Page 22 of Free
Dyson rolled his shoulders. "This is huge."
"It is, but I wouldn't offer it to you if I didn't think you could do it."
Dyson sat silent a moment, thinking about all that this would mean. He'd watched Bryon run the team for years, and he respected the work he put into it, but the truth was, without Carter and the hunters, Bryon was nothing. "I need to know I have a good team. I can't do this alone."
"You'll meet Jeremy as soon as you get to Colorado. The two of you will be able to work through everything then. I can vouch for him. He's worked closely with Carter in the past, and like you, had the need to start over. His story isn't mine to tell, but I will say that he's going to be struggling to leave the past behind, the same way you are." Bryon folded his hands on the desk. "This job isn't easy. In fact, at times it's hell, but it's worth every minute of it."
Dyson grinned. "You have a lot more friends in higher places than I ever thought. Rob, Brad, and God knows who else."
"And they will become your friends when you take this job. They'll be there to help you, the same way they helped me. I pray you'll never need to call them. The day you got caught was the second worst day of my life."
Dyson didn't have to ask what the first was. He was sure it had to do with Bryon's sister. "Yeah, think it topped my list too." He shook his head. "I thought my life was over when I saw those cops standing there."
"You did what you were trained to do. You didn't fight. You just let them take you. We always knew this would happen sooner or later. Unfortunately, it happened to you. Though I have to say, I'm not the least bit upset that I can now have you leading a new team. You've got the skills to do it. Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"With your sex addiction, don't fuck all the members. The last thing you need is the drama of a relationship with a team member."
"You speaking from experience?"
"Not yet, but things with Becca could go bad, then what would happen? I was stupid to get involved with her. I broke my own rules with her, and can't bring myself to let her go now."
"Not everything ends in disaster," Dyson told him.
"Let's hope you're right." Bryon stood. "Anyway, Rob's going to get you to your new home outside of Denver, where you'll meet up with Jeremy. He's already been briefed by me and Carter, though either one of us can fly in and visit if you need help. My advice to both of you, trust your gut. You'll know who you can trust and who you can't. You'll know who has the balls to do this job. Don't rush into it. If it takes a year or two to get everything running, take it. Sadly, the abuse isn't going to stop anytime soon."
Dyson took a deep breath, hoping he wasn't pushing his luck. "I already have a guy I'd like to bring on. I know he can do the job, but there's going to be an issue getting him."
Bryon raised a brow.
"His name is Patrick. He was arrested for killing his sister's husband after the guy kept beating and raping her. He was my cellmate in jail."
"Ah, fuck, Dyson." Bryon ran his hand through his hair.
"I know, but he's a good guy. He's facing years in prison for protecting his sister, surely you can understand that." It was really unfair to use the sister card with Bryon, but if Dyson was going to lead a team, he wanted certain people working with him, and Patrick would be a perfect fit.
"I don't know if we can. That's asking a lot. It took us weeks to plan your escape. They'll be on high alert right now, watching for mistakes, changing the systems to avoid this in the future."
Dyson nodded. "I know how impossible this might be, but I'm asking you to see if it can be done. He's a good guy, and I'd planned on asking you to help him even before you mentioned a new team, but now, with me going to Colorado, this would be the perfect start for him as well."
"He'd have to cut off all ties with his family," Bryon said.
"For his freedom, he'd do it. I'd just ask that you send someone to let his sister know he's okay, and if the time ever came that it's safe to do so, he'd be in contact. Just give her peace of mind." Dyson grinned. "He's got what it takes. He'd fit right in with the team, but like with me, he can't stay here. He needs to move on."
"Give me his info and I'll look into it, but I'm not making any promises. It took a lot of work to get you out, I'm not sure I'm ready to take that kind of risk on someone I don't even know." Bryon pushed a notebook and pen at Dyson.
He quickly wrote down Patrick's name and other info he knew. "Thanks. I know it's a long shot, but I had to ask. He's someone I know I can work with."
"You fucking him?" Bryon asked.
"No, actually. I haven't gotten my dick wet since the night before my arrest. I'm dying here. Even Xander's looking good."
Bryon made a face. "You are desperate. Keep it in your pants until you get to Colorado. I'm sure you'll find plenty of playthings there. Things you need to remember, they can trace your tattoos…"
"I plan on getting them covered up when I find a good artist I can trust," Dyson informed him.
"And…" Bryon grinned. "I had Rob pick this up for me. Use it and I don't want to hear a single moan about it. Right now, we need to do all we can to get you out of this State. The less you look like you the better." Bryon opened the desk drawer and pulled out a box before tossing it to Dyson.
