Chapter 3

three

Seth’s phone woke him just as dawn was breaking over the horizon.

He reached for his phone, knocking it on the floor before he scooped it up. “Harrington.”

“Is that any way to answer the phone?” his mother asked.

He would roll his eyes but wasn’t awake enough for that particular activity. He collapsed back in bed.

“It’s dawn, and I’m always on call.”

“Oh, dammit, I forgot. Do you want me to call you back?”

His parents—especially his mother—were still adjusting to him living in Hawaii. The Navy had taken him all over the world, but now that he was in Hawaii permanently, they knew he would answer the phone. As a SEAL, he could rarely tell them what was happening—even though they both had the highest security clearance until their recent retirements. Thank God these early morning calls should stop soon.

“Naw, that’s okay. What’s up?”

“Well, the movers are coming Monday, and I’m not ready.” His parents had decided to move to Hawaii. His mother’s sister lived on Maui, and with his two younger brothers still unmarried and in the military, his mother decided she wanted to be close to him. Seth wasn’t sure if she’d consulted his father about it before she made the decision.

“Are you ever ready?”

“Yes. I’m always prepared.”

His mother was brilliant, a former top-level Pentagon official who had helped plan and execute some of the most dangerous missions in the last quarter century. While he never told her where he was serving or what his SEAL team was doing, Seth had always thought she knew. That said, she was not the most organized regarding her own life. That was his father’s job. The former one-star admiral kept their life orderly and on time.

“Of course.”

“Don’t get that tone with me, Seth.”

He swallowed a laugh. “What tone?”

There was a beat of silence, then she laughed. “Sorry, I’m a little stressed about the move.”

“You don’t say?”

Most people would probably freak out when their parents moved halfway across the world to be closer to them—especially when they were in their thirties. But they were a military family that understood you hold onto those who love you whenever possible. Plus, he had spent nearly eighteen years in the Navy before taking the early out they’d offered him. He had his benefits, but not the top of the pay he would have gotten staying in three extra years. But, after that last mission, he knew he couldn’t perform at his best for them.

“You have all of our information.”

“Yes. Now, if I get called out, I’ll make sure someone will pick you up.”

“Seth, I’m an adult. Your father is an adult. We can hail a cab.”

Yes, but they should get the whole lei treatment, in his opinion. Weirdly, his parents had never been to Hawaii.

“I know. Still, it would be nice to have someone pick you up. Unless there is an emergency, I’ll probably be able to get you.”

After affirming his parents’ flight on Friday, he chatted about the lost tourist they had to find yesterday and then about the team. Unfortunately, he mentioned Autumn.

“There it is again,” his mother said, her voice thoughtful.

“What?”

“There is a tone in your voice when you talk about that woman. Do I need to look into her?”

He was awake enough this time, so he did roll his eyes. “No. Believe me, the background check you have to do for TFH is pretty close to top-secret clearance. Plus, she worked for the DEA.”

“Hmm.”

“Mom, do not call anyone, especially Aunt Theresa.”

Not really his aunt by blood, his mother’s best friend worked for the DIA, the military version of the CIA.

“Okay, but I’ll meet her soon enough.”

With that ominous comment, she told him she had to go and hung up. He clicked off his phone and laid back on his bed. There was a good chance she was calling his Aunt Theresa right now and asking her to look into Autumn Bradford. He scrubbed his hand over his face. Maybe he should have worried about a former Pentagon official of a mother, who had nothing to do now but butt into his life. His parents had always been hands-off once their kids had hit adulthood. This would be a new experience.

His phone buzzed with a message.

Rami: Going for a run in Waikiki. Wanna come?

They were the two SEALs in the group and had that connection. They were never on the same team, and he was a few years ahead of Rami in SEAL training.

Seth: Sure. Where do you want to meet up?

Seth lived in Salt Lake, near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The small rental came fully furnished. He’d been stationed on Oahu but had barely spent time there. So, when he accepted the job with TFH, he decided to take his time and get to know the neighborhoods.

Rami: On the beach by Hale Koa?

Hale Koa was a resort for the military next to the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Seth: Roger that. Be there in 30.

It was still early on a Saturday, so it wouldn’t take him long to get there. He found Rami hanging out under one of the massive Banyan trees that dotted the picnic grounds between the beach and the Hale Koa.

