Hadley Chapter 7

The past two days had been decidedly frosty at home. Well, only when it came to me and Griffin. Anytime we met, I made sure to keep our conversations brief, to the point, and strictly business. Yeah, I was still pissed over how he’d asked what he did in front of Dad and the others, but more so that he obviously thought I was a slut. The knowledge hurt, and I didn’t know why. Who was he that I should care what he thought of me? No one.

He attempted to apologize, but I waved him away. Our interactions were stilted at best. Thankfully, I could relax with the others. It was them I spent time with as they put the guards through their various training sessions. So far, I’d only watched, but I was itching to join them. It was obvious the Patriots were extremely skilled.

I had really good instructors over the years, but I knew I could learn even more from these guys. Dad saw how upset I was. He tried to talk to me about it, but I just couldn’t do it. Instead, I assured him I was fine. I knew he didn’t believe me, but he let it go.

Another thing that sucked was Rockwell. As expected, when he found out he was no longer my main personal bodyguard, he’d been super upset. He ranted about it and demanded to know why. I wasn’t there when they told him. They thought it was best if I wasn’t. I got the story secondhand from Beau and Heath.

Those two became the ones I spent the most time with, and I found them to be friendly and good company. Sure, Heath liked to flirt a bit, but I didn’t take it seriously, and he didn’t go too far. It was kinda nice to feel attractive, if I was honest. Beau was like having an older brother. All the guys were attractive and to see any of them was a treat for the eyes. I had to admire their looks and physiques, but much to my chagrin, only one captivated me, and it was Griffin, the asshole.

Anytime I caught him working with the men, I had to stop and watch, although I made sure he didn’t see me. In order to avoid more discomfort over my infatuation with him, I stopped going to the gym in the mornings. I was working out late at night. Lucky for me, Sanders and Ortiz didn’t seem to mind, and they would join me sometimes.

Today, I had to talk with Dad and then the Patriots. I needed him to back what I was going to tell them. There was no way I could get out of this. It was too vital. I knocked on his study door. If he wasn’t in his bedroom or the dining room for a meal, he could be found here, hard at work. He worked too hard. I needed a way to get him to take more breaks. An idea began to form. One that would still keep him safe but would be fun for us.

“Come in,” he answered.

Opening the door, I walked in and came to a halt. Griffin and Mark, or Undertaker, as I’d come to think of and call him, were sitting there with him. I got an expectant look from all three of them.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t know you were busy. I’ll come back later.” I tried to back out of the room, but Dad stopped me.

“No, don’t go. We were just finishing up. Come, sit, and then we can talk. Give us five more minutes,” Dad said as he gestured to an open chair. Knowing I’d look churlish if I left, I closed the door and went to take a seat. Thankfully, it was next to Undertaker. He gave me a lip twitch. I knew that was his version of a smile. I smiled back. I ignored Griffin completely, but I could feel his gaze on me.

“I think today’s schedule sounds good. Is there anything you need that I can provide? Do you need more equipment or anything?” Dad asked them.

“No, we’ve got everything we need. I do want to ask Hadley when she’s planning to join in on the training sessions. She said she wanted to, but my understanding is she’s only been observing them,” Griffin said, bringing attention to me.

Damn him, I knew he was doing it to get me to acknowledge him. Steeling myself, I gave him a calm, blank look. “I decided it’s best if I don’t. I don’t want to make them self-conscious. Beau and Heath have been great at doing things one-on-one with me. I’m more than comfortable with whatever they want to teach me.” I didn’t mean to make it sound sexual, but the way his mouth tightened, I knew it had. Dad was frowning at me, but he didn’t say anything.

“I’d prefer you not to stick to only a couple of us. We all excel in different things, and the more people who evaluate you, the better,” he added.

“Undertaker, would you be willing to evaluate me? I’d be fine with that, too.”

He gave me a slightly amused look. “I wouldn’t mind at all, but I need to discuss it with Wraith. Why don’t we put this on hold? We can talk about it later. We need to get started, and you have something you need to talk to your dad about.”

“You’re right, I do. I’ll catch you later.”

