Chapter 79: Chapter 10

CADEN

The children have adjusted well. It feels like they were always meant to be here. Once their parents’ affairs were sorted, some relatives did show up, but the moment we realized they were interested in the kids for the money, we put an end to that.

I won’t let these kids be exploited by some opportunists.

We keep a calendar marking all the kids and grandkids’ birthdays, and it seems like we’re throwing a party every month. This month, it’s Mason’s turn, and he wanted a pool party. He invited his entire class and, unsurprisingly, all of them along with their families showed up.

Either we’re known for our amazing parties, or they’re too scared to decline.

Mason is having a blast while my men and I keep an eye on the guests. Since we decided against wearing holsters with our swim trunks, we brought in guards to patrol the property and the party area. The parents’ faces when they pulled up and were met by the guards were priceless.

The guards were acting tough, but I heard they were secretly snapping pictures of the parents’ reactions. It’s wrong, but I’ve seen some of the photos and they’re pretty funny.

The party is going smoothly and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. There are tables and chairs filled with families chatting and laughing, except for one couple with their son sitting alone. It’s clear something is off when their son is sitting with them instead of playing with the others.

I nudge Jessie and Nate and decide to approach them. As I get closer, I see them using sign language to communicate with their son. Suddenly, it all makes sense.

They can’t hear the music or the laughter or the conversations.

I quickly scan the crowd for Eva, who knows a bit of sign language. When I find her, I pull her over to the table, explaining the situation on the way. She’s more than willing to help.

We approach the couple and Eva signs a greeting to them, which they respond to enthusiastically. We explain that their son, Aster, is free to join the other kids if he wants. He thanks us and dashes off without a second glance.

They start chatting with Eva about how wonderful the party is and how everyone seems to be having a great time. The mother, Rhonda, isn’t deaf, but the father, Ronald, is.

When Eva asks about their jobs, they exchange a look. Rhonda explains that Ronald recently lost his job again. He tries to do any job he can to make ends meet, but it’s difficult when you can’t hear.

People pity him because he lost his hearing while deployed in the military, but he just wants to be treated like everyone else. He’s a hard worker and never complains, but no one seems willing to give him a chance.

I lean back in my chair, studying him. He’s not scrawny, but he could use some muscle. We could put him on a workout program with the guards.

Suddenly, an idea strikes me. I tell Eva to inform them that I have a job for him. His hearing isn’t necessary since his vision is perfect.

I ask them to follow Eva and me so I can show him what the job entails. They get up excitedly as I tell Jessie and Nate to keep an eye on the kids. We walk around the property, explaining that he will be a guard and will be well compensated, and his family will also be taken care of.

We make our way to the guard shed. All the guards come out, guns slung over their shoulders, as I lead Ronald inside. Through Eva, I explain that his job will be to open the gates and check in visitors.

He will be given a gun and a phone. In case of an emergency, one of the guys will press a button that will set off a buzzer in his pocket, signaling him to arm himself.

That’s when he would draw his weapon. If he’s outside checking in a visitor and needs to draw his gun, his partner will buzz the device in his pocket. This way, he’ll know to be on alert.

His military background makes him a perfect fit. We show him the device and have him put it in his pocket. I press the button and he feels the vibration against his leg.

He can’t thank us enough.

I tell him to report here at eight o’clock sharp tomorrow. We’ll get him set up then. They’re thrilled, but then realize that we live an hour away from town and their son has school.

Chase, another guard, offers to pick him up for his eight o’clock shift. That works out perfectly.

We all head back to the party, which is starting to wind down as families begin to leave, thanking us for the invitation. We watch the guests depart and sit with Ronald and Rhonda. We chat for another hour before Nate brings out uniforms for Ronald.

His eyes light up at the sight of them and a tear slips down his cheek when they’re laid out on the table. Eva signs that we’re proud to have him on our team. Tomorrow, we’ll run through scenarios and test everything out.

They leave, Ronald clutching the uniforms, and head to their car. I watch them approach an old station wagon that’s clearly seen better days. I listen as the engine sputters a few times before finally starting, and soon they’re driving down the driveway.

I turn to find Eva watching me.

“You’re going to do it, so why are you wondering if you should ask? We take care of our own, Caden Maxwell!”

I just smirk and shake my head. Yes, we certainly do. I quickly dial Jerry at the local car dealership in town.

He tells me what they have that’s slightly used but still under warranty. We decide on an SUV that we’ll personally deliver tomorrow, after we pick it up in the afternoon when we take Ronald home.

***

The next day, I put on my jeans and t-shirt and wait for Chase and Ronald to arrive. They show up at 7:45 and I invite Ronald inside. I lead him to my office where Eva is already waiting.

I gesture for him to sit. He has no idea that I spent half the night learning sign language. I know I’m not perfect, but I’ll get better with time.

I smile and motion for him to relax. When he smiles back, I start signing “your guns” and point to the table. He breaks down in tears.

He quickly signs to Eva that he’s never had a boss who took the time to try and communicate with him. She signs back that we’re not your average bosses. He signs a heartfelt thank you.

So, I show him the paperwork that transfers custody of the guns to him. I give him the thumbs up and we load up to head to the guard shack. There’s more in store for him than he knows.

His new colleagues have all taken a crash course in sign language, just so they can communicate with him. They’ve even got paper and pens on hand for written communication.

