If you say so. Well, I guess it’s time.” Caitlyn’s father popped the trunk and hopped out of the car to get her suitcase.
Zoe was now waving farewell to her parents, who’d pulled away from the curb.
“You go ahead,” Dad said. “I’ll bring this.”
“I’m so glad to see you.” Zoe gave Caitlyn a fierce hug before stepping aside and pushing up her horn-rimmed glasses. “I’m scared to death to go to New York City. It’s so big. Aren’t you terrified?”
“No, I’m excited.” And Caitlyn was.
A familiar truck took the spot a few spaces away. She backed up, trying to figure out if it was fifty feet. She almost hoped Keven had broken the restraining order. But why was he there?
Then she noticed Noah and Finn inside the truck. Of course, their brutal friend would be the one to drive them here.
Keven had gotten out and looked her way. The corner of his mouth curled up in a sneer, and then her father stepped up behind her. Keven hurried to the back of the truck to help pull out the luggage.
“You never said he was coming,” Dad said, his tone soft but menacing.
“He’s not coming.” Caitlyn turned her back so she couldn’t see the truck and its passengers. “He’s just giving Noah a ride. They used to be roommates, and I guess they’re still friends.”
“If this Noah has the same hitting ways as his friend—”
“Please don’t make a scene.” Caitlyn threw her arms around her dad’s neck and hugged him. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’m Joe Brooks,” the big bodyguard said, approaching them.
Joe gave the girls a nod of greeting but handed Caitlyn’s father a business card.
“I’m over security for this trip. You can contact me at any time if you have questions.
I’ll take your bag, Caitlyn.” He grabbed the handle of her suitcase and said to Zoe, “I’ll get yours too.
” Before she could say anything, he’d taken hers.
“He’s quite efficient and forthright,” Caitlyn’s father said.
“He was sure watching both you and Keven just now,” Zoe whispered to Caitlyn.
“We didn’t even talk to each other.”
Zoe shrugged. A tinge of worry made Caitlyn queasy. Did the bodyguard have other responsibilities, like keeping an eye on the team leaders to make sure they didn’t mess up their assignments?
“Thanks for giving us a ride,” Noah said to Keven while Finn pulled their bags from the back of the truck.
“I was hoping to see the company jet I’ve heard about.
” Keven scanned the crowd and frowned as though he’d tasted something foul.
“Watch out for that Caitlyn though. The little liar will do anything she can to get you into trouble.” Muttering a vulgar term, he spun around, away from Caitlyn, apparently interested in the people on the other side of the truck.
Noah glanced in her direction, startled at the intense expression on the face of the older man beside her. He looked angry and... protective as he glared at Keven. Of course, a father would believe his daughter, even if what she claimed was a lie.
“Well, thanks again for the ride. See you.” Noah grabbed his bag, and he and Finn went over to where Joe and the others were gathering.
“Any sign of the new guy you mentioned?” Finn checked out the other travelers being dropped off.
“Savage?” Noah didn’t want to appear to be looking at Caitlyn, so he tried to do it only from the corner of his eye. “He’s meeting us in New York since he’s coming from Washington state. ‘Tis times like these that drive home how big this country is.”
“Hey, ‘tis Max.” Finn strode over to him. They’d been working in the same department for the last six months.
“Where are Sona and Kayn?” Noah asked Joe.
“They’re already on the plane.”
“You’re really a bodyguard?” Zoe asked, looking up at the big man.
“I am.” Joe gave her a kind smile. “What’s your major?”
While they talked, Noah tried to remember what he’d read about Zoe. They’d worked in the same department last fall, but because of their class schedules, they had interacted little. All he could recall was that she was an art student and quiet.
Trying to think like a leader, Noah decided they would need to consider ways to make sure the quiet ones didn’t get overlooked. Since Caitlyn was friends with Zoe, she might have some insight. He’d been impressed with the list Caitlyn had presented for their in-person meeting.
By the time they made it through security for private jet passengers, Noah had gradually shifted closer to her. He knew what the interior of the REKD Gaming jet looked like, having traveled on it several times, and hoped to sit near her so they could talk.
“Wow,” Caitlyn said. “I thought it was going to be a small plane like a Cessna or something.”
Noah had to hide a smirk that she’d think they could all travel in something so small.
“That’s why it took all four of us to buy it together in order to afford it,” Kayn Rafferty said from the top of the stairs. “Welcome to the first unofficial,” he made air quotes. “REKD Gaming pre-retreat retreat.” He then motioned for them to board.
Before Noah could step behind Caitlyn, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and had to look up before meeting Joe’s dark eyes.
“I would like to talk with you for a second, away from the others,” the big man said.
“Sure. Have I done something wrong?” Noah asked, searching his mind.
“Not yet.”
Noah blinked. “Not yet? I’m guessing you’re thinking I will.”
“You have dynamics going on with this team which could cause you some problems, yes.” Joe looked toward the plane, and Noah followed his gaze. Caitlyn was passing by a window.
“I’ve been pleasant and business-like to her,” Noah growled, defensive.
“And you’ve finally stopped making faces at her.”
“‘Twasn’t my fault. Sona surprised me in the meeting, ‘tis all,” Noah said, his face warming. “I haven’t done it since. I’m sorry you noticed. I hope she didn’t.”
“It was unprofessional. I’m glad you realize that.” Joe’s attention had gone back to the plane again, his expression curious. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Noah skipped up the steps, the word unprofessional ringing in his mind.