I tip my head back and close my eyes.
“What the fuck am I doing?” I ask myself.
The fact that I’m so unsure of what to do just proves how much that fucker has gotten under my skin. I blow out a breath.
“Fuck it.” I’m curious enough to wonder why they want me to meet them, so I grab my phone and keys and head into the Café.
The minute I walk through the door, regret fills my insides. Every pair of eyes turns to face me, and I struggle to swallow the lump in my throat. I spot Maria and Georgia-Rae sitting at a table near the counter with two other girls I don’t recognise. Jess, the owner, smiles at me from behind the counter, but then I see her eyes flick to the left of the counter, and I follow her gaze, my breath catches in my throat and my heart begins to race.
There must be at least nine of the brothers here, but a quick scan tells me that Wrath isn’t one of them. I do recognise some of them although I don’t know their names, I do know that I’veseen them with Wrath which means he’ll know about me being here.
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. I can either turn around and run out, or I can grow a fucking pair and walk up to the girls, after all, they did ask me to come here.
I flick my eyes back to the girls, they look across the Café to the brothers and then back to me, they don’t move they’re waiting for me to decide. I straighten my spine and pull my shoulders back and walk toward them. I’m almost certain I see some of the brothers smirk as they watch me head to the back of the Café.
Chapter
Thirty-Four
I have spent the last couple of days getting to know the girls from the club. I know it’s not something that Wrath would want, but they approached me and initially Maria had wanted to talk to me about setting up a boudoir session. She had wanted one for her and Doc, but she didn’t think he would be too keen on the idea, so I suggested doing a solo one first and then showing him the results from it. She was reluctant at first, thinking that it was a little odd doing it on her own, but when I explained that there are so many people who have them done, she seemed to be a little more excited. I promised to show her a few photos from a couple of the shoots that I have done just to show her how natural and comfortable they can be.
As I walk into the Café a cold shiver runs down my spine. I’m being watched, it’s not Dylan. I know he’s still following me; he hasn’t hidden that fact and to be honest I quite like knowing that I have someone around if I need them. But no, that uncomfortable feeling of being watched started the day I walked back into the Café earlier in the week. I haven’t seen anyone else following me or watching me, but I know they are there. My senses have never steered me wrong before, so when I feel like I’m being watched I listen.
I glance around the room, Jess is behind the counter making a coffee, there are two older women sitting at a table in the front right by the window and there are two of the club brothers sitting at a table near the counter. As I take a look at them, they both smile. Gears and Tongue both give me a head nod and a smile before returning to their conversation. I don’t feel anything but comfortable around them both, so I know it’s not them that’s making me feel apprehensive. Not seeing anyone else around I tell myself it’s my imagination and make my way to the table at the other side of the counter and take a seat to wait for Maria.
As I flick through some of my favourite images, a cup of steaming hot tea is placed onto the table beside me, I look up just as Gears pulls out a seat opposite me, Tongue taking the seat next to me right next to the cup he just placed down.
“Hey guys. Everything ok?” I ask, uncertainty washing over me. I’m worried that they’ll tell me that I have to leave Wrath has told them to make sure I stay away. Swallowing the lump in my throat I wait for them to speak.
Gears shakes his head as he smiles. “All good love. We just thought we’d sit with you until Maria arrived if that’s ok? She’s running a little late.”
“Oh,” I breathe out in a whisper. “Of course, thank you.” Not really sure why I’m thanking them, I move to close my laptop, but Tongue stops me placing his hand over mine. I glance at him, but he gives me a warm smile and tilts the screen toward him, giving him a better view.
“Erm, Tongue?” I query, but he just winks at me and focuses back on the screen.
I’ve seen Tongue almost every day since I started coming here five days ago, and in that time, he’s only ever said a couple of words to me, in fact that’s all he’s really said at all.
He never actually engages in conversation with the other brothers or any of the women and none of the seem to mind.There’s something about him, his size is imposing, his silence intimidating. But I feel nothing but safe whenever he’s around when he’s near I feel relaxed, I feel like I can trust him. I feel like I can trust most of the brothers, but with Tongue it’s different and I can’t put my finger on what it is. I just know that whenever he’s near me I feel safe.
I let him flick through the images on my laptop as I wrap my hands around the hot cup of tea and turn to Gears.
“I’m guessing Maria is stuck at the hospital?” I ask quietly.
He gives me a smile and nod. “Yeah. They’re short staffed, she’s just waiting for a cover nurse to come in.”
I glance around the shop, sipping on my drink. Tongue continues to look through the images, while Gears sits opposite me, his gaze frequently moves around the shop, stopping for slightly longer periods on the door and out the window. If I hadn’t of spent so much time with the brothers from the Newcastle Chapter, I would think it was odd. But I’m used to this, I know that they are all a little paranoid and probably for good reason.
I finish my drink and then place my empty cup back onto the table, before leaning over to reach for my laptop. Tongue gives me a confused look.
“I’m going to head home guys. Can you please tell Maria I’ll call her later or tomorrow?”
As I push my chair back to stand so do Gears and Tongue. I reach for my laptop and grab my bag then move to make my way around the table, but Gears reaches out placing a hand on my arm stopping me.
“Give us a minute and we’ll take you home. Prospect had to do something.”
I shake my head. “It’s ok, I’m good. You don’t need to take me I don’t live far from here. It won’t take me long to walk.” I step around them and make my way to the door, I hear Gears yellingfor me, but I wave him off and rush out of the door and quickly round the corner heading toward my flat.
My eyes scan the dark streets they are busier than normal, I smile when I see parents walking excited children all dressed up in all types of costumes. I forgot it was Halloween. Two small little boys come running toward me, one dressed as ghost, the other dressed as a monster.
