She nods. “Okay.”
“I was wondering if you could keep an eye on my place while I’m gone?” I ask her.
“Sure.” She opens her mouth like she wants to ask me something else, but closes it.
“Like I said, it will only be for a few days,” I say, repeating myself like an idiot. “The club will have someone patrolling the area in case you need anything.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen here.” She smiles weakly. “I’d better get the kids home. It’s getting late, and they need to take showers. Thanks again for dinner.”
Before I can even say anything, she rushes out the door, ushering her kids across the yard and to her place.
Running my hands over my face, I groan.
Great. Just great.
Not only did I fuck that up, but I asked her to watch my house? Seriously?
What the hell is wrong with me?
Mac has been gone for two days.
I shouldn’t be keeping track, but I am. It’s not only him, though. Tank and Gunner are gone too. Jagger and Sloane are the only two working in the shop right now. It’s quiet. Too quiet.
I didn’t realize how much I had come to depend on the safety of having Mac next door until he was no longer there. Now that he is gone, I can’t sleep. Every little noise has me sitting up, wondering if it is my imagination or if the monster truly did find us.
It’s irrational. I know that. Especially when there is never anyone there when I look, but my brain can’t settle.
Thankfully, the kids are none the wiser. Emily is running around like the world is hers to own. I love that about her. She was sad when I told her Mac was out of town and she couldn’t play with his chalk, but she perked up when I told her we could go buy some of our own.
Tanner is a bit more watchful with Mac gone. He is still getting back to being a kid, but he is taking notes. I don’t know how I feel about him emulating Mac. On the one hand, Mac is a good guy. He does what he has to in order to keep us safe. On the other hand, I worry that Tanner will want to join that club of theirs one day. I don’t want him in danger or doing illegal shit.
It’s a hard situation. How can I feel that way yet want to kiss the man in the same breath? If I trust him, I need to fully trust him with Tanner too. He wouldn’t let Tanner do anything stupid.
At least, I hope not.
Entering the next line on the document, I hear the door chime ring.
“One moment, please,” I yell, getting up to head out of my office to the front desk.
A rougher-looking gentleman stands there. He keeps itching his face, and his eyes are twitching. I don’t like the look of him. My internal alarms are blaring.
Smoke ran out, so Sloane and Jagger are the only two here. Are they close enough to hear me scream if I need to?
“How can I help you?” I ask.
“Yeah. I picked up my car last week, and there was money missing from it,” he tells me.
“Oh no. Which car? I will see who was working on it,” I tell him, typing into the computer as if I’m looking him up, but really I’m sending out the SOS in the group chat Smoke set up for me on the computer. It should ping everyone’s phone.
“It doesn’t matter what car. It matters that my money is gone and you are going to give it to me!” he yells.
“Sir, we don’t keep money here at the front. I can call my manager for you,” I tell him.
His fists come down on the desk, making me jump. I hate violence so much. I wish there were none of it in the world.
Still, I step back from the desk.
“Sir, if you could calm down, we will get your money for you. I need to call someone to bring it, though.” I try to remain calm, but there are tears in my eyes.
