The Matriarch Read online

  The Matriarch

  The Aegis Network

  Jen Talty

  Copyright © 2020 by Jen Talty

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  For Nick, Shea, and Olivia Marie.

  Contents

  The Matriarch

  Welcome to THE AEGIS NETWORK

  A Note From Jen Talty

  Book Description

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Jen Talty

  Praise for Jen Talty

  "Deadly Secrets is the best of romance and suspense in one hot read!" NYT Bestselling Author Jennifer Probst

  "A charming setting and a steamy couple heat up the pages in an suspenseful story I couldn't put down!" NY Times and USA today Bestselling Author Donna Grant

  "Jen Talty's books will grab your attention and pull you into a world of relatable characters, strong personalities, humor, and believable storylines. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll rush to get the next book she releases!" Natalie Ann USA Today Bestselling Author

  "I positively loved In Two Weeks, and highly recommend it. The writing is wonderful, the story is fantastic, and the characters will keep you coming back for more. I can't wait to get my hands on future installments of the NYS Troopers series." Long and Short Reviews

  "In Two Weeks hooks the reader from page one. This is a fast paced story where the development of the romance grabs you emotionally and the suspense keeps you sitting on the edge of your chair. Great characters, great writing, and a believable plot that can be a warning to all of us." Desiree Holt, USA Today Bestseller

  "Dark Water delivers an engaging portrait of wounded hearts as the memorable characters take you on a healing journey of love. A mysterious death brings danger and intrigue into the drama, while sultry passions brew into a believable plot that melts the reader's heart. Jen Talty pens an entertaining romance that grips the heart as the colorful and dangerous story unfolds into a chilling ending." Night Owl Reviews

  "This is not the typical love story, nor is it the typical mystery. The characters are well rounded and interesting." You Gotta Read Reviews

  "Murder in Paradise Bay is a fast-paced romantic thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. You won't want to miss this one..." USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard

  The Matriarch

  The Aegis Network

  the SARICH BROTHERS series

  book 5 of 5

  Cahterine’s Story

  JEN TALTY

  Welcome to THE AEGIS NETWORK

  The Aegis Network is the brainchild of former marines, Bain Asher and Decker Griggs. While serving their country, Bain and Decker were injured in a raid in an undisclosed area during an unsanctioned mission. Instead of twiddling their thumbs while on medical leave, they focused their frustration at being sidelined toward their pet project: a sophisticated Quantum Communication Network Satellite. When the devastating news came that neither man would be placed on active duty ever again, they sold their technology to the United States government and landed on a heaping pot of gold and funded their passion.

  Saving lives.

  The Aegis Network is an elite group of men and women, mostly ex-military, descending from all branches. They may have left the armed forces, but the armed forces didn’t leave them. There’s no limit to the type of missions they’ll take, from kidnapping, protection detail, infiltrating enemy lines, and everything in between, no job is too big or small when lives are at stake.

  As Marines, they vowed no man left behind.

  As civilians, they will risk all to ensure the safety of their clients.

  A Note From Jen Talty

  Some researchers have said there is a correlation between the ocean and being calm, happier, and more creative. Having spent a winter in Jupiter, Florida, I’d say these researchers are right on the money.

  the SARICH BROTHERS series was born while I spent four months in Jupiter, walking the beach, visiting the Jupiter Lighthouse, driving around Jupiter Island, dining at various places on the water, and overall enjoying this next chapter in my life known as ‘empty nest’.

  The Sarich Brothers, while poor, had a good life, raised by loving parents. However, their father was killed in the line of duty when the oldest boy was just twenty and the youngest fourteen, changing their lives forever…

  Each of the brothers struggle with a restlessness, in part caused by their father’s death. They are strong, honorable, and loyal men. They aren’t looking for a woman, as their jobs aren’t necessarily conducive with long-term relationships. It’s going to take an equally strong woman to rip down the Sarich Brothers defenses and help them settle their restlessness, so they can give their hearts.

  The series does not need to be read in order, but the four novellas do follow a timeline.

  Come join each of the Sarich boys in their journey to heal old wounds, mend broken hearts, and find their way to true happiness with the love of a good, strong woman.

  I want to add that since this series has been released, and then re-released, my readers, have begged me to write Mrs. Sarich’s story…well, it’s coming! Look for Catherine’s story, THE MATRIARCH, in 2020.

  Sign up for Jen’s Newsletter (https://dl.bookfunnel.com/rg8mx9lchy) where she often gives away free books before publication.

  Join Jen’s private Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/191706547909047/), where she posts exclusive excerpts and discusses all things murder and love!

