“Just bet you will…” Charlie pulls away so I can see her silly, waggling brows.
“My hands are full with the other two right now,” I admit. Who develops feelings for more than one guy? Lust, sure, butactual, honest-to-goodness feelings? I can’t even think about it.
“Fair point,” Charlie agrees, oblivious to my thoughts. “But why limit yourself? I mean, figure out if he’s just a weird stalking snitch for Dax first, but if he’s looking out for you for his own reasons, then you might just have a third option…just saying.”
“Three options. Who knew men were like buses?” I joke, then add, “Men are not a priority right now.”
“No, but youarea priority and if one, or all of those fine-as-fuck-men make you feel good, safe, loved, happy, or better yet—in love—then you grab that blessing with both hands. I did, and I’ve never looked back.”
“Okay, okay, I hear you.”
“Good. Now, clothes on. We’re nearly out of time.”
Charlie exits and I lock the bathroom door. I study the clothes in front of me. Yoga pants, a cropped vest, an oversized hoodie, and a baseball cap. It’s a million miles from the outfit I walked into Deja Brew wearing this morning, and I’m looking forward to being able to slouch without tailored seams nipping at my skin until I stand up straight again.
Folding the towel I’ve been wearing for the last half hour; I throw on my underwear and then slip into Charlie’s clothes. Immediately, I ditch my bra; the criss-cross arms on the crop top look stupid with the bra straps showing. In the end, I ditch the panties too, as the yoga pants are tight and stretchy, though not quite thick enough to hide lines. Koko’s hoodie hides everything anyway. I roll up the sleeves and don’t worry too much about it looking like a dress where it hangs around my knees.
Dragging the brown plait out to the side, I slam on the cap and pull up the hood. If I thought the length was bad, the sheer circumference of the hood slopes down to my chin. I can barely even see the floor at my feet, let alone anything else. I drop it back for now and tug on my boots. They don’t exactly fit the outfit, but they certainly dress it up a little with the all-black-and-leather vibe.I should have worn sneakers. They’d have made running earlier so much easier.
I check my phone. Nothing yet, but he’s due, so I pack everything up and carry it out to the living room where Koko and Charlie are waiting.
“Thank you. Both of you. You covered for me today, and you didn’t have to. I really appreciate it. You’re all I have left now, and it means a lot knowing you have my back.”
Koko grunts, and Charlie motions to reply, but I cut her off.
“But…I won’t put you in that position again. You don’t need the stress or the danger of people like that barging into your store or your lives. I’ll not be coming back until all this is dealt with. I’m hoping that’s soon, because I want to help when you get too round to walk around your own kitchen. No matter how long it is, though,” My voice cracks, “I love you both. You’re my family—”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Charlie barks.
“—and family does whatever it takes in order to protect each other,” I finish. “I’ll wait for my ride downstairs. You don’t have to come with me. I’ll set the lock and alarm as I leave.”
Koko stands up and follows me downstairs to the kitchen despite my request. There’s tension in his shoulders that tells me he’s holding something back. Something he doesn’t want to say in front of Charlie, perhaps? I prepare for the worst.
As soon as I get to the back door, my phone vibrates in my hand. I wait for Koko to speak before I check it.
“Jules, I respect your decision, and I appreciate your concern and respect for my family too, but I want you to remember that ifweare family, thenyouare family. I’d have dealt with them today and gone after Franz for you if I didn’t think you were in safe hands with Nagano and the UACT team he works with. They’re good guys. Trust them. Listen to them.”
“You sound like you know them?”
“I do, because of you. You think I’d let you walk off withstrangers without doing a little digging? They’ll get you out of this mess clean, where I would leave a bloodbath and risk Charlie and the baby. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’d never ask something like that of you. I need you to protect the only family I have left. I’ll come back when I can.”
“Good. The baby needs a strong aunt. Tell your Nagano, hit the enforcers first and then the generals. They’re a hydra. You need to behead them all at once for a chance to take down the bastard hiding behind them.”
“I’ll tell him. Thank you.” I glance at the message.
Outside. Let’s go.
“I’d better go. Take care, Koko.”
“See you soon, Goldilocks.” He chuckles at the new ironic nickname, and tugs on the end of my braid. I’m both happy and insulted.
“Rude. Goldilocks was a thief who ran away when she got caught,” I tease.
Koko’s expression stiffens. He shakes his head and stares straight into my eyes. “Goldilocks was a child who needed help. She braved a cave of wild beasts to eat and rest. She ran away, afraid, but perhaps she came back to them? Perhaps they adopted her? We’ll never know because no one thought to tell the whole story,” Koko explains. “Safe journey, Jules.”
“Night, Koko.”