Dad cleared his throat to break the tension. “Well, I think that’s all. Thank you for the briefing. I’ll see you later.”

They got up, knowing they’d been dismissed. They bid him goodbye and me as well. I threw out a casual one. I met Undertaker’s gaze but looked off to the side of Griffin’s face as I said goodbye to him. Once the door closed behind them, Dad called me out.

“Hadley, you need to get over this attitude you have with Griffin! He’s here to help us, and you being a brat toward him isn’t helping anyone. Everyone feels it. Ignoring his offer to help improve your skills is childish. I understand he embarrassed you by asking if there was anyone in your life, but it wasn’t that horrible.”

“It’s not the fact he asked in front of everyone and you! It’s the fact he insinuated there were several men in my life, in whatever capacity, which makes it clear he thinks I’m a slut! I haven’t been in a relationship in four years. I don’t go out having one-night stands or shit. You know what my life revolves around. I felt dirty after he said it. And who is he to think that? So, I decided to avoid any unnecessary interactions. It’s for the best. I’m learning plenty from the others. Can we not talk about it? We have something more important to talk about.”

He studied me for several moments, then sighed. “Fine, we’ll table it for now, but I’m not letting this go. What is it that’s so urgent?”

“I need to go to the office and do a hands-on day. I can’t do any more remotely. It’s crucial I do it, and I have to do it soon.”

He winced. “I was afraid of that. You know they’re not going to like it. They want us here, and I don’t disagree. Out there, there are too many variables they can’t control.”

“Variables to control? You sound more like them every day.” I chuckled.

He grinned at me. “I know. Okay, so we have to convince them you need to go, so we have to tell them why.”

“No, we don’t. There’s no reason for them to know. They have to be like almost everyone else. What I do there isn’t their business. You know it’s better that way,” I warned him.

“Hadley, they can be trusted.”

“Maybe they can, but why tell them? There are only a handful of people who know. If more do, we might not be able to keep it under wraps. It’s best that it continues to be this way, especially now.”

He winced again, then sighed as he nodded. “You’re right. I don’t like it, but we’ll continue as we have. How can we convince them to let you go then?”

“Can you tell them there’s something you have to do there that you can’t do remotely and then say you want to take me along to get me out of the house? Maybe tell them I’m getting stir-crazy. When we get there, we can both go together to where I need to be. They can stay outside. There’s no need for them to stand inside. Tell them it’s top secret or something.”

“I could do that. Ansel and the other board members have been clamoring for a meeting and an update. I could combine that with the work I have to do. I’ll tell them I have to be there to supervise and even be hands-on for a critical part of the project or it won’t progress.”

“Sounds good to me. Can we get them to take us in the next hour or so? I need several hours.”

“I’ll make it happen. You go get ready and let me handle them. I’ll let you know when we’re leaving.”

Jumping to my feet, I rounded his desk and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, Daddy! I love you.”

He smiled at me. “I love you, too. Now, try to forgive Griffin. I don’t think he meant it the way you took it.”

I rolled my eyes but nodded. It was all I could do not to skip out of his office. I was about to be free for a few hours and do something I wanted to do. I rushed to my room to get ready. I had to be dressed for the part.

???

An hour and a half later, we were in the car, on our way to Gerard Industries’ office and research complex. I could barely contain my excitement. The Patriots seemed less thrilled. They all wore grim expressions on their faces, at least the ones who came with us. We not only had half of them, but we had some of our regular guards.

We had Griffin, Undertaker, Beau, Ben, Ortiz, Sanders, Ellis, and Royce with us. I thought it was a bit much, considering there was security at the office. No one could just drive up to the building. They had to stop at a gate with armed guards and be allowed inside. Once visitors got to the building, there were more guards who would check them out and run them through the metal detectors.

When we left our estate, we went out the back way. It wasn’t well known we had a rear exit, which the Patriots liked. They hoped to get us in and out without anyone being wiser. For this reason, we went in their regular vehicles, not ours. I was fine with it, although I thought that having three big SUVs would still attract attention. As we rode along the roads into town, I couldn’t help but be envious of Undertaker. He was riding alongside us on his motorcycle, what I wouldn’t give to be on one of mine.

