Jobe: Alvarez Security Series (8 page)

*

Later that afternoon,
Jobe walked through Alvarez Security toward BJ’s workstation. “BJ? Got some digging I’d like you to do.”

“Sure man, what’s up?”

“I know when Gabe was trying to get some info on Jennifer, Lily wouldn’t do it saying that a woman wouldn’t like someone finding out stuff without talking to them first. But I’m desperate.”

BJ chuckled. “Yeah, I heard you all are working with a woman you’d once been engaged to.” He looked at Jobe for a second, seeing pain flash through his eyes. In a softer voice, he asked, “What do you need? I’ve got no problem giving you whatever you think’ll help.”

“Grateful, man,” he replied. “I got along real well with her parents although I only met them a few times. They lived a couple of counties over in Charlestown and she was super close to them. I wrote to her when I got my shit together, but she was graduated from college and none of my letters to her former address ever got delivered. I’d even tried her parents’ address, but they were returned.” He looked at BJ ruefully, saying, “Of course her parents probably hated my guts, so they might not have even given the letters to her. She told me yesterday that her dad was dead and I want to know what else I missed before I step into another hornet’s nest.”

Gabe and Vinny walked in about the time that BJ typed in the names. Within a few seconds, an obituary popped up. “Man, I’m sorry, but her dad died about four years ago.”

“Does it say how?”

“Says after a year-long battle with cancer.”

“Ah, fuck. That means he was probably diagnosed right about the time that I broke up with her. Goddamnit!” he cursed.

Tony walked in just at that moment, taking the scene in. “What’s going on?”

Jobe turned, rage on his face and bit out, “Her dad was diagnosed with cancer about the time I broke up with her and then died a year later. I had no fucking idea because I was so fucked up with my ideals of honor and duty!”

Looking at the men standing around BJ’s computer, Tony then focused on Jobe. “My office. Now.”

Used to following commands, Jobe walked behind Tony into his office taking the chair indicated. Gabe and Vinny entered as well. Tony eyed them as he walked behind his desk. Looking over at Jobe, he lifted his eyebrow in silent questioning.

Jobe nodded his acquiescence. “We’re all brothers, Captain. It’s fine if they stay.”

Tony motioned for the twins to come in and they quickly took seats. Looking at Jobe, he said, “Talk to us.”

Jobe ran his hand over his face. “Guys, we just talked about this last night. I know what I’ve got to do, but finding out about her dad just ripped me.”

“Yes, we did just talk about his last night,” Tony agreed, “But part of your ongoing PTSD counseling is talking to us when you feel overwhelmed.”

Jobe thought about his symptoms for a moment. Every case is different, but he had not found many in his situation during the counseling groups he had attended over the years. He rarely suffered a nightmare, although occasionally he would have the sharp memory pierce his consciousness. While others were no longer able to hold down employment, he threw himself into the missions while still in the Army and now working for Tony he gave one-hundred percent every day. He was controlled enough to keep himself away from overindulging in alcohol, risky behavior, or even promiscuousness. He kept himself physically fit and mentally sharp, almost to an excess. And these three men knew that better than anyone.

Taking a deep breath, Jobe began talking to the brothers-in-arms that were there. That understood. That cared.

“Somehow I told myself that she’d be better off without me, because I couldn’t give the team what it needed, try to be there emotionally for my sisters and parents who were going through their own problems, and plan a future with her. At that time, I saw no future.”

“And now?” Tony prodded.

“I work hard, but I’m no longer seeing it as the only way to get through the day. I exercise, but no longer until I drop. I talk to my sisters but realize that I can’t keep them in a bubble and safe every second of the day. Hell, Hannah was assaulted but has dealt with it the best she can. She’s happily married and has two kids. So yeah, I feel like I’m much better.”

They sat in silence for a moment, until he continued. “But how do I explain to the woman I loved, that I just simply fell apart for a while. I went nuts, ripped up her letters, and threw myself into my job at the expense of our relationship? It made fucking sense when I did it. Hell, it made fucking sense when we talked last night. But now, knowing that when she was trying to reach out to me, her dad was dying and I just ignored her. Maybe the best thing is to take myself off of the job, Tony, and leave her in peace.”

Vinny eyed his friend and said, “I never believed in one woman for one man. That shit seemed like something from a Disney movie and we sure as hell know our lives weren’t Disney movies. But when I saw Tony and Sherrie together, I knew that was something special. Different. And when Gabe got with Jennifer? Fuck, any of us could see what that was. And me? Annalissa is everything I never thought I would want and never thought I could have. But she’s it. Do you get what I’m saying?”

Jobe held his gaze but shook his head slowly. “Not really, man, except that you all found it.”

“I saw her face when she looked at you. And when she tried not to look at you. Yeah, she’s angry and confused, but Jobe, don’t think for a second that she doesn’t still feel something for you.”

