Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
The clean-up went fast. All the guys pitched in as the Littles dozed in their chairs. Soon, the fire was extinguished, and all the containers brought by the men returned to them.
Koa gave him a one-armed hug. “Congratulations, Zale. I’m glad you found her.”
“I hope your Little shows up soon.”
“Me, too. It will happen when it’s supposed to. Do you have a plan for your Little?”
“Keep her happy for the rest of her life?” Zale suggested with a smile.
“I mean, when we’re out of town. Do you think the threat is over for her?”
“The chatter is sounding more like they’re going to send us soon, isn’t it?” Zale said, instantly serious. He thrust a hand roughly over his military short hair. “I wish I could move her on base.”
“Is there any way to do that?” Koa asked with a skeptical expression. “Ask Caden. He knows.”
“Ask me what?” Caden asked, hearing his name.
Zale explained his question and watched his teammate nod in confirmation.
“Yep. You just need a letter from your commanding officer and a background check,” Caden informed them.
“They’re doing a background check on her for her new job. That should work for this as well,” Zale suggested. “I’ll contact our team commanding officer and get an approval.”
“Have him leave the dates open for several months. You’d think anyone interested in her would give up after a few days, but you never know with these scumbags,” Caden growled.
“Good suggestion. Thanks, Caden. Now, if we’re not sent out for a few days…”
The sound of notifications hitting their phones interrupted the conversation. The entire team turned to look at Zale.
“Fuck. Too late to take care of that.” He shook his head. “Okay, everyone, get your head in the game. I’ll meet you at the base.”
Immediately, all the men exited silently, Jerico heading for the backyard with Zale. He picked up a sleepy Aspen in his arms and carried her to his truck.
“Daddy? Is it time to go home?” Aspen’s voice drifted back to him as Zale lowered himself to one knee in front of Pippa.
He brushed his fingers through her thick wavy hair, brushing it off her cheek. “Kitten? I need you to wake up for me.”
“Daddy? Is the party over?” Pippa asked, sitting up and rubbing her beautiful green eyes.
“It is. I need you to listen. I don’t have a lot of time.”
He hated how her eyes widened with fear. “Everything is okay, Pippa. Daddy’s team was just activated. I have to report to the base immediately. I want you to wake up so you can drive me there. That way you’ll have the Jeep.”
“You have to go away?” she asked.
“I do. Hopefully, for a short time, but there are no guarantees.”
“Can you call me? You know… every once in a while?”
“I can’t, kitten. That would endanger the team. No matter how much I want to talk to you, I can’t do that,” he told her as his heart broke. “I need you to be very brave and very careful while I’m away. If you get scared, pack a bag and go to Aspen’s. I put the address in your new phone earlier.”
He hated to scare her, but forced himself to add, “Drive around a bit to make sure no one is following you before you head to her house. Call the police when you can.”
“Do you think I’m still in danger?”
“I don’t know, Pippa. I need you to take very good care of yourself while I’m away. I put my supervisor’s number in your phone as well. He’ll help you if you need him.”
“I better not lose my phone,” she whispered.
He could tell she was trying to show him she wasn’t scared when she was petrified. His brave little girl. Zale pulled her close and kissed her tenderly.
When he leaned away, he asked, “Will you come with me while I get my bag?”
She nodded and let him pull her to her feet as he stood up. He pulled her close for a quick hug before leading her to the main bedroom. There, Zale stepped into the closet and pulled his go bag from the back corner.
“You’ve already packed?”
“Yes, kitten. We have to be ready to go at all times. Do you need to potty before we leave?”
She hesitated and then shook her head.
He could tell she was lying. “Go. I won’t leave without you. It will be a long trip back and forth with a full bladder.”
After Pippa scurried to the bathroom, Zale leaned against the wall, trying to remember everything he needed to tell her. He’d tried to put everything in her phone so she would have it all together. Zale had even organized her copies of her driver’s license and the police reports together and placed them in a sling bag for her to take with her. She’d teased him about being Mr. Organized.