  Book Description

  After the death of her husband, Catherine Sarich dedicated her life to her four boys. Now that each of them has found love, gotten married, and started families of their own, Catherine finds herself wanting more out of her life than babysitting her grandchildren. While her boys and their wives keep pushing one particular man in her direction, she’s never really embraced being single, or dating, so she signs up for a dating app.

  Mistake number one.

  Even though she finds retired Green Beret Wesley Maron incredibly attractive and insanely sweet, she finds herself shying away from a man who reminds her too much of her late husband.

  But when a suitor turns deadly, she turns to the one man who not only has her best interests at heart but loves her unconditionally, even if he too is struggling to open his soul to love again.

  Wesley Maron spent too many years pining over his ex-wife. When he finally finds the woman who has the ability to flip his world upside down, he finds himself having to accept the fact she’s not into him and wants to date other people. Protecting his heart, he gives Catherine all the space she needs in hopes someday she will realize her true love is right down the street. But when one of her dates turns out to be everything other than a gentleman, he decides to take matters into his own hands, even if it means laying his life down for the woman he loves.

  1

  Catherine Sarich glanced over her shoulder, making sure her four boys were nowhere to be found. While she appreciated their help, she didn’t need them breathing down her back. At fifty-five, she could make her own decisions on who to date. She stared at her brand-new iPhone and contemplated if she should accept this latest invitation for casual drinks. Her sons would rather she date Wesley Maron, who happened to be her youngest boy’s father-in-law.

  And co-
worker to all her sons.

  But what made it weird for Catherine was the fact that Wesley reminded her of her late husband in both body type and personality. Whenever she spent time with Wesley, she was constantly reminded of all the things she missed about her home in Jupiter and her life before her husband had been killed in the line of duty.

  If she was going to start over, she wanted to do it with someone completely different. She tapped back to the profile in question.

  James Wilson.

  IT specialist.

  Age 60.

  Widowed.

  Two children.

  Likes to hike, go on long walks, kayaking, boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Also enjoys reading suspense and thriller novels. Looking for long-lasting companionship.

  Pretty perfect description. She especially liked the part that he was a widow and not divorced.

  And he was handsome as well with blonde hair cut short, mysterious dark-blue eyes, a square jaw, and a sweet smile.

  She scrolled through their text conversation over the last couple of days. It wasn’t anything earth-shattering, but it made her smile.

  James: Hi, Catherine. Nice to meet you.

  Catherine: Nice to meet you as well. I have to admit, I’m new at this, and you’re my first swipe! Haha.

  James: I’m honored. I’m new too and not exactly sure what we’re supposed to be doing.

  Catherine: Have you met anyone here?

  James: I’ve messaged one woman here.

  Catherine: Are the two of you involved?

  James: No. We weren’t compatible.

  Catherine: What are you looking for?

  James: That’s not easily definable, but I can say I want someone that is real and genuine and enjoys the same things I do. What about you?

  Catherine: I have no idea. I have not dated but a few times since my husband died, and that was fifteen years ago.

  James: That’s a long time. My wife passed two years ago. I haven’t dated since her death either.

  Catherine: I’m so sorry for your loss. How did she die, if you don’t mind me asking?

  James: Not at all. Breast cancer. What about your husband?

  Catherine: He was killed in the line of duty. He was a police officer.

  James: I’m very sorry to hear that. I see you have four children. Is that why you never dated?

  Catherine: Yes.

  James: You’re a good mom.

  Catherine: You don’t even know me but thank you.

  James: True. But if you stayed single all those years to raise your kids, that says something about you. Family is everything. Listen. I have to go, but feel free to message me here anytime. I’d like to get to know you.

  Catherine: Is that how this works?

  James: I’ll be truthful. I’m a little gun-shy after the last woman I met. She was nice here, but she came on a little too strong. Talk soon.

  Curiosity had gotten the better of her, and the very next day she’d messaged him immediately.

  Catherine: What do you mean by a little too strong?

  James: I feel strange telling you.

  Catherine: Now I’m really curious. Please?

  James: She sent me pictures that while as I man, I can appreciate, but as a man and a father, they made me very uncomfortable.

  Catherine: That’s bold and kind of gross.

  James: Ya think? But it got worse. When I told her I didn’t want to meet in person, she found out where I lived and showed up at my house.

  Catherine: That’s what all four of my sons are worried about with me using an app like this.

  James: Well, it’s not like you’re in some adult chat room, haha. Though lots of people use this for hookups. And I learned the hard way that in today’s young people vernacular, that means sex, not hanging out.

