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“You just put a huge target on her back,” Cassian growled at Chill.

“We’ll protect her,” Chill promised.

“You better, because my dad will come gunning for her. We didn’t need everything; we just wanted our fair share,” Cassian chided.

“And nobody screws over someone under club protection,” Chill retorted.

Cassian didn’t look happy, and neither did I. There was a sinking sensation in my gut. I ate the pizza, but I had to force it down. Cassian wasn’t wrong. Gerard would be plotting while losing his mind. I seriously needed to lie low.

Chapter Seven.

Meadow

Luckily, the kids were in a food coma as I booked a hotel suite. It wasn’t their most expensive, but it was very nice. At first, the concierge at the very upscale hotel had fawned over us, and then he realised I was driving a piece of crap. His attitude changed as he assessed our cheap clothes, and he was highly suspicious. No doubt he was running my card right now. I reserved it for a week because I wasn’t sure what to do.

I wanted the kids safe from that shithole house, and I’d no intention of returning. Closing a house sale took time. If expedited, the process still took weeks. So, I guessed we’d be staying here for a while. As I hit the sack, I’d decided to contact a realtor. That would kill two birds with one stone. I could list the house on the market while I looked for another home.

Cassian had agreed he didn’t want to return to our former home, and I wasn’t arguing. He said it held too many bad memories and probably stank of Judy. Cassian wasn’t wrong.

I had the best night’s sleep ever, and when I woke in the morning, I felt a hell of a lot better. Kendara needed me to come in and sign some papers, and Nanci had kindly given me a few days off. She’d known I’d need to sort through everything.

The kids were dressed by the time I’d showered, and I laughed. They were sporting their new clothes. I bagged up their old ones, intending to bin them. The same concierge was at the reception again, and he nodded politely.

“I’m collecting my new car today. Do I need to re-register it when I come back?” I asked.

“Please, otherwise we might have it towed.”

“That’s fine. I’ll do that. Is the restaurant open for breakfast?”

“Yes, but you didn’t state you wanted one,” he replied.

“Did I have to?” I retorted, and a faint flush hit his cheeks.

“Not at all, ma’am. I’ll add it to your bill.”

“Can I book the suite for another week?”

“We’d need to charge your card,” he said, his eyes on me.

I snorted in amusement. “Go ahead. There won’t be an issue.”

Smugly, I watched him run the card, and it was accepted. He handed it back, and I wondered whether to take pity on him. Then I decided it was none of his business.

I turned away and marched the kids in for breakfast before bundling them into the car. At ten, I had to pick up the new one, a Lexus, a make I’d always liked.

I’d ordered two—a tricked-out version as a treat, which arrived in eight weeks, and this one. When mine arrived, I’d gift this to Cassian to drive. He’d be over the moon with it. We drove out, and I dropped the kids off.

An hour later I’d collected the new car and returned to the hotel. I had planned to check the storage unit today, but I’d forgotten the key. When I walked back into reception to give them the license plate, a man was standing there, talking to the concierge.

I recognised Detective Ramirez. My stomach sank, and my hands shook slightly.

“What’s he done?” I gasped.

“We can’t say it’s him. How about we take a seat?” Ramirez motioned towards a seating area.

“Yes, okay,” I replied, discombobulated, and turned to the concierge. “I need to register my new car.”

“Will you be staying?” he inquired with a nod at Ramirez.