Page 2 of Last Resort

Clinton chuckled into his coffee while Sheila pointed at Luke with her fork. “I appreciate that you enjoy my cooking, but you’ll eat with some manners at my table.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Luke said, throwing Chance a wink when she wasn’t looking. He laughed under his breath.

“So, movie?” Brax asked.

Chance thought about the cash he’d squirreled away doing odd jobs over the summer. Mowing lawns and whatever side jobs he could get here. He liked having money saved in case he needed it for something.

He did the math in his head. The movie would take a bit of it, but he’d still have plenty left over if he needed to buy new clothes or school supplies once he went back to the group home.

“We’re paying for everything, and you could use an afternoon out,” Clinton said. “You should go, Chance.”

Sheila smiled kindly. “Go be a kid for a change.”

Chance wasn’t sure he’d ever felt like a kid. There was always too much that needed to be done. Too many people who needed taking care of. Too many bad things to plan for in case they happened.

And in Chance’s experience, the bad things always happened.

But he was smart. He knew saying no now would be upsetting to everyone. So he nodded at his foster family. “Okay. A movie sounds good.”

The other boys high-fived and started talking about what they would see. Sheila and Clinton smiled at each other.

Chance took another bite of his pancake.

He’d have a good time and enjoy the movie. But despite the happy faces around him, he still knew the truth.

The only one he could rely on was himself.

Chapter One

Abrupt knocking startled Chance Patterson into spilling hot coffee across the back of his hand as he poured it into his mug. He muttered a curse. This wasn’t how he’d wanted to start his Monday morning.

The San Antonio Security office—the company Chance had started with his brothers five years ago—didn’t open for another hour. He’d come in early in hopes of getting some time to work without interruptions. Obviously, that wasn’t going to happen.

Throwing a towel over the puddle on the counter, he pulled out his phone, swiping to look at the doorbell camera.

On the office’s stoop stood a man dressed in a suit, carrying a briefcase. Thanks to the HD camera, Chance could see him clearly enough despite the early morning’s naturally low light. He had a medium build and was middle-aged and somewhat pale—not unusual for someone who worked in an office full-time.

“May I help you?” Instead of going to greet the man, Chance used the microphone feature on the doorbell. Security Business 101 was not to open the door to just anyone, regardless of how official they looked.

“Is this one of the Patterson brothers?” The man’s voice was clipped and his words concise. Like he was used to only saying what he needed to and not a single word more.

“It is, but we don’t open for another hour. If you want to come back then—”

“I can’t,” he said stiffly, not at all bothered by cutting Chance off or speaking through the microphone. “I’m here as a proxy for someone who wants to hire your services. To whom am I speaking?”

“Chance Patterson. Look, have your employer call us, and we can schedule a time to talk.”

“I can’t do that either. My employer is busy, and the issue is incredibly time sensitive.”

Chance barely refrained from pointing out that he was busy too. He ran his burned hand under some cool water at the sink next to him, while pouring a new mug of coffee with the other. “Who is your employer?”

“I can’t provide that information until you’ve signed a nondisclosure agreement.” He waved a manila folder in front of the camera. “His need for privacy is very real, which you will understand if you sign. For now, I can tell you that my name is Benjamin Torres and that your business came highly recommended to my employer by Leo Delacruz. Once you sign the NDA, I can provide further info.”

Chance turned the water off and dried his hand. Leo Delacruz was basically extended family at this point. The man had hired San Antonio Security—specifically Chance’s brother Weston—to guard his daughter, Kayleigh, to protect her when a merger got dangerous a few months ago.

Leo was a well-known Texas businessman and associated with a lot of people, so knowing he’d recommended their company didn’t narrow down who Benjamin worked for.

The man didn’t shuffle or fidget in the silence while Chance thought this through. He came across as not impatient, but efficient. He had things to do and needed his answer.

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