Chapter 5

Chapter Five

Mason

Mason, age twenty-one…

I leave for almost eighteen months to train in the desert and jungle with Dad's friends, and I come home to find the most dreadful news. Ainsley is dating Porter Kendrick.

It doesn't surprise me. She and her brothers have been isolated for so long that they want to have everything they've never had. That's why Dad allowed me to take Matt and Jake to Arizona last summer.

They got to meet people, go to parties, and have a somewhat normal summer. I don't know how to respond to Ainsley.

Break up with him.

Run.

Use those self-defense moves I taught you.

There are other options. You just need to get out of that house and meet other guys.

How's college hunting going?

I hope that, like every other normal person in the world, she breaks up with him before she starts college. Then she'll meet other people and make new friends. Since I have a lot of work to do, I keep my mouth shut and work.

After my training, I have plenty of ideas on what I should be doing next. Also, I need to develop a new game and the second part to Gates to Hell from Heav en. The game continues to sell, but it's time to release another one. I need more money to set up HIB Securities—High Intelligence Bradley Securities.

My entire day consists of planning the plot of the next game and the improvements to some of the characters from GTHFH 1 , plus adding additional ones. It's around five o'clock when Dad enters my office.

"I don't mind having you here," he says. "But your company needs more than a room and all those monitors. It's time to rent a space and hire people."

Will he ever say hello and not complain about what I'm doing?

At this point, I let my parents be. Mom will never stop complaining that I'm still living in this country when I could live in Canada and be closer to her. I think she sounds like my great-grandmother did when she was alive. She kept telling Grandma Milli we should move back to Japan.

I don't think she realized the culture shock we would suffer. Grandma was born in California, Mom was born in Vancouver, and I was born in Seattle. I speak Japanese, and our food combines dishes from Osaka, which is the city where my great-grandmother was born. But sometimes I feel like I don't belong to either one of the countries or cultures I was raised with.

This is what they call generational trauma. Our parents do with us what their parents did with them, and we'll probably continue doing the same. Except, I don't plan on getting married or having children. That means no one will have to learn at least three languages or how to use a weapon before starting kindergarten.

My parents' habits will die with me.

"If you want," Dad continues, "I can connect you with a real estate agent. Unless you want to set up the company in Seattle."

"I'm still doing well without it," I say, not looking at him. I just need a few adjustments to send it to Clay, one of the artists who designed the characters.

"Anything else?" I ask because Dad is efficient. He makes sure to visit me with a laundry list that has at least two or three items to discuss.

"I have a job for you."

"No," I respond immediately.

"We need a security detail for Porter Kendrick."

I finally look up and glare at him. Is he fucking kidding me? But since he's bringing him into the conversation, I can ask, "Do you know he's dating the princess?"

He huffs. "Listen, I can't get into that right now."

But he can and he should. The day he agreed to protect the Decker family, he promised to guard them against everything, didn't he? That should include keeping Ainsley away from Porter Kendrick.

"You should tell her parents."

"My job is to protect her, not interfere with her life. I think her parents do that plenty."

I exhale, almost slamming my hand against the desk. "True, but that's a bad idea."

He shrugs. "If he tries something stupid, I'll make sure that his bodyguard—or her security detail—kicks his ass. That's why you should take this job."

I scowl. Is he fucking kidding me? "If you want him to stay alive, you won't be sending me to be his babysitter. Plus, I have several deadlines."

"I thought you wanted me to teach you everything I know."

At this point, I think I know everything, which is why he's starting to send me with his buddies who work private security in other countries. There has to be a reason he wants me to take this job.

"Why do you want me to babysit him?"

"I'm afraid he's getting into bad habits. You might be able to turn him around."

I roar with laughter. He's kidding, right? "You should discuss that with his foster parents, not me."

"He's nineteen."

"More reason why he shouldn't be dating Ainsley."

"We're keeping an eye on them. They have chaperones at all times."

I hate this, his logic, and his lack of action. That's exactly why I shouldn't be the one protecting Porter. If I do, I might kill him—or worse.

"Sorry, but I need to work on my next release if I want HIB Securities to succeed."

He shakes his head. "Fine, I'll find someone else." Then gives me a warning glare. "By the way, you have to stop recruiting my people."

And there it is, the third item on his agenda. I grin. "What are you talking about?"

"I heard that you talked to Craig about joining your company and promised he wouldn't have to look after immature adults if he joined you."

My dad does everything old school.

He learned that you take the job they assign you and shut up. Unfortunately, he does the same with his people. I'm of the idea that bodyguards should match the right client. There has to be a bond, some trust between them. Craig just retired from the Army, and he needs more time to get used to civilians. Watching over a teenager who has more tantrums than a toddler without a nap is a bad idea.

"He's going to shoot Andrew Ross. I'm just trying to save your company and his ass." I lift my hands and shrug. "But what do I know, I'm just a rookie."

He huffs and leaves my office. I guess he got the message, I'm not going to work for him—or Porter. Also, he needs to change Andrew's security detail.

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: I'm back

I created this account so you could have something…

What did you call it?

Mature?

There's nothing wrong with Princess D, but who am I to judge my father and his nicknames. I have access to his database, and all of them are preposterous. If I have to pick code names, they'll be more kick-ass. At least, I think they will. Who knows?

Do you think I should hire someone to do that job? We could create an entire department. Creative Code Names.

How are you doing?

It seems like many things have been happening at home and in your life. I don't think dating Porter Kendrick is a good idea, but I doubt you'll listen to me.

Have you considered what'll happen when your parents find out? They'll figure it out—eventually.

Have you chosen a college yet? I heard your brothers are heading to Seattle. How about you?

You're probably going to some fancy school for the arts. New York has several, but LA does too. Just throwing it out there in case you want to come around. I'll make sure to show you the ropes. It's a cool city.

If… when you become an orchestra director or something like that, let me know. I'll be the one taking care of your security. It'll be different from what your parents have and what you've experienced. I can guarantee.

Keep sending those sunset pictures. I'm digging them.

Mason