Chapter 78: Chapter 9

CADEN

I never thought I’d find myself in this situation again. We’d just laid Tank and Frankie to rest, and the entire week was a nightmare. The house was filled with tension, no one wanted to speak, and emotions were running high.

The women were in tears constantly. The men were venting their frustrations in the training room, throwing punches at each other. Now, we’re back in the same place, saying goodbye to Jesus.

I can still recall the day I met him, as if it was only yesterday. Nate was just five years old, and we’d just taken out Ortiz. Well, to be precise, Eva had taken out Ortiz.

She’d have my head if I tried to claim that victory. I never anticipated how quickly our bond would form, or how integral he would become to our team. Even with my four guys, he seamlessly became the fifth, as if he was always meant to be here.

His laughter and jokes made it feel like we’d known each other our entire lives. I knew he was struggling after we found the girls. But I never imagined he would feel so responsible for what happened.

I saw Nate trying to comfort him, but when I heard his response, I knew something was off. It was as if he’d shut down completely. The look in his eyes was empty, devoid of life, devoid of soul.

Nate’s been having a tough time, but there was nothing he could have done to prevent it. Jesus had already made up his mind, mentally checked out. He just needed to follow through physically.

The service today was beautiful, put together by the girls. Now, we’re all gathered at the estate. Every guard, every family member, and their families.

We understand the toll this job takes, both mentally and physically. So, we’ve given Penny an office and her number is available to everyone. If anyone is feeling low, they’re encouraged to call her.

Come to the estate. Don’t bear this burden alone. We’re all family, and when one of us hurts, we all hurt.

His life meant more to us than that bullet, and we’d give anything to have him back. Maria asked if she could move away with the boys, and I didn’t object. I understood and asked where they wanted to go.

We bought them a beach house and even set up a security company for them to work at. I’m sitting here with Eva nestled in my lap, while everyone else is with their girls. I never thought when I first found Eva that our empire would evolve into this.

We’ve come a long way from our first building, and we’ve grown so much. We now have seven kids in total, since I apparently have a habit of adopting anyone. There are eight grandkids running around, and I’m sure more will be on the way soon.

Not that I’m rushing anything, but who doesn’t love babies! Where do we go from here? We’ve lost so much over the years, at what point do we say enough is enough?

Soon, Mason will graduate high school and another generation of our team will begin. Then Missy, and it will just keep going. Sometimes, I question if it’s worth it.

But we’re the Maxwells, and we never give up. We keep pushing forward, emerging stronger each time. I’m lost in my thoughts when a phone rings.

It’s Mason’s. He steps away to take the call and returns a few minutes later, handing me his phone. I quickly glance at the text from his friend Jeremy.

I show it to Eva, and a smile spreads across her face.

“Go! Go get them!”

I grab Nate, Jessie, and Mason and we rush out to the SUV. We jump in, with Nate behind the wheel, heading into town. I call Andy, asking him to meet us at the address Mason’s friend provided.

Jeremy’s text said the police were there because his parents were allegedly killed in a car accident. They’re trying to take custody of the kids and split them up since they have no family. Social services were called, and I’ll be damned if they end up in the system.

Jeremy is the same age as Mason, fourteen. His brother Trenton is twelve and his little sister Jill is eight. Mason calls Jeremy, and we hear an officer get on the phone.

“This is Officer Williams, who is this?”

“Officer Williams, this is Caden Maxwell. We’re on our way with my lawyer to take custody of the kids. We’re about thirty minutes out. Can you hang tight?”

“Of course, Caden! I’ll wait with them!”

“Perfect, thank you, officer!”

I hang up as Nate steps on the gas. I can’t help but chuckle, thinking about how I was just musing about my habit of adopting kids. I fill Nate and Jessie in on the situation, and they’re eager to get there too.

When we arrive at the house, Andy is already there, probably on the phone with a judge getting an emergency order. We park and I jump out when he tells me the judge is signing and emailing him copies to show the officer. I nod and approach the kids.

Mason and Jeremy share a hug, while Trenton and Jill, crying, cling to each other. When they see me, they rush over, wrapping their arms around me. We’re standing there, waiting, when our least favorite social worker, Trent, shows up.

I can’t believe this guy still has a job. He surveys the situation and sighs.

“I’m here to collect the kids.”

“No, you’re not. We’re waiting for an email with a court order for them to be placed in my care.”

He reaches for Jill and Trenton, but I step back with them.

“You need to hand over the kids, Mr. Maxwell.”

“Like I said, we’re waiting on an email. Once my lawyer gets it, they’ll be in my care.”

He reaches for them again, and I lose it. I pull out my weapon and hold it to his head, which prompts about five officers to draw their guns on me.

Nate and Jesse step back, hands raised. The kids are screaming, clinging to me, terrified they’re going to be taken away.

“Don’t touch my fucking kids! We’re waiting on a goddamn email! Back the fuck off!”

He slowly backs away as Andy holds up his phone. He shows the officer and social worker the email, and just like that, we’ve added three more kids to the Maxwell household.

I quickly holster my gun and see Nate calling for some guards with moving trucks to come over and pack up all their stuff. We decide to hold onto the house for the time being, ensuring its safety.

It’s highly probable that we’ll purchase it, depositing the funds into the accounts we’ve established for them. When they’re older and express a desire for it, we’ll sell it back at the original price. This way, the house isn’t left vacant and it remains well-kept.

“Mason, Jeremy, take Nate and Jessie and gather some bags from your house for you and your siblings,” I instruct. They nod in understanding and dart off into the house. I then kneel down to Trenton and Jill’s level.

They’ve managed to calm down, their tears now dried. “You two are going to come live with me and my family, okay? We have lots of kids, plenty of activities, and a big, loving family.”

They nod in agreement just as a convoy of cars and moving vans pull up. Eva comes bounding over, arms wide open and a grin stretching from ear to ear. “Where are my new kids?”

They glance at me before rushing over to Eva, leaping into her open arms. At least they’re not shy. I watch their interaction when I feel a tug on my suit jacket.

Looking down, I see it’s Jeremy. I kneel down to his level, looking up at him and Mason as he speaks softly. “Thank you, Mr. Maxwell! I didn’t know who else to call. Mason said that if anything happened, I could call and you would know what to do.”

“Jeremy, you did just fine! I’m glad you reached out. Now, when we get home, there will be a lot of people around. We lost a dear friend this week and held his service today. So, we’re hosting a big bar-b-que at our house. If you’re all packed, let’s head home.”

I issue instructions on securing the house and moving the kids’ belongings to the estate. Once everything is in order, we all pile into the cars to head home. I find myself sandwiched between Mason and Jeremy, each leaning into me, while Eva has Trenton and Jill nestled against her.

I can’t help but reflect on how fortunate we are to be able to do what we do. Even if we didn’t have the wealth we do, I believe we’d still do it. ~Let’s go home. I could really use a beer!~