We approach the guard shack and they all come out, signing “Hello, good morning!” in unison. He needs a moment to process this, so he steps away for a bit. Once he’s settled and we’ve tested the buzzer, I’m about to leave when Chase stops me.

“Boss, I thought you should know. I picked up Ronald this morning and his apartment was infested with roaches. It wasn’t dirty, just infested. Rhonda was so embarrassed when I saw one.”

I nod and dial Tania at the office as I head back to the house.

“Tania, do we have any vacancies in the condo complex?”

“We do!” she replies. “Should I call Rock?”

“Yes, get Rock on it. We’ve got a family of three who need a furnished place. Gift cards too, you know the drill.”

“On it, boss!”

I can’t help but smile as I hang up. This is going to be great. Now, the challenge is keeping my mouth shut until the end of their shift.

I decide to keep myself busy in my office, working on paperwork. Before I know it, it’s four o’clock. Close enough.

I quickly change into my suit and holsters and head for the door. I send a text to Eva to have a moving truck and boxes ready at Ronald’s apartment. I don’t think they’ll take much with them.

We load up the SUV and drive down to the guard shack. Ronald is there, grinning from ear to ear. I sign to him, “Big day ahead.”

He signs back that it isn’t five yet. I laugh and sign back, “It’s okay, let’s go.” He leaves his automatic gun secured at the shack but keeps his pistol as he climbs into the car.

Jesse and Nate are meeting us at the apartment so Eva won’t have to drive. We pull up to a car lot and I can see the confusion in Ronald’s eyes. I walk in with him to sign some paperwork.

He still looks lost, and I can’t wait to explain everything. We drive the new car over to his apartment. They live on the ground floor, so when I knock and step back, Rhonda answers the door, looking confused.

I hand her the keys and Ronald grabs my arm, signing that they can’t accept it. I stop him and sign back, “I take care of my people. You need a better car. Now you have one. But there’s more!”

“Rhonda, how attached are you to the stuff here?”

She looks around and says most of it is replaceable. Perfect.

“All right, let’s load up in the new car!”

I sign to Ronald, “You’re moving!” He shakes his head, clearly upset. I didn’t mean to upset him, but I understand pride.

It’s hard to accept help when you’re used to providing. I put my hand on his shoulder and he breaks down. I motion for everyone to wait while Ronald and I step away.

I take him around the corner and sign for him to breathe. He takes a few deep breaths but is still visibly upset.

I sign to him, “I didn’t mean to upset you. I know what it’s like to struggle financially. This isn’t about making you feel bad. You’re an employee now. We take care of our employees. Please understand.”

He signs back slowly, “It’s overwhelming. Ever since my medical discharge, it’s been hard to provide. Everything is moving so fast.”

I nod and sign back, “I understand. Just breathe.”

We rejoin the others and I start explaining to Rhonda.

“Rhonda, the Maxwell’s take care of their own. You needed a reliable car, now you have one. You needed a decent place to live, now you have that too.”

As I’m explaining, the landlord, Larry, approaches. This is going to be good. He stops in his tracks when he sees me.

“Larry, do you charge rent to the pests too? Or do you just not care?”

“Caden, I’ll do anything. This is all I have left.”

“Fix the property and get rid of the pests. I’ll be back in thirty days. Now, Ronald, Rhonda, let’s go see your new place. My guys will see what’s salvageable here. Most likely, the electronics will be a no-go.”

We walk to the new car and Rhonda starts crying while Ronald holds her. Aster runs up and hugs me as I get in the driver’s seat. Ronald jumps in the passenger seat and we head to their new home.

As we leave, my guys go in to clear out the apartment. We arrive at the condo complex and Rock is there to greet us.

“Rhonda, Ronald, this is Rock. He’s the supervisor here. There’s a central pantry for anything you need. If it’s not there, Rock will get it. There’s also a laundry room with free washers and dryers. Let’s go see your new home.”

I lead them toward the door, and as I swing it open, Rhonda and Aston stumble in, while Ronald takes his leave. I step inside, gesturing for them to follow me to the kitchen. I pull open a drawer, revealing a stash of gift cards for their needs and a cell phone.

Next, I guide them upstairs, flinging open the doors to reveal Aster’s room, fully equipped with age-appropriate stuff, and a romantic haven for Rhonda.

“Rhonda, don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything,” I tell her. “The phone downstairs has all our numbers pre-programmed. Someone will always be there to help. Now, while you guys explore, I need to find Ronald.”

I descend the stairs, spotting Ronald perched on the steps. I pass him, crouching down to meet his gaze. He signs to me, “Why? You just met us!” I respond with a smile and sign back, “I take care of mine.”

Rock approaches, signing to Ronald that he can come to him for anything. Ronald nods in understanding as I hand him the car keys. As we prepare to leave, I feel a tug on my arm.

Ronald pulls me into a warm, brotherly hug. As I step back, I’m swarmed by kids and wives, all eager to greet us. A few other men are present, and we start introducing Ronald and Rhonda as the new additions.

One of the men begins signing to Ronald, and soon they’re engaged in a lively conversation. I excuse myself, and Eva and I hop into the car, heading back to the estate. Eva sits beside me, and everything feels just right.

We’re at a stoplight, and as it turns green, we begin to move. Suddenly, Eva screams out, “Caden!” pointing out my window. All I see is a car hurtling toward us. The sound of crunching metal fills the air, and then everything goes dark.