She Needs Her

“He’s busy,” Eloise answered, staring at her, “but I’ll let him know you said hello.”

She turns, crossing her arms and pumping up her fake breasts. “If you could tell him to stop by, that would be better.”

“Or I could relay the message to him,” Eloise countered, trying to control her claws that were itching to pop those fake tits.

Her smile grows just a little as she reaches under the counter and pulls out an envelope. “Oh, okay, be a doll and give him this. I didn’t get a chance to when we were at dinner the other night.”

Eloise didn’t move. She stays entirely still. She mastered this reaction as she was blindsided enough times. Taking a step forward and reaching for the white envelope, she avoided touching her devil-red nails.

“Tell him thanks,” she bats her eyelashes at Eloise, “and I’ll return his shirt to him as soon as it returns from the dry cleaners.”

Bryan calls out in a warning. “We’re going to be late.”

Eloise’s nails dug into her palms as she turned and walked out. Taking a deep, calming breath of cool air helps to ground her. She slipped into autopilot and hopped in the SUV.

Bryan is watching her face as he turns over the engine, adjusting the hot air to blast at her, but she turns it off, not wanting to thaw the icy barrier she was building.

“You know it’s nothing. Christine is a bitch. She’s just—”

“Gail is waiting,” she reminded him, fastening her seatbelt. He shuts up, thankfully, and we head down the icy road to Jack’s restaurant.

Gail greets her with a massive hug, even granting her a kiss on the cheek. God, she loves this woman; she’s so warm and loving. Sometimes she swears she sees a little bit of her mother in her.

“Are you sleeping all right?” she asks, mistaking her hurt for lack of sleep.

Eloise nodded, slipped into the seat across her, and plucked up the menu. This is a big red flag for Gail that something is up with her, considering they have never ordered off the menu since coming to Jack’s. He always insists they try the meal of the day, and they always do.

She waits until Bryan gets settled at the bar before turning her attention to Eloise.

Jack greets them with a glass of pinot grigio and informs them that they already have Dijon salmon in the skillet.

“Okay, spill it, Eloise.” Gail stares her down, daring her to lie. She doesn’t; she can’t, not about this. She needs her help.

“Under one condition.”

“What’s that?” Gail leans closer as she begins to let her inside her head and the madness that’s been eating her up inside, desperately needing release.

Nicholas pulls into Camp Blue Water, where team Blackstone spent two weeks volunteering their services and also where he is scouting a recruit for the house.

He goes to the third big warehouse, where the recruits return for more training. These are the men who made the first cut.

His boots squeak across the tile floor as he nods to the captain, blowing a whistle for the men to walk on the bottom of the pool with a brick in their hands. He blows it once, and the men drop to the bottom.

Two staff sergeants are in the water with masks, ready to help if need be, and two follow up on top for a bird’s eye view.

“Colonel Pierce.” Captain Smith shakes his hand. “So, you’re here to take one of my men?”

Nicholas smirks, knowing every man would love a chance to play at Guardians. Their reputation excites anyone who’s a thrill junkie. So, most men. “I have a few in mind but only need one.”

Anderson watches as the men resurface at the opposite end. He blows the whistle again, getting them to return as they leave. “I have three more rounds; then they’re all yours.”

“Sounds good,” Nicholas observes, keeping a close eye on the number that interests him, but then his attention is tugged to a different recruit.

He moves down to the edge of the pool and watches the situation. One of the staff sergeants begins to make a move, but Nicholas holds up a hand, wanting to see what will happen.

One of the men stopped to help his teammate, who got caught up in his rope. They’re both struggling, needing air, but this recruit isn’t giving up. He even goes so far as to pull his buddy along as they finish the drill.

By the time they finish, the recruit is barely coherent, and his buddy is passed out but comes too quickly.

Nicholas takes note of his number and smiles. Eloise will be happy.

“Number nine,” Nicholas calls once the man is standing upright. “A word, please.”

The man is wide-eyed as he takes in Nicholas’s presence. “Colonel,” he huffs, out of breath.

“Corporal Jayvie, nice work down there.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Nicholas rubs his face. He wasn’t expecting this turn of events. “I was under the impression you had an issue with water, but what I just witnessed makes me think you’ve overcome your fear.”

Jayvie takes a long breath, looking back at his buddy. “Well, sir, you never leave a man behind. If he didn’t finish, then we all don’t finish.” He laughs a little. “I’ll be frank, I have no desire to do that again, but I will if I have to.” He turns and looks at his buddy. “Pipes is a good swimmer, sir. He just got disoriented.”

Nicholas nods, liking his answer. He couldn’t have asked for a better one. “Get dried off, pick up your things, and meet me in the main office in thirty.”

“Ah-yes, sir.” He looks confused but does as he’s told.

Precisely thirty minutes later, Jayvie sits, dropping his bag at his feet. He looks around the office, apparently taking in the severe lack of décor in the old warehouse.

Nicholas closes the file and glances at his cell phone, waiting for an update from Bryan. He and Eloise should be back at the house by now, but he knows he doesn’t have time to call.

“Jayvie, I have to be honest. I had another recruit in mind for a position at Guardians, but after what I just saw, I think I may have to change my mind.”

“Oh?” Jayvie can’t hide his interest. He rubs his blond crewcut like he’s used to it being a little longer.

“Would you be interested in a spot at Guardians?”

“Yes, I would, very much so.”