Page 4 of Sworn to Lead

She shook her head and straightened her shoulders. “I was born in Ireland but came to America with my grandmother when I was a teenager. She passed on my eighteenth birthday.” A shiver raced down her spine. Every so often, she’d wake up with a scream caught in her throat, the sheets tangled like manacles around her ankles, and sweat seeping from her pores. The incidents that led her to America were no longer part of her life. A locked door that remained deadbolted and sealed off.

“Damn. I’m sorry.”

“It was a long time ago.” That was the truth, but she still pined for the scent of fresh dough and floured countertops. She missed walking along the shoreline and collecting shells. Of lavender peppered hugs and baskets of yarn by the couch.

He stared at her a moment longer. “To answer your question, I intend to care for Jacob by giving him everything he needs to thrive. An easily accessible environment—a one-story home, or I can get us a condo for the time being. If it doesn’t have the necessary ramps, my team and I can build them. I’m going to get him enrolled in school. Hire a fantastic nurse.”

God, that hurt.

“Brynn.” He waited until she met his gaze. “I mean you. I want you to come to Virginia with us if you’re willing. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Jacob has what he needs, but you’re right—I don’t know what he requires and I’m not exactly what you’d call nurturing, although I’ll try. I need you to guide me. I’ll cover your relocation costs and double whatever my mother was paying you—starting with the months she still owes you.”

“I’d never ask you to—”

“Didn’t have to, sweetheart.” There was a pang in her heart. No one had ever called her that before. “A lesser person would’ve buckled under the financial pressure our mother put you under. That stops now. Listen, I know what I’m asking is too much. Know it’s unfair, but I’m selfish. I need your insight, but more than that, Jacob needs you. There’s love there. I see that. Something I would never want to tear apart. Sleep on it. Please.”

“I don’t need to sleep on it. Jacob’s the only family I have, and he’s like a son to me. I’ll go where he goes and help you with what you need.”

“Thank fuck. I’ll never leave you to struggle like my mother did. You have no idea how grateful I am. What are the chances I can convince you to come back to the hotel with me?”

He must’ve caught her disapproving look because he cleared his throat and continued. “I’ll reserve additional rooms. I’d feel better if you both had a safe place to stay the night. And that’s not me trying to be a dick and say this place isn’t good enough. It’s not safe. That simple.”

“Jacob’s medical equipment is here.”

“I can move it. Anything you need, I’ll load up. I can come back and pick up anything that can wait for the morning.”

God, how she wanted to get out of here. She hadn’t slept a whole night since they came to the apartment. The couple above them was constantly screaming, fighting. The police had been called more than once. Mostly by her. The locks were so flimsy that she’d installed a dead bolt of her own. She glanced at the man across from her. Good looks could be deceptive, but his words weren’t sugarcoated. He was rough and raw. For some reason, she trusted him more because of it. She looked away, and her cheeks heated. Her sensitive skin, quick to redden when embarrassed or angry, always gave her away.

“I wanna know what turned your cheeks that shade.” His voice was so low that she would’ve missed what he said if they weren’t sitting so close to one another.

Never in a million years. “It’s warm in here.” And it was. The summer months had been stifling without air conditioning in the building. She’d purchased a small air conditioner for Jacob’s room, but it only did so much. Still, the weather wasn’t the reason her cheeks were on fire. Not recognizing this man’s broad chest and sculpted arms was impossible. His face was equally masculine, with a defined jawline and high cheeks. And good grief, she had no reason to look at Jacob’s brother like he was a delicious treat. Especially not if he was going to be her employer.

“All the more reason to come with me to the hotel.”

“Okay.” Her lips moved before her brain caught up to what she’d agreed to. “If they have availability, we’ll come with you.” The contents of her life could be thrown into an oversized garbage bag. The drab couch had come with the apartment, and she’d been sleeping on it to give Jacob the bed. She’d been going through the motions since Jacob’s mother had run off, her gut a twisted knot, exhaustion riding her hard. Maybe this was the fresh start they needed, and while she was still skeptical of Neo, for the first time in a long time, there was hope.

Chapter Three

By the time they made it up to their hotel rooms, Neo had an additional layer of respect for Brynn. When he’d loaded up the medical equipment into Brynn’s run-down van, she patiently explained what each device was for and how often his brother needed it. She’d taught him how lower the accessible ramp on her vehicle, which was in desperate need of updating, and secure Jacob’s wheelchair. Brynn had explained how his brother used total-body communication to interact, but he hadn’t fully understood until he’d observed how she fluidly modified her questions so he could answer with a turn of his head or give one of those brilliant smiles. She made it all look so easy, when it was anything but.

