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I go to the window to close the curtain. The street opens out beneath. There’s no movement, just rows of parked cars either side of the road.
I’m about to draw them when I notice the car is still there. The one Ryan used to drop us off. I peer through the shitty lighting and see him.
Ryan.
Why is he still here?
I’m not sure, but I feel better knowing he is. I pull the curtains together and head into the shower to clean up. I scrub every inch of my body, but especially my feet. The shower tray is filthy after, and I have to wash it down before I can head back into the bedroom to get dressed.
I pull on the clothes Bailey left out for me and climb into bed. Pulling the covers up over my body, I finally let myself relax.
I’m safe.
For now.
I don’t sleep well that night. Every time I close my eyes, all I see is Lord Huntsville. I try to focus on more pleasant images, like Ryan Malone.
He’s over a decade older than me. He’s my brother’s bodyguard.
I shouldn’t be lusting over him, but the way he said he would protect me too has my belly fluttering.
With Ryan’s image in my head, I manage to drift off.
When I wakein the morning, my eyes are gritty and I’m so tired I can hardly focus. I wash my face and clean my teeth using a new toothbrush I found in the cupboard under the sink.
Heading downstairs, I can already hear voices as I approach the kitchen. Bailey is sitting at the table with a mug of coffee; the girls—Kara and Mollie—are sitting eating toast and cereal.
“Morning,” Bailey says. “Do you want something to eat?”
“Aunt Aurelia!” Mollie exclaims. “I didn’t know you were here!”
“She came by last night,” Bailey says. “And inside voices, Molls. Aurelia’s staying with us for a little while.”
“Awesome!”
I smile, despite everything going on. My parents may suck, but the rest of my family is amazing.
“Did something happen?” Kara asks, astute as ever. She’s fifteen, and like Mollie, has her mother’s red hair.
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “I just needed a change of scenery.”
This seems to appease her, and she’s stopped from asking more as Zeke walks into the room. He’s wearing his usual suit, sans a jacket. He moves straight to Bailey, dipping down to press his mouth to hers. The smile that crosses my sister-in-law’s face makes my stomach contract with jealousy. I want someone to look at me the way Zeke looks at her.
I want to find that all-consuming love they have. I want someone to see me as their reason for breathing.
Zeke pulls back from the kiss and then turns his attention to me.
“You don’t leave the house today.” Usually, I would argue, but I don’t want to leave the house by myself. “Charlotte or Anthony turn up, you call. I’ll be straight back here.”
“She’ll be okay,” Bailey tells him. “I’ll keep an eye on things.”
I push up from the table, going to my brother. Lowering my voice so the girls don’t hear, I ask, “When is Graham coming back?” I left my bodyguard at the venue. I don’t even know if he’s okay.
“He’s not,” Zeke snarls. “That fucker let you get cornered in a locked room. Kane’s dealing with him.”
A shiver runs through me at what that means. My eldest brother is not known for his calm temperament.
“So, I’m stuck in the house indefinitely?”
