That was interesting news, but not unexpected. I knew Lawrie owed money, and the ways he had of making it back weren’t ways that Livi would want connected to her. “That’s not going to break your heart, is it?”
“No, not really. But with Lala leaving for a couple of weeks, it’s probably not good timing.”
Actually, it could be very good timing. I knew what Colm had planned, the plan I should’ve been helping to carry out, even if it was just intel. Lala or Jameson were a way to get his money back. Either of them in his possession would be a payday.
“Why don’t you go with Lala? Even if it’s just for a week. If you think things will be strange here take some time out.”
The expression on her face told me all I needed to know.
“Fuck, I don’t want you to go.” I didn’t. Genuinely. Not yet. “But you’ll be back in a couple of weeks.” And it would mean she was out of the way.
Jameson shook her head. “Daisy and Alfie are still here. If I’m not around, Daisy will end up getting in trouble. I had to pick her up from Café del Mar the night before last.”
“I spoke to the bouncers – they know to look for her and not let her in.” Her sister was jailbait.
“Yeah, thank you for that.” She bit her bottom lip, making her look vulnerable.
I could offer to go with her to London, but that would hint at there being more between us than I needed there to be.
“What will happen with Marcus?” I was pretty sure Jameson thought I had a crush on him. I’d asked about him too much.
“At least that’s one good thing – he’ll be out of our lives. I’m not going with Lala – two weeks hanging around more models and wannabe influencers is just more than I can take. And I like the time I spend with you.”
“You know this can’t be any more than this summer.”
“I know. You know people, right?”
“Who do you mean by people?”
“Your family…”
I laughed. “The people who aren’t very nice and don’t care about breaking the law?”
“Those.” She gave a soft laugh. “What do they know about Lawrie?”
“He’s a businessman.”
“Is he dodgy?”
“Aren’t most businessmen? No one’s completely innocent, Cherry Lady. Not even you.”
“I know. I’m just wondering if Livi knows things she’s not telling.” She rubbed her face.
I put a hand on her shoulder, guiding her to sit down on the bed. “Maybe she isn’t telling. Does it matter? Your mum knows what she’s doing, Jay, she’s made a life of it.”
“I know. You’re right. I just don’t like not knowing. I feel like I need all the facts to be in control.”
I tipped her chin up with my finger and looked at her. She’d shown me she was made of steel in the way she’d played me, in the way she dealt with her sister and the rest of her family. She was beauty and strength and heart.
Part of me wished I could keep her forever.
The other part knew I couldn’t leave myself open to the heartbreak I’d felt when Leila died again.
“You just have to work with what you’ve got. You know your mum will protect you.”And if she can’t, I will.
“I know. I need to stop over-analysing.”
I kissed the words off her mouth, tasting the bitterness of the coffee she’d been drinking, and then her. A sweetness I knew I wouldn’t tire of. So different from Leila that I couldn’t compare them and I didn’t want to either. That had passed.
