Free The Awakening (Entangled Series Book 1) by Jill Sanders Page A

mean?”
    “Sometimes, but I learned that they only show themselves once you’re connected to the property.”
    Just then Jessie’s phone chimed. “Damn, I’ve got to go. How about dinner tonight?” she asked, standing up and shoving the rest of the roll into her mouth.
    “Can’t.” Xtina stood up too. “I’m going to see my gran today. I might not be back until late.”
    “Tomorrow night?”
    Xtina nodded. “I’ll bring something…”
    “No, you won’t, we’ll go out. You know where I’m at?”
    “The same place?”
    Jessie nodded. “Good, you can pick me up. Sometimes I think I’ll be there until I die.”
    “You could move out here with me.”
    Jessie laughed and glanced around. “Without a microwave, TV, or… well, internet? No thanks.”
    “I do plan on changing all that… soon.” She looked around and thought about all the changes that needed to be done to the place to make it more modern.
    “Ask me again after you’re done.” She turned to go. “Oh, if you need anything…” She smiled. “You’ve got a big strong neighbor to help out.”
    Xtina laughed as her friend slammed the front door behind her.
     

Chapter Seven
     
     
    M ike hung up the phone and smiled. It was sure nice to know that his checking account balance had just been increased by a few thousand dollars. He’d actually liked working for Bartle LLC and was hoping to make it a more permanent deal. After all, they were one of the leading government liquidators in the south. And as such, each of their new employees and prospective buyers had to go through a rigorous background check, which fell into Mike’s expertise.
    After logging off his computer, he stood up and stretched. He’d been sitting down for the past few hours and could use a run, but decided to spend his pent-up energy knocking out the flooring in the living room and kitchen instead.
    He loved hard work. Work that was dirty and sweaty. Something that made his muscles scream for a few days afterwards. Something that would help him sleep through the night.
    After the other night, he assumed that his visitor would leave him the hell alone. Instead, she seemed even angrier than before. Except when Xtina was with him. Then, she seemed more tolerable.
    He pulled on a pair of old sweats, Velcroed on his knee pads, and got to work. Several hours later, his phone beeped with a new message.
    -Being sent overseas again. – E
    He replied quickly to his brother.
    -Can you tell me where?
    -Nope, being shipped off early next week. Won’t be back for a few months.
    -Did you tell the folks?
    -Yup, mom cried, dad gushed with pride.
    -When are you going to end their pain and settle down?
    -When are you?
    -Let me know when you’re back. Love ya man.
    -Back at ya.
    He hated thinking of his brother stuck in some hole somewhere until he was called on. But fresh out of school, they had both decided the military was the best choice for them. Mike’s career had only lasted two years, then he’d moved on to the police force. Ethan had signed up for another four years. His brother lived for his job, and if Mike had to be honest about it, the country needed his brother as much as Ethan needed the military.
    But every time Ethan was sent off on some secret mission, their mother would worry and their father would stress until he was back in the States, safe and sound. Usually, Ethan being away meant that he’d be hearing from his folks on an almost weekly basis. Which wasn’t such a bad thing. Especially now, since he was off the force and could actually sit down and enjoy the phone calls.
    Sure enough, less than half an hour later, his phone rang.
    “Hey, Mom,” he answered after seeing her name and photo pop up on his screen.
    “So, you heard?” she asked.
    “Yup, he texted me about half an hour ago.”
    “Well, did you ask him if he’s going to stop all this soon?”
    “Yes.”
    “And?” she finally said after a moment of silence. He held in a chuckle.
    “He asked