Page 85 of Operation K-9 Brothers

“Got it.”Jack hid his smile.The man-child was growing up.“There is one other thing I have to say, and that has to do with Lane Gregory.I appreciate what you did, getting that recording, believe me.But you shouldn’t have because as soon as Gregory finds out what you did, he’s going to come after you.”

Jack didn’t miss the fear that flashed in Mark’s eyes, and he was glad that the kid was smart enough to recognize that Gregory was bad business.

“I know, and I’ve been thinking about that.”He met Jack’s gaze straight on.“It was the right thing to do, so I won’t say it was a mistake.Probably the best thing is for me to head back to my parents in Florida, but I won’t leave Nichole to deal with him alone.”

“She won’t be because she’ll have me, and trust me, I’m fully capable of protecting her.It would be a whole lot easier to do that if I didn’t have to worry about protecting you, too.”

“What if she doesn’t want you around anymore?How will you protect her then?”

“Let’s hope that I can get back in her good graces, but if not, I’ll shadow her until I’m sure Gregory’s not a threat anymore.She’ll never know I’m there.”She was safe as long as Gregory was still in the hospital, but when he got out, to protect her, Jack would camp out in her yard if he had to.

“You can’t watch her twenty-four seven.Besides, that sounds a little stalker creepy.”

“Yeah, I can, and making sure she stays safe trumps stalker creepy, don’t you think?”

“I guess.”

“There’s no guessing about it, Mark.”He decided to change the subject before Mark had second thoughts about heading back to Florida.“Have you talked to Clint Alba yet?”

Mark’s eyes lit up.“Yes!He likes my game, and he had some great suggestions to make it even better.He said we’d talk more after I get it back to him.”

“That’s great.”Finding a direction in life would do wonders for Mark.

“Yeah, and I can work on my game in Florida as well as here.I just hope my dad doesn’t expect me to go back to that construction job.”

“You’re how old?”

“Twenty-two.”

“Which makes you old enough to make your own decisions.I think it will make a difference if you have a good talk with him.Tell him what you want to do with your life, and the steps you’ve taken to make it happen.”

Mark seemed to think that over, then nodded.“You’re right.I’ve never told my parents I wanted to create games because I just thought they’d think that was stupid.”

“I doubt that will be their reaction, but if it is, so what?It’s your life, Mark, not theirs, eh?”

“Yeah, it’s my life.”He stood, picked up his plate, and took it to the sink.“I’m going to pack up my stuff.”

“You leaving today?”

“No, I want to hang around, spend some time with Nichole tonight.I’ll head out in the morning.”He gave Jack a big grin.“Thanks, man, for everything.I hope you can fix things between you and Nichole.I’d like to have you around.”

Jack hoped—okay, prayed—he’d still be around, too.He lifted his hand, and they bumped fists.“I hope so, too, and you’re not so bad to have around either.”It was somewhat surprising how much he liked the kid compared to when he’d first showed up at Nichole’s.He’d like to think he had played a part in Mark finding his place in life.At least then he’d feel like he’d done something right where Nichole and her brother were concerned.

Since Mark was staying over until tomorrow, Jack would wait to try to talk to Nichole.The two of them would be safe for now since Gregory was still in the hospital, so Jack decided to do the one thing that would get his mind off Nichole for a while.He went Operation K-9 Brothers dog possibilities shopping.