He wanted to do the right thing. To be the man his father never was. To nurture like his mother hadn’t. Watching Brynn, though, with her tender disposition, rocked him back. Honor, courage, and control were qualities he had in spades. Wasn’t sure if he had it in him to truly love, to offer soft words, to develop an emotional connection with anyone outside his team. Shae Godfrey had planted her poisonous words and indifference so goddamn deep, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to extract all of the self-doubt and hurt.

Following Brynn’s lead would help. He’d been prepared to beg and bribe Brynn to relocate to Virginia, but the bond she had with Jacob wouldn’t allow for anything else. He wanted to ask her more about her life in Ireland and her childhood, but she was on overload as it was. Still, she hadn’t mentioned a thing about her parents. Maybe her childhood was similar to his, with the only guiding caretaker a grandparent. Now they were up in Jacob’s room, which was adjacent to his. She insisted she was fine bunking with Jacob, but after months in that shoebox apartment, he wanted her to have a little space to herself. The connecting door would allow her to check in on Jacob during the night if there was a need.

*

“Oh, no.” Brynn’s brows shot up as she looked at the card she’d drawn from the deck. “I’ve been sued to the tune of one hundred thousand. Seems a bit steep.”

“Fork it over.” He growled, and Jacob chuckled. For some reason, his brother seemed to find his brusque tone hilarious. They were all sitting on his brother’s king bed, playing the Game of Life. At first, he’d been extremely uncomfortable playing the board game. He was out of his element and still wasn’t quite sure how to interact with his brother. Learning how to communicate with Jacob was a given, but he’d never been around someone who was nonverbal before, or with so many medical challenges. He didn’t want to screw things up or say the wrong thing. Brynn seamlessly interpreted his expressions and movements. Right now, it seemed impossible to achieve that level of fluid communication during his two-week emergency leave.

Jacob was propped into a sitting position in a sea of pillows, Brynn had her legs crossed beneath her on one side of the bed, and he was lying on his side opposite her with the board game in the middle. On a dramatic sigh, she counted out the colorful bills and passed them over. Her pinkie finger slid against his palm, and the urge to grab her hand and hold it in his was overwhelming. She was anchoring him. Making all the hurdles that lay ahead seem possible. Their eyes met and held. Before long a rosy hue was rising up her delicate cheekbones, which brought him back to the moment in her apartment when her face had suddenly gone ablaze. Had she been thinking of him? Of some inappropriate vision that popped into her head? His skin tingled. There was no denying she was stunning. The combination of black velvet hair and cobalt eyes was arresting. Add in the mix of sweet determination that he’d witnessed from her in the past few hours and he was damn impressed.

“All right, you’re up, Jacob.” Brynn held up one of his brother’s hands and put the dice in his palm. “Tell me when you’re ready to roll.” His brother let out a sound that was between a whoop and a delighted cry, casting his beautiful stare in Brynn’s direction. Just because his brother didn’t articulate with words didn’t mean he couldn’t communicate. He used his smile, his eyes, a turn of his head to share what was on his mind. Brynn shook Jacob’s hand and helped him toss the dice on the bed. “Ten spots. Good roll.” She counted out the spaces and inched Jacob’s car forward. “Ah, of course the legendary luck continues. You’ve hit payday.”

What could only be described as a satisfied smirk quirked his brother’s cheek. “How much does a secret agent make again?” Neo asked about Jacob’s choice of careers.

“Seventy-five thousand.” Brynn collected the rogue dice off the comforter. Since they’d walked into the lobby of the hotel, Brynn’s whole demeanor had relaxed. It was clear she’d been worried sick over Jacob, her finances, and their living conditions. Still, she’d pushed forward. He was more than happy to step in and shoulder some of the weight. They were now both of his responsibility. He wasn’t sure if Brynn even knew how much he needed her right now.

He counted out the money from the bank and placed it in Jacob’s pile, which was rapidly expanding. He did seem to have a stroke of luck with this game. They played for another hour, and when they tallied up their money after repaying their loans, Jacob came out on top. The kid looked very pleased with himself. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such an enjoyable night or a time when he sat down and played a game other than cards with his teammates, and even that was rare.

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