Текст книги "Envy"

Автор книги: K. T. Fisher

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

The next day we’re having self-defence lessons with Devlin, Grim and a few other members. I understand that this was a brief conversation but it’s weird that all of a sudden most of the club women are here having lessons. It makes me feel like there’s something they’re not telling us, especially after that scene Devlin and Franky made when Drew and I explained that we wanted to turn the top floor into a kick ass apartment.

I look over to Marie who is punching the living daylights out the punch bag in the corner. She said she already knows self-defence and wanted to help the girls out. So is showing Maci how to do it right. That woman is one tough bitch. I want to be just like her.

“Right ladies, let’s do some jogging around the room before we do that again!” Devlin shouts, he sounds angry and just like a fucking army sergeant and it turns me on.

“Tash, tell your boyfriend to take a chill pill.” Elise moans.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” I say as best as I can whilst running around the room.

“Well he sure is checking you out.” Nelly adds as she runs past me.

I risk a sneaking look over at Devlin and have to try my best to hide my smirk. Sure enough, Devlin is looking at me and the look in his eyes is pure lust. When he catches me looking over at him he bites down on his bottom lip and sends me a wink. I have to snap out of it and continue with his orders, I do like how he shouts orders though. I might have to tell him to try this in the bedroom when I’m ready to take things further.

When we move onto the one on one demonstrations we pick it up real fast and I’m impressed at how myself and the other girls are developing. If we keep this up, nobody will want to mess with us and considering what I’ve been through this is going to give me a serious confident boost. Towards the end, Grim begins to get a little more physical with Lauren and it’s sickeningly sweet. He makes out he’s about to pick her up and slam her down on the floor, like they were showing us earlier but instead of putting her down on the floor her turns her around and kisses her. He keeps patting her bottom and lying on top of her longer than needed when he does the floor demonstrations.

I look up to Devlin to see him looking right back at me and I have to look away. Those fucking eyes, I love them but hate them at the same time.

“Want me to show you the move too?” Devlin suddenly whispers into my ear. I thought he was across the room? How the fuck did he get over here so fast? I don’t get a chance to reply because he’s leading me over to a free mat anyway.

“Ok, so I’m going to try and get you on the floor.” Devlin begins. “You’ve gotta try and stop me.”

Devlin rushes towards me and I try with all my strength to make sure I don’t get taken down, but it’s no use. Even if I did have a little more strength behind me it still wouldn’t work out because Devlin is a big guy. Within seconds I’m lying under him and my breathing speeds. Devlin looks down at me, his eyes burning into mine and I forget everyone else in the room.

“Anyone would think you wanted me to do this.” Devlin smiles smugly and damn him if I don’t love that smile.

“You’re too strong.” I point out, sounding a little breathless.

“Now you need to get me off you.” Devlin adds and I try, I really do but Devlin puts all his weight into it and I can’t budge him even a little bit.

“That’s not fair.” I laugh.

When I open my eyes, I’m shocked at the lust I see reflection in Delvin’s dark pupils. I then hear Lauren screaming and look across to see Grim carrying her away in a fireman’s lift.

“Same time tomorrow ladies!” Grim shouts as he leaves with a screaming Lauren draped over him. The last thing I see is Grim slapping Laurens arse before the door closes behind them. Devlin helps me up and holds me against him for a few seconds. When he lets me go I miss his arms, I want to be wrapped in them all day.

“How are you two getting on?” Marie asks, looking between me and Devlin.

“We’re doing great.” Devlin answers as he passes them, making his way over to Scrappy.

“You two were looking pretty cosy.” Marie smiles.

“Yeah, you sure he’s not going to carry you out of here like Grim did with Lauren?” Elise giggles. The little madam knows so much more than what everyone thinks.

Everyone then starts to leave and Devlin confirms that they will be here again same time tomorrow if anyone is interested. I’m just curious as to why they seem so insistent on it, why not a weekly thing? When I’m left alone with Devlin, I ask him that exact question.

“I thought you girls wanted this?” He points out, grabbing the mat from the floor and tidying the away.

“We do, but daily? Isn’t that a bit too much?” I ask. “Are you sure there’s something you’re not telling me?”

