The reality of what we’re doing slams into me.
This is happening.
We’re starting a company.
Against all odds, I got a second chance.
“It looks amazing,” I say. “Perfect, really.”
As we pass the card around the table, everyone says some variation of the same thing. And I don’t miss the emotion in my teammates’ eyes, probably having the same thought as me.
Once the card makes it back to Cole, he stares at it for a second, his throat working. Then he takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly. His voice dips as he says, “I know I said it before, but I’m so thankful you’re all here with me. And thiscompany—Blade and Arrow—I don’t think of it as mine. It’s ours.”
Shit. I am not tearing up at the conference table.
With a cough, Cole continues, “Well. I think we can wrap up the meeting. Work on getting the finishing touches in place. And tonight, we’ll check out this new pub.” He pauses. “Unless there’s anything else?”
My stomach picks this moment to make a loud rumble. Nora glances at me with her eyebrows raised. “Was that you?”
“Yeah.” I grin at Cole. “Since the meeting’s over, how about ordering breakfast? Your treat?”
He smirks. “What, you can’t make your own breakfast?”
“I can. But I really want a breakfast sandwich and I don’t have the stuff to make one. Come on.” With a hopeful look, I wheedle, “Come on. Just this once?”
Cole shakes his head, but he’s already pulling out his phone. “Fine. But just this once.”
Nora laughs. “Make sure to order extra or Finn will eat all of it.”
As my teammates take bets on how many breakfast sandwiches I’ll eat, I sit back and listen, feeling happier than I’ve been in nearly a year.
I thought I lost everything. But I was wrong.
It just took my teammates to remind me.
CHAPTER 7
COLE
We did it.
Blade and Arrow Security is officially open.
From a flicker of an idea to reality.
It’s hard to believe how much has changed in only a few months.
The office building that languished on the market for years has been turned into the headquarters of our new company.
Ourcompany. Because I meant what I said at that meeting last week. Just because I came up with the idea of starting a security company doesn’t mean I consider it mine. Blade and Arrow wouldn’t exist without each one of us. Rylan’s expertise with weapons, Zane’s martial arts skills, Finn’s skill with explosives, Leo’s experience with computers, Nora’s fluency in half-a-dozen languages, and my training as a medic—together we make one heck of a team.
And that’s not even taking into account the bond we have. The absolute trust. I’d put my life in any of their hands, and I’d guard theirs with my own.
We’re going to make a difference. I know it.
Looking up at the front of the building, seeing the small sign by the door that proudly proclaims it as Blade and Arrow Security, knowing everything that’s gone into making this happen…
I think my parents would be so proud to see what I did with their money.
