Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 210: Invitation

When Kieran heard Mariella personally invite Donald and Terry to move into one of Celestine Ridge's vacant properties, he jumped in immediately. "We've got nine vacant villas right now. No. 6 is the largest and the most lavishly appointed. No. 7, No. 8, No. 9, and No. 10 are all excellent options too. Take your pick."

Donald hesitated. "That seems like... a lot to accept."

"Those properties don't have owners anymore, and empty houses don't do anyone any good." Kieran pressed on quickly. "Having more neighbors strengthens our security presence, and I can tell you the residents would be thrilled. Once you're in, you'd receive supply allocations from both Imperial Crest Plaza and Greenfield Organic Farm based on your household size. Your families would be taken care of, and you'd be free to keep doing your jobs without worrying about them."

Mariella was thoroughly pleased with Kieran's assist and gave him an approving glance.

Kieran practically levitated from the validation.

Donald was starting to waver.

Resources were stretched razor-thin, and even his rank as an officer didn't translate into enough to properly provide for his family.

His day-to-day in the unit was barely enough to keep himself fed. His monthly pay came out to 80 pounds of grain, five pounds of cooking oil, and five liters of diesel, and keeping a whole household running on that was a constant struggle. And he had an infant still on formula.

If they moved into Celestine Ridge, his family would be safe, they'd receive regular supply distributions, and there'd be fresh milk available. The thought of not having to stress about formula anymore was almost impossible to resist.

Terry was in a considerably worse position. His pay as a junior officer was 50 pounds of grain, three pounds of cooking oil, and two liters of diesel per month, and he was supporting an elderly grandmother, an underage sister, and two parents who'd both lost their jobs to the disaster.

His entire household ran on that paycheck, and it was never quite enough.

On top of that, his family lived in a standard residential building with nothing like the security level of the police family compound where Donald resided.

While Donald was still on the fence, Terry had already made up his mind completely.

He wanted to say yes on the spot, terrified the window would close before he could. But his commanding officer hadn't given the word yet, and it wasn't his place to speak first.

The suspense had his face going red.

After a long moment, Donald finally gave his answer. "Let us go home and talk it over with our families first."

Mariella hadn't expected an on-the-spot commitment from either of them. She smiled easily. "Of course. Just try not to take too long. Once the temperature drops hard enough, moving won't be an option anymore."

Donald gave a grave, slow nod.

"One more thing," Mariella added. "Everyone should try to stockpile as much coal or firewood as possible right now. When the brutal temperatures hit, getting outside will be nearly impossible."

Terry nodded with complete seriousness and took the warning straight to heart.

He was already reaching for his phone to call his parents and tell them to take his sister out to the nearby hills to gather firewood and anything else that could burn for heat.

...

Denton's convoy reached Celestine Ridge just as dusk was settling over the estate.

His service was as meticulous as always, delivering directly to the door.

A diesel-powered four-wheel cargo tractor pulled up to No. 98 loaded to capacity.

Mariella opened the steel gate and waved it straight through, all the way to the warehouse entrance.

The same crew of Denton's men who'd handled deliveries before were on escort duty again.

Patrick spotted Mariella and flashed a wide, bright grin. "Ms. Townsend! It's been a while!"

Mariella thought back to how guarded he'd been the first time they'd met, compared to the easy familiarity he wore now. It was quietly amusing. "It really has. How have you all been holding up?"

"Thanks to you, Ms. Townsend, business has stayed reasonably steady." The one who answered was Denton himself. "It's enough to keep the crew and their families going, even if the margins aren't what they used to be."

He looked considerably more weathered than before, his hairline noticeably further back, but his energy was still holding together.

Mariella smiled. "Staying fed and making it home in one piece is everything right now. That's more than most people have."

Denton nodded emphatically.

Once the cargo was unloaded, he added, "Mr. Zimmer called ahead and asked me to bring something along as well..."

Before he could finish, Chandler came around the corner carrying a bag.

He handed it to Denton. "Four hundred thousand. Count it if you want."

Denton took the bag, gave it a light heft, and smiled. "No need. With Ms. Townsend vouching for you, that's good enough for me."

He produced a square jewelry box and held it out to Chandler. "Take a look, Mr. Zimmer."

Mariella fixed her gaze on the box immediately, waiting to see what was inside.

Chandler tucked it straight into his jacket pocket under everyone's watchful eyes, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "No need to check. I trust you."