Page 6 of Sworn to Lead

“The commander’s nephew is a real estate agent. I’ll get in touch. I’ll need to do some digging on the vehicle.”

“Appreciate it.”

When they disconnected, he glanced at the time on his phone. Nine o’clock. After everything Brynn had been through the last few months, she needed rest. If there was something he could do to ease some of her stress, he’d do it in a heartbeat, but he didn’t want to overstep or scare her. Not that he had the first idea how to care for Jacob’s needs yet, but he’d learn. That she’d stay with Jacob after repeatedly not getting paid said a lot about her as a person and just how much Jacob meant to her. Maybe he didn’t know some of the other details about his brother’s nurse, but what he’d seen impressed the hell out of him. He didn’t trust easily, and after enduring dangerous missions he was most secure when he was in control. Having faith in another person outside his team usually left the fine hairs on the back of his neck standing up and his heart beating out of his chest, and in this situation he really was a fish out of water. Needing someone was a completely new experience, but he was lucky it was Brynn. The respect was there already, and if he made a mistake, she’d call him on it. Now, he just needed to figure out how to be a good brother, make the legal guardianship of Jacob official, find a living space that would meet everyone’s needs, and put a dozen other things in motion so his brother would have everything he needed. Despite the stress of his two-week timeframe, he was looking forward to getting to know his brother better. Being a positive role model in Jacob’s life was a mission he refused to fail.

Chapter Four

Money spoke. Or ties to a family with old money did. That was Brynn’s takeaway from their meeting at the lawyer’s office as they stepped from the opulent building and into the rainy New England day. Jacob’s mother might’ve squandered her inheritance, but between the fancy hotel they were staying in and how appointments just happened to become available for him, she was beginning to realize he’d probably been a bit smarter about his money than his mother. Neo having money didn’t necessarily bother her—it meant that Jacob would be supported and she would get paid—but it did feel as though they were on very different playing fields. She gripped the handles of Jacob’s wheelchair more tightly. She didn’t like having someone else’s power held over her, and sometimes she forgot that not everyone would use their status or wealth to sway others. Right now, she was glad for the sounds of the city, because her bare feet were currently squelching inside her sneakers with every puddle she couldn’t dodge.

Neo slowed as they neared a crosswalk and hit the pedestrian button. They waited silently as thick droplets slid into her hair, prickling her scalp and making her shiver. For summer, it was a brisk day, and they were close to Boston Harbor. She’d refused Neo’s jacket. He’d even taken it off and insisted she wear it, but she wouldn’t put it on. Accepting lodging and food before she was officially under his employment didn’t sit well with her, but leaving Jacob and going back to the apartment wasn’t an option. Taking the jacket off of Neo’s back when it was pouring wasn’t going to happen. The pedestrian walk sign began to flash, and Neo stepped out onto the street first, scanning the road before helping her guide the wheelchair over the slight ridge of the sloped curb. Jacob was bundled beneath his own rain jacket. The green material billowed around his chair, keeping him nice and warm.

“Where are we going?” They had walked in the direction of the parking garage, but instead, he turned toward a storefront and pulled open the glass door.

“We need to stop in here.” Neo held open the door and waited expectantly. A trio of business professionals walked briskly down the sidewalk, skirting around her and Jacob. Moving out of their way would’ve been the nice thing to do, but her feet were glued to the pavement.

“In a women’s boutique?” Her heartbeat quickened.

“Please come out of the rain.” There was a pleading note in his eyes that made her step forward, sliding Jacob’s wheelchair onto the tile floor. Beads of water from his cloak and her soaked shoes left little puddles on the floor.

“Look, we’re making a mess.” She gestured at the floor around her feet. “Someone might slip, and—”

“Oh, don’t worry about it.” Brynn hadn’t noticed the salesperson approaching with a rolled-up mat. “I should’ve put this thing out hours ago.” She offered a bright, carefree smile. Her face was unlined and unblemished, maybe a college student from one of the many universities in the city. “What are you coming in for today?”

“Nothing.” Her voice was clipped, and she instantly regretted her tone when the girl’s expression wavered with confusion.

“Everything,” Neo said in an equally strong voice. “My friend needs some essentials.” The girl’s gaze went from her to Neo and back again.

