Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
I frowned and leaned back against one of the counters. What else could I do to help? If they knew where Beckett lived, was his family safe? Did anyone need protection?
“What about your family?” I wondered. “Do they need to be watched? I can volunteer when I’m not studying.”
He mirrored my stance and leaned back against the counter, and he smiled faintly and folded his arms over his chest loosely. “Don’t be in such a rush to work in the field, Leighton. Your training has just begun.”
He was right, obviously. I should just be grateful he didn’t point out I’d be a horrible security guard without proper training. Good aim wasn’t everything.
I blew out a breath and felt the need to confess something. “Judging by how Coach and Operator Rose behaved earlier—like they were waiting for me to fall apart—maybe there’s something wrong with me. What happened tonight just made me feel good. I felt like I finally did something that mattered.”
He hummed. “I did notice your mood has improved.”
Well, yeah!
“I’ll tell you what,” he said, pushing away from the counter again. “My sister will, in fact, have protection from now on. So will my mother. It’s primarily a precaution, because we don’t believe the Hahns know too much about my background. Evidence points to them striking at the first lead. Somehow, they figured out my name and address, and they sent someone to take care of me. Had they known that building is usually packed with operators, they would’ve sent an entire crew. They would’ve put more thought into the gig. Instead, they sent one skinny little dick who’s currently crying his eyes out for his mother upstairs.”
I snorted in amusement.
“But that doesn’t mean shit’s safe,” he went on. “Even though my identity isn’t a secret, I’m not easily found, so they must’ve done part of their homework right. So…while we investigate how they could’ve tracked me down, Hillcroft will be my residence. More than that, I’ll be bringing in my niece. And if you wanna help me and get a taste of the shit we put junior operators through, you’re welcome to be her escort around Hillcroft a couple hours every day.”
Whoa, really? I bet most guys would balk at being a babysitter, but not me. It was a foot in the door, a way to show my superiors I wasn’t arrogant enough to think I’d always get exciting assignments. Whether I was escorting a diplomat through a combat zone or I was babysitting Operator Beckett’s niece during an unsafe time didn’t matter much to me.
“How old is she?” I asked.
“Eight,” he answered. Damn, that was young. “Vince—my brother—brought her around plenty before he died. She knows her way around and loves Danny and Em. They’ll likely watch her when you’re busy studying. And she’ll be with me the rest of the time, of course.”
“What about her mom?”
He let out a breath. “She died giving birth to her.”
Fuck. So the girl didn’t have any parents left at all.
“That’s rough. But, so…like, she’s yours now?”
He weighed his response. “I’m her guardian, yeah. I have custody. Which is fucked up. My sister is a wonderful mother to five boys. But Vince thought it was a good idea for the baby Beckett to shoulder the responsibility of an actual child, when I can’t keep a cactus alive.”
I exhaled a laugh. “Baby Beckett. I’mma call you that from now on.”
“I fucking dare you.”
I grinned at him.
His eyes were incredible when they had amusement mingling with the blue and green.
“I’ll watch her,” I said. “What’s her name?”
His gaze softened a little bit. “Alex. And I appreciate it. Your training comes first, so if it becomes too much for you at any time, you gotta tell me right away. That’s an order—and a test.”
“Noted.” Good job adding that last part. He probably knew I wouldn’t push myself as much now. I was here for top scores on whatever test they threw at me, because this wasn’t the Army, where it was better to be average. Here, excelling meant my work would be easier in the field.
“I’ll get you a dorm room adjacent to mine,” he said. “We’re starting to feel bad about moving y’all around so much, so the next bed all recruits get will be theirs for the whole year. On the flip side, the operators’ dorms are nicer. Some of you won’t even have to share.”
Totally worth having moved around a bunch first, in other words.
I was scarfing down my last slice of pizza when we reached the operators’ dorms. Two doors were open, revealing small units with one or two beds, more closet space, and…almost a kitchenette. Running water, a microwave, mini fridge, and a tiny corner counter space. I liked it. I wouldn’t need more than this. I’d rather have a small-ass room with more amenities than space I didn’t know what to do with.