CHAPTER SIX
-:- RUGER -:-
Rushing over to speak with Hammer who is working on Arrow’s house has my hackles up. I am not having Penny and Punkin living for long in another man’s house. It’s not happening.
The demolition of the house looks complete and from what I see the cleanup is underway. Looking around, I spot Hammer studying a blueprint with Sting and Brag. They see me walking over and wait for me to reach them.
“What’s up, Ruger?” Hammer asks.
“What’s up is that I need my house built on the compound and like yesterday. My woman is going to move into Lincoln’s place, and I need her out of there fast.” I rush the words out, and all three stand staring at me like I just lost it, which I suppose I did to a degree.
“The only option I would have is to put Harris’ team on the job. We cannot leave Arrow’s at the moment. We are ready to start the build. You still want the one you gave me the plans for?” Hammer asks while rolling up the blueprint he has in his hand.
“I can step over to Harris’ team if you want, Hammer. But he’ll still be in charge,” Sting suggests, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea to break up what is essentially the original construction team.
“If you are happy Harris can do the job, then get him started. Sting stays with Brag and Hammer. I’m just at a loss for how to get my woman on board, and fast,” I admit.
“Women! It’s always tricky,” Brag rubs his thumb and finger over his chin in thought.
“Nothing I can do but have Harris start, Ruger,” Hammer admits.
I know they would do my place if they could. We have worked the construction business from the start together. I hope to come back once I have my woman locked down. I’m not sure I can see myself working security forever.
Sting pats my shoulder. “Why don’t you try the old-fashioned wining and dining trick? Take her out, be nice, you know what I mean.”
“Fuckin’ hell, I’m gonna up my game. Hammer, get my house started. You know what I want.” I storm away and as I throw my leg over my hog, my phone vibrates. Taking it out of my back jeans pocket, I see a text from Forest.
Forest: Give me a call after lunch. I may have news on Rosemarie
Ruger: OK
Back at the security office I check on Delta as I pass her office. Leaning on the doorframe, I speak out. “Delta, you okay? Need anything?”
Looking away from her monitor and to me, Delta grins. “I’m fine, but I think you are in trouble.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, straightening up from the doorway.
“I’ve been watching Penny since you dropped your ‘me man, you my woman’ shit. She’s gonna make you pay for that one, Ruger.”
Delta grins, and I shake my head before spinning around and heading downstairs to see what Penny is doing. What I didn’t want to find was Penny flirting with some asshole at the reception desk, with Jayne one of the new reception staff standing looking on. Oh no, this is not happening.
Walking over, I throw my arm around Penny’s shoulders, kiss her temple while at the same time I give this asshole a look that tells him clearly that if he keeps on messing with my woman, he’s not going to see tomorrow.
“Okay, send over the quote and I’ll take a look.” The asshole quickly scuttles out of the building and I hold on to Penny, leading her out of reception.
“Everything okay, Boss?” Jayne asks. Now Jayne calls everyone boss, so I’m not sure if she’s speaking to me or Penny, but I give her a wink as I get Penny away.
Pushing Penny carefully into the locker room, I pin her to the wall right behind the door.
“You gotta stop yanking my chain, Penny. You and me, we are happenin’, and I’m gonna adopt Punkin as mine.
It’s time you got with the program. I’ll pick you up on Saturday night and we’ll go out for a meal.
We’ll take Punkin with us. No need for a babysitter. Now, no more flirting.”
As Penny opens her mouth to argue I slam my mouth over hers, pushing my tongue into her mouth before she can object.
The kiss starts fiercely, but quickly becomes a tender exploration filled with warmth and promise.
As the kiss deepens, it becomes a dance of passion, a silent conversation where words are unnecessary, and I hope now Penny realizes how serious I am about us being together.
Breaking the kiss, I look into Penny’s eyes, and yes, they are glazed with passion.
Yeah, this woman is mine alright. Kissing her nose, I step away.
“I’m picking Punkin up later, and I’ll meet you back home.
