“No, I don’t have any money,” Mum answers, her face colouring.
“Here,” I fumble in my backpack for my purse and give her everything I have in there except for a twenty that I keep for myself. It’s not much but it will pay for a cab to anywhere in the Vale. What I hand to her will buy food for today and maybe tomorrow if she budgets. “They need a proper meal. Can your friend provide that?”
Mum’s eyes narrow. I’ve embarrassed her twice over and now she’s angry. “Yes, Juliet. I know how to take care of my own damn children,” she barks.
“And yet your daughter’s gone three days without eating,” Aiden launches back.
Mum’s eyes dart to Casey. I snort. Of course, I wouldn’t so much as register to her. “Wow. Okay. I think you should just go wherever you’re going.”
Mum doesn’t argue. I think she knows she doesn’t have a leg to stand on with these guys on my side. Instead, she ushers the kids upand out of their seats. They watch me as Mum tucks an arm around Casey and nudges AJ out of the store. TJ hangs back.
“You coming anyway?” he asks. This boy is bold. He’ll need to be to protect AJ’s gentle heart.
“Not this time. Mum’s upset that I made Dad mad. It’s okay though. You’ll have a sleepover with Mummy’s friend, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Something isn’t sitting right with me, though. Mum wasn’t even wearing her uniform when she came in. She’s dressed smarter than I’ve ever seen her. She’s even wearing makeup. Then there’s the fact that she instantly has someone to go to, even though she’s never been allowed to socialise.
I don’t trust her.
“Kiddo!” I call before TJ reaches the door. Mum’s waiting outside, impatience clear in the rapid bouncing of Casey on her hip. I hold out my new phone and place TJ’s hand on it.
“Here, take this. Hide it. If you need me, press this button and then this button until it rings. Dax or Aiden will answer, and I will call you back. Just like your play phone at home, okay?” I show him the unlock button and the call app. Then make sure it’s on silent. “If it jiggles in your pocket, hide somewhere and answer it.”
“Can AJ see it too?”
“Yes. You and AJ can keep it safe until tomorrow. If you need me, remember to use it. Don’t let anyone else see it. It’s our secret.”
“Okay.” He tucks it into his sleeve where it sticks out obviously, but Mum won’t notice and what’s she going to do even if she does? Take it off him? Then I’ll just check in with her instead. The door chimes tinkle as he leaves.
And other than these strangers helping me, I’m alone.
Dax and Aiden get me toCarlito’sjust in time for my shift. I’m still a raging mess and with all the questions in my head on fast spin, I feel like a mental case. Still, work is work, and I refuse to lose my best source of income.
The warm stench of leather, spilled booze, cigarettes, and man hit me the second I open the door. My body sags, muscles releasing the tension of the day, as the familiarity of the bar and my routine sink in. I’m surprised by the utter relief I feel knowing I’m finally where I’m meant to be—and safe.
Not to mentionon time.
I expect Carlo to offer me a freaking round of applause, but he’s not in the bar when I enter. Kevin, Carlo’s assistant manager, and Niall are upfront instead.
“Carlo in the back?” I ask, trailing my twin shadows behind me.
Kevin shakes his head. “He’s out tonight. Family emergency or some shit.”
“Family? What family? I thought Cue-ball was a loner.” IknowCarlo is a loner. The only woman he’s ever shown an interest in is my mother, and he’s an only child who visits his parent’s graves on Wednesday mornings, so his emergency isn’t about relatives.
“Yeah, what is it he calls himself? A lone wolf?” Niall laughs like it’s hysterical, but I catch Dax mumbling to himself. Something about wolves always finding their pack in the end. It’s not so much the words that set red flags waving, but the disapproving, almost knowing, tone in which he says them.
“When did he leave? I ask. The coincidences build like jigsaw pieces.
“He had his usual two-thirty until five break and then came back, but by seven-thirty he was shooting out the door again. You’d think his precious Harley was on fire or something with the way he flew out of here,” Niall answers, earning a disapproving glare from Kevin.
I’m already putting the picture together, but when Dax refuses to meet my eyes, I know for sure.
Carlo’s big emergency is Mum. Her friend for the night is Carlo.
“We weren’t exactly sure you were coming in either, so I called Niall in to help out.” Kevin carries on, oblivious to my tanking mood. I want to ask questions, but I also have responsibilities. I need to prioritise, and at the top of mysort-your-life-outlist is making enough money to pay my own way. There’s no chance I’m sleeping in a hotel tonight. I can’t afford the debt Dax keeps racking up on my behalf. I’ll stay here in Carlo’s office after I lock up, or I’ll call Charlie and sleep on her couch.
“I’m here now, so where do you need me?” Rolling my backpack off my shoulders, I hiss as the materiel touches my palms and head toward the office to grab a clean sweatshirt. If I volunteer for washing duty, perhaps I can get some cold water on my hands and release some of the throbbing heat that’s been building all day.
