CHAPTER TEN
-:- RUGER -:-
Holt it turns out, had left the military after an incident where two of his team were killed. For him, it was the last thing he could stomach, and he signed out as quickly as was possible.
Delta and Bones have run a check and found nothing to be worried about. Holt is starting immediately as he said he’s bored to tears with nothing to do. I’ve brought him to the security patrol office where he’s met all the team. We are all here for a meeting before the weekend hits.
“Remember, I’m not on over the weekend. Taking my girls out tomorrow evening.” I grin like a fool, and don’t give a fuck who sees it.
“Going somewhere good?” Colton asks.
“Club Whisky. I’m going to have a nice meal with my girls.
I’ve spoken to Tony, and he’s going to make Punkin something special.
Cookie said she’ll make a nice dessert, too.
We’ll not be staying too long ‘cause Punkin will need to get to bed. But it’ll be nice to eat out, and give Penny a change, too. ”
“You all got a woman?” Holt asks.
Knuckles smirks. “Well, I have one. Colton and Mav too, and of course, Ruger is chasing Penny.” That comment has everyone hooting with laughter. “You got one, Holt?”
“No. Never wanted one either. I’m sure when the right one comes along I’ll be interested, but until then I’m staying away from scheming women.”
“Okay, let’s get serious.” Colton takes out his notebook and pen from the drawer in the desk.
“We won’t know about the new officers until they’ve done their training on Sunday.
If they don’t complete that, then they are out.
Holt, you've gotta come on Sunday too. Everyone has to be put through his or her paces, and if he or she is not fit enough, then we don’t want them. ”
“Yeah, no problem. Give me a place and time and I’ll be there.”
I’m going to be running patrol with Holt tonight as Drake has a prior appointment he’d booked before he took the job.
It’s not something we’d like to do, but we have no other alternative.
Mav and Knuckles are both on door duty. Lincoln is working in the office.
Arrow is working at the compound in the security server room as they are placing the finishing touches to the place.
Bones is off tonight as he’s worked the last twelve days.
Leaving nobody spare to work alongside me, and it’s not safe to patrol alone.
“Be here at six, Holt, and we start our patrol at seven. You can eat here before shift,” I inform him, so he knows what is expected. “You’ll get a uniform, and I’ll leave it in the locker room.”
“Okay, no problem. I’ll be here. I’m going to run along home and speak to my sister about this cleaning job.” Holt tips his head as he leaves the office and I make my way to Penny’s office.
Penny is busy at her PC and gives me a quick look and a smile. “What can I do for you, Ruger?”
“I’m working tonight, but I’ll pick up Punkin. Do you want me to get something out of the freezer for your evening meal, or are you gonna eat here before you come home? If you are, I can bring Punkin here, and we can all eat.”
“Oh, I never thought of that. Okay, bring Arabella, and we’ll eat here. Make sure Magnus knows, so he has something Arabella can eat, or he’ll be more than annoyed with you.” Penny grins, and we both know Magnus is particular about what he serves.
“Okay, I’ll do that and see you later, Babe.” I quickly make my way to speak with Magnus, and as we are discussing what Punkin can eat my phone plays ‘Who Shot the Sheriff’. Yeah, I know it’s as old as the hills, but it suits Forest.
“Yeah, what’s up?” I ask as I take the call.
Forest quickly fills me in. “I’ve just been handed a report on Rosemarie. It seems she has been admitted for treatment until further notice. Which tells me she’s a nutjob and they are going to be keeping a close eye on her.”
“Fuckin’ hell. I told Knuckles she was a stalker, but he thought it was funny. It’s not when the bitches won’t go away and it gets threatening. If she ever gets out and comes my way, I’ll be speaking with Nell about the issue,” I quickly state my feelings.
“I’ll keep you updated on the situation.” Forest closes the call as soon as he’s finished speaking.
“Sounds like you have some psycho after you, Ruger?” Magnus asks.
“Well, she was, but she's now in a psycho facility, so let’s hope she stays there.”
I walk away and take a seat before sending a message to Harris.
Ruger: All good on the blueprints, you can carry on with the one you have
I lean back in my seat and take a breather for a minute. My nerves are still not smoothed from the mess with Rosemarie. I wish I’d never laid eyes on her because she’d been nothing but trouble.
My phone vibrates, and checking it, it’s a message reply from Harris.
Harris: Great. We’ll get on with it.
Later after picking Punkin up, I place her in a brand-new high chair that Magnus had appear from somewhere. I give him a nod of thanks, and he nods in response.
Punkin is sitting in the high chair with her eyes as wide as saucers as she looks around at the large cafeteria. Wren has already been and gushed over her, and surprisingly so did Delta.
Penny takes a seat at the table and laughs when Punkin babbles towards her. Penny leans forward and kisses Punkin on the top of her head and gives me a big smile. “This is nice, Ruger. We’ll have to do this again.”
Magnus walks over before I can reply and places a bowl of pureed sweet potato. “Let Arabella try it, and if she doesn’t like it I have a banana and honey that I can puree together for her.”
