Chap. 6
"For the last time, Burt, I'm not selling! This place has helped too many people. Hell, it's still helping people!"
"Your land is in the middle of my mall! Everyone around you has had the decency to sell, the least you could do is consider it."
"Had the decency? Don't you mean had the shit scared out of them by your goons? No, I'm staying! I have hundreds of acres that are used for good. You're not getting it for some mall. End of discussion!"
"You'll regret this Allen."
Eliot Spencer watched the man leave before entered the barn, a plan already formulating in his head.
"You should pack a few things and take off for a few days. I pretty sure you won't want to be here tonight."
Allen hooked the pitchfork back onto the nail and turned to face Eliot.
"I'm not running away. I've worked hard to build this place."
"I'm not saying run away, just let me deal with them for a few days."
"No. I called Nate so he could find a way to do this without anyone getting hurt."
"Well, with me here no one has to."
"What about you? You've already been attacked in town not two days ago. Granted you came away with nothing more than a few bruises, but still, I can't take a chance that something worse might happen."
"It's my job to take that kind of stuff so no one else has to. I can handle myself, I've done it countless times. Just ask Nate. There is a reason he talked me into working with him after all."
Allen sighed as the pigs came in from the pen.
"I don't want to see anyone get hurt, Eliot. That includes you. There has to be another way."
"We're working on it, but until then you need to let me do my job!"
"Fine, but I have a few conditions. 1. I stay. 2. You don't put yourself in any unnecessary danger. 3. "
Eliot waited for the shoe to drop.
"3. When this is all over you come back and teach a self-defense class to some of my patients. Feeling empowered helps more than people realize."
"That's it?"
"It is indeed. So what's it going to be?"
"Whatever lets you sleep at night. I've got to prepare the rest of us for tonight."
Allen dropped his head back as Eliot walked out of the barn. What was it about this stubborn kid that called to him? Why did Eliot Spencer bring out all manner of protective feeling in him? He had to figure the man out. He just didn't know how.
Parker slipped into the library unnoticed. She had seen Eliot come this way earlier, he had to be here somewhere. Seeing a shadow, the stealthy thief stopped her motion and stood still. The hair wasn't Eliot's. It wasn't long enough. It wasn't short enough to be Hardison's either, that left either Nate or Allen. Being quiet, Parker, inched forward, trying to get a better look at the intruder.
He silently watched as the slender blonde eased into the room. She stopped suddenly. Had she seen him? He had to get to her without alerting the man sitting on the window seat. He would just have to take a chance and move toward Parker.
"Parker!"
Hearing her name whispered halted her. She knew that voice. It was Allen. Well that answers that!
"What are you doing in here?"
Allen rolled his eyes. What was he doing here?
"I live here!"
"Oh. Yeah."
Eliot tried not to laugh. The stage whispers were almost too much, though. He had picked up both scents as soon as they entered the room. There really was no reason for them to try to hide.
"I knew the second y'all walked through the door. I could smell you and the atmosphere in the room changed."
"Why are you sitting all alone in the dark?"
"I'm planning escape routes Parker. I know Hardison has the whole place mapped out, but I feel more comfortable with that map in my head."
"Is your head hurting?"
"Why would you ask that?"
"You're squinting. That usually means you're getting a migraine."
"Its fine, Parker. I took something earlier. I won't pass out on you this time."
"I hope not. We kind of need you for tonight."
"Which is why I'm here, in the dark. When the meds kick in I'll be good to go. Promise."
"Then, I'll leave you alone. Bye, Sparky!"
Allen laughed as the slight woman bounced out of the room.
"Lean forward."
Allen wrapped the thick blanket around Eliot's shoulders and tucked another one around his waist, along his legs and around his sock clad feet.
"Did you just lie to one of your friends?"
"If she knew the truth she would run to Nate or Sophie. We can't afford for me to be less than 110% tonight. As long as they think I'm fine, then we're good."
"How bad is it? And you better not lie to me."
"It's manageable now. I'm trying to keep it that way."
"Do you need anything?"
"I'm good. I just need to get my head together. If something happens tonight, I want to be able to handle it without putting anyone else in danger."
"Then at least try to sleep some. Come on, I'll help you back to the bedroom. I know the dizziness has to be pretty bad."
"That'd be great. Thank you."
Once Eliot was tucked safely into bed, Allen went in search of the fearless leader. Nathan needed to know about this. Eliot wasn't in any kind of shape to fight off anyone. They had to come up with another plan. And they had to do it in a hurry!