AJ

AJ REAPER-Patriots Book FIFTY-SIX Mary Kennedy Copyright © 2023 by Mary Kennedy All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be constructed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Editing provided by: pccProofreading MAP of Belle Fleur and Cottage Assignments Readers – if you’re like me – you’re very visual – I hope this map helps as you’re reading. You will notice the additions of the new homes. I’ve also added a guide to the families and books at the back. I hope you find these resources helpful. G1-8 = Garçonnière Big House = Belle Fleur – main house of Matthew and Irene Robicheaux, with George & Mary The Grove – where BBQs, picnics, and family gatherings take place COTTAGE Assignments 1 Miller & Kari 36 Gunner & Darby G3 Pork 97 Jalen & Stormy 2 Alec & Lissa 37 Ghost & Grace G4 Hex & Gwen 98 Chase & Kennedy 3 Gabe & Tory 38 Zulu & Gabi 69 Kiel & Liz 99 Sam & Mia 4 Gaspar & Alex 39 Doc & Bree 70 Joseph & Julia 100 Milo & Lia 5 Raphael & Savannah 40 Paul & Elizabeth 71 Wes & Virginia 101 Hiro & Winter 6 Baptiste & Rose 41 Luke & Ajei 72 Dalton & Calla 102 Ryan & Paige 7 Antoine & Ella 42 Fitz & Zoe 73 Nathan & Katrina 103 Chase & Maeve 8 Ivan & Sophia 43 RJ & Celia 74 Keith & Susie 104 Duncan & Lindsay 9 Tristan & Emma 44 Carter & Ani 75 Marc & Ela 105 JT & Kennedy 10 Luc & Montana 45 Bull & Lily 76 Jake & Claudette 106 Torro & Melanie 11 King & Claire 46 Trev & Ashley 77 Frank & Lane 107 Bron & Mila 12 Sly & Suzette 47 Whiskey & Kat 78 Ian & Aspen 108 Fitch & Carsen 13 Rory & Piper 48 Tailor & Lena 79 Doug & Miguel 109 Bogey & Alice 14 O’Hara & Lucia 49 Contents MAP of Belle Fleur and Cottage Assignments CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN CHAPTER TWENTY CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE CHAPTER THIRTY CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE EXCERPT from BONE SERIES AND FAMILY GUIDE OTHER BOOKS BY MARY KENNEDY YOU MIGHT ENJOY! ABOUT THE AUTHOR CHAPTER ONE Alexander ‘Ace’ Mills held tightly to his son’s hand as he walked him to school. It was one of the highlights of his day, but today was especially important. He was getting a new teacher, and Ace was worried about how his young son would react to the change. As a child, Ace suffered physical, emotional, and psychological abuse from his foster parents. Shoved into a small cage with just a bucket for his human waste, he was only fed a few times a week. When they had friends over to get high or drunk, he was poked and prodded. Thanks to the heroism of Sgt. John Mills, Alex was saved and adopted by the man, given a life he could have never dreamed of. When he and Charlie moved to Belle Fleur, he asked specifically that the room for his son be twice the size of a normal bedroom. He never wanted AJ to feel claustrophobic. But he also never wanted him to feel unloved. Every day he walked him to school, and every day he picked him up. Without fail. “What if the new teacher doesn’t like me, Dad?” “Impossible,” he smiled. “You’re the most likeable little boy I know.” “Can I call you if I don’t