Page 17 of The Gentleness of Rage

“Yes.”

“Come on then. Give me your keys, I’ll get the prospects over to deal with the crap, and they’ll get your money back too. Was anything here?”

“The cooker, fridge and freezer. That’s it. I used the laundrette down the road and everything else I scavenged,” Jaelynn replied.

Slate swore there and then that Jaelynn wouldn’t ever scavenge again.

“I need my bedding, and that’s it,” Jaelynn added.

“Was it second-hand?”

“Yes.”

“Leave it. I’ve some wages for those shifts you worked at the bar, plus tips. I keep forgetting to give them to you. We will go see the house, check Jared has stocked it, and then we’ll go shopping for whatever you need,” Slate said as he opened the apartment door.

“I didn’t ask to be paid for those two shifts!” I exclaimed as I exited.

“No, and that’s how Mac and I knew you were different. It was clear you needed money, but you didn’t ask. Can respect that,” Slate replied as he shut the door.

Jaelyn didn’t say a word as he followed her down the stairs. He’d managed to wrestle the bags off her and stopped when they got outside.

“Where’s your car? You can follow me,” Slate asked.

“I don’t have one,” Jaelynn answered and held his gaze. She was clearly waiting for his reaction.

“What time did you finish at the strip club?” Slate growled out, not disappointing her.

“Three in the morning.”

“And you finished at two both nights you worked the bar. And you got the bus?”

“Yes.”

“Jesus.” Slate began muttering under his breath as Jaelynn looked vaguely amused. Before Slate lost his temper at Jaelynn, putting herself in danger, he stomped towards his SUV. Jaelynn followed behind as he opened the back and threw her shit in.

“Get inside,” Slate demanded. He slipped into the driver’s seat and waited until she’d put her seatbelt on. He inserted an earpiece and called Drake.

“Prez, I need a loner for Jaelynn,” he said when Drake answered.

“Girl doesn’t have a car?” Drake questioned.

“Nope,” Slate stated, knowing what Drake was thinking.

“I’ll send Harley over with one.”

“Can I have Harley and Christian? Jaelynn’s POS apartment needs emptying, and then they have to get her deposit back,” Slate explained.

“And you’re expecting trouble?”

“Yeah. She’s been living at the Greenslade Apartments,” Slate replied.

“Fuck, I wouldn’t put a dog in there. Jaelynn got somewhere else?”

“Slick needs a house sitter,” Slate replied.

“Does he now?” Drake asked, amused.

“Yup.”

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