Page 24 of Ours

Zack couldn’t believe what Sandy had done for him. After he’d gotten over the shock of her sticking up to his mother and saying how she loved him, he had the courage to do what he wanted to do. He’d called his mother back and told her that he was disappointed that she wasn’t happy with any of his career choices and that she hadn’t even seen his shop to judge him. He’d even told her he wasn’t going to the charity party.

He and his mother had a huge argument. He’d ended by telling his mother that if she ever spoke to his mate like she did today, he would publicly disown her. She would never see any grandchildren he had or him again.

The whole drive back to Sandy’s place, his mind had been going a million miles an hour. His mate had stuck up for him and loved him for who and what he was, tattoos and all.

He wanted to tell her he loved her but in a big way. Zack had already had an idea the other day when she’d visited him at work, but now it was more fully formed in his mind.

At the self-defense class, he couldn’t focus and his bear wanted to be at home snuggling with their mate, not teaching her how to defend herself.

When they arrived home after self-defense class, he sat quietly thinking things over as he ate dinner. Together they watched some TV before Sandy went to bed. He stayed up and designed his surprise for his little firebird.

ChapterEight

Sandy’s alarm went off but she was scared to get out of bed. What if she got fired? What if she lost her house because she couldn’t find another job? What if…?

“You’re thinking too hard,” Jake murmured

She groaned and got out of bed. “Where’s Zack?”

“He had to go meet a contractor at six, so he snuck out. He didn’t want to wake you. We know the last couple of days have been big ones.”

They’d arrived last night at her house and relaxed for a while before they had to go to self-defense class. Sandy tried to get out of going, but Jake and Zack both ganged up on her. If they or her brothers weren’t around, she needed to know how to defend herself.

Zack had been quiet all night and didn’t say anything about not going to the charity function. Truthfully, he didn’t say much at all after her brother left. She tried not to let it bother her, but he still hadn’t said anything to her about the conversation with his mother. The worrying was winning.

After getting dressed, she went to work hoping she still had a job.

Sandy sat at her desk. She’d been there for four hours and started to relax as nothing had been said about Saturday night when her boss called her into his office. He sat behind his desk with an uncomfortable look on his face.

“Er, um, Sandy, well, you see, with the economy being the way it is at the moment, we are looking to do some downsizing.”

Sandy closed her eyes to stop the tears as he continued, “I’m really sorry to say this, but we have to let you go. You will get a redundancy package and a wonderful recommendation for your next job. We would like you to finish out the da—”

Taking a deep breath, she stood as her temper started to make itself known. She knew they weren’t laying her off because of the economic crisis. It was because of Saturday. Sandy didn’t know if it was because her men had manhandled his brother, or if it was because she was with two men. Right now she really didn’t care.

She cut him off. “What part about Saturday night is getting me fired? Is it because I’m seeing two men? Or is it because one of those men almost killed your brother?”

Her boss wiggled in his seat and looked anywhere but at her as he mumbled, “A little bit of both, but mostly that you embarrassed Richard in front of everyone. Look, you’re a nice woman, but we have a reputation, and I think it will be best after Saturday that you find another job, so it’s not uncomfortable around here.”

“Uncomfortable for who?” She raised her brow and clenched her fist not backing down.

Her boss cleared his throat several times.

Sandy stood and walked to the door. “I will be out of here in ten minutes. Bye. Oh, and good luck finding someone as good as me.”

After storming to her desk, she dumped the contents of her drawers into a box with the rest of her things. She grabbed her bag, marched out of the office, got in her car, and drove to the police station to kill one big bear.

On the way to her destination, she stopped at the shops to buy some doughnuts as she was sure that’s what cops were supposed to eat.

Arriving at the police station, she parked as close as possible, picked up her box of doughnuts, and walked in and up to the reception. Sandy put her sweetest voice on. “Hello, I’m Jake Bear’s fiancée Sandy. I wanted to surprise him with some doughnuts. Any chance I can pop up and see him?”

The woman behind the desk smiled at her and Sandy opened the box. “Would you like one?”

“I had heard gossip that he was getting married soon. Congratulations. He’s quite the catch.” She eyed the doughnuts, grabbed one, and pointed. “He’s on the second floor to the right in the Homicide department. I can’t send you up alone, so I will call his partner and get him to meet you at the lift. It’s through the security door to your left. ”

Sandy nodded to her and walked to the entrance. “Well, at least I will be in the right department when I kill him,” she muttered.

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