Page 9 of Sworn to Lead

“I’m happy to jump in where I can, even if it’s just running last-minute errands or hanging out with Jacob while you get things squared away. My teammates are researching available housing close to the base. That’s one of the things I wanted to discuss with you. My apartment isn’t a good bet long-term, and I want to purchase permanent housing. You rented an apartment for two out of necessity, but you also mentioned living in the carriage house. What is your ideal situation? A condo or home of your own or staying in the same location as Jacob?”

Her cheeks flamed again, and his fingers itched to draw the pad of his thumb down the side of her face. “What are you thinking?”

“That I’m stupid not to consider that you may have a girlfriend or wife who wouldn’t want another woman constantly in her personal space. If that’s the case, I can live off-site. Part of my arrangement with your mother was twenty-four-hour availability. She didn’t have time to see to a child. Her addiction didn’t allow for it. My room and board were part of the contract.” She drew her legs up again, tucking them beneath her.

“What about days off?”

“At first, there was a block of time on Saturday when I would leave. I thought your mother wanted to spend time with her son. When I discovered she wasn’t even visiting the carriage house, I started taking him with me everywhere. Taking care of Jacob is no hardship, Neo.”

He scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m not going to be a deadbeat brother. If I’m on US soil I intend to spend as much time with Jacob as I possibly can. If you want weekends off or need to do something during the week, so long as I’m stateside, it’s not going to be a problem. I want to learn how to take care of my brother’s medical needs, too, and I know my teammates will have my back on that. When I’m deployed, though, I won’t be able to tell you where I’ll be or how long I’ll be gone. I might only have a few hours’ notice before I’m on an airplane. Those are the times I’ll need to make sure Jacob is covered around the clock. I’ll leave it up to you whether you’d like to hire additional nurses. I have no doubt you’ll vet them. And to answer your question, there’s no way I’d be in your room this late if I had a woman.”

The air between them charged with electricity. Oh yes, there was chemistry between them. She’d charmed him with her terrible singing voice and spontaneous dance moves the second he laid eyes on her. With each passing hour he liked her more and more. She was the worst person he could develop feelings for. Jacob needed her. Hell, he needed her, and he wasn’t going to do anything to drive her away.

Chapter Six

Brynn had slept like a rock. Something she hadn’t thought possible after Neo left last night. He’d electrified her space when he passed the threshold and entered her room. A shiver of pleasure had feathered down her spine when he told her if he had a woman, he wouldn’t be in her bedroom. Those words made her curious in ways she shouldn’t be. Having his full attention on her alone was an intense experience, but having him in close proximity in the hotel room? Total sensory overload. With his invigorating scent in her nostrils, she’d suggested they regroup to discuss things in the morning. She couldn’t help replaying the moment in her head. Thinking about him as anything other than her employer was wrong—he was Jacob’s brother.

She woke this morning to a text from Neo. He’d left the hotel early to square away the apartment lease with her landlord, saying he’d meet them for breakfast in the hotel restaurant after he was finished. She’d meant what she said last night, though: she fully intended to pay the rent and she was fine with that. Another text had come in to let her know he was headed her way and was about ten minutes out. She liked how considerate he was. Instead of feeling smothered, it was nice to have someone care enough to send updates so she could plan accordingly. For what seemed like the hundredth time she chastised herself for letting her mind speculate about the kind of man he was rather than the kind of employer. Her relationship with Jacob and her livelihood depended on her ability to remain objective.

“Excited to see your brother this morning?” she asked as she backed Jacob’s wheelchair onto the elevator. He turned his head toward her and smiled. Those big grins never failed to add an extra shot of sunlight to her day. She pressed the lobby button. Last night, at dinner, they’d talked to him about why they’d left the apartment and the plan to go with Neo back to his base, Fort Lorrie, in Virginia. They also told him about his mother’s car accident. He was subdued for a while but then returned to his jovial disposition. His mother had spent so little time with him that she was virtually a stranger to the teen. The elevator pinged when they reached the lobby, and the doors slid open. She wheeled Jacob out and scanned the space. Chaise longues and oversized armchairs were spread beneath cascades of crystal from two chandeliers at the entrance. She’d never stayed in a hotel this luxurious. Her gaze landed on a man with straight dark hair sitting in an emerald crushed velvet chair with his nose buried in a newspaper. She stiffened. Her pulse kicked up a notch. No. Could it be him? She took one hesitant step back, then another. A tremor shook her hand as she reached for the buttons outside the elevator before her name echoed across the room.

