Bradford's Orders Book Two The Third Generation Series

Prologue

Prologue

Bradford

"I'll see you both tonight at the party then," I don't envy them. They're going to be in the spotlight for a long time to come. But so are the rest of us.

"No drinking tonight, Bradford. You start training for camp tomorrow." Easton reminds me.

It's been a while since I had to stay on a regiment but it's not unfamiliar to me. I played QB like he did. I offered to play for them and I wanted this. I know the work I have in front of me. I'm eager to get started.

"Sparkling water here I come, get out of here. I'll be home soon," I let them know. I still need to clean out my desk here. I won't be using it for a while.

As they left, I stood in my office alone and looked around. I worked hard for this office. I put in my time in college, in law school and I passed the bar on the first try. I have the career I wanted and now I'm going to get my dream.

I didn't go out for the draft because I didn't think I was good enough to measure up to my Uncle Blake. I was good, just not awesome. I didn't set any records or anything. Not like Blake or Aiden. I didn't meet those standards like Derrick or Easton. I was just good.

Easton swore I could be better. He always has. I just need to change my mindset. That's what he said. Maybe that's why I offered to be the QB for the team. This was my chance to prove myself. This was my chance to change my mindset. So it's time I think about something more than just my own life and my future. It's time I be a team player like the rest of my family.

Locking up behind me, I carried the box with my personal belongings down to the lobby. I can always bring it back when it's time to come back to work. And I will come back, after the dream job. That's going to happen this time.

Not thinking about anything else I walked out the front door and walked right into a man who had a little blonde pinned against the side of the building. His hand wrapped around her neck with the other raised in air and was about to hit her.

"Get your fucking hands off her!" I bellowed, dropping my box and hurrying to the woman.

His head spun around to look at me before he dropped her and took off around the corner. The woman dropped to knees and held her hands around her neck as if she was in pain. Kneeling down next to her, I touched her arm, stroked my hand down her back and tried to soothe her. My fingertips tingle the moment I made contact with her. Weird.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" I asked, trying to help her.

"I'm fine, Mr. Drake. Thank you," she choked out her words, not as okay as she wants me to think. But she obviously knows who I am.

Lifting her head, I get a look at her face and realize who it is I just saved. "Holly?"

I knew she had trouble. I knew that Easton was protecting her. I didn't realize someone wanted to physically hurt her. And she has a kid! Where's the kid?

"Where's your kid?" I asked, looking around hoping that the creep didn't take her.

"At the house. Emma's watching her. I had some errands to run and... I didn't want to take the security guard with me. I thought I would be fine. Ten minutes out of the car to the cleaners, pick up the flowers Emma's requested, and the drug store and I'd be done." Holly explained.

Moving her hands from her neck, I took a look at where the guy had grabbed her. Sure enough she had bruises in the shape of fingerprints around her neck. She won't be able to hide those unless she plans on wearing a turtleneck for a while.