” I don’t wait for her to reply and leave the locker room, feeling smug that I accomplished what I set out to do.
Heading to the bunk room, I settle down and close my eyes.
It’s been a long night, and I’m ready for some shuteye.
Smiling as I fall asleep remembering the shocked look on Penny’s face, then the passion that sparked after the kiss.
Yeah, she’s my woman, and I’m going to win her over if it’s the last thing I do.
****
Four hours later, I’m in the kitchen sitting at a table with a bowl of beef stew, smells delicious and is steaming. I chose the option without dumplings and went with a side of garlic sliced baguette, toasted only as Magnus can. I love his cooking; no doubt he is a success here.
After eating, I lean back in my seat and give Drake a chin lift as he arrives in the kitchen. I pick up my phone, from where I’d laid it on the table while eating. Going to make the call to Forest and see what the fuck is going on with that crazy Rosemarie.
It only takes three rings before Forest picks up. “Hi, Forest, what you got for me?”
Forest chuckles. “Well, Rosemarie has been before the judge. It was a stand-in judge and boy was she good. She read all about what Rosemarie had been up to, and it came to light by a slip of her lawyer's tongue that you are not the first this lunatic has stalked.”
“Fuckin’ hell!” I am a little shocked but thinking about how determined Rosemarie was to follow me around and make trouble, I don’t think I should be.
“Yeah, it was interestin’ I have to admit.
Anyhow, they are going to evaluate her and do a psych report.
She’s been sent to a facility where she will be counseled, if needed, and all the other shit they do with psychos.
But, Ruger if she gets out of that facility and comes again we need to do what we need to do.
You get me?” Forest isn’t saying the actual words, but I know what he means, and Nell will get a visitor.
“Yep, got it. For now, is everything okay?” I have to ask because I have Penny and Arabella to think about. Their safety has to come first.
“Yes. I’ve put a request in that if or when she is released, my department has to be alerted. That way, we can stay one step ahead if need be.”
“Thanks, Forest.” I have to say I’m relieved that Forest is always on the ball, and his background of being former FBI helps us more than a little.
“Everything okay, Ruger?” Drake asks as he takes a seat opposite me at the table.
“Yeah. You know that fuckin’ nut job that was on my hog?”
Drake leans forward, smirking. “Oh yeah, the one Forest hauled away.”
“That’s the one. Well, she’s been in court, and has been sent to a facility for nut jobs.
Let’s hope they keep her indefinitely.” We both chuckle at my comment, then settle into discussing our upcoming night shift.
An hour later, I jump from my seat. “Shit, I gotta go get Punkin, but I’ll be back in time for us to roll out. ”
“Okay, see you later.” Drake picks up his tray and mine and heads for the counter while I rush out to my hog. I’m going to dash to Penny’s place, leave my hog, and grab the SUV I’ve left at her place for just these occasions.
It doesn’t take me long to get to the ladies’ place and pick up Punkin. Nyx is teasing them something fierce about the next day's trip to the mall. I’m not getting into this shit; I get my little girl and get the fuck out of there.
Penny arrives home, and I kiss her before she can complain.
“I’ve put a dinner in the oven for you. Took it out of the freezer.
Nyx has already fed Punkin, so you don’t have to fret about that.
Well, not until she needs her top-up formula later.
I gotta run now, babe. Work calls.” I kiss her again, and smirk as she blushes.
“Ruger, you are being a pain in my ass. I haven’t said we are going to happen…” I don’t hang about to listen to more. I jump on my hog and get out of there while she’s standing at the door, hands on hips, frowning.
****
The patrol is quiet, Drake is driving, and I’m watching the scenery pass by as we travel from one business checked to the next. Turning to look at Drake as he speaks. “You met Harry Finchley yet?”
“Can’t have, as I don’t know who that is,” I reply.
Drake frowns. “He’s applied for one of the security team jobs. I’m not sure if I should speak to Colton, Knuckles or Garth.”
“Speak to them about what?” I can’t help but be nosey enough to ask.