Dad had hated the idea of me getting on one, let alone learning to ride a motorcycle, but I’d insisted. After several lengthy arguments, he gave in. The only thing I had to do was wait until I was eighteen. I tried to get him to agree when I was sixteen, but he refused. In order to make me as safe as possible, he paid for several different riding instructors, and one had been all about defensive riding. There were never any guarantees when you rode but I felt better knowing what I did.

I was in one SUV with Dad, Ortiz, and Griffin. I would’ve preferred to have Ben or Beau, but I wasn’t that lucky. In car two were Beau, Ellis, and Sanders. They were riding ahead of us. The other car had Ben and Royce and they were behind us. I noticed Griffin and Ortiz were constantly scanning around us and ahead. I caught Griffin looking in the rearview mirror over and over. When he did, he always made sure to hold my gaze if I happened to be looking. I tried to stop glancing at it, but I couldn’t.

I could tell he wasn’t happy with us leaving but, so far, he hadn’t said anything. I knew Dad had to become insistent to get them to take him, and Griffin balked at taking me at all. I didn’t understand why. They had to take men anyway. Besides, I still wasn’t convinced I was the real target.

When they approached the gate, the guards came to attention as they saw three cars and a motorcycle. There were three of them there. I saw them speaking to Beau. They took what I thought were IDs from him. When the main guard walked off, the other two remained alert. They didn’t have their guns drawn, but they seemed tense. I’d never seen them this way before. Sure, they checked people and stuff, but they never acted this way.

I wasn’t sure why they were being so anal. They’d all met the Patriots and knew the other guards. Why the hold-up? “Why’re they holding us up? They know all of us.”

“They were told to check everyone regardless of whether they recognized them or not. It’s good to stay in the habit,” Griffin explained. I guess I could understand that, so I didn’t say anything else.

“Why so impatient? You’re just here to hang out and do whatever since you’re bored at home. I promise we’ll get you to your diversion as soon as possible.” There was a slight bite to his voice. I wanted to tell him the real reason we were here—to make him eat those words—but I didn’t. I pretended I didn’t hear him. Dad gave my hand on the seat between us a squeeze. I squeezed back. My mind was occupied with more important stuff than sparring with Griffin Voss. I had to keep my head clear today.

Eventually, Beau’s car entered, and we were up next. They did greet Dad and me, but we still had to give them our IDs. It was a good five to seven minutes before we were all through and headed to our private parking. There was a private elevator, which we could take directly to our offices rather than going through the main lobby. They were all for us doing that.

Dad entered the code at the elevator and we all got in. Thank goodness it was a spacious one. Ten of us were still a squeeze. Just my luck, I was pressed up against Griffin. I tried not to let my body react. His smell was teasing my nose. I think it was his bodywash, but it was this woodsy scent that I found very appealing. His hard body wasn’t doing me any favors either. At one point, I swore his hand caressed my back, but I had to be wrong.

When the door opened, I practically shoved the others out of the way and headed toward the lab. As we went, I made sure to speak so the others would hear us. “Dad, I know you want to go to the lab and work first. I’ll come with you. It’s been a while since I’ve seen what’s happening down there.”

He went with it without missing a beat. “I sure do. Guys, this part is top secret. I can’t allow anyone in there who hasn’t been read into the project. I’m sorry.”

We’d reached the secure door to the lab. Griffin stopped us, of course. “Travis, I can’t let you go in there alone. I have to ensure there’s no risk to you or your daughter. Either one of us needs to be read into the project, or you can’t go in. All my guys have greater than top-secret clearance. I’m sorry. I wish you’d told us this at the house.”

I wanted to growl in frustration. Dad had the authority to determine who to allow access, just as I did, but I didn’t want them, well, him, in there. However, it didn’t look like I had a choice. I sighed. “Let him, Beau, Ben, and Undertaker in. It’s fine,” I told Dad.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

“What the hell is going on? Why are you asking her? In fact, if it’s so top secret, why is she allowed in?” Griffin asked suspiciously.

