Thanks to all those that have submitted responses, they are very much appreciated. I've had a few about grammatical errors so I've gone over this chapter a couple times, if I missed some, I'm sorry.
I've gotten a few suggestions as to direction or extra plots lines and I'm thinking about them even now. Thanks again to everyone that submits a response good or bad!
This never happened, it's a total work of fiction and none of the people in this story exist.
*
Clean and out of the shower, Jade gave me a pair of clean boxers to put on and a robe. She then placed my house shoes on my feel and held my hand as we walked out of the master bedroom and into the kitchen. The girls were all still there talking, now with Terry and Sonya by his side. I slapped him on the back.
"Welcome back Terry. Everything okay?" I asked. He smiled.
"Yeah, everything is cool. I took everything out of my apartment and put it in Jess's storage until. I can figure out what to do with it later." He said. Sonya couldn't stop smiling as she looked at Terry. I could tell he was gonna have his hands full with her. Gina came up behind me.
"Hey baby! I couldn't get us a tour bus for the day." She said. The girls all groaned. "But, I was able to get a small passenger bus that will hold about thirty people." She said.
"Well, there's only thirteen of us, so there will be plenty of room for all your purchases." I said. She smiled.
"That's what I was thinking." She said and handed me a slip of paper with the information.
"Okay, Ladies! Listen up. This is how tomorrow is going to work." I said, getting their attention. "Tomorrow, we will split up into two groups. Easier to manage that way. Terry will take half and I will take half. We'll do some shopping, take our stuff to the bus and go back in and do some more. We'll take a break around noon for lunch and then get back to it. We might not be able to get everything you need tomorrow. But that's okay. I'll get a computer for the house and some internet service and we can order things off line. So, if there's something you want and you don't see it in the stores, make a note of it and we'll search for it online." I said. Smiles from them all.
"Who goes with who?" Terry asked. I smiled.
"Well, I'm guessing Sonya will be stuck to you like glue, but it doesn't really matter. What I do want though, is a minimum of ten pairs of socks and underwear each. That means ten panties and ten bras. I don't care if they match or not. Even if you don't want to wear them, you will have them just in case. Pants, five pairs. Shorts, five as well. More if you desire. Remember, these are minimums. Get more if you like, I think I can cover it!" I said with a smirk.
"Any questions?" I asked. The girls were already into small conversations and I got no response. I looked at Gina and nodded, she came to my side.
"Grab Terry and meet me downstairs." I said. I took Jade's hand and pulled her with me. We went down stairs and I went to the bag with Darrell's books. I started to flip through the pages until I got to his contacts. Gina and Terry came down shortly after.
"What's up Boss?" Terry said as he slid up next to me.
"Well, I was thinking. Darrell had all these contacts. Lets see what we can dig up on these people. Maybe in some way, we can do business with them." I said. Terry looked at me, same look as Gina had.
"Why?" He asked.
"Profit. Yes, we have money now, but how long will that last? It's a lot, but with thirteen people in this house and no income, we're gonna burn through it." I said. Terry nodded and put his hand up to his chin, thinking.
"Is there any way to make money legally? I really don't like the idea of you dealing with the people in that book. If they're in there, they aren't good guys." Gina said. I smiled.
"Gina, there was a time when I wasn't a good guy. Ask Terry." I said. Terry looked at me and then to Gina.
"In the war, Jack was a legend. He did things no one else could or would. Rumor has it when he got out, he went to work for the CIA." Terry said. Gina looked at him.
"Is that true? You worked for the CIA?" She asked. I looked at her.
"I would rather you didn't ask me a question I'm gonna have to lie to give you an answer." I said. I couldn't outright tell her, that goes against Company rules. Terry smiled.
"That means yes. And once you're in, you're always in. When was the last time?" He asked, looking at me.
"A month ago." I said. I loved and cared for these people that lived in my house. I didn't want to lie to them.
"You still work for them?" Gina asked. I couldn't tell if she was getting upset or just thinking things through.
"Until they say I can retire or until I become less effective." I said.
"Why would you do that?" She asked. Terry looked at her, cautioning her. "Don't look at me like that! I want to know who Jack is. I don't care that he did that or still does that. I just want to know." She said. I held my hand up and smiled.
"When Mary left me, I was lost. I had no direction and the Military gave me that. Then it was time for me to get out. They didn't want to let me re-enlist, so, I did the only thing I could do. The only thing I was trained to do. Fight. Win. Get the job done." I said.
"Do you kill people?" She asked. Again, I couldn't tell her the truth, but I couldn't lie to her either.
"I do what is necessary to get the job done. I don't hurt innocent people." I said. She took that the way it was intended. Yes.
"Are we safe with you Jack?" She asked. I smiled and went to her.
"Gina, you are safer with me, than out on the street. I would never hurt you or anyone in this house. Never. And if I did, you can be the first one to pull the trigger." I said. She looked at me.
