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She cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“Well, the boys and I got to talking, and we figured that it’d be a good idea for you to learn a thing or two about how to defend yourself. Nothing crazy—just some basic moves like how to get out of a hold and such.”
I was eager for her response. Part of me was certain she was about to show her true colors, that she’d react to the idea of working hard and breaking a sweat with the sort of disdain you’d expect from a bratty little princess.
That’s not what she did. Instead, a smile spread across her face.
“That sounds great! And I’d love the chance to get some exercise in.”
I raised my eyebrows in mild surprise.
“Ah, well, go ahead and get ready, then. The boys are changing, and they’ll get you set up.”
“Sounds perfect. Thanks for thinking of me.”
Without another word, she hurried out of the kitchen and upstairs to change.
“That’s certainly something else,” I said, glancing over my shoulder in the direction she’d gone.
Ajax let out an amused snort. “No kidding. I’ve been wondering how long she’d be able to keep the act up but…maybe it’s not an act. Maybe we all just got off on the wrong foot.”
“Guess time will tell. I’ve got a damn good feeling that the real her is going to come out the second we put her in a chokehold during training.” I snapped to attention after I spoke, remembering that Ajax wanted to speak to me. “Oh, you wanted me to take a look at something?”
He glanced aside as if he was still considering the matter.
“We don’t need to be on constant patrols or stationed in the panic room anymore. The motion sensors are good to go, and if anyone trips them the house alarms will go off and lock the place up tight. So, as long as we stay near the house we should be fine if we need to hurry inside.”
“Works for me.”
“All the same, we should do a few patrols every day so we can stay sharp. I was out doing mine with Vic and…I don’t know. I spotted something out in the woods. Gave it a bit of a closer look, but I didn’t want to go too far off the trail with Victoria there.”
“You want me to take a look, then.”
He nodded. “Yeah. Another pair of eyes won’t do any harm. It’s on the west side of the property, where the forest starts into the valley and the creek is right in front of you. Go there and take a look, do a quick perimeter after. It’s probably nothing, but all the same…”
“Got it. Go relax lad,” I clapped my hand on his shoulder as I passed. “Or, if you’re feeling up to it, join everyone downstairs. I’ll be there when the patrol’s done.”
“Sounds good. And yeah, I think I will join everyone downstairs.”
I headed to the storage room where we’d been keeping our gear and got strapped, putting on a Kevlar vest and tossing my rifle over my shoulder. While I was pretty damn sure I was going out to investigate nothing, I went ahead and strapped on my Glock, too. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it was my motto.
Once I was geared up, I went outside. The day was still perfect, the fresh air filling my lungs and rejuvenating me with every breath I took. It wasn’t long before I was at the spot that Ajax had told me about. I stood in front of the fence, looking out onto the valley.
At first, I was sure it was nothing. But right as I prepared to turn and finish the rest of the patrol, movement caught my eye. It was brief, but no doubt it was something.
“Anyone there?” My voice carried over the valley. Nothing but the sounds of nature.
I threw my rifle over my shoulder and vaulted the fence. Once on the other side, I stepped gingerly to avoid the water, crossed the creek, and made my way to the edge of the forest, rifle once more in my hands. I drew closer and closer, my eyes narrowed as I scanned the area.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but there was no doubt that I’d seensomethingout there.
The moment I crossed over the tree line, I realized what it was. A piece of sheet metal, no bigger than a shoe box, was laying against one of the trees, the sun glinting off of it. Out of the corner of one’s eye, it certainly could appear like something moving.
Shaking my head, I picked up the piece of metal to take it out of the woods and inside to dispose of. The issue settled, I leaped over the fence and prepared to finish my patrol. Relief settled over me as I began, but as I took my first steps, I couldn’t help but wonder what else might’ve been lurking in those woods.
14
KID
