The Phoenix Read Free Page A

been particularly close. With more than a decade between them, though, there hadn’t been much time to form any sort of true relationship. Carson had come along a week after Jay’s sixteenth birthday; a driver’s license—his ticket to freedom—and then two years later Jay had left for college. After college came the military and he’d been home so little….
    At least that would be something he could rectify now. His little hometown—Pennyroyal, South Carolina—was only a two-hour drive from Atlanta. Easily overcome for Sunday lunches and other family get-togethers, a fact his mother had gleefully pointed out when he’d told her that he’d be moving to Atlanta.
    His mother had been too thrilled to wonder why Jay had decided to leave the military, and his father too tactful to ask. A blessing, that, since it was something he still hadn’t managed to explain to himself. And, frankly, was in no hurry to. He suspected too much mental excavation would result in revelations he wouldn’t be proud of.
    Shaking off an instant sense of dread, Jay dutifully followed Juan Carlos down the hall. He noted two offices on the left, a bathroom and another office on the right before they arrived at what Juan Carlos had indicated was the boardroom. One glance inside the room confirmed what he’d suspected all along—he was going to love it here.
    It was a grown man’s playroom—big-screen, flat-panel television, comfortable leather furniture, a small kitchen equipped with a counter full of snacks, a pool table, various gaming systems and a bar. Only a topless model popping out of a fake cake could have made it better.
    Brian Payne strode forward and extended his hand. “Welcome to Ranger Security,” he said. Jamie Flanagan and Guy McCann, who’d been watching Pawn Stars, paused the program and made their greetings, as well.
    “Thanks,” Jay told them. “It’s good to be here.” He cast a significant look around the room. “Nice,” he said, nodding his approval.
    Jamie laughed. “This is where we keep all the stuff our wives don’t want in the house,” he said, settling back into a heavy recliner. He gestured for Jay to sit as well, so he claimed a chair. A certain form of camaraderie hung in the air, one that bespoke years of familiarity, mutual affection and respect. It was a comfortable sense of belonging, leaving him feeling immediately at ease and included.
    Payne arched a brow. “You’ve reviewed the employment package?”
    Jay nodded. He had and had to admit that the salary and benefits were significantly more than he’d expected. He said as much.
    “You’ll earn it,” Guy told him with a grim laugh. “We never know what sort of jobs are going to come through that door. We’ve had agents doing everything from protecting society debutantes to looking for lost Confederate treasure to escorting fertility statues across the country.” He flashed a smile. “Rest assured, you are no longer in a war zone, but you are never going to be bored.” A significant pause, then, “And your first assignment certainly falls into the—” he hesitated and that brief pause made Jay’s stomach constrict “— surreal category.”
    Hoping he looked more intrigued than nervous—Fertility statues? Lost treasure? What had he gotten himself into?—he made an effort to school his features into confident curiosity. “What sort of surreal?”
    The three men shared a look, then stifled smiles—that sure as hell didn’t bode well, Jay thought—and it was Payne who was silently elected to brief him.
    “I’m assuming you’re familiar with Betterworth Chocolate?”
    Of course he was. It was one of the premier candy companies in the United States and had been around for decades. Betterworth candy bars were sold everywhere and were so popular that the company had built several theme parks around the country, each featuring chocolate-themed rides and attractions. The simple branding and quality flavor had made Betterworth