Devlin doesn’t turn to face me right away, but when he does I know there’s something he’s keeping from me.

“Babe, trust me when I say you don’t need to know and unless I think it’s really necessary, then you will know.” He plants a kiss on my forehead.

“Ok, I trust you.” I honestly do. I will leave to Devlin to decide when I should know. I just hope he’s right and this won’t blow up in all of our faces because I get the feeling this isn’t just about me and Devlin.

After just two days of self-defence lessons my body is so sore! Lauren and I complained to Grim when we go home last night so he decided to cancel today’s lesson and have a chilled afternoon at his. Lauren and I invited a few people and I was shocked when Grim didn’t look too pleased but I put it all down to him wanting some time with Lauren.

Marie and Nelly brought their kids along and I’m really enjoying myself. Devlin was late but as soon as he entered the house I felt his presence. The last two nights we have slept in either my bed or his back at the clubhouse. He seems a little agitated lately but I’m always glad to see him get some sleep and relax. It’s odd though because I know he’s getting the sleep he needs but he still always manages to look tired. Like right now for instance, he looks like he’s about to pass out on at floor but I know he had a great sleep last night!

“Hey babe.” He sit beside me and sighs a huge sigh of relief.

“Are you ok?” I ask, seriously concerned about him.

He looks up to me with wide eyes. “Yeah sure I am.”

He doesn’t fool me, but I let it slide because I have whatever he’s stressing about is the same thing that’s been bugging me for a couple of days now. Devlin told me if he thought I needed to know that he would tell me and I trust him on that. Doesn’t mean I don’t like it though.

I get up and grab him a beer and a cheeseburger. I slide down next to him and he seems grateful, in fact the burger vanishes pretty quickly. I snuggle in next to him and Devlin grabs me close. I could stay like this for the rest of the day.

Grim and Lauren sit on the sofa opposite us, smiling at the sight of us.

“Awww.” Lauren smiles.

“Shut up.” I snap at her.

“You can’t blame her,” Grim joins in. “You do look adorable.”

I’m about to give him a piece of my mind, but his phone starts to loudly ring and he stands to answer it. Lauren watches him walk away, a puzzled look on her face. I know she shares the same concerns as I do because Lauren asked me about it last night. At least I’m not the only one who feels like something’s off.

On the good side of things, Drew is making progress with the apartment in our salon building. Franky has ordered the list of things that we need in order to have a fully working salon and we decided that we would fix up the top floor because it was Drew’s idea in the first place. Through Franky’s connections, he has managed to find us a plumber who can do the kitchen we want. He’s oddly cheap and I have a feeling Franky sneakily has something to do with it. I’ve told Lauren about the apartment and I felt awful when I did. She looked so let down and sad. After I explained that it was for me to get on my own two feet she understood and was happy for me, I do understand how she feels though. Since she was thrown into the grotty basement, naked and scared, we’ve hardly spent a day apart from each other.

Devlin shifts under me. “I’ll go see what that call was about.”

“No you won’t.” I push him back down. “I’m too comfy.”

“He’s coming back now anyway.” Lauren adds, after watching after Grim.

“That was dad,” Grim looks down to Devlin. “He wants to talk to me.”

“Just you?” Baby asks as he sits on the arm of the sofa.

“Yeah, he said it’s about Bomber.” Grim frowns.

I see Elise turn at hearing Bomber’s name and she races to her cousin. “Bomber?” She asks Grim.

“It’s club business Lissy.” Grim pats her shoulder. With promises to call Devlin if he needs him, he orders the men to stay where they need to be. Which sounds a bit odd, but they all agree and he leaves to meet Franky at his office at home.

“Why couldn’t he tell me about Bomber?” Elise sulks.

“I don’t know why you’re so bothered about him.” Scrappy scowls.

“Oh shut up!” Elise snaps at her older brother and storms away.

Wow! I’ve never seen her act like that. Scrappy falls down into a chair not looking very happy either.

“Fucking hate that guy.” He grumbles.

“What’s so wrong with Bomber? He helped us.” I point out.

Scrappy looks to with me sympathy. “I get that and I’m happy he did but I don’t like the man and I want him kept away from my sister.”

“He’s in America anyway.” Lauren reassures him.