“I take it you still work on military time too?” Rami asked.

“No. My mother still hasn’t learned the time difference. You?”

He shrugged. “I had some trouble sleeping last night.”

Because he was Rami’s commanding officer on Team Bravo, Seth knew why he had left the military. PTSD was a bitch, but thanks to therapy, Rami was dealing with it.

“Nightmares?”

He cracked a smile. “Heartburn. But, if my mama visits, don’t tell her I can’t handle spicy food like I used to.”

He chuckled. “Noted. And please, when my mother shows up next week, pretend you know nothing about me.”

“Your folks are coming for a visit?”

He motioned toward the pathway for the run, and Rami nodded. Seth waited to answer until they were running. “No. My folks are moving here.”

“Oh…damn. That sounds like a nightmare.”

They split apart to get around a slowpoke couple, then came back together. “Naw, my parents have always been cool. Once we hit eighteen, they felt we were in charge of our lives. They’re both retired now and with my brothers still on active duty, they decided to move near me.”

“Brother, I hate to tell you, things are about to change.”

Seth shook his head as they kept even pace. They ran side by side through the streets of Honolulu, the air still sweet from the night and not yet overly muggy. Even here, there was a nice trade as they took a route down Kalia Road to Ala Moana and then by the pristine shops that lined Kalakaua Boulevard. It was still quiet out, with only coffee shops and restaurants open and very few people. It had rained the night before, so the streets were mostly dry, with the occasional puddle to splash through. After passing by Duke’s statue, they headed toward the zoo, then hit Kapiolani Park before hitting Diamond Head Road to loop back to the Hale Koa. By the time they arrived back on the beach, they had run for an hour.

They mainly talked about family—his brothers and Rami’s little sisters—when Rami stopped mid-sentence and whistled. Rami was staring at something over Seth’s shoulder, and while Seth knew it was a woman, he wasn’t prepared to see Autumn Bradford rise out of the water like some kind of Bond girl.

Damn. Of course, the woman would wear a bikini.

“Fuck,” Rami said. “I mean, I knew she was gorgeous, but she hides a lot under her clothes.”

That much was true. Autumn tended to wear cargo pants and t-shirts, even when they were out. Water sluiced down her stomach. Her gaze was unfocused as if she were deep in thought as she dried off. Seth thought they should leave her alone, but Rami whistled before he could say anything.

She blinked, her eyes narrowing until she realized who it was. Her expression cleared, and she smiled. Bending down, she picked up her sandals and bag and walked over to them.

“Hey, you guys out for a run this morning?”

“Yeah, and you’re out for a swim,” Rami said, his tone flirty.

She rolled her eyes. “I swim most mornings before the tourists show up.”

“You come here every morning?”

She shrugged, which wasn’t an answer. Seth felt she didn’t do it at the same beach twice in a row. She walked over to one of the fountains to clean her feet off.

“You’re not working, but you both drag your ass into Honolulu to exercise?”

“I live in Honolulu,” Rami said.

“I live in Salt Lake. Not that far away.”

She shook her head. “SEALs.”

“You’re one to talk. You’re here swimming.”

She snorted. “I do that for fun. It’s a good stress release.”

Rami opened his mouth with a comment that would definitely get him written up for sexual harassment, so Seth jumped in.

“All exercise is good for stress, especially with fewer tourists.”

She snorted. “True. Well, I need to eat, so?—”

“We could do with a bite to eat, too,” Rami said, interrupting her brush-off.

“I was going to ask you.”

That had Seth blinking. “You were?”

She nodded. “Although, not sure where to go. We might beat the crowds if we hit up Liliha Bakery. They have a great breakfast menu.”

“Where are you parked?”

“Didn’t drive. Took the bus.”

Seth blinked.

“What? Are you such a snob you don’t believe in public transportation?”

“Seeing that I spent most of my life in DC, I can’t really be against it.”

She nodded.

“I can drive you.”

She eyed him suspiciously.

“Hey, if you want to ride the bus and meet us there later, go right ahead. I know Rami walked here, right?”

She glanced at the former SEAL. “Yep. I’m still in temporary quarters while I wait for the house I rented and my furniture.”

