“I think he believes there’s unfinished business between you two. He might not have loved you the way he claimed he did, but he didn’t want you to be the one who ended it. He said some seriously unhinged things, but I don’t think he was sober.”
I can’t get my head around any of this. Simon might never have set out to hurt me, but I could see there was something he held back. Now, if he felt wronged, he could do it. “Yeah, okay, thanks.” I nod, then pick up my beer and finish it. But my mind is already on Royal. What the hell will he say about it all? I hadn’t told him about the constant calls Simon bombarded me with once I’d left.
Instead of fleeing and going straight back to the house, we both take a deep breath, order another beer, and change the subject. It does put a damper on the evening. We swore not to talk work or about Matt, and now Simon has ruined it for us. I will tell Royal, maybe not all of it—not the phone calls—which I expect will start up again now that he’s seen me.
We end up in a pub down by the water, not getting too drunk, but a happy buzz is always good. Finally, we call it a night and get a cab and go home. It’s been a good night, much betterthan it would’ve been had we gone running back to the house to escape Simon. He can go and suck a dick for all I care; the guy has nothing on Royal. He’d probably run away screaming if he ever came face to face with him and his very fit, very strong brothers.
Finn goes straight to his room when we get back, and I spend a little time tidying up the living room and kitchen, then lock up. With the new locks and the deadbolt in place, I feel safe in here. It’s not somewhere Simon can get into.
Finn is snoring loudly when I pass his room, shutting the door as I go. I get ready for bed and as soon as I’m under the covers, I call Royal, hoping it’s not too late and he’ll be asleep.
He’s not, and he answers quickly.
It’s getting late, and Memphis hasn’t called. I don’t want to interrupt his evening out, but I’m sure he wouldn’t leave me waiting. Not without a text at the very least. I turn my phone over and over in my hands. Fuck it, I’m calling him.
As I swipe the screen open, it rings, surprising me so much I almost drop it stopping me from seeing the caller id. “’Lo, Memphis?” I answer, not knowing why I make it a question. Who else is going to be calling me?
“Yeah, hi. I’m sorry it’s so late; it’s been quite an evening.” Memphis sighs, there’s more to that sigh than just tired from a night out. “I need to tell you something but promise me you won’t freak out.”
Of course, people only say this when there is something to freak out over. “I’m not going to promise that, because it’s obvious that it’s going to. What’s happened?”
“It’s Simon. He saw me tonight, and he didn’t look very happy. Then Finn told me that he’d gone all stalkerish after I left, checking my flat out all the time. He didn’t believe I’d gone, and he started to pester Finn too.”
Not panic, my arse. “What the fuck, Memphis? You need to come home, babe.”
“I’m staying with Finn. We’ve been out tonight, that’s why I’m calling so late. He still hasn’t sorted out what he wantsto do with Matt. And that’s why I’m here, isn’t it, to make sure Finn is okay. I’ll be fine.”
“Not if he knows where Finn lives. Jesus, this is crazy. How dangerous is he?” I’m going to get him this weekend, earlier if I can send Saint in my place.
“Yeah, that’s true, and honestly, I think he’s pretty fucked up; he’s been banned from all the clubs for hurting too many boys and littles. I’m not going to go out looking for him. I’ll be staying in now, especially at night. It’ll be okay, I promise.”
“Fuck no!” I shout out, fury and fear rampaging through me simultaneously. “I’ll be up at the weekend to collect you. I’ll bring help with me, so we can get you packed up safely. Finn must be fed up of tripping over all your furniture.” I try to lighten my concern.
“I knew you’d want to do that, but you don’t have the time to spare. You’ve got schoolwork to do and the kids at the gym at the weekends; you can’t let them down.”
“Knox will cover the classes. Your safety is more important.” I’m not negotiating this with him. “I’ll come straight from work on Friday. It shouldn’t be late when I get to you, but it will take longer than usual, the traffic will be busy on the A1 on Friday night.”
“Royal, listen to me. I’m going to be fine. I’m only telling you because I don’t want any secrets between us. Get this term over with, and I’ll come back when you’re free for the holidays. I’m positive Finn will be all sorted by then.”
“No. This isn’t open for discussion, Memphis. You’re not safe there, and as your boyfriend and your Dom, I will do what I have to do to keep you protected. I’ll be with you on Friday night.”
The line goes quiet. I know he’s still there and that he must be talking himself down from turning this into an argument or saying something that he’d regret. Maybe Ishould’ve thought of what I was saying before barrelling along with demands. We’re still very new, and my bossing him around could be difficult for him to accept.
“You may be my Dom, Royal, but you’re not my keeper. I miss you; I want to be with you, but it’s going to be all right here. I’m staying with Finn, and I’m going to be careful. I won’t go looking any trouble.”
Shit! Okay, I’ve got the approach all wrong, and he’s got his defences back up. I can’t stop being protective, and he should know that. Now I’ve got to work out how to find this Simon bloke and get him to forget he ever knew Memphis. Why does this have to come up at the busiest time of the school year? Saint is too busy, as is Knox. I can’t keep asking Drake, but I know he’s the one I need for this. He’s perfect for this job. All I hope is that he’s not off on one of his secret jobs. He’s never completely divulged what he actually does for a living. And while he was in the military for some time; he didn’t mention special ops and secret missions. Never saying anything specific, but he would come home after weeks away and would be drawn, tired, and sometimes very thin. Knox always said he was a spy, and Drake never confirmed or denied it. Which in Knox’s opinion is proof enough. I don’t even know if he’s still away. I’ll call him in the morning.
“Fine, but please call me when you finish work, and let me know if you’re going out, not to check in, but just to let me know you’re okay. I can’t help being worried about some crazy stalker ex looking for you.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry it’s so late. I’ll let you go and get some sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye, Royal.”
“Yeah, G’night, Memphis,” I say and end the call. Despondency floods through my chest. This was supposed to have been a happy conversation, not one that’s put me in my place about our relationship status, or lack of it, and worry overa jealous stalker ex. He is right about getting some sleep. I’m not sure how easy it will be, but I’m surprised how tired I am when my head meets the pillow.
When my alarm goes off, my groggy brain and tired eyes refuse to cooperate, making getting out of bed harder than usual. Until I remember Memphis and our conversation and the call I need to make to Drake. Not until I’ve had a shower and coffee—it can wait until then. It’s still not a guarantee he can help, but it’s worth a try.
I’m surprised when he answers on the third ring. “Royal, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing that needs that kind of response. Stand down, soldier,” I chuckle, knowing it will cause a reaction from him.