“Yeah well it better stay that way.” Scrappy looks to where Elise stormed off and shakes his head. “I’d better go after her.”

I ride my bike to my parents’ house and walk straight in. My Mum runs right over to me and fusses.

“Brandon!” She smiles. “What are you doing here?”

Apart from Lauren, my mum is the only one to call me Brandon, even Dad hardly calls me that anymore. It’s either Grim or VP to him.

“I’m here to see Dad.” I answer, and as soon as I do her back stiffens. She can tell this isn’t a family drop in, this is club business.

“He’s in his office.” She walks off and leaves me to it. Years of being married to the Kings of Rebellion President has made my mum sensitive as to when it’s family or club time.

I give his office door one knock and let myself in. My dad is sat on his chair, his feet up on his desk and looking up to the ceiling. He looks stressed.

Fuck, this isn’t going to be good.

“Having a family get together is a pretty dumb idea son.” He points out without even looking at me.

“It was Lauren’s idea and what was I supposed to tell her when you thought it wasn’t any of the women’s business, even those who have dealt with The Devils.” I snap.

“Calm down VP.” He groans. “I haven’t asked you to come here about that.”

“Yeah I know, you mentioned Bomber.” I remind him.

He sighs, letting down his boots from the desk and sits up straight to look at me.

“You might want to take a seat.” I really don’t want to sit down, I want to hear what he has to say and get back to Lauren. Not knowing where Strike is puts her in danger and I’m constantly on edge. Strike has a weird obsession with my woman and I will not let him have his grubby hands on her again.

Being the obedient VP, listening to my Prez, I take a seat on the sofa in the corner and wait to hear what he has to say.

“Bomber just gave me a call.” He begins. “He says we have a rodent problem.”

“You fucking with me?” I freeze.

My dad’s face turns harsh. “Do you think I would fucking joke about this?”

My head drops, I look at the floor in anger. “Shit!”

“My thoughts exactly.” Prez stands and walks over to me. “We need to find this fucker.”

“Damn straight.” I quickly stand, shaking with anger. “He won’t have her again.”

Dad places his hand on my shoulder. “And he won’t.”

“Time to find us a rat.” I growl.

“Oh, I already know who it is son.”

I look up at him in shock. “Tell me who it is and I’ll kill him.”

I’m still sitting beside Devlin when he gets a phone call. I turn enough to see that it’s Grim, so I’m not surprised when he stands to take the call. God forbid I overhear anything club related. I watch him as he walks away and I notice the change in his as he answers. He becomes very tense and serious. I sit up straight, just knowing that something is up. Whatever Franky has told Grim is bad, I can see that written all over Devlin’s face.

Devlin hangs up and ushers some of the men around him, quietly mumbling whatever he has been told. The women watch, thinking the same as I do. We’re all close and related to the club in some way and know them enough to know shit is going down. I can feel the nervousness in the air.

The circle of member’s breaks up and they walk to their women, explaining they have to go. Within seconds, everyone is leaving the house and I look to Lauren seeing that she’s as confused as I am.

“What the fuck?” Drew asks as Baby guides her out the door.

“Don’t bust my balls Drew, I just gotta get you home.” He explains to her and to her credit, she just and does as he says.

“Alright!” Elise shouts. “You don’t have to pull me so hard!”

Scrappy is literally pulling Elise out the door. “Come on! I gotta get you to dads!”

She quickly sends us a wave before being dragged out the door. None of us like this, but we know they’re doing it for our own good. I’ve known for a few days that’s something’s not been right and this crap just proves I was right. It’s all very odd and Devlin hasn’t even approached me yet. No, he’s too busy making sure all the doors and windows are shut and locked tight.

Lauren comes to sit beside me as we watch Devlin, knowing that something serious has definitely happened. There’s a knock and Lauren gets up to answer but Devlin stops her is a stern quiet voice. “Go and sit down.”

Shocked, Lauren does as he says and returns to her seat next to me. “What the fuck.” She whispers.

Devlin walks up to the door. “Who is it?”

As he looks through the peep hole we hear Grim. “It’s me.”

Devlin lets him in and Grim shakes his head, not looking happy. They make sure the security cameras are on and the gates are locked at the bottom of the garden.

