“I don’t want to make her nervous.” He laughed when Slade looked at him.
Slade nodded, turning to watch as Jill stopped near the cones. The officer got out of the car with his clipboard, walking to the front of the cones. Jill glanced over at him and he gave her a reassuring nod. “She’s getting ready to parallel park,” he told her dad.
Chuck walked from behind the pillar to peek around the corner.
“Come on, baby. You can do this,” Slade mumbled. He watched as she did her maneuvers. Once she stopped the car, coming inches from the front cone, Slade felt such a relief he felt a little weak. It wasn’t perfect, but she fucking did it, and he couldn’t be more proud.
Jill jumped out of the car and held her crossed fingers up at him as she walked up to the officer. With a smile, the officer handed her a piece of paper. Jill jumped up and took off running toward Slade. He caught her and swung her around.
“I passed.” She held him tightly, tears in her voice. “I really did it.”
“As I knew you would.” Slade pulled her back, kissing her hard, but quick. “Someone else came to congratulate you.”
Jill turned her head to see her father standing there with tears in his eyes. “Congratulations, Jelly Bean.”
Slade put Jill on her feet and smiled down at her when she looked at him surprised, her chin trembling as tears flowed freely. “Go on,” he nudged her toward him.
Jill walked over, taking her father in her arms for a hug. “Thanks, Dad,” she cried, then laughed. “I know it’s just a stupid license, but I never thought I would ever get it.”
“I always told you that you could do anything you put your mind to, even with the battles you had and you’ve proved that.” He smiled sadly. “I’m sorry I didn’t help you more.”
“I love you, Dad.” Jill kissed his cheek. “And you loved me back. That’s enough.”
“You ready to get that license?” The officer smiled at Jill, holding the door open. “My shift starts in fifteen minutes.”
Jill nodded, following the officer inside, but not before turning back toward Slade mouthing ‘thank you’. He smiled with a wink.
“I don’t know how to ever thank you for what you’ve helped my daughter with.” Chuck looked embarrassed, but his appreciation was in earnest.
“You don’t have to ever thank me for anything I do for Jill, sir,” Slade responded. “But I do have something to ask you.”
“Son, you can ask me anything.” Her father gave a nod.
Slade looked toward the door Jill had disappeared through, then to her father. This was easier than he thought.
Chapter 21
Jill drove to the address George gave her, feeling happy and content. After getting her license, Slade had taken her and her father out for a quick bite to eat. Her father was nervous, but excited and proud about her initiation into the VC Warriors. Jill asked about everyone, even her mom, but mostly they talked about what Jill had been going through with her training and her father’s health. Her dad also liked telling embarrassing stories about her to Slade.
Slowing down on the street, she looked at house numbers. She had her earpiece in, which Sloan threatened dire consequences if she took it out. She wore a professional dress suit that Nicole gave her and a different choker with a small camera.
“It’s the house with the fountain,” Jared’s voice echoed in her ear. “Black shutters.”
Jill nodded, forgetting that they couldn’t actually see her. “Okay, I see it.”
Pulling into the driveway, she parked behind a gorgeous blue Lexus. “Damn, no wonder George could afford to give me a two-hundred-dollar tip for his lap dance,” Jill whistled. “He’s loaded.”
“He gave you what?” Slade growled in her ear.
Cringing, Jill ignored him and reached for the portfolio case Sloan gave her to make her look more professional. Getting out, she straightened her suit. This time, Caroline had set her up with a short black bob wig. They wanted to make sure if Alice was involved, Jill wouldn’t be discovered. Her dark sunglasses also hid her mismatched eyes.
Walking up the marble sidewalk, Jill whistled again. “Nice set up.” Juggling the portfolio, Jill rang the doorbell. Within seconds, the door opened. “Hey…”
George shook his head, nodding backward mouthing ‘house may be wired’. “Right on time. Come on in.”
“Thanks.” Jill nodded back, letting him know she understood. “This shouldn’t take too long. I know how busy you are.”
“I have a few minutes.” He laughed and she could tell he was nervous.
Walking into the kitchen, she laid the portfolio out on the table, opening it up. Fake plans were inside. “I’m going to leave these with you.”