Page 7 of Logan

Leading them inside, he waved them toward the large, informal living room and then turned, saying, “I’ll get coffee.”

The soft sound of wheels met his ears, and he looked down at the woman in the wheelchair with a tray fitted to the arms filled with coffee mugs. At a glance, he noted she had the exact number of mugs needed, including for the two men coming from the bunkhouse. He could never figure out how she managed to be a step ahead of him at all times. Lifting his gaze, he caught the frustrated expression aimed at the back of her head, coming from the man walking behind her with another tray of coffee fixings.

Focusing his attention on the woman, Logan said, “Mary, you don’t have to serve?—”

“I’m here. Coffee’s here. Not much of a hardship to bring it in.”

He clamped his mouth shut, having learned that Mary did things her way, and they were usually right. He stepped to theside and watched Bert set his tray down and then turned to take the tray from Mary’s wheelchair.

He turned and watched as Mace and company all came to their feet when Mary entered. Logan said, “I’d like to introduce you to Mary Smithwick. She’s local. She served in the Army and worked logistics for a colonel I know and trust his recommendation. She’s agreed to work support for LSI here, was available, and is already taking charge of most things around here… including me.”

Mary shot him a glare, then turned to the other men, shaking their hands with introductions.

“And this is Bert Tomlinson. He’s former Navy who worked support for my team’s SEAL missions, and he has agreed to work support for LSI here. He’s in charge of the physical compound, equipment, and weapons.”

The front door opened, and the two men from the bunkhouse entered the room. They glanced at Logan, who nodded and then turned to the gathering. “Sisco and Devil are two comrades from my former SEAL team who have also agreed to become Keepers… Sisco Aguilar and Jim Devlin.”

Mary and Bert left the room, and as they all sat down, Mace continued the more in-depth introductions.

“Carson and I flew in with some of the men who have made it to the interview portion of the recruiting process you have in place. These three also have our recommendation. Of course, you have the final say. It’s your team, and the fit has to be right. I know you already have your hiring system in place. Take time with each of them to discover what works for you.”

For the next several hours, while Sisco and Devil showed Mace and Carson around, he interviewed the three men, one at a time. The experience was a bit unnerving… in the Navy, he had no say over his team members.

As a new LSI partner, he’d easily reached out to Sisco and Devlin, and once they’d heard what he had to offer, both were in. Mary and Bert had also been easy employees to choose, and their acceptance was filled with his gratitude. He’d talked with quite a few who hadn’t made the final cut. Some were more interested in seeking adventure, and a few gave off an angry, aggressive vibe that would have spilled over to the other Keepers or even their missions.

Now, he sat opposite exceptional men with impeccable backgrounds and experience. He’d already studied their résumés and had a video chat with each of them, but face-to-face was different.

He should have known that Mace and Carson would not have recommended prospects if they didn’t already know they were a fit.

Cole Iverson was a current Keeper with Mace in Maine. He was also a pilot, serving with the Air Force Special Operations. When Logan talked with him, he discovered that Cole loved the work he did for Mace and the camaraderie of the other Keepers, but he’d been raised in North Dakota, so Maine never felt like home. Logan realized Cole’s experience would be invaluable as they got LSIMT off the ground.

Logan bonded quickly with former SEAL Frazier Dolby but was surprised to hear that Frazier’s youngest brother worked for Carson in California. “You didn’t mention this before.”

“No, sir. I wanted to be considered on my own merit, not the fact that my brother works for Carson.”

“And you don’t want to work in California with your brother?”

Frazier smiled and shook his head. “Jonathan is already established out there and loves the California life. Me? I’m interested in making my own mark after the Navy and don’t mind being landlocked while I do it.” He then lifted a brow andadded, “You might as well know that there’s another brother. Dalton is the middle one and currently a Marine. He just might show up on your doorstep sometime.”

Logan chuckled. There was a time when anyone showing up on his doorstep would have made him twitchy, but in the past two years, he’d learned that he never knew who might appear. “It’d be fine if he did.”

Next was Todd Blake. Career Marine. RECON. The man didn’t smile much, but then Logan had spent his career with few smiles, so he understood Todd’s demeanor. He also had no problem realizing the qualities that Todd would bring to the missions, but his connection to LSI won the day. His brother had been Army Delta and now worked for Mace. His sister had been in the Army and then recruited by the CIA. She now worked for Carson, and ws married to another of LSI West Coast Keepers.

By the end of the interviews, Logan had no problem agreeing to hire Cole, Frazier, and Todd. They acknowledged that they’d be ready to assist with the continued building of the company as soon as Logan could use them. With a firm handshake, he said, “I can use you now, so welcome to LSI Montana.”

5

EIGHT MONTHS AGO

“Boss?”

Logan, still not used to the term, looked up as Todd approached him. He had been buried in paperwork, which he loathed, until Mary pushed him to the side and insisted it was for her to deal with. He’d almost argued, but then Bert just walked past and said, “Leave it to her. It’ll be done faster and, no offense, but probably more accurately.”

Logan wasn’t offended and had to agree. Now, he watched Todd approach.

“There’s a woman here to see you. Sadie Hargrove. Says she’s expected.”

Logan winced at his oversight, then nodded. “Yeah. Damn, I lost track of time. Show her to the outer office. I’ll be right there.” Todd dipped his chin and walked back out. In the past six months, the core group Logan had hired had been invaluable, saving him from deciding that he’d made a major error in agreeing to start an LSI.

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