“That fucking Harry is a piece of shit, but he’s a sweet-talker and gets whatever he wants. He’s scammed more people out of their hard-earned cash than you can imagine. I can’t stand him, and if he’s going to work here, I’m leaving.”
Now, that shocks the shit out of me. But, it shows how seriously he feels about this guy.
“Okay, in the morning when we clock off I’ll go with you and speak to whoever is in charge of the security office.
If we are not happy we’ll go above their heads and speak with Lincoln, Bones, and Arrow, or all three. ”
Nodding in agreement, Drake continues the drive to our next checkpoint, which is a warehouse on the edge of town.
The owner is hoping to turn the place into a storage facility, and has made some of the changes, but he found so much junk in the place it’s taking time to clear it.
He has however, equipment at the ready that he doesn’t want stolen or damaged.
Bringing the truck to a stop by the chain link fencing next to the gate, we look at each other when, at the same time we see the gate is not closed, and the padlock is on the ground.
Climbing out of the truck, we carefully make our way through the gate, eyes and ears alert.
I take out the Ruger LCP Max, which I favor at this time.
It’s lightweight, has a sight, a smooth pull trigger, clean break and positive reset.
Twelve round magazine, 380 auto. Love this baby, and where my name came from, you know, the love of my Rugers of which I have every model available.
Drake takes out his favored Smith & Wesson pistol, and we head around the side of the warehouse, covering each other as we move. We’ve worked together on being in sync just in case of this scenario happening.
Hearing voices, we stop and listen. Jack grab hold of the can, we gotta fire this place.
Flicking my eyes to Drake who shakes his head that no, we wait a moment or two, continuing to listen.
I don’t wanna do this. You said nothing about burning this place down.
I’m outta here. We hear rushed steps and the opening of the warehouse door.
From our vantage point, we see a young kid running out of the gate and stopping to stare at the truck.
Looking stricken, he sets off towards town, running like a wolf is snapping at his heels.
Fuckin’ chicken shit. The young asshole inside snarls. Now we can make our move.
“You sure you wanna do this?” Drake snarls as he steps inside the building.
“Who the fuck are you?” The stupid little prick shouts.
“I’m the one who is gonna stop you from torching the place. Ruger, get Forest or a Deputy here.”
Not sure how the next happens, but it’s like watching in slow motion. I tap my chest camera to make sure it’s on, catching what’s happening. Thankfully, it’s recording, and sending the live stream to the security desk.
Asshole throws the can of gas at Drake who dodges it thankfully, because that on him would make him a target to go up in flames. Sad thing is the fucking idiot has spilled a lot on himself as he threw it, but the maniacal grin on his face is not a good sign.
“Don’t do it, kid. You have gas on yourself. If you light that up you’ll be a dead man, and it’ll not be pretty.” I do my best to warn him.
“Fuckin’ hell, kid, put the lighter down,” Drake tries to reason with the kid.
“Fuck you!” The kid shouts right as he lights the shit up, and he sets himself aflame.
I make the call to the fire department and tell them to get here fast, but in the meantime the kid is screaming as he burns. We can’t get near enough to help him. But when it gets to the point he’ll not want to live we step back as he stops beating at the flames.
The sirens arrive, an ambulance too. But when Lincoln walks in, we know he’s seen from the live feed what has happened. “You two okay?” Lincoln asks, and we quickly say we are fine, although rattled by what’s occurred.
The paramedic from the ambulance crew steps over to us from the kid's body. “Sorry, but he’s gone. In the state he’s in, I reckon it’s better than living, anyway.”
The fire crew gets the place under control, but thankfully we had been able to keep the kid away from the gas he’d thrown at Drake. If that had lit we would have had to evacuate and leave the kid to burn on his own.
We give our report to Deputy JP and Deputy Hands. Lincoln will provide the feed for them as evidence of the situation. Me, I’m pleased this is over, but fucking sad to see a young kid kill himself like this.
What we don’t know is why they were torching the place? Maybe we need to find the kid that did a runner for that answer!