“Fine, but we do it with the windows down.” She dropped her bag and pulled out a pair of board shorts. After stepping into them, she tugged on a UH Warriors shirt and shoved her towel in the bag.

“Let’s go. I’m hungry.”

“That’s nothing new,” Seth said.

She laughed. “True.”

They placed their orders at the counter and sat by the window in one of the booths. Autumn sat down opposite Rami. A second later, someone tapped her on her shoulder. When she looked up, she realized her mistake. Seth stood beside the booth on her side, waiting patiently for her to scoot over. She’d chosen this side, thinking keeping her distance from Rami was better. He was flirty, and she didn’t mind that at all. She just didn’t want to give him any ideas.

Now, she was going to be forced to sit next to the man she’d had a dirty dream about the night before.

Autumn hesitated for only a second, but it was long enough for his mouth to lift. Oh, the butthead. He knew she got antsy around him, and he was pushing it. Knowing that and wanting to prove him wrong, she scooted over.

“How long have you been living in Hawaii?” Rami asked.

“This time or before when I lived in the cult?”

For a second, he said nothing, his eyes widening. People always danced around the topic of her past. She didn’t advertise it, but she didn’t hide it either.

“Uhh.”

She snorted. “I moved back to the islands about three years ago. I always planned on doing it, and when the job with TFH came open, I knew it was the perfect job for me where I wanted to live. Ian and Sam weren’t happy, but they’ve learned not to get into my business.”

“Ian and Sam?” Seth asked. She fought a shiver. He had one of those deep baritone voices and this slow way of talking. He drew each syllable out, giving each sound special attention.

“Sam is Ian’s father. He adopted me after I left Joyous Wave.”

She could almost see the wheels turning in his head.

“So, Ian’s like your brother,” Rami commented.

“He is my brother.”

“And you’re why he moved here?” Seth asked.

She shrugged. “Combination of me living here and Dillon Security offering him a boatload of money.” She stopped talking when the waitress showed up with their food, topping off their coffees. “Also, he’s kind of a nosey Nellie.”

Rami laughed. “I would love to see him when you call him that.”

“How do you know I call him that to his face?”

“I have sisters. That tone,” he pointed at her with his fork. “You definitely called him that to his face.”

She laughed, then dug into her food, enjoying the moco loco she ordered. Her favorite recipe was her own, but if she ate out, she loved Liliha’s. They had an old-school griddle where they cooked the burgers. So good.

“You seemed to be fighting last night,” Seth commented as he ate his egg-white omelet. Really. At a diner. Someone needed to teach the man how to live.

“Yeah, well, we argue a lot. He’s just pissed he can’t control me, so it’s nothing new. He wasn’t happy I did an interview with Jin Phillips.”

“Oh,” Rami said. “About TFH?”

“No. About my time in the cult.”

“Why wouldn’t he want you to talk about that?” Seth asked.

She shrugged, knowing exactly why Ian didn’t want her to put a target on herself. “He’s worried I’ll bring out the crazies. There are still True Believers . And, since the pandemic, true crime docs are all the rage, especially cult ones. He’s worried they’ll come knocking on my door.”

Seth nodded as if understanding.

“So, you two go running on your days off. Lame.”

Seth chuckled, the rich sound sliding down her spine. “You went swimming.”

“Swimming is fun. You can pretend you’re a mermaid.”

Seth blinked. “You pretend to be a mermaid?”

“Sometimes.” Granted, those times were usually with Del’s oldest daughter, but it was fun even if she was by herself.

“Seth’s life is about to get much more hectic—at least his personal life.”

She glanced at Rami, then back to Seth. Damn, she didn’t want to date him, but now that it sounded like he was off the market, the food in her stomach turned over. “You getting serious, SEAL?”

“Naw, my parents just retired and are moving here.”

“Oh. My dad, too. He’s just retired, and since Ian and I are here, and England is dreary compared to being in Hawaii, he decided to come here.”

“Sam’s not married?”

She shook her head. “Widowed. I never met her.”

“How did he end up adopting you?”

“He and my mother knew each other in college. Sam came to the States for college.”

And if her mother had never broken up with Sam, sent him away, and never met Joseph, Autumn’s life would have been so different. Would she have ever met the SEAL?