“Brynn, Jacob!” Neo waved and began jogging in their direction. She looked back at the emerald chair, but the only thing sitting there was the discarded newspaper. A tendril of fear unfurled in her chest.

As Neo approached, his expression hardened. He greeted them both before his eyes narrowed. “Is everything okay? You looked startled.”

“No, I’m fine. I thought I saw someone I knew, but it wasn’t anyone. I’m probably just hungry.” Now that Neo was with them, her stomach muscles relaxed, and she let out a quiet exhalation. She had just met Neo, but she couldn’t deny he made her feel safe, which was strange because she didn’t trust many people.

“Well, let’s get you something to eat.” They walked up to the restaurant, and the host brought them to a table, taking a seat away to make room for Jacob’s wheelchair.

“What’ll be this morning?” She grinned at Jacob, who was already eyeing her with rapt attention. He always chose scrambled eggs, but to be sure, she gave him options. “Pancakes?” Jacob stayed still, looking straight ahead. “Okay, not pancakes. Oatmeal?” He gave an exaggerated sigh.

“Geez, buddy. Tell us how you really feel.” Neo’s chuckle was a deep rumble that wrapped around her and sent flutters dancing through her stomach. A sound she would happily get lost in and one she was going to try to elicit at every opportunity.

“Omelet?” Now Jacob was chuckling, too. “French toast?” His body shook, and a tear streamed down his cheek. “All right, all right. Scrambled eggs and cheese?” Jacob turned his head to tell her yes, still wheezing with laughter, those bright eyes crinkling with humor.

“That laugh, man.” Neo shook his head. “Nothing better.” Their waitress brought over coffee, tea, and juice, and Brynn took a packet from her purse and began mixing it in Jacob’s apple juice.

“What’s that?” Neo leaned forward and slid his chair closer to Jacob.

“We add this to all of Jacob’s liquids to thicken them. Swallowing can be challenging and sometimes dangerous. If his drinks aren’t the consistency of honey, he could aspirate, which can cause pneumonia.”

Neo sat silently for a moment, studying her as she fixed the drink. “There’s so much I don’t know. I could hurt him unintentionally without even realizing it,” he whispered.

“You’ll learn. I can make a chart to put on the refrigerator.” She could feel heat tingling along her cheeks. The way she said it made it seem intimate like they would be sharing the same spaces all the time. She really needed to get a grip. Her life had been wrought with enough insecurities—her safety, a place to belong, rejection. Those were the reasons she chose to be alone. Independence was the safest option. As long as she made smart choices and maintained a steady income, she’d never have to depend on anyone again.

“I’m happy you’re coming home with me. You won’t regret it.” Now that sounded quite intimate, too, whether he realized it or not.

The waitress came back to the table and set down their plates. She had a sweet tooth and ordered the stuffed French toast, which was basically a dessert for breakfast. Cream cheese and strawberries were layered between sugar-dusted slices of bread piled high with whipped cream. She’d been surprised when Neo ordered the same thing before remembering he told her about the name Ransom and the chocolate chip cookies. She took turns taking bites of her French toast and helping Jacob eat his eggs.

“Can I try?” Neo placed down his fork and scooted his chair closer to Jacob.

“Of course.” She passed him the spoon and busied herself with her own breakfast.

“Okay, Jacob. I’m going to give it a try. Won’t be as good as Brynn here, but you’ll let me know if I’m doing it wrong, yeah?”

Happiness fizzed to life within her, bubbling and bright, affirming her decision to make this drastic move to Virginia. This was Jacob’s chance to get to know his brother. She wanted that for him. The connection was already there, their eyes shining with appreciation. Whether he knew it or not, Neo was already comfortable interacting with Jacob. He picked up his subtle communication skills as if he’d known him for months, not days. Many people looked at Jacob and only saw what was on the surface, but those who took the time to interact with him learned that just because he couldn’t verbalize his thoughts didn’t mean he couldn’t communicate them. Because Jacob could only control his movements from the neck up, he used his eyes, smile, or a turn of his head to indicate what he wanted. Before she’d pulled him out of school, the special education department was researching other ways that Jacob might be able to communicate through the use of adaptive or assistive technology. That was something she was eager to see through in Virginia.

Neo spooned up some eggs, fumbling the utensil and dropping a bit onto the table. “Haven’t made it to your mouth and already spilling.” A peal of laughter ripped from Jacob. “Hey, now. Cut me some slack here.” It took Neo more than a few tries to get the hang of it, but he kept trying and didn’t get discouraged or upset.

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