I turned to look at him. “You’ll see,” was all I told him. Turning back, I punched in the code, then pressed my eye to the retinal scanner as I put my finger on the biometric pad. There was a ding, and the light turned green as the door unlocked. Dad pulled the door open and waved for us to go inside. Not surprisingly, Griffin and Ben entered first, with Beau and Undertaker bringing up the rear.

Inside, they were met by a few startled engineers and scientists. They gave us wide-eyed looks. Dad was quick to greet them and explain who our entourage was. As Dad spoke, Undertaker leaned down to whisper in my ear.

“You have a lot to explain, little missy. You’re not what you want people to think, are you? Why hide it?”

“I don’t exist, do I? It’s for a reason. Although it looks like you guys are about to be let in on the secret,” I whispered back. He gave me an assessing look and then nodded.

The engineers and scientists moved over to say hello to me. They always greeted Dad first, which was only right. It was his company, after all, well, partially. That was something else not for public knowledge.

“It’s good to see you, Hadley. We’ve missed you. We have so much to show you, and we can’t wait to see what you do today,” Grace said excitedly. She was one of the scientists, along with Claire and Levi. The engineers were Nora, Henry, John, and Silas.

“I’m excited to see what you’ve done, too. Let me get changed, and then we’ll get to it. I’ll be right back. I just need to go to the ladies’ locker room,” I informed the guys.

“We need to check it first,” Griffin said sternly.

“Then check it so we can get this show on the road. Dad, I’ll be back.”

I would’ve preferred one of the others to check it out, but it was Griffin. He made me stand outside until he came back. He gave me a puzzled look as I passed him to enter after he said it was clear. I had no doubt he’d stand outside the door and not allow anyone inside until I was done. Inside, I got into my locker and changed into my white antistatic gear. I even had coverings on my shoes and over my hair. Walking out, I saw Griffin’s eyebrows shoot up. I admit, it gave me satisfaction to surprise him. He was in for a lot of those today.

Passing him, I went to Dad, who had gone to change too. We faced the guys. “We have to move into the actual assembly area. It’s kept clean, and you have to wear suits like us. There can’t be unwanted electrical charges or dirt. John, would you take them into the men’s locker room and get them some suits, please?” I asked.

“Sure thing. Come with me, gentlemen.”

“We’ll have to go in pairs. Mr. and Ms. Gerard aren’t to be left unattended,” Griffin informed him. I saw how taken back John was, but he didn’t say anything. As we waited for Beau and Undertaker to come back, I chatted with Claire, Grace, and Silas. It took about ten minutes to get everyone else suited up so we could enter. I was anxious to get the show on the road.

At the next door, we had to scan our prints. Opening the door, once again, two of them went first. It was Undertaker and Ben this time. The rest of us slowly followed them, with Griffin and Beau bringing up the rear. This room was my favorite. It was huge, with lots of space to work on more than one project at a time. The one that was the focus, and we were scrambling to get done, was in the back. When we got to it, I saw the guys’ shock.

The Navy had been working on different guns and new ballistic options. The rail gun was one of those for many years. Our company was currently perfecting long-range, high-velocity, and hypervelocity projectile (HVP) gun-launched options that could be used in a variety of guns and weapons the Navy currently already had on their ships. When this was done, the missile defense and force protection it would give them would be wonderful. That was why the government was so anxious about us completing it.

I didn’t waste time talking to anyone. I climbed up on the raised platform, and Henry handed me my toolbox. I had my own, which no one touched. I opened it and went to work. The seven of them gathered around me to excitedly tell me everything they’d been doing even though we’d had contact every day over FaceTime. I got so lost in the work and what they were telling me that when I raised my head, it was to find three hours had gone by.

Dad had joined in the conversation, but I was the one to do the work. He was now talking to Silas. I groaned as I straightened my back. It cracked as I flexed it. I put my hands back there to try and rub it. I was startled when my hands were pushed out of the way, and big, strong ones took over. I moaned at how good it felt. I glanced back to find Beau rubbing my back.

“Woman, you sure know how to shock the shit outta someone. Why didn’t you tell us you’re a genius inventor or whatever, like your dad?”