  Catherine: Yes. I’ve heard that too. Well, since this is my first attempt at dating, trust me when I say, I’m looking to barely dip my toe into the waters.

  James: Sorry, got to run. Work calling. Chat tomorrow? It’s the weekend.

  Catherine: Sure.

  Saturday morning, she woke up to an invitation.

  James: Hi, Catherine. I was hoping you’d like to meet me for drinks tonight. There is this great little pub in Windemere called Olivia Marie’s. It’s brand new. Just opened up a few weeks ago. Maybe meet around six? If we hit it off, we can have dinner? If not, no hard feelings, and we go our separate ways.

  Her fingers hovered over the cell phone screen. The one piece of information she left out of her profile was that she and her boys all lived in Windemere, just outside of Orlando. Her pulse increased. It gave her pause that a complete stranger recommended a restaurant that she could walk to.

  Then again, Olivia Marie’s had gotten a lot of press recently. The owners, a couple that her son Nick knew from when he’d been hired to save his wife’s ass when they first met, were just famous enough in the area for it to be a big draw.

  It was a public place, and she’d tell her boys and their wives where she was going. Nothing bad could happen.

  She was simply going on a date.

  Starting her new life.

  One she deserved.

  “Mom, where do you want this?” Ramey called out from the family room.

  “What is it?” she yelled.

  “Something heavy, so come look,” Logan said.

  Not before she responded.

  Catherine: I’d like that. How about seven? I couldn’t get there before that. See you then.

  She stuffed her cell in her back pocket and raced into the family room. “What do you need?”

  Her youngest son, Dylan, leaned up against the staircase railing. “This thing. Where does it go?” He pointed to her new old-fashioned sewing chest.

  “Front guest bedroom under the window.”

  “Where the hell did you get this thing?” Ramey asked. “And why do you need it?”

  “I found it at a garage sale,” Catherine said. “And I don’t, but since this place is so much bigger than my last home, I felt like I needed to fill up some space.”

  “Whatever makes you happy. We’re just glad you’re closer.” Nick dropped a box in the family room. “Especially with so many babies about to be born. Who would have thought this family could produce so many kids.”

  Tears stung at the corner of her eyes. She always worried if she pushed too hard, her boys would turn against her and run.

  Actually, that’s exactly what happened.

  But they came back.

  With vengeance.

  “Kinsley is so uncomfortable,” Dylan said. “She’s a week overdue, and the doc said it could still be another week.”

  “She’ll be fine,” Catherine said. Of all her children, she never thought Dylan would get married, much less have children. As a matter of fact, before his accident, she’d pretty much given up on the idea.

  Then Kinsley walked into his life.

  Not only did she help him heal his physical wounds, but without her help and guidance, Dylan would have never been able to mend his broken heart from when his father had died. Something Catherine still grappled with on a daily basis.

  “I don’t know, Mom. The doc also said this kid is huge.” Dylan stretched out his arms. “Kinsley is petrified about that.”

  “I’ve talked to her about it, and you were ten pounds. Kinsley can do this, and worst-case scenario is they do a c-section.” Catherine had been with all of her daughters-in-law through each of their pregnancies and their subsequent births. While the only one she’d actually been in the labor room with had been Tequila, she’d supported them and helped all of them one way or another.

  And, of course, there was the babysitting.

  Lots of babysitting.

  Which she never minded.

  But it was time for her to date.

  And it was time for her to tell her boys.

  “Mom, she doesn’t want that, and are you still planning on being in the delivery room with us?
I’ve said so many stupid things, and while Kinsley is being super sweet about it, I wouldn’t be surprised if she turns into a crazy person and starts swearing and throwing tennis balls at me.”

  “Tequila is wearing off on her, I see.” Catherine smiled. “You know I’m more than happy to be there.”

  A tap at the door startled her. “Oh, Sam. What are you doing here?”

  “It looked like you might need some help,” Sam, her divorced, overly friendly next-door neighbor, said. “But I see you have your boys.”

  “I do. But thanks for checking in.”

  “My pleasure,” Sam said. “I also wanted to ask you about my backyard barbeque tonight. You never RSVP’d. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

  If she were a teenager, she’d roll her eyes. Sam, while a nice guy, just didn’t do anything for her at all, and he certainly couldn’t take a hint. “I’m sorry, but I have plans tonight.”

  Ramey coughed, though she could tell it was covering up a laugh. She had half a mind to go pull at his ear.

  “Well, if it’s with your family, bring them. I’ll have plenty of food.”

  Logan walked in with a couple of boxes. He dropped them on the floor and gave his mother a smirk and a wink. “She’s babysitting tonight, and I don’t think the kids would be a welcome addition.”