“This is ridiculous.” I watch as they make their way back inside the house.

“I’m guessing Franky didn’t have good news.” Lauren adds quietly as the men walk towards us.

“Right girls, I think you two should get some sleep.” Grim suggests and I almost laugh.

“Sleep?” Lauren asks and Grim nods. “I’m not a child.”

“I wasn’t saying that but considering what is happening I need you to go to bed.” Grim is on edge, I can tell. His senses are alive just looking for anything out of place.

Lauren sighs, giving in. “Fine.”

“You too.” Devlin looks at me.

“Oh, you’re ready to talk now?” I cross my arms and glare up at him.

“No, not really so you need to get upstairs.” Devlin answers.

“What?” I shout.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I need to see to business but you two have to be upstairs.” He insists.

“Come on Tash!” Lauren calls as she frowns at Grim. “Let’s just go.”

I don’t even look at Devlin as I stand and pass him. When we begin to walk up the steps, we look behind us to see that Devlin and Grim are following us up! So first they tell us to go to bed and now they’re escorting us! What the fuck is up?

“What aren’t you telling me Grim?” Lauren asks him as we walk ahead of them.

Grim decides to stay silent, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad.

After Lauren asks him a couple more times, she snaps at him. “Fine! Don’t fucking answer but I’m not going to our room, I’m going with Tasha.”

“Fine by me.” Is all he says as we get to my door.

Lauren screams at Grim. “What the fuck is wrong with you!”

I turn to Devlin and he’s not even looking back at me. What’s so interesting about a wall?

“Why are you keeping this to yourself?” I ask him, but just like Grim he doesn’t answer.

Grim and Devlin check my room for god knows what make sure the windows are locked before making sure we’re inside.

“Oh don’t worry, we will be safe.” Lauren frowns and Grim has had enough.

“I’m doing this to keep you safe.” He says before giving her a kiss.

“Just stay put.” Devlin whispers, kissing me too.

“Get some sleep.” Grim lastly says before shutting the door behind him and Devlin.

“Unbelievable.” Lauren sits on the floor, obviously mad. I lean against the door and signal for her to be quiet.

“What?” She whispers.

I listen for a few more seconds. “I’m sure they’re checking the other rooms.”

Lauren shakes her head. “Probably are.”

“What the fuck is happening? And why wouldn’t they tell us?” I ask out loud.

“They think they’re protecting us, but they’re really not.” Lauren answers.

After calling Devlin and Grim every name under the sun, we soon become bored sat in my room.

“Let’s sneak out.” I suggest and Lauren’s face lights up.

“Fuck yes.” She jumps.

I slowly pull down the door handle, careful not to make it squeak because if you pull it so far down, it makes this high pitched squeaking noise and we don’t want that. Lauren watches me with wide eyes as I do, encouraging me quietly and trying not to laugh too much.

“It’s like we’re kids and sneaking out late to a party.” She giggles.

I manage to successfully open my bedroom door without alerting the guys. As we tip toe across the hall, we begin to hear their deep voices from downstairs. At least we know where they are.

We crawl to the top of the stairs, and are able to sneakily see Devlin and Grim in the hall. I look to Lauren and she has wide eyes, placing my finger in front of my lips I warn her to be quiet. It’s not long until our suspicions are confirmed.

“I fucking hate lying to them.” Grim admits. I look to Lauren and she rolls her eyes at his confession.

“I know, I do too but dad said it was for the best.” Devlin answers him and now it’s my turn to roll my eyes.

“Do you really believe that?” Grim asks. “Looks what’s happening right now.”

“I get you brother.” Devlin replies and a second later he sounds even angrier. “I just can’t believe that mother fucker.”

“Is he talking about Franky?” Lauren whispers and I shrug my shoulders. Could he really be talking about his dad like that?

“I know, as soon as dad told me I was shocked.” Grim adds, sounding just as angry. “I don’t think dad’s taking too well, he’s know this guy for a long fucking time.”

So no, Devlin wasn’t calling his dad a mother fucker, but they’re all pissed at someone.

“I even trusted the prick!” Grim growls.

“Who are they talking about?” Lauren asks.