She raised her chin. “If you have a need for a skirt or lacy panties, go ahead and take your time. Jacob and I will be here.”

“How about I give you two a minute?” The girl flashed her an apologetic grin and scurried toward the register.

Her ribs were tight, making it difficult to fill her lungs. “If you’re here to buy yourself or a girlfriend something, fine. But if you’re thinking of buying me clothes as some sort of charity, I don’t need them.” She skirted around to the front of Jacob’s chair. “I need a minute to discuss something with your brother. We’re going to step to the side, but we’ll be here.” She searched her phone for music by one of Jacob’s favorite artists, left the phone in the travel bag attached to the wheelchair, and ushered Neo a few feet away.

The moment they were far enough from Jacob, Neo started laying in. “My mother failed to pay you for months. You sold your things to provide for Jacob. Please, let me replace some of the necessary items you’ve gotten rid of to help support my brother. This is not charity. Not even close.” Neo stood solidly, feet planted wide. He was a man used to getting his way.

“I’m not comfortable with that.” She tried to mirror his strong stance. “If I buy something, it’s going to be with my money. The feeling of being indebted to you is not how I want to begin this working relationship.”

His expression softened. “That’s just it,” he said, taking a step closer. “Right now, I’m indebted to you. There are things you absolutely need. I know you prepared for the day and researched the weather because you have my brother bundled in his raincoat, hat, and sweatshirt. You’re wearing a T-shirt, jeans, and shoes that have breaks in the material. You packed your belongings in one bag. I’m not saying this to put you down. Please don’t take it that way. I just want you to be comfortable, and that means having the basics you need to protect you from the elements.”

“The equity between us is more important to me than material things. Let’s stop this silliness and get back to the hotel. I imagine there are still many loose strings to tie up before the move to Virginia.” Brynn started to turn, ready to take Jacob and go back into the rain. The prominent goose bumps up and down her arms weren’t helping her argument. She was cold and wet, but soon she’d have a steady paycheck and buy a new pair of sneakers and some sweatshirts. Being uncomfortable for one day was nothing in the grand scheme of things.

“So, it doesn’t sound like trust or help comes easy for either of us.” Neo’s low words stopped her. “But I’m not trying to give you things so you feel indebted to me. I’m investing in the most important healthcare professional in Jacob’s life. If you don’t have what you need, if you get trench foot from walking through the rain or sick because you’re forgoing food to pay for things my brother needs, there’ll be no one to take care of Jacob.” He sighed and raked his hands through his hair. “Don’t you realize that I need you more than you need anything I could offer you? That’s hard as fuck for me to accept. Needing someone. You having more control than I do. If anything, you hold the power in this relationship, Brynn. Not me. If it makes you feel better, I’ll deduct the cost of the clothes from the four months’ pay my mother failed to provide.”

Her resolve wavered for the first time. He really wanted to do what was right. Maybe it was his military training or maybe he just had a high code of honor, but he was determined to carry out his mission. Neo might not see it that way, but she suspected that’s how he thought of them—that it was his duty to care for Jacob, and in turn, her as well. “I don’t want you to be responsible for your mother’s debt. I’m happy to have a steady job and be with Jacob, okay?”

He squinted slightly, eyes lit with amusement. “Shit you’re stubborn.” A ghost of a smile flitted across his lips.

“Better that you get used to it now.” Thank God her voice stayed steady when she was feeling anything but. She was trying not to notice how his eyes crinkled at the corners or the slightly mischievous smirk on his face.

He cleared his throat and schooled his expression. “Right, well, can we make some kind of deal here?”

Finally, they were getting somewhere. “We start fresh. You let go of the guilt of your mother not paying me and I’ll accept a few items.”

He put his hands on his hips. “Three months’ pay, clothes and shoes, plus I get to take you and Jacob to the aquarium after this.”

She contemplated for a moment, letting the silence hang in the space between them. “Two months, under three hundred dollars’ worth of items, and the aquarium, because Jacob loves it.”

“Damn, woman. You could have a career as a lawyer or an arbitrator. Fine.” He held out his hand, and Brynn shook it, quickly letting go when a spark tingled up her arm.

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