Read Team: Echo for Free Online

he said shaking his head. “Sleep as late as you
want and if you can’t find something just yell, there’s usually
someone near the house at all hours. Goodnight Penelope,” Gareth
said, tugging her door shut behind him.
    Penny watched Gareth leave and heaved a heavy sigh when she
dropped onto the bed, her head in her hands. Running her fingers
through her hair she let out sighs of frustration and then stalked
off toward the bathroom, stripping off her clothing as she did so.
Angry at the situation, upset that she was forced into something
she didn’t want to do so she did all that she could at the moment,
take a nice warm shower and just try to forget life, even if only
for a few minutes. Tomorrow would be soon enough to deal with
everything else.

Chapter Six

    “ You’re actually awake,” James commented with a grin as
Penelope stumbled into the kitchen. “Good afternoon by the way,” he
chuckled. Tossing the last items into the cooler he shut the lid
and looked to her again. “If you’re looking for Daisy or the
munchkin they’re out back attempting to battle the weeds yet again.
Though I think the weeds may be winning yet another
battle.”
    Nodding Penny fumbled to the coffee maker and poured herself
a cup. “If you can wait for five minutes I would be happy to go out
with you so that you can have a couple extra hands. That is if I
haven’t been banned from being anywhere near Honey and
D.”
    “ Well I’m heading back out to the brush we’re clearing nearly
on the other side of the property,” he said softly. “So if you want
to work with Daisy and the kid you can just head out back when
you’re finished sucking down the caffeine.”
    “ Is Mikhail out back?” Penny asked. At the mans nod she said,
“Looks like you are saddled with me then. I love D and Honey like
crazy but I shouldn’t push too much around Mikhail. I’m sure he
knows far too many ways to hide a body and I really do prefer to
live.”
    “ He won’t kill you, not without just cause,” James said with a
grin. “I’d worry more if you don’t see him than if you do. It’s
when he goes silent and dark that you need to be concerned. But
then you would know that wouldn’t you little sniper that you
are.”
    Penny paused mid-motion. “I take it that you guys know all of
my secrets?” She had thought that had been buried so deep that not
even the devil could read it. “Yes, I understand him and that’s why
I’m giving him a wide berth. He doesn’t like me, doesn’t trust me
at all and I get that. What he has to eventually realize is that I
would do anything at all in order to protect Daisy and Honey. They
are the only family that I have.” She shrugged and added, “I didn’t
want this job, it was forced on me because again, as I said, I like
to live.”
    “ Hey,” he reached out and touched her hand lightly with a
frown. “Mikhail doesn’t trust easily but when he does it’s for life
unless you betray that trust. Give him time and let him see who you
are, not the words on the pages upon pages we all have memorized.
Honey loves and trusts you, Penelope, and that holds a lot of sway
with Mikhail. Get to know him but also know that he does on
occasion need space, he’s wound tighter than most
unfortunately.”
    “ Which is what I’m giving him right now. I know that it’s far
too soon to get close to him. He’s like a snake ready to strike. I
think that giving him space is a very good idea.” She murmured
“Unless you don’t want me to ride out with you and help you
guys?”
    “ Wolf actually,” he said with a grin and shrugged. “If you
want to come out and work with a bunch of half-naked men you are
most welcome. And should you feel the need to strip down a little
please don’t let us deter you from that urge at all.”
    Penny laughed. “Good thing I’m wearing a sports bra so you
boys won’t see much,” she teased. “And hell, half naked men, I’m
totally there!” That was one thing she missed,