“Do you need some more?” I open the door, not wanting to leave and trying to get those few extra moments of her finally talking to me.
“Clay,” she growls, “please.”
I swirl the ice around the bottom of my glass, staring aimlessly at it. I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting here, but she still hasn’t left the confines of my room. Although she hasn’t been speaking to me, at least I’ve been able to watch her from a distance and know she’s okay. But today has been a complete mindfuck. I don’t even know what’s going on behind those blue eyes.
“For fuck’s sake, Clay,” Drifter grumbles as he takes a seat beside me at the bar. “You’re like a love-sick puppy, and your moping around is pissing me off.”
I continue to stare into the glass.
“Clay,” he snaps, and I look up. “Grab your shit. You can go do a security shift at the strip club.” I frown. “Brandy’s not working tonight, really think I’d be sending your arse if she was.”
“I need to be here.”
“No, you don’t. Nothing’s going to happen to her whilst she’s here.”
“Can’t Slayer do it?” I nod towards Slayer playing pool with Kitten.
He arches a brow at me. “I don’t think you’re in a position to call the shots.”
I grab my keys off the table and make my way for the exit.
“And Clay,” I turn back around to look at him, “come back in a better fucking mood. I’m not sure how long I can take this pining.”
I pull out of the compound. The sun’s beginning to set, and I shouldn’t be heading out. I should be back there with her, trying whatever I can to make this shit right, but I can’t defy Drifter again with everything he’s done for me over the years. I owe him my life.
Chapter Fourteen
Bella
I sit in the kitchen with Red as she feeds Meli, and it reminds me so much of my boys, the way she turns her nose up every time her mum tries to give her something with any nutritional value, but secretly eyes up the crisps Red is hiding on the chair beside her.
“Mumma, cwispies, please.” Meli smiles, her grin ear to ear.
Red rolls her eyes. “No, Meli, you have to eat your banana first.”
“But Daddy let me.”
“Daddy knows better,” she says, glaring at him across the room and he shrugs.
“Daddddddyyyyy.” Meli smiles sweetly, and I laugh out loud.
“You heard Mummy,” he answers.
“Noooooo.” She accentuates every letter. “Daddddyy, cwispies.”
He approaches her, smirking. He goes to grab the bag of crisps, but Red snatches them out his hand, glaring at him. “I don’t think so.”
Meli whines, and Rock leans down, placing a tender kiss on her head. “Sorry, Princess, the boss has spoken.” He ruffles her hair before leaving the kitchen. Meli folds her arms and pouts at her mum.
Red shakes her head, looking across the table at me.
“Please tell me it gets easier.”
“Liam wasn’t around for my boys at this age. He never liked the baby and toddler stage. Although looking back, he just wanted me to stay home whilst he went out and played the field. I thought it was great that he wanted me to stay home and take care of the boys, so I never had the battle you’re facing with Rock.”
“Ugh, he doesn’t realise he’s creating a diva.”
“Listen, at least no man will ever walk all over her, especially not with Rock as her dad.” I whistle, knowing deep down the trouble this girl is going to cause her daddy as she gets older.
