“No, I am not. Valor is. And for the record, he leaves most of them pointed where they’re supposed to be. We only need one or two from time to time. We never turn them all away from where they’re supposed to be looking,” Frenzy said. He grinned at Rance. “Let’s go, people!”
“I’m driving my truck,” Rance said.
“I will, too,” Dane said.
“Take the Pride’s Suburban, it’ll fit more males,” Jack said.
“I can do that,” Dane said.
“Let me run upstairs for a second and I’ll be ready,” Rance said.
Jack glanced around the room at those still there. “Fucking National Security satellites,” he said, shaking his head.
~~~
Rance paused outside Gwen’s door and tapped lightly.
“Come in,” Gwen said groggily.
Rance opened the door and peeked around it before stepping inside. “Were you sleeping?” he asked.
“No, just resting a bit. Findley took Beau and Beck to play on the splash pad again.”
“And that’s why I hear so much squealing and laughter outside,” Rance said.
Gwen smiled tiredly, as he walked over and sat down on the chair he’d left by the bed.
“We’re leaving momentarily. I brought you a phone.”
“That you happened to have?” she asked.
“No, we’ve got several. I keep burner phones ready to go. You never know when you’ll need one. Running security it’s important that I’m ready for anything.”
“I can see that,” she said.
“I activated this one on my plan, though. It’s not a burner anymore. It’s yours.” He handed her a slip of paper. “Here’s your number, and my number, though I’ve already entered mine in the contacts. My brother, Vance’s number is in there along with Jack’s, Bonnie’s, and Findley’s, too, since I know she was helping watch the boys. You might want to ask Bonnie to add anyone else’s you might need when she comes up again,” Rance said.
“Thank you, Rance.”
“You’re welcome. Anything else before I go?” he asked.
Gwen nodded. “Come back safe.”
“I’ll do my best,” he said.
Gwen shook her head. “Do better than that. Make sure you come back.”
He reached out and laid a hand on hers. “I will be back. And don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll take care of everything.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it, then walked to the door, throwing one look back at her before he walked out of the door and pulled it gently closed behind himself.
~~~
“There’s no reason for you to have to go. They’ve got plenty going,” Titus said.
“It’s my duty. The first time we’ve really been allowed out in a formal capacity other than baby sitting Brinnley on the way home. I want to be a part of this.”
“I want you to be a part of this,” Titus said, pointing at the ground to indicate the here and now.
“I have other commitments.”
