“That light, right there on the fourth floor, is where she lives. I had Data do some digging after I told her dad that she would be ok. She’s on a temporary lease for six weeks. I also know she’s still on the books looking for another place, so she won’t be here for long.” He turns back to look at me, and he rests his forearm on the steering wheel and sits a little straighter, giving me a pointed look. “You’re my best friend, Wrath. I love having you here. But I was serious when I told her dad she would be fine. Pull your fucking head in. You hurt her, and I will beat the shit out of you.”
I scoff out a laugh but stop when I realise he’s serious. I give my head a quick shake and then scrub my hands over my face. “I’d never hurt a woman Nitro. You should know me better than that.”
“I do, but this chick has got you fucking knotted up inside, and I don’t know why.”
“Neither do I.” I pull my phone out of my pocket, search for the name I’m looking for and then hit call. It only rings once before he answers. “Prospect, Ridgely Heights, on the lower west side. Get your arse here now. The chick from the supermarket, you’re on watch until I say otherwise.”
I hear him shuffling about through the phone, probably getting ready given he’s got a night off from the bar tonight. “Yessir,” he responds, and I hear a door closing just before he hangs up.
Nitro gives me a small nod letting me know he approves. He won’t let this lie. He’ll want me to explain why I’m behaving like a fucking teenage boy, but he’ll have to wait. Because the truth is I don’t even know that myself.
The prospect is a smart kid. He chose to drive one of the car’s the club owns rather than his bike. And it only takes him less than fifteen minutes to get here, which is impressive, although we won’t tell him that we’re impressed.
He pulls up behind us and rushes over to the driver’s side of the van. Nitro doesn’t open the window, but points to my side. Without a single second of hesitation, he runs around the front of the van and stops at my window. He doesn’t knock or try the door he just patiently waits.
I roll down the window after only a few seconds. I’d make him wait a little longer, but I really need to get away from here. I point to the flat on the fourth floor with the light still on, then turn to watch the prospect. His eyes follow my finger, and he looks at the window before letting his eyes scan over the rest of the building and the surrounding area.
“That flat right there. The girl from the supermarket car park. You watch her, follow her at a safe distance wherever she goes. I want daily check-ins. You don’t interact with her, but keep her safe and us updated.”
He looks to Nitro and then back to me. “Understood. I’ll check in around lunchtime tomorrow unless you need anything sooner?”
We both shake our heads at him, and he gives a chin lift before walking away and climbing back into his car to settle in for the night. One last look up at her place before I give Nitro a look, and he pulls away, driving back in the direction of thesupermarket car park so I can grab my bike and head back to the clubhouse to get some sleep.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
I rub at the back of my neck. Falling asleep on the sofa wasn’t my smartest move last night, and the early morning yoga I did this morning didn’t help at all. I’d looked for some local yoga classes, but there aren’t many places around that seem to offer them. Nothing close by anyway. Once I pick up my car from Manchester this weekend, I’ll be able to book into one of the classes further out.
I’m on edge as I walk down the aisles of the supermarket looking for something for my breakfast and lunch. I’m so hungry after not eating much yesterday. I would have loved to go grab coffee and a bagel from the café, but Wrath made it very clear I wasn’t welcome in there and I really don’t want to piss him off any more than I already seem to have.
I grab a box of breakfast bars and a pre-prepared salad for lunch. This should be enough to keep me going today. I have a train back to Manchester tomorrow afternoon, so I can grab something at the station before I leave. I can’t believe I’m letting a guy dictate when and where I go shopping. Sighing to myself I decide to grab an iced coffee in a can before heading into the studio.
I’m exhausted. Eric had double-booked a couple of clients, and to try and clear the backlog, I did several shoots back-to-back. It was a good day though. I’ve captured a surprise proposal, a baby photoshoot, a shoot where the client wanted to feel better about breaking up with her partner and I’ve booked in a boudoir shoot for next week. All in all, it’s been a good day.
I walk through the door to my flat and throw my bag and keys onto the counter and then place my uneaten salad in the fridge before heading into the bedroom to get changed. I kick off my flip flops, then strip out of my long skirt and tank top and throw on a pair of shorts and a hoody.
I scoop my hair up and tie it into a messy bun on the top of my head as I make my way back into the sitting room. I stop at the window and peer down onto the street. All day, I felt like I was being watched, but every time I looked around, I couldn’t see anyone.
Not wanting to be seen, I leave the lights off, sit at the kitchen counter in the dark and eat my salad. I know I’ve only been here a little over a week, but I feel pretty pathetic sitting in the dark alone eating my dinner. At least I get to spend the weekend in Manchester.
Knowing that I have to head to work first, I need to be up early to pack and make it across the city in time for my train, I throw the empty container into the bin, quickly tidy up and the head to bed for an early night.
“Are you ok, honey?” My Mam asks, a note of concern in her voice as she watches me swirl my spoon in my hot tea. I look up and give her a sad smile.
“Yeah. I just—” I stop, not knowing how to finish my sentence. I feel a little out of sorts, but I’m not really sure what’s wrong with me.
She leans forward and places her hand over the top of mine. “Marissa, you know if you don’t like London or your job, you can move back here. It’s ok.”
“Oh, no. It’s not that. I’m not sure what it is. I think it’s just because everything is still so new. I haven’t really found my feet yet, and it’s throwing me a little.”
She hums a little as she thinks about my response. Then she gives me a huge smile. “For someone normally so laid back, you’re very impatient. Give yourself time to adjust. No matter what life throws at you, you’re normally so chilled, you adjust easier and quicker than most people I know. Your calm demeanour and your ability to adapt to any situation you find yourself in comes from your dad’s side of the family. You need to figure out whatever it is that has your head in a twist. But give yourself time sweetheart, it’s going to take a little more than a week or two.” She stands from her chair and leans down, placing a kiss on my cheek before making her way over to the counter.
I lean back in my seat and watch her chat with the girl at the till, smiling when I see her point to the cakes inside the display. She has a serious sweet tooth. I jump when I feel a hand on my shoulder, looking up I see the smiling faces of Brick and Knuckles standing beside me. I stand and they both pull me into a hug.
“Back so soon, Flex?” Brick asks as he pulls out of the hug. “London not for you? Or did you miss my handsome face?”
I laugh as Knuckles clips him across the back of the head.
