“Will you be okay with that?” Clara asked as she sipped her tea.
“Yes. The hours are dream shifts. From six in the morning till one. I’ll be home for lunch and dinner and be able to spend quality time with you,” I replied.
Clara smiled. “That’s something to look forward to, darling.” Clara hid a yawn, and I got to my feet.
“Nap time?” I teased, and Clara laughed.
“Yes. Ever since the fall, I’ve slept a lot more. The doctors put me on a new medication, which seems to make me sleepier than usual.”
“I’ll get Rose, and we’ll get you to your bedroom,” I said.
“No. This chair reclines and is perfectly comfortable. I’ll snuggle here. Would you mind fetching me a blanket from the box?” Clara asked, pointing.
I did as commanded and tucked Clara in before dropping a kiss on her cheek.
“I’m glad you’re home, darling,” she murmured, closing her eyes.
A smile crossed my lips before I headed back to my car to begin unpacking my belongings. There were around eight boxes, some suitcases, and a couple of duffel bags. For some reason, I’d never settled into the apartment and hadn’t created a home. The fact that my life fit into my car was tragic and screamed loneliness.
“Would you like a hand?” Rose called, and I shook my head.
“I’m fine, thanks, Rose,” I replied, waving her off.
While Clara was rich, she’d never been one for airs and graces. She was down-to-earth and liked simplicity. That made me laugh because she was the queen bee of high society. She handled local politics as if she were playing chess. A move here, a move there, and checkmate, Clara had you where she wanted. The handling of rich bitches was something I’d never had the patience to learn.
I carried my items up to my old bedroom, which was huge. As I entered, the smell of jasmine and honeysuckle filtered out. Those were my favourite scents, and I guessed Clara had asked Rose to pick up some potpourri for me. Seeing my old bedroom brought back a lot of memories. Luckily, the teenage memorabilia had been stored away, and the room was suitablefor an adult, decorated in yellow and white. I’d never been one for pink.
The old double was gone, and a king-size bed sat in its place. Apart from that, everything else was the same, and it felt happy, comfortable, like a warm hug. I’d missed this and hadn’t even known.
Now, if Stone stayed away, I might be able to survive this.
Chapter Two.
Harlequin
Shattered, as I’d been on guard duty at the gate all night, all I wanted to do was hit the sack. But that wasn’t going to happen; I’d walked into Runner, shoving Jinx around.
“What the fuck’s going on?” I demanded as I shut the kitchen door leading to the rec room.
“Bitch boy won’t make breakfast,” Runner snarled.
“Jinx isn’t your slave.”
Jinx’s fists were clenched, and I realised he was barely restraining himself from punching Runner.
“He’s a snitch, and snitches are bitches until they get stitches,” Runner sneered.
“Wasn’t Jinx who snitched. That was me. Come on, you mouthy fuck, what now?” I demanded getting into Runner’s face.
Runner looked at me dubiously. “Why are you covering for this freak? The asshole’s a walking disaster. Jinx shouldn’t be here, everyone knows he’s a dirty, snitching rat.”
“Number one. Jinx has as much right as anybody to prospect. Second, I told you, it was me, not Jinx. He was being blamed for Olivia getting into the paint that we all heard Bear order you toput away. Third, if you wanna threaten someone, try me on for size,” I said, stepping even further into Runner’s face. We were almost nose to nose.
“Jesus, you bumming him or something? Jinx your little pet?” Runner sneered, and I ground my teeth.
“You and me, the ring, right now,” I snarled, and Runner stepped backwards and laughed.
“Don’t wanna hurt you. Pretty boy here might have to take on a new protector if I fuck you up,” he retorted.
