Come Home

Chapter 35

"Morning Little One," Dr. Roberts smiled as Alice entered the kitchen wearing jeans and a white tee shirt. She sat down and started lacing up her boots.

"Morning Doc," She smiled as he sat a plate of scrambled eggs and toast down in front of her. "You didn't have to come."

"I know," he nodded, "but I needed to see for myself."

"I get it," She nodded and started eating.

"What are your plans for today?" he asked as the men started to come in and make their plates.

"I'm getting my program back up again," she admitted. "I feel better so once I'm done, I'm going back to the prison to speak to the warden. Romeo got all five dogs ready for me, so I'll probably spend all day there teaching the prisoners."

"Is that wise?" Dr. Roberts asked noticing how tense and silent the men were.

"Yep," She smirked. "I'm fine. The warden tightened security and regulations for when I go. I know what I'm doing and it's not those prisoners' faults what happened, so why should they be punished?"

"Who is going with you?" Dr. Roberts asked setting his coffee cup down.

"Romeo, Ayden, and some new guy they hired for help until I could start taking over again," she said casually. "I think his name was—" The doorbell rang and she smiled, "That would be them, excuse me." She got up and a couple of minutes later she came back into the kitchen with Romeo, Ayden, and a man who was six feet tall, blue eyes, and dark brown hair following. "Romeo, Ayden, Steve, this is Dr. Roberts. I was just telling him our plans for today."

"Looks like they are still in trouble," Ayden whispered to Romeo who smirked.

"Ready to go Boss?" Romeo asked.

"I have to finish my plate before the doc gives me the all clear, go help yourselves, there's plenty if you are hungry," she shook her head. "It still takes me a bit to eat."

"You got it," Romeo nodded.

"How long have you been working for Alice?" Jackson asked staring Steve down.

"You don't have to answer him," Alice glared at Jackson, "Don't interrogate him, he's already been cleared by Romeo and Ayden. Back off."

Jackson clenched his teeth but nodded, "Yes Ma'am."

"Damn Boss, if I wasn't gay that would be hot," Romeo chuckled.

"It's not a problem," Steve chuckled as he sat beside Alice. "I've been working with them for a couple of weeks now. I have background in various marital arts and multiple black belts. I can protect the boss if I need to. I was in the military for 8 years so working with the dogs helps with my PTSD. Romeo said the boss may be able to find a dog to help me as well as the prisoners. And don't worry about your position with the boss," he smirked. "While she does have some of the right stuff for me, I know my place."

"Good," Multiple men said gruffly.

"Enough," She glared at them, "Last I checked, I'm the one who decides who is in my life and what happens in my life, not you lot. Or do you need yet another reminder about overstepping?"

"No Ma'am," they grumbled and shifted slightly making Dr. Roberts chuckle.

"I'm done Doc," she said pushing the plate away.

"You ate more than I expected, thank you," he smiled as he kissed the top of her head and picked up the plate. "Just be careful and don't stay out too late, I know Jack has missed you and you are all cleared to be with him."

"Yay," She lit up and hugged him. "Thank you."

"Who's Jack?" Steve asked picking up his empty plate.

"Her guardian devil," Romeo chuckled.

"What?" Steve asked.

"You'll see soon enough," Ayden smirked. "Come on, we best get the dogs ready, now that the boss has been cleared for Jack, she isn't going to want to spend all day at the prison."

"Wait, Boss," Steve said picking up her jean jacket off the back of the chair and held it open, "It's a little chilly outside."

"Thanks," she smiled up at him as she slipped it on. "See you later Doc!"

"I'll be here for dinner!" he shouted as she raced out the door.

Alice stepped off the porch and started whistling a little tune and seconds later a large black blur came rushing for her.

"Whoa! What the fuck?" Steve asked jumping back making Romeo and Ayden laugh.

"Hey my sweet boy," Alice beamed as she wrapped her arms around the solid black horse.

"Stay back and be still," Romeo whispered as Jack knelt down and Alice got on his bare back and Jack stood carefully. He neighed and she laughed as he took off full speed to the fields.

"Let's get the dogs loaded up," Ayden nodded as they started to head to the yard Alice had the dogs.

Steve watched as all the workers stayed clear of the field Jack was running around. "He's wild except for her," Romeo explained. "She's the only one he will listen to and he's fiercely protective of her. Don't even think about approaching."

"He almost killed the last man that hurt the boss," Ayden nodded. "He only stopped because she told him not to. Those years she wasn't here he was a mustang, no one could care for him and now that she's back, they are tighter than ever. Stay away from him and even if we are on a schedule, when it comes to them two, everything just waits. You don't want to face the wrath of the two of them, especially him. Like Rome said, guardian devil."

Steve nodded in awe as he watched Alice laughing carefreely as Jack raced around neighing happily. "Got it."