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I have no intention of arguing on Ivy’s first day home, but I can’t help feeling angry at Grizz for comparing me to his mum.
He lets me feed Ivy and then I leave him to put her down for her nap. I have a plan to put into action if I’m ever going to prove him wrong.
I grab a cab over to the bar where I know I’ll find Reaper. It’s been a while since I’ve been near the Kings, and as I enter, it doesn’t bring back any good memories. Reaper stands when he spots me, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “You’re looking good, mama,” he comments, pulling a seat out for me to sit.
“Thanks for agreeing to meet me.”
“How could I not? You know I have a soft spot for you.”
I blush. “I’ll get straight to the point. I’d like to borrow money.”
He frowns. “What for? Cos if it’s for your brother, no. I’ve washed my hands of him and I told your old man he was welcome to him now his debt’s been paid.”
It’s my turn to look confused. “Nate paid off his debt?”
Reaper leans back in his seat, smirking. “You should talk to your old man, Luna.”
“I don’t have an old man,” I say firmly. “Did Grizz pay off the debt?”
He moves to stand, like he’s going to leave, and I rush to grab his hand. He stares down at where my tiny hand touches his and lowers back into his seat. “I don’t need no trouble with the Demons, baby girl. Grizz came in here to tell me he was saving you from your brother, and honestly, it’s about time someone did. If I’d have known how bad things were, I’d have done it.”
I release him and place my hands in my lap. “The money isn’t for Nate. It’s for me.”
“Does Grizz know you’re here?”
I shake my head. “No. We’re not a thing. He hasn’t claimed me. I need a better life for me and Ivy.”
“How much are we talking?”
“Twenty-five grand.”
His eyebrows arch in surprise. “Fuck, that’s quite a sum.”
“I’ll pay every penny back.”
“How? Luna, that’s a lot of money, and as far as I know, your only source of income was Zen, which apparently you’re no longer working at.”
“I’m buying a pizza van.”
He rests his arms on the table and fixes me with a serious look. “You want to borrow twenty-five grand to purchase a pizza van . . . why?”
“So I can make bread.”
He throws his head back, laughing loudly. “Just when I think I can’t be surprised,” he says, wiping the tears from his eyes. “Jesus, Luna, that’s a sentence I never thought I’d hear you say.”
“Can you help me or not?” I ask, my tone brisk. I am so over men doubting me.
He gives a shake of his head and my heart sinks. “Look, I’d love to come along on the crazy bread van idea, but my money is tied up. And I’ll be honest, I don’t need Grizz on my back.”
“He doesn’t need to know.”
“Oh, he does, Lu, he really does. Have you thought about applying for a government scheme or going to ask the bank?”
I shrug. “A bank won’t lend me a penny. Forget it, I’ll come up with something.”
“If you need a job, I can sort that,” he says.
I stand. “No offence, but those days are behind me.”