“Ah, and you had no family?” He shook his head. “Sorry. I’m being intrusive.”

She laughed in his face. “Don’t worry, SEAL. I don’t mind answering questions from fellow team members.”

“Not the same team.”

“No, but we’re all on the same task force. I’ll dig into your past and hope to get all the dirty deets from your mother.”

He rolled his eyes. “There’s a good chance she’ll spill them.”

“Good. Now, for me, no. I had no other family members. My mother was an only child to two people who were also only children. I had a few distant great aunts or something, but they were in their nineties.” All she had been left with was a trust fund.

“So, Sam stepped up,” Rami said.

“More than that. Sam’s the one my mother called to get me out of there.”

“Hmm, interesting.”

“I guess.” She shrugged. “He took me to England. Helped that he had connections.”

“Connections?” Rami asked. She turned and looked at the former SEAL. Why couldn’t she be interested in him? He would be so easy to mess with. No strings, easygoing.

“Ian is the fourth-generation spy. They have a whole family thing going on.”

“Oh, that makes sense then. He could get you fake papers if need be.”

“And a birth certificate if need be.”

“What?” Seth asked.

“Nothing. None of it mattered because Sam had set off some fireworks by spiriting me away, which forced the FBI’s hand. It caused them to move up the timing of their raid. After that FUBAR, they helped Sam get me situated.”

“And you lived in England?”

“Yeah. For a few years. Went to Uni. Then moved back to the States.”

“I heard you worked for the DEA,” Rami mentioned.

She nodded. “Went undercover for them, but then my team was compromised. After almost being killed by a team member, I was happy to move here and work for Del and Adam.”

“You were almost killed?” Seth’s voice was harsh, and her eyebrows shot up.

“More than once. Goes with the undercover thing a lot, but that last time…that was bad. Ian and Sam were both jerks about it.”

Granted, she’d spent over a week in the hospital after her former boss had beaten her almost to death, but she’d survived. It’s what she did.

“Yeah, brothers tend to worry about their siblings being hurt.” Rami laughed. “I beat up some little pissant on our street who called my sister a beaner years ago.”

“Damn, I would too. Hell, I would do it today. I hate racists,” she said. It was one of the things that people didn’t know about Joseph. He was a raving racist. He was just a horrible human in general.

Rami smiled at her. “You and I have so much in common.”

There was a low rumble beside her, and she glanced at Seth. He was frowning at his omelet—which everyone should do to egg whites, in her opinion—but she was sure the sound came from him. Then, she glanced at Rami.

“So, you were raised in a cult that was a front for a drug dealing enterprise that also sold illegal weapons?

For a long second, there was silence around the table. Then, Rami burst out laughing. When she glanced at Seth, his mouth twitched.

“You are one of a kind, Autumn Bradford,” Rami said.

Taking in a deep breath, she smiled. “And my brother thanks the heavens above for that every day.”

“You need a lift to your apartment?” Seth asked, hoping she said yes. It was insane how much he wanted to know where she lived. He was acting like a freaking stalker, and he had no idea why he didn’t just ask her.

Nope, that was a lie. He knew. She would never tell him. When she could, he had a feeling that Autumn told the blunt truth. But she hid a lot of her motives and her life in general.

“Naw, I got someone picking me up.”

Just then, the fancy sports car he’d seen at the restaurant the night before pulled into the parking lot.

“We have to get the house ready for our dad.”

“I could have dropped you off.”

She shook her head. “Naw. The house is on the windward side. Plus, I like making Ian bitch about sand in his hoity-toity car. See ya Monday, Bravo.”

She sauntered off, and sure enough, the moment she slipped into the car, they started arguing.

“That woman has a lot of baggage.”

He didn’t look at Rami when he answered. “Don’t we all.”

They headed to his car and were on the road before Rami said anything. “It makes you think, right?”

“About what?”

“I always thought I had a shit childhood. My dad dying, all that. We were poor. But I appreciate having that over what she went through. And I’m pretty sure we don’t know all of it.”

“Yeah, I think she hides a lot.”

“From everyone,” Rami murmured.

And someone with that many secrets was a lot of work. She definitely held herself back from people while giving up all the help she could. He had witnessed it over the last few months. That meant complications, and one thing he didn’t need was complications, especially with a co-worker.