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“That isn’t what I meant, Grim. I don’t want David dead. I want him tosuffer, and the only way that’s going to happen is if he’s rotting in prison for the rest of his life whilst I’m living mine freely with the men I love,” I say, repeating what I said to Xeno just a few hours ago.
Grim considers me for a moment. “You’re a lot like Hudson, do you know that? I think that’s why I like you so much.”
“How so?”
“He’s smart, loving, kind, loyal and stubborn as fuck. Like you, he wants to see his arch nemesis rot in jail. It’s kind of cute, actually. I would’ve had them both tortured.” She grins then restarts the car, putting it into drive. “Okay then, prison it is. We’ll get them both banged up together. Now we just have to figure out how to get the fuckers over here, because so far our plan ain’t working out so great.”
My mobile phone pings with a message from Clancy and I heave out a sigh. “Shit.”
“What?”
“It’s Clancy, she’s expecting me back at the Academy tomorrow, but I can’t face it right now… I’m going to get chucked out.”
“The hell you will! I’ll get Hud to speak to Tuillard. You’ll go back Monday once you’ve had a few more days. Just text Clancy back and tell her that you aren’t well enough yet. If she’s as good a friend as you say she is, she’ll understand.”
“Thanks, Grim. I really do appreciate everything you’re doing.”
She glances over at me and nods. “Seems to me that you’ve spent your whole life looking out for everyone else, sacrificing your happiness so the people you love can be safe. Maybe it’s time you let other people take care of you for a change, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I reply softly.
“Beast is looking forward to seeing you. I think the stupid arse likes you.” Grim winks, letting me know that she’s cool with that.
“How’s he doing? God, I haven’t even asked about him, that’s really shitty of me.”
“Don’t sweat it. He’s fine, though his nose is pretty sore actually.”
I frown. “His nose? I don’t remember anyone punching him.”
“That’s because it happened after you dropped him home. The stupid fucker took a risk that could’ve got him killed. I am not about to be a single mother.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why areyousorry? He can think for himself. Dax called; he came. Like me, Beast rarely likes anyone. He likes Dax, he likes you. I’m just pissed that he snuck off without telling me. He took advantage of the fact that this baby growing in my stomach makes me tired as fuck. I fell asleep in my damn office at Tales while he crept out and acted the hero.”
“You know, he kind of was a hero. If it wasn’t for him…”
“Yeah, I do know. That’s the only reason I didn’t murder his arse.” Grim chuckles, shaking her head in amusement.
“How are you feeling, apart from the tiredness?”
“Put it this way, there’s nothing like a baby growing inside your belly to bring out the mama bear in you. I’m feeling very fucking protective of the people I care about. You included, Pen. So, if those Breakers give you anymore shit, I’m gonna unleashmybeast and I’m telling you, she’s a lot scarier than Roger.” She bursts out laughing and I can’t help but join in.
“Is that really Beast’s name…Roger?”
“Fucking awful, isn’t it. Whilst Joey was digging out the bullet and sewing him up, Beast let it slip out that Jeb had called him by his real name in front of you all. That in itself is an act of war in Beast’s eyes, regardless of all the other stuff Jeb came out with. If Zayn hadn’t killed him, Beast would’ve just for that alone.”
“Remind me not to call him Roger then,” I say with a half-smile.
“Oh no, you’d better. He likes you too much to kill you for it.”
We fall into companionable silence for the rest of the journey to Grim’s place. Ten minutes later she drives down a familiar street in the posh part of Hackney. I sit up in my seat, my mouth dropping open as she pulls up outside number 15 Jackson Street. “Wait a minute…”
“Surprise,” she says, with a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
“This is…”
“Wasthe Skins’ headquarters. It’s now mine.”
