“Your dirty house is your only problem?”
“One of many, my friend. One of many.”
Chapter 7
It was about three in the afternoon, and Jack, Bonnie, Vance, Kassidy, Draven, Three, Findley, and even Brinnley were sitting around the pool with some of the females and kids from the Gamieyon Pride while yet other females were swimming and playing on the splash pad with Izzie, Bella, and Griffin. There were several other males nearby keeping watch, but only a few were visible. Steve and two of the males that had come to the Laighin Pride with him were seen providing security, but the other two of their males had decided to get some rest so they could go on duty at sundown to relieve Steve and those on duty now.
The adults were chatting as the kids ran and played. It was a much needed activity for the Gamieyon Pride. They needed something fun and energy releasing to do. Something that did not bring danger or worry to mind.
“I wish Gwen had come down to swim with us,” Findley said.
“Me, too. I asked, but she said she’s still a little sore from a fight she had while getting to safety back home. She said she’s going to rest a little more and see us for dinner. I offered to take the kids for her, but she said they’d play quietly in the suite with her. I took them some toys and crayons and stuff. They’re actually very well behaved,” Bonnie said.
“She probably doesn’t want to let them out of her sight after everything they’ve been through,” Findley said.
“I noticed her favoring her side, and tried to take a look a few times, but she said it was nothing,” Bonnie said.
“Hey, hey, hey!” Niko called out, walking around from the side of the house.
“Where y’all been?” Vance asked.
“Cleaning his house,” Niko said.
“Not the whole time. We went and made the rounds to check on security, too. Just to put in a face and let them know we appreciate them and find out if they need anything,” Rance said as he glanced around the pool and the splash pad a few times.
“She didn’t want to come down. She’s resting,” Bonnie said.
“Who?” Rance asked, playing stupid.
Bonnie smirked at him and he ended up grinning at her.
“Y’all got the house clean?” Findley asked.
“Yep. Anybody that might want to stay there can stay there. At least until we start working on it.”
“You talk to Titus?” Jack asked.
“Yeah, I did. He’s finishing up what’s planned for the rest of Gwen’s Pride, and the last two places you originally asked for and then he’ll get with me.”
“You going to stay on your land?” Jack asked.
“I don’t know.”
“You gonna add on, or tear it down and build another?” Jack asked.
“I don’t know,” Rance answered.
“What do you know?” Vance asked.
“I know Niko has a job in house cleaning if he ever needs a new career.”
Vance laughed. “You never noticed that before?”
“Never paid that much attention. I do appreciate it now, though,” Rance said, slapping Niko on the back.
“Mr. Niko! Mr. Niko! Come play with me!” Griffin called out from the shallow end of the pool he’d just moved to.
“Griffin! My man! You having fun, little dude?” Niko asked, as he stepped around those lounging by the pool and walked over to kneel down by the side of the shallow end where Griffin floated in a small, colorful inner tube.
