Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“Ready to go clear out your Little’s apartment?” Caden asked.
“I’m definitely ready to get out of this room,” Jerico agreed.
“I’m ready to move around. Sitting there watching Jerico dance around all those disastrous plans was exhausting,” Zale added. “Thank you for skillfully maintaining our supplies. The proposed cut to medical supplies alone could have been dangerous.”
“I’m glad to help. We each have our skills,” Jerico told the team, making eye contact with each one.
“That’s why you’ve talked individually to everyone,” Max guessed. “You expected that.”
“It happens every time a new team leader comes on,” Caden informed them. “Jerico was ready for them. They won a few points and are pleased. We maintained what we need to survive.”
The other members of the team nodded and exchanged a look between them.
Jerico knew that he’d just gained one more level of support. After they’d trained together, the team had accepted him. Now after watching him in action on their behalf on the base, the others knew he had their backs. The last step would happen in deployment. Jerico had no doubts that he would prove himself there as well.
“Shall we go empty the apartment? After all that, I’d be glad to deal with a bully,” Hank shared.
“Koa, go grab the truck from supply,” Caden ordered.
The youngest man took off jogging through the halls. He’d have the truck parked at the curb in a few minutes. Jerico paused to take a picture of his notes during the meeting. Caden pushed his over, and Jerico nodded. With those stored in his phone, he tucked the sheets inside his shirt to deal with later.
Trailing behind his teammates, Jerico breathed a sigh of relief to have that finalized for a while. He stopped to use the restroom and ran into Hank, who’d had the same idea. Jerico stepped up to a urinal.
“You’re not the only one,” Hank said to him as he zipped his pants and stepped away to wash his hands.
“Not the only what?” Jerico said.
Hank grabbed a paper towel before sharing, “I had a little girl years ago. If she’s really yours, cherish every moment together.” Without another word, he dropped the used towel into the trash and walked out.
Jerico’s heart dropped as he considered those words. Hank had lost his little girl somehow—obviously not by his choice. Jerico couldn’t imagine the hole such a loss would leave in a daddy’s heart. Nodding, he made a promise to himself to take Hank’s advice.
After washing his hands, he walked to the front entrance and exited. Piling into the truck with the others, Jerico gave Koa directions to Aspen’s apartment. The other men joked and talked as they moved through the city. Jerico was quiet as he planned his strategy to deal with her neighbor if he was there.
“Is that it ahead?” Zale asked, pointing at the duplex that currently featured a large man getting out of a beat-up car.
“Yes. Looks like our good luck is over,” Jerico commented.
“Try not to engage, everyone. We’re here to do a job. Keep your eyes open,” Caden warned.
Koa backed the truck into the driveway and the men jumped out. Jerico took the key he’d borrowed from Aspen and walked to the front door, ignoring the brute who stationed himself in front of it. As Jerico moved around him, the man lurched into action.
“Where’s that bitch? She has my dog.” He turned to loom threateningly close to Jerico.
“She’s moved out. We’re here to empty the apartment for the landlord,” Jerico answered evenly.
“You’re the asshole who stood up for her last night.”
“I am.”
“I should knock your head off your shoulders.”
“That’s not a good idea,” Jerico warned, nodding at the men who had followed him to the door. He opened the door and waved everyone in.
“Needed backup, huh?”
“Definitely more power makes moving easier.” Jerico deliberately closed the door in the angry man’s face. “Everyone, take a room and let’s get everything cleared out. If you see a mess, clean it up, please. I don’t want Aspen to have to come back to work on getting her deposit back.”
The roar at the door made everyone turn to look at the wooden barrier.
“Do I see daylight through the wood?” Max asked, appalled.
“You do.” Jerico shook his head at the incredulous look on the other man’s face. It was hard to believe that Aspen had lived like this.
“He’s angry about a dog?” Zale asked as he walked into the kitchen.
“Yes. But he would have found another excuse to create havoc for her,” Jerico assured.
With that, the men began to work. They efficiently emptied each room and stacked the few possessions left by the door in large trash bags. Each room sparkled as they left it.
Within an hour, they were left with garbage and things to go into the truck.
“I’m going to open the door. Be prepared,” Zale said, picking up the first load to go to the dumpster.