“Why did everyone assume I was a useless spoiled snob? God, if you keep rubbing like that, I’ll marry you. What do you say?” I teased him.

He grinned at me. He opened his mouth to smart off, but he was interrupted by a gruff voice. “Beau, I need you to go do a perimeter walk. It’s your turn.”

Beau snapped to attention, and his hands fell away. I wanted to cry. “Sure thing, Wraith. I’ll see you later, Had,” he told me before he walked off.

Ignoring Griffin, I started to get back to my work. His hand on my arm stopped me. Knowing I had no choice, I faced him. As I suspected, he was frowning.

“Why the hell didn’t you or your dad tell us that you actually work here? And what’s going on between you and Beau? There’s a no-fraternizing policy at the Patriots.”

“You didn’t need to know about me. As for Beau and me, we’re friends; however, since we’re both adults, I don’t see what difference it would make if we were more than that.”

“It makes a difference because we can’t afford to have anyone’s attention divided. You can’t guard someone if you are involved with them. Period. If that’s the case, I’ll have him changed out to someone else. He can’t be on this assignment.”

I didn’t want Beau to be sent away. I liked him but only as a friend. No way Griffin was doing that. “We’re just friends. We’re not fucking. Despite what you think, I don’t sleep with every guy I see. I can be friends with a man without screwing him. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more work to do. I’m at a critical point.”

“Hadley, I never said I thought you slept with every guy you see.”

“Maybe not in those words, but what you said made it clear. I’m not after any of your men, so you can stop threatening to make them leave. If I need sex, I’ll be sure to go outside of your team,” I hissed at him.

“Goddamnit, I—” he didn’t get to finish because I walked off. I heard him say “fuck” and then he walked away.

It took some time to clear my head enough to get back to work. Finally, I got caught up in it and didn’t come up for air for hours. I was like Dad when he got started. It made us focus well, but it could be tiring. I’d inherited his love of things mechanical and even chemical, hence my degrees.

It was Ben who I found watching me this time. He came over to me and whistled. “Man, you sure get lost in that shit, don’t you?”

I nodded. “I do. I always have.”

“I gotta ask. What did you do to piss the bossman off so badly? He’s walking around, looking like he’s ready to kill someone.” He shifted his eyes to the left. I did the same and saw a scowling Griffin watching us.

“He seems to think I’m sleeping or trying to sleep with all of you. He told me that wasn’t allowed, and if it became an issue, he’d reassign you guys. Well, he was talking about Beau at the time, but still, he meant all of you. I assured him I wasn’t trying to get any of you in bed, and if I needed sex, I’d be sure to seek a man outside the Patriots.”

He let out a loud bark of a laugh, then quieted down when we became the center of attention. He lowered his voice. “Jesus Christ, no wonder he’s looking ready to kill. Now, don’t take this wrong, but if you were interested, I wouldn’t say no, but I know that’s not happening. You know why he’s acting this way, don’t you?”

“Because you can’t guard your client effectively if you’re in a relationship with them.”

“It could affect it, but that’s not why. Honey, Griffin has a thing for you, and he’s fighting it like crazy.”

I snorted. “Yeah, right. He thinks I’m a slutty, airheaded, spoiled brat.”

“He might’ve thought some of those, but he can’t ignore what we’ve seen today. Even before that, the real you was showing through. Despite himself, he was still attracted to you even though he thought you were a spoiled rich girl.”

“You’re crazy, Ben, there’s no way…” I shut up when I saw Griffin stalking toward us.

Ben saw where I was staring, and he shut up after a quick, “We’ll talk later.”

“Is everything alright?” Grif asked.

“Everything’s fine. Ben was just asking me about my work. If you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time to take a break. I need to use the ladies’ room. No need to check it. No one has entered since we came in. They won’t, by the way. Who you see are the only ones allowed in here,” I told him quickly, then hurried off to the bathroom.

I did have to go, but not desperately. I needed some air. What Ben told me, along with how Griffin had been acting, had me confused. I needed to settle my mind before I could get back to work. Whatever was going on with him had to wait until later.