“Why didn’t we just go on lockdown?” Devlin makes sense. If this was a serious matter, the club would be put on lockdown and this does seem very serious. So why was everyone sent home and we’re locked in my bedroom?

“Dad thought that would be predictable, he didn’t want them to come to the clubhouse and have us all for easy pickings.” Grims answers, but he doesn’t sound so sure himself.

The men go silent and we decide to creep back in my bedroom. Funnily enough, I don’t feel as angry with them anymore.

“Shit.” Lauren whispers. I nod, thinking over everything we just overheard.

“I think it’s Strike.” I look up to Lauren and see her pale at his name. “You notice that Grim said ‘they’ when he spoke about being on lockdown?”

“You really think he’s come back?” Lauren asks, sounding petrified.

I hold her in my arms. “Don’t worry, I won’t let him get near you.”

I continue to hold Lauren in my arms and she eventually falls asleep. If it is Strike that has come back and threatening mine and the rest of the girls’ safety then I will not be happy with Devlin. He said he thought it was best that I didn’t know and if he was talking about Strike then I call bullshit, because when it comes to those fuckers I have every right to know.

I jump awake the next morning and find that Lauren isn’t here. Something woke me and I immediately feel tension in the air. Lauren runs back into the room, panic written all over her face.

“Oh thank god you’re awake.” She whispers. “Get dressed.”

“What?” I rub my eyes.

“Tash, hurry and get dressed.” I hear the worry in her voice, so I jump up and strip out of yesterday’s clothes and put on some jeans and a basic top.

“What’s going on?” I ask her. Lauren’s looking out the doorway, biting on her finger nails and looking nervous as hell.

“I don’t know, but something’s happened.” She hugs herself. “I heard banging on the front door, Baby rushed in with news and they were on the phone to someone. Something has happened, I can tell.”

I start to hear the mens’ voices coming closer before they appear in the doorway. They seem shocked that we’re awake because it’s so early. Who are they kidding? Something is obviously happening and they expect us to be sleeping peacefully. Not happening.

“Something is happening and don’t bother lying.” Lauren points to Grim.

“We just heard news that there’s been shots fired at Spliff and Marie’s.” Grim announces and I almost fall if it wasn’t for Devlin catching me I’d be down.

The news come as a huge shock. “Oh god, the kids!” I panic.

“We’re on it babe.” Devlin reassures me. “We’re waiting for some prospects to come here to watch over you so we can go over and check it out.”

“No!” I shout. “Go now!”

The thought they could be with Spliff and protecting him family rather than here destroys me.

“We’ll be fine.” Lauren agrees, pushing Grim out the room. “Go and help them!”

We follow then running down the stairs and see Baby waiting by the door. He gives us both a hug while Devlin and Grim demand we stay here and wait for the prospects.

“Of course.” I agree. “Now please, go and save that family.”

Devlin hugs me tight and then kisses me with more passion than he ever has before.

“I love you.” He says between kisses.

“I love you too.” I hold onto him for just a little bit longer.

When all three men leave, we listen to their bikes getting further and further away. As Lauren shuts the door, I march over to the keys and hold out mine. “Let’s go.”

Lauren stops me from opening the front door. “Are you sure about this? We don’t know what we’re walking in to.”

“If it’s dangerous then I’ll drive straight back but I’m tired of being lied to. He’s keeping things from me that I know I have a right to know. If this is about Strike, we should have been told all about this!” I insist and I can tell by her face that she agrees.

“Let’s do this.” Lauren nods and we race outside to the care before the prospects get here and stop us.

We slowly drive towards Marie’s house, careful to not catch up with the guys. The drive is quiet as we fear what we will find when we get there. Lauren reaches over and squeezes my shoulder as I focus on the road that Marie’s house sits on. I fucking hope her children are safe.

Lauren gasps and my eyes widen when we see the house. There are so many bikers here and all of them are with The Kings. When we park up I see some of the men hang their heads at the sight of us. I ignore them and get out the car, Baby is immediately in my face.

“Natasha, what are you doing here?” He asks sounding urgent. “You need to go home.”

“What’s happened?” Lauren asks, slowly rounding the car and taking in the scary scene in front of us.

