Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte/Sentinel #1)(78)

Brad scoffed. “That’s because they won’t take you. You haven’t even paid her since you moved in. You’re part of the problem.”

Jill sat in the corner crying. Everyone was ignoring her. Chris was trying to push his way to Mrs. Buckman. In a few seconds he was pulling her into his arms. After a moment of hesitation she wrapped her arms around him and cried against his chest. “Stop it all of you,” he said. That sent them off again.

“Do something!” Joshua begged.

That was fine with him. He’d seen and heard enough. He put Joshua down. “Cover your ears,” he said softly. Joshua nodded and did as he was asked. Madison didn’t wait to be asked before she covered her ears.

“I want my last week’s rent back!” some of them started to scream. Then it became a tangle of screams.

“Quiet!” Ephraim roared.

Everyone in the room covered their ears and cowered back from the deafening noise. It was probably the loudest and most frightening shout they’d ever heard.

They were still cringing when he walked into the room. Under normal circumstances he was intimidating. Right now he was frightening as hell. He was half na**d with every muscle in his body flexing, readying for a fight. His arms were folded over his chest as he stood in an authoritative stance. His eyes had an icy glimmer to them as they moved around the room, challenging anyone to speak.

“That’s better. Now, everyone move back so Chris and Mrs. Buckman can sit down on the couch.” The small gathering stepped backward in one uniformed move. Chris threw Ephraim a relieved look as he brought Mrs. Buckman to the couch.

Ephraim’s eyes moved onto the newest member, a man in his mid thirties. Ephraim didn’t have a chance to run a background check on the man as he normally would before he left, but he had a feeling he knew what he was going to find.

“How many weeks do you owe?”

The man’s jaw clenched. “That’s none of your f**king business, pig.” The man had a problem with cops. Interesting.

“Five,” Brad said. “He never paid a cent. He gave her a sob story and you know that’s her weakness.”

Ephraim nodded. “Consider the free ride over. You’re to be packed and out within an hour or I will run you and we both know my search will come back with a warrant or two.”

The man’s mouth dropped open. “Fine but I’m not paying a cent.”

“I never thought you would. Just get out, you only have fifty-nine minutes left.”

Jenny, one of the female boarders he couldn’t stand spoke up. “That’s not fair we have to pay so should he!”

He ignored her. “Now, raise your hand if you’ve made arrangements to move out.” Every paying hand went into the air even Candy’s.

He nodded. “When are you moving out?”

Brad cleared his throat. “Tomorrow. They’re able to take us then. If we don’t go tomorrow we lose our spots.”

Ephraim nodded.

“I want my last week’s rent back!” Jenny said.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to keep himself under control. “You are leaving with less than twenty-four hours notice. You are not getting your rent back. You signed an agreement for one week’s notice. So let it go because she is not giving it back.”

“That’s not fair!” Jenny yelled.

Ephraim’s hand dropped away and he took a step forward. His eyes pierced Jenny’s and she stumbled back. “Take it to court then. You signed a binding contract.”

Mrs. Buckman sat on the couch, sobbing. He couldn’t stand to see a strong woman broken like that. “Has anyone paid for this upcoming week?”

“No,” they said collectively. That meant she was completely out of money and no way to pay the bills. It was probably for the best otherwise she would owe them.

“Okay, then you are all free to leave. I suggest you go pack and prepare your rooms for inspection if you want your deposits back,” he said dismissively.

They nodded sheepishly and walked out of the room. Candy straightened her clothing and stood up. “I guess I should go pack, too."

“What?” Madison asked in disbelief.

Candy scoffed. “Madison, your grandmother is going to lose the house. I have to find a place to stay. You don’t want me to be homeless do you?”

“What about your mother and your kids? Where do you think they’ll end up?” She stepped towards Candy. She was trembling with rage.

Candy backed up and headed for the door. “I don’t know what you expect from me, Madison. Really, you’re being ridiculous. The kids will be fine. I’m sure the foster homes around here are very nice.”

Ephraim reached out and restrained Madison as she swung to hit Candy. She missed, but barely. “Get out of here then! We don’t need you!”

“Shh, it’s okay, baby, just let her go.” He half dragged her to an overstuffed chair and sat her down. He sat on the arm of the chair and held her hand.

Mrs. Buckman sat up. She looked more composed. “I’m sorry about everything.” She swallowed. “Thank you for your help. Ephraim, I think you should go see if you can snag one of those rooms up before it’s too late.”

Ephraim ran a hand over his hair. “Chris, run up to my room. On the desk you’ll find two folders, grab them along with my checkbook and my wallet’s up there somewhere I think in my pants, go grab them.”