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I want to ask more, to find out what happened between her and Rebel, but I don’t. If she’s ready to talk about it, I’ll listen, but we’re not close enough to get emotional. So, I leave it.
“I better collect the empty glasses and get them washed up. I don’t have to tidy, but it will take my mind off things for a little while,” I tell her.
Monster wanted me to get back to work, so I’ll obey. For now. He may be angry, but I have a feeling it’s not at me, it’s because of me. Deep down, what Callia said has hit me. I busy myself tidying up, but I can feel his eyes on me. He tracks me, and I know it’s also because he’s trying to figure out what I’m hiding. Monster is observant, and each time someone asks about my past, I don’t offer any specific details.
I don’t know how much longer I have to stay here, how much longer I have before someone notices, or I slip up. But I need to keep my head down and focus on saving enough to get out of Belfast. It’s going to be the safest option. If I can get back to London, I know my way around. It will be easy for me to disappear in the crowds that the Big Smoke has.
I wouldn’t go back to the townhouse, and I certainly wouldn’t want to contact any of my friends. It would put them in danger. But I have enough savings that I can withdraw without anyone knowing. It’s a long shot, but it’s still a plan. It’s a solid one because it will be easy enough to do it. Now, all I need to do is bide my time and get out of here.
I’ve tried to glean information each time I’m around any of the brothers, but they’re secretive. Of course, I understand they won’t talk about work in front of a stranger. If I can figure out how much they know about Patrick and Mum, or if they’ve found out who I really am, I can run before I’m caught in the crossfire.
The thing about it is, if I leave now, the men who worked for my father will find me. They know who I am. When I was taken, I came across several different guards. It means they’ve seen my face, and if I were to escape, it wouldn’t be difficult to find me. And Mum’s associates have watched me grow up. I’m stuck between two dangerous options, and either way I go, I’m going to end up dead. However, in this instance, I’d rather be with the devil I don’t know than the one who gave me life.
TWELVE
MIREN
I’m healing.
My arm is no longer aching each time I move it, and Callia and I have grown closer. I didn’t think it would be possible, but I’m fitting in amongst the club members. Even Rebel and Racer are talking more to me now. There are other brothers who aren’t as forthcoming, but I have a feeling it’s part of their position at the club. Sully and I spend evenings talking about nothing at all.
Monster, on the other hand, greets me, but I can still see the intrigue in his stares. A week has passed since the shooting, and yet, there have been no leads. At least, none that I’ve heard of.
“Hey,” I greet Callia when I come down at six before making my way to the bar to grab a drink.
We’re both working tonight from seven, which gives us an hour to relax. Before work, we tend to have a couple of drinks and talk about what she’s been up to during the day. I didn’t think I’d be bored, but I’m finding out that the more Lia talks about being at school and going into the city, the more I’m ready to start my life.
I want to make use of what I learned in my studies because I worked hard to achieve it. Deep down, the need to help people ensures I won’t give that up. There’s no way I can.
“Are you ready for tonight?” Lia asks as I settle into the booth opposite her with a chilled sparkling water. I don’t enjoy consuming alcohol before work, so I stick to lemonade or water.
“Yeah,” I tell her. “I heard it’s going to be busy.”
“A bachelor party,” she informs me with a smile. “They always tip more than the regular punters. I think we’ll easily walk away with a thousand between us.”
“What?”
The shock in my voice makes her laugh. She nods slowly. “Aye, they’re generous to the girls. Which is always good for us.”
“Listen,” I start, hoping my plan will go off without a hitch. “When you’re next heading into the city, I’d like to come with you.”
“No bother. My classes are running this coming week, then we’re off for the Christmas break. I didn’t expect it, but I’m looking forward to the time off.”
Callia’s been going to art school, and from what I’ve seen of her work, she’s going to hit the art world big time. Her realistic sketches are incredible, so lifelike, if you were to pass them, you’d think they’re photographs, not pencil sketches.
“Do you think Monster will let me go without a fucking chaperone?” I ask her with a laugh when I spot the man walking out of church. He’s followed by the rest of the brothers, and I take each one in.
There’s Blaze, who I’ve come to learn is the Sergeant-at-Arms, then there’s Banks. He’s the Treasurer and pays us for our work at the club each week. Both men are in their mid-thirties. Banks is greying already, with his hair being a sexy mix of salt and pepper. While Blaze has dark brown hair with fleck of auburn when he’s in the sun. Tall, foreboding, and yet, they’ve been nice to me.
Rev and Brute are next to exit the room. Twins. Sexy as all hell, but scary as fuck. Hadrian, who is known as Rev, or the Reverend, is the Chaplain, and his brother, Hades, or better known as Brute, is the Enforcer. The two men are tatted from hands to neck. I’m not sure about the rest of them, but from what I can tell, their torsos are also inked up.
I’m learning who they are. But as much as the Royal Bastards have welcomed me into their home, there’s still this uncertainty as to who I am.
“You can always ask,” Lia says, dragging my attention back to her. When Sully walks out of the room, he makes a beeline for us. “Hey,” Lia greets him with a grin.
“Girls,” he says, looking at both of us as he pulls a chair over and spins it around so the back is leaning against the table. His legs on either side, he settles in and grabs the beer Callia was drinking.
“Hey!”