Gabe nodded. “Vinny’s right. Even when you were with her today, I could see it too. She’s hurting, no doubt. But this girl’s worth fighting for. Worth giving it your all to take care of and make her happy.”

“Oh, there’s no doubt that she’s worth it,” Jobe admitted.

Tony had been sitting quietly, letting his friends talk through the situation but now observed one of his most valuable team members and said, “Jobe, you’ve never backed away from a mission. Not even when you were vulnerable. You planned, you knew what you were heading into, and you had the most
Never Say Die
attitude of any of us and that’s saying a lot. I’m not saying make Mackenna your next mission. But you owe it to yourself and to her to see this through till the end. Until you can be friends or more or you decide that it is totally unsalvageable.”

Jobe smiled for the first time knowing they were right. She was worth giving it everything he had.

*

Coming in early
the next morning, Mackenna greeted Little John, who was just getting ready to leave.

“You’re here before your regular time,” he said. Eying her carefully, he added, “Heard there was some excitement around here the other day.”

“Yeah,” she admitted, pouring a cup of coffee for both of them. “I’m afraid I let my anger get the best of me and I acted rather foolishly. And in front of the security team that came by.” She saw him give her a stern glare, so she quickly added, “Don’t worry. I learned my lesson. No more baseball bat escapades.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I know it’s wrong to say this, but honest to God, I wish I coulda seen that.”

She smiled for the first time since yesterday as they sat at the table. A comfortable silence settled on the two as they sipped their coffee. She looked up after a few minutes, seeing him staring at her.

“You got something else to tell me, girl?”

Pursing her lips, she said, “I suppose that one of the women told you about seeing my ex here yesterday.”

“Someone may have mentioned something about that,” he casually admitted.

“Yeah, right. They probably couldn’t talk about it fast enough!” she complained.

He gave no response and she weighed her words carefully. “We met in college. He was in the Army. Special Forces. Was serving in Afghanistan. I was here planning our wedding and he was over there deciding how to break up with me. He finally just decided that the modern method of a break-up email was best. So I emailed and wrote letters numerous times, begging him to stay with me. To no avail. Over and done with for him, I suppose. Haven’t seen or heard from him in five years and boom, he shows up yesterday working for a security company here in Richland. I think that just about sums it up for you.”

She took another sip of coffee hoping he would not see her shaking hands. He noticed.

“You know I was in the military?” he asked. Her gaze jumped up to his in surprise. “I was just infantry. Regular Army. Nothin’ special like the Special Forces.” He paused for a second, before continuing, “But seen some bad shit where I was.”

She leaned across the table, placing her hand on his large one. “Little John, I can’t image that there’s any job in the military during wartime that wasn’t special. I had no idea you had served.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I guess when the bombs go off they don’t care if you got a high rank or a low one, they’ll kill you just the same.” He took another sip of coffee, watching the young woman in front of him, still obviously affected by the young man’s appearance yesterday in spite of her attempts to say otherwise. “You know, war changes a person. Some come back and are able to put it in a place in their minds where it don’t torment ’em every day. Others?” he shook his head, “Others don’t come back so good. Maybe it’s their bodies that got fu—I mean messed up, and for some it was their minds.”

“Why are you telling me this?” she whispered.

“Well, where I sit, a man don’t give up a woman like you for nothin’. He musta had a reason but just ’cause he never told you what it was don’t mean it wasn’t there.”

“But how could I have known if he never told me?”

“Don’t know, sugar.” He sighed deeply as he rose from his seat and walked over to the sink to rinse out his cup. Turning, he grabbed his car keys off of the counter and was almost to the door when he looked back at her sitting at the table. Sad. And alone.

“Only you can decide if he’s worth a shot at eventually telling you. And only you can decide if it’s worth moving past. But Mac? The woman sittin’ in front of me is still hurtin’ a whole lot. If this man’s opinion is worth anything, you deserve to either see what’s there or put it to rest for good.”

With that, he nodded as he walked out of the back kitchen door, and ran right into Jobe and Gabe standing just outside. He could tell by the expressions on their faces that they had heard the conversation. Or at least part of it. He stood for a moment, holding Jobe’s gaze…and liked what he saw.

“Gentleman,” he said in greeting. As they acknowledged him as well, he turned and looked back at the building saying, “Yep, you gotta a lot of work to do here. But it’s worth it.” Dropping his gaze back to Jobe’s, he continued, “But then I’ll just bet you already know that.”

*

By lunchtime, Mackenna
once again found herself surrounded by Jobe, everywhere she turned. She had to admit that a few times she caught herself looking when she did not think he would notice and wish he had gotten uglier with time.
No such luck. If anything, he’s more gorgeous.

Finally, she made her way to the kitchen to make a sandwich when he wandered in once again. Her gaze moved to his before looking back down at the counter. She did not want to talk to him, but found herself automatically asking, “Do you and Gabe want something to eat?”