I give Punkin a small amount on a spoon, and she scrunches her nose at first, then surprisingly opens her mouth wide for more. “I think she likes it, Magnus.”
We have a pleasant time eating our meal.
Punkin gets a lot of attention from everyone coming into the cafeteria.
She loved Lincoln for some reason and held her arms out to him to be lifted from the high chair.
Lincoln smirked and picked Punkin up before walking away with her.
I’ve not seen her take to anyone like that before, but I follow behind them anyway, just in case, you know how it is?
Once Penny has taken Punkin home, I shower and change into my work uniform. I direct Holt to what is our patrol criteria, and then once he’s all rigged up in his uniform and ready, we get in the SUV and head out to our first check.
The evening is quiet, and we’ve been speaking about all types of subjects. I like Holt, and I think he’ll make a great addition to the security team. He has a lot of military experience, and with that he has no fear of facing an intruder on any of the clients' properties.
“I was informed by Arrow about the incident where the kid lit himself up. Any more on the why? Or the who?” Holt asks, and I turn to look at him before looking back at the road.
Sighing before I respond. “It was horrendous, and he was so young. But you know he was a cocky little fucker. For some reason, he didn’t listen, and before we could stop him he was in flames.
We are assuming it’s to do with the client’s rivals, but we are not sure about it as yet.
There was another kid with him but he wasn’t an idiot and took off. ”
“Christ, it’s as bad as being…” Holt doesn’t continue, but I know he’s thinking of something that happened to him while in service. None of us ever ask questions, or push for information. If a brother wants to share, he does so when and if he is ready.
“We are coming up to the warehouse. Keep your eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. Forest has placed tapes around to show it is unsafe, and although the building structure is fine, he wants nobody inside in case a larger investigation is called for.” I pull the SUV to a stop, and shut off the engine.
We both climb out, and I feel the hair on my arms and neck stand on end.
I know it’s a reaction to what happened, but it’s still an eerie feeling.
Holt steps a little closer, and I tense. “Over on the right, near the side of the building. There’s a kid standing in the shadows.”
Slowly turning my head, I stare a moment or two before I see him. It’s the same kid. “JACK!” I shout and take off running toward him because as soon as I shouted his name he turned and ran into the darkness of the warehouse compound.
“Fuck’s sake, Ruger. Last thing you do is shout at them!” Holt snaps as we run around the compound trying to find the little shit.
Stopping, I place my hands on my hips. I’m not out of breath, but I’m out of patience. “Fucking hell, I didn’t mean to warn him. I shouted before I could stop myself. We don’t mean him any harm. We just want to check that he is okay. Who wanted them to torch the place?”
“Come on, you’ve blown it for now at least,” Holt states, which has me kicking my own ass because he’s right, I have blown it.
Unbeknownst to either of us, Jack is not far away and hears us speaking. Hiding in the corner of the compound, he has to make a choice. He either speaks to the MC or he has to leave town, and he has to make that decision soon.
****
Waking the next morning, warm and cozy, I’m suddenly aware that someone is kissing my chest, then my neck, slowly creeping to my mouth. I’m aware now that I’m with Penny, and shit, she’s waking me nicely. Trouble being my morning wood is awake now, too.
I’m quick as a flash as I flip Penny over and pin her under me.
My forearms at each side of her shoulders.
Looking down at her, I give her an intense look right before I kiss her soundly.
Our lips connect with want and longing. It has a hint of the love that is slowly growing between us.
The gentle light streaming through the window casts a glow on our faces.
Time appears to slow as we kiss and nuzzle each other.
The world around us is background noise at this moment.
I could wake up like this every morning and still not have enough.
“I’m not quite ready, Ruger. But I can feel you are.” Penny giggles a little, and I can’t stop myself from grinding my hardened dick a little, just to agree with her comment, of course.
“We’ll do this in your time, Penny. I’m happy to wake with your kisses.
” I kiss her nose before I roll away from her, and climb out of bed.
Walking naked to the bathroom I quickly shower because I know Punkin will wake soon.
I’ll get her to Nyx and the ladies, and then I can come back here to sleep.
Ninety minutes later, I’m packing some of Arabella’s newborn baby clothes into a bag. I’m sure this will be good for the Swap Shop, but I’m going to have to ask Penny first. She’s liable to skin me alive if she wants to keep this, and I get rid of it.
Finding my phone on the kitchen counter, I send Penny a message.
Ruger: I’ve packed this baby stuff you had on the dresser. Do you want it taken to the Swap Shop?
It only takes a few minutes as I’m standing waiting for her reply. Yawning because I’m ready for bed and some serious shuteye.
Penny: Yes, but I’ll take it in the morning. I’ve got a few other things to get together first.
Ruger: Okay, Babe, I’ll see you later.
Penny: [kisses and love heart emojis]
I can’t stop smiling because Penny sent me kisses and hearts. Yeah, fuck, I’m getting her with the program!