Page 34 of Rooster

Me:

It’ll be fine.

Probably just the pilot light.

I’ll do my best to be quiet.

I was looking forwardto relaxing for a couple of hours, but there was no way I could do that while Maggie and her kids were without heat. So, I grabbed my coat and gloves, then went out to the shop for my tools. Once I had everything I could possibly need, I got in my truck and drove over to her place. I knew she was concerned about the kids seeing me, so I parked across the street and quietly made my way to the side of the house.

With the cold night air prickling against my skin, I knelt in front of the furnace and carefully removed the side cover. I used my flashlight to check the flame, and just as I suspected, it was out. I grabbed my extended lighter from my bag and lit it, coaxing the flame back to life. Seconds later, the soft glow of the flame grew brighter, letting me know that it had lit.

I grabbed my phone from my coat pocket and sent Maggie a message.

Me:

It was the pilot light.

Try it now.

Maggie:

Okay. Hold on just a second.

It wasn’tlong before there was a click, and the unit kicked back on. I

waited to put the cover back on until Maggie texted back.

Maggie:

It’s working!

Me:

Good deal.

I shovedmy phone back in my pocket and was just starting to put the cover back on when I heard a man’s voice say, “Hold it right there.”

I quickly glanced over my shoulder and found Grant standing behind me. He was wearing a pair of plaid sleep pants with boots and a heavy winter coat, and he had a gun in his hand that was pointed directly at my back. “Grant?”

“Who are you and what are you doing with Ms. Maggie’s unit?”

“The name’s Ronin. My brothers call me Rooster.”

“Wait.” He lowered his gun as he asked, “You’re with Fury?”

“I am.” I didn’t blame him for not recognizing me without my cut. It was dark and cold as fuck, and he had no clue what I was doing in his neighbor’s yard. I screwed in the cover, then stood and faced him. “Maggie’s heat went out, and I just came by to light the pilot for her.”

“I see.”

“You make a habit of checking on her?”

“I wouldn’t say that I make ahabit of it.” He glanced over at the window as he explained, “She’s a single mother living here alone with two young kids, and I do what I can to make sure they’re doing okay.”

“Got it.”

“What about you?” His brows furrowed. “How’d you know her heat was out?”

“She told me.”

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