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“I doubt it. Clio parked in the underground parking. So unless he was a client or had business in Janet’s building, he wouldn’t have seen her. And if he’d seen her there, Clio would recognise him. She’s highly alert when going out,” Thalia replied.
That puzzled Bear. “Why?”
“What?”
“Why is your sister constantly alert when going out?” he pressed.
“Because of that fucking video that creep took of her. I know Nigel hunted most down, but a few had to have escaped. And after that asshole approached her before, Clio has always kept one eye open,” Thalia explained.
“Didn’t know that,” Bear stated.
Thalia shook her head. “If she is out with a brother, Clio is more relaxed and able to lower her guard. She knows the men will protect her. But if she is with the kids or an old lady, Clio is on alert. She does not trust anyone but our family. Even if it’s a regular customer at the tearooms, Clio is wary because she’s not sure if they’re being friendly for the sake of it—”
“Or if they’ve seen the video and are trying to get close to her? Shit,” Bear grumbled. “I bet Chance doesn’t know this.”
“When the clubhouse was opposite the tearooms, Clio felt at her safest. I honestly think that is part of the reason she’s stepping back from the café.”
“Because she feels safer with Hellfire than without,” Bear summarised.
“Yeah. So that begs the question. When Clio has near enough been a recluse, how has this man had a chance to fixate on her?”
“Could he have noticed her before Hellfire was hit?” Bear asked.
“Would a guy hang around a year to snatch someone?” Thalia challenged.
“No. Which does beg the question. Why now? It’s one I’ll put to Chance and Sunny in the morning,” Bear stated.
His eyes lit up as Thalia wriggled on his lap.
“Need some lovin’ baby?”
“Always,” Thalia said, grabbing his hair and yanking his head down for a kiss.
Well, Bear was not about to deny his perfect wife anything!
Chapter Six.
Clio
Tomorrow was the big day, and my nerves were jangling. Despite triple-checking everything, nerves still clung to me.
Today, the stalls had been delivered and set up, and Chance had kindly shut the garage early for the workmen. Some of the attendees had already dropped off their stock as the little Swiss chalet-style kiosks locked. I was a huge ball of energy that really needed to be let out. After banging out Chance’s brains for his entire lunch break and leaving him happy but half asleep, I grabbed the kids.
Louisa was the image of her dad, but his features were delicate on her. She had my eyes and button nose, but the rest of her was Chance. Louisa was nearly two and with little fat legs and long dark hair. Dax, a year old now, was perfect despite his premature birth. Being born ten weeks early hadn’t stopped him at all. My son was literally the clone of his father. I could see nothing of me in him whatsoever.
It was amusing because it was as if somebody had taken the cells of Chance, and my womb had grown them. From the tip of his head to his toes, Dax was all Chance. Everyone commented on how uncanny it was. Even his stare when he was sulky was Chance to a T. And, of course, Chance puffed up each time someone commented on it.
Isla was a year older than Louisa, while Olivia was eighteen months. Louisa and Isla were beginning to string full sentences together while Dax and Isla spat words out, and Chance and I had to figure out what they meant. It amused me to no end that Isla understood them, no matter what. Dax entertained everyone with his little attitude that he had to protect his sisters. It was something Chance and his brothers mentioned to Dax every time, and Dax was endearing when he put his fists up to a hulking man to protect his sisters.
Of course, it was adorable now… when he started school, I foresaw trouble. Truthfully, I felt really sorry for Dax’s future teachers. My boy was going to be a handful, and that was a fact. I’d cross that bridge when I came to it, though I knew it would need crossing one day.
High-pitched laughter drew my eye, and my heart welled with love as I watched the children playing in the park.
Wraith, Slaughter, Smokey, and Bone had accompanied us alongside Thalia and her daughter Mia. I was sure Thalia was pregnant, but she wasn’t saying anything. The sad thing it was obvious why: she did not want to upset me with a pregnancy announcement. While it was incredibly kind of Thalia not to say anything because of my feelings and breakdown, I didn’t want to ruin her happiness.
As the kids played in the large sand pit screaming, I turned to my sister.
“So, when is it due?” I asked.
