Undaunted - Shirleen Davies Page 0,4
one of the suitcases in Brittany’s room.
“I’ve already committed to the senator, Mother. It’s time for me to expand my experience outside a government agency, and away from the beltway.”
Brittany’s frustration with her mother had been rising over the last two hours of packing. She loved her parents and appreciated their help, but not at the cost of hearing the constant grumbling about the move. She understood much of their feelings came from losing Junior. They’d become even more protective since his death, calling several times a day, insisting she spend as many weekends as possible with them.
It had become too suffocating. After Carl, Brittany couldn’t wait to reinvent her life. She’d been born in Arizona, went through elementary and middle school in Scottsdale before her family relocated back east. Staying through college, she’d decided to keep close to D.C., taking her father’s suggestion to apply for jobs within one of the government agencies.
During that time, she’d met Scott, fallen in love, and knew, deep in her heart, he’d be her future. He’d already been a SEAL stationed out of Virginia when friends introduced them. After their breakup, she’d stayed because it had become her home, though Brittany had never learned to love her choice. She now had a chance to make a different one.
“Truthfully, I’m looking forward to the change. There will be travel, but what caught my attention was the opportunity to be her chief of staff. Think of all the people I’ll meet.” As she knew it would, her mother’s attitude perked up at the knowledge her daughter would still be in contact with the beltway’s movers and shakers.
“The job I left didn’t allow me such opportunities, Mother. At least not at my level. I’ll be in D.C. half the time and Arizona the rest. There’ll be plenty of times for us to see each other.”
A trust and estate attorney who dealt with some of the wealthiest east coast residents, Marta had a heart of gold, yet could be as cold as ice when it came to protecting her clients.
Lowering herself to the edge of Brittany’s bed, she clasped her hands in her lap. “I’ve become spoiled having you a few miles away from me and your father. Being able to meet for lunch or dinner. I know it’s time for you to spread your wings, it’s just…”
Brittany sat down beside her, covering Marta’s hands with one of hers. “We’ll talk as often as you want, and get together when I’m in town.” Standing, she grabbed another pair of pants. “Don’t forget, I’m keeping this apartment, and will be going back and forth regularly. It isn’t like I’m actually leaving.”
It was a much needed change, something to drive her career forward. Never had she allowed herself to stand still. She’d always endeavored to make progress, even if it was baby steps.
“I’m excited about this, Mother. Please be happy for me.”
Eyes widening, her mother wrapped an arm around Brittany’s shoulders. “I am happy for you, sweetheart. It will just be an adjustment.”
As both continued to pack clothes for her Arizona apartment, Brittany allowed her mind to wander to Scott.
She’d tried twice to make amends. The first time, at Freedom Meadow’s annual family rodeo where he’d been participating. The second, at his promotion ceremony. Both times she’d been rebuked.
It surprised Brittany he hadn’t asked how she’d learned about the rodeo. Turned out, locating him had been easier than she’d hoped.
A friend had insisted Brittany allow her to do some digging. Meaning, she’d hack into private systems to learn what she could about Scott.
It had become a project, her way of helping Brittany. She’d hacked into various government agencies, putting both of them in danger of losing their jobs and even arrest. The results had been shocking, and so much different than expected.
She’d stumbled upon a gold mine of information about Scott and his current SEAL team. Data which had been buried deep within a virtual catacomb of government secrets. Details that would be dangerous in the wrong hands.
Her friend had learned about Admiral Grayson and the establishment of the undercover Eternal Brethren. It had taken Brittany time to accept what her friend had found. She’d continued to dig, night after night, until Brittany had begged her to stop. The risk to both of them was too great.
What they’d learned had gone deep. Very deep, which meant it could put them in huge trouble if anyone discovered their off-hours work. They’d made a pact to never talk about it to