I can’t see Devlin or Grim anywhere.

“Girls!” Come a shouting Scrappy. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“I wanted to know what’s happening.” I defend myself.

“We wanted to be here for Marie, she’s our friend.” Lauren steps up to Scrappy. “Where’s Grim?”

“Come on.” I take Lauren’s hand and we push pass the guys.

“Wait!” Baby shouts, trying to stop us.

“No.” I growl, fighting him off me. “I want to see Marie!”

“Oh god, something bad has happened hasn’t it?” Lauren tears up.

None of them answer and the men surrounding us turn quiet and look at their boots. A chill spreads over me, something has happened.

“Oh god.” I cry into my hands.

“You might want to go home and wait for Dev to come back.” Baby places his arm on my shoulder, bringing me into his body for comfort.

“Tasha?” I hear Devlin and look up to see him storming towards me. “What are you doing?”

“I had to come.” I step closer to him. “I know this has something to do with Strike, that’s why you’re not telling me, right?”

His eyes close in frustration and when he opens them I’m shocked to see tears. “I just wanted to protect you.” His kisses me sweetly and his hands feel me as if he’s grateful I’m here, even though he told me to stay at home.

“Devlin, what’s happened?” I dare to ask and by the look on his face I just know I’m going to hate what he has to say. Devlin takes both mine and Lauren’s hands and turns to Scrappy.

“Ring the prospects and explain where these two are and tell them to go and watch over Drew and Elise.” Scrappy nods, getting his phone out and doing as he asks. Devlin then leads us into the house and the first thing I see is Grim comforting a sobbing Spliff.

Oh no.

When Grim sees us he shakes his head in annoyance but rushes up to Lauren and scoops her up in his arms. I continue to look at Spliff as he cries, I didn’t even know that I was walking towards him until I’m stood right in front of him and he looks down at me.

At seeing me he sobs and wraps his arms around me. “Natasha.”

I embrace him, terrified at seeing this big strong man fall apart like this. “What’s happened?”

Spliff look up at Devlin in shock, “She doesn’t know?”

Devlin shakes his head in answer and Spliff opens his mouth to tells but, but then a gut wrenching cry erupts from the back garden.

“Mummm!” A child’s cry erupts and my heart squeezes in hurt.

“Karl.” Spliff gasps, running outside and I follow. What greets me has me frozen to the spot.

Blood is everywhere! It decorates the grass, pathway and patio. I don’t miss the two dead men in the corner, a few Kings members are stood by them. Another cry roars and I look back to where Spliff had ran too and that’s when my cries begin. Lauren runs out to join me, Grim quickly following and she too begins to cry.

“Oh no!” She screams.

I run over to Spliff as he holds a sobbing and screaming Carl in arms. Spliff is doing his best to calm his son but Carl won’t stop crying and I don’t blame the poor boy. As I look around the garden, the men who are out here lower their heads in sympathy and respect.

“Mummy!” He scrambles back to the floor, wrapping his arms around his mother’s lifeless body. “Please, I love you!”

“Travis!” Spliff calls and I see a crying teenage Travis walk out and tries to drag his brother away with his father. Travis has tears streaming down his face as he helps Spliff take Carl back inside and away from the sight of his mother dead on the floor. When they finally get him inside I fall down to where little Carl had just been, and look down at my friend. Marie was a tough chick. I fucking looked up to her and now she’s been killed in her family home. Who would do such a terrible thing? And in front of her children too.

I see a gun beside her, fallen from her hands maybe when she dropped to the floor. I look across the garden and see the two dead men on the floor are straight opposite. I hope to God that Marie is the one who killed them! Serves them right for invading a family home. It’s disgusting!

Devlin helps me up, burying me in his arms. “Who did this?” I cry.

“Natasha.” He sooths but I shake my head and point down to Marie.

“Who did this to her and don’t lie to me.” I cry.

“Devils.” Is all he says and I cry some more. Lauren begins behind me and we somehow end up holding each other as we cry beside our friend.

“Oh god Tash.” She sobs. “This is all my fault.”

“No.” I cry, totally understanding why she’s blaming herself because I’m doing the same. If The Kings hadn’t have brought us back to their home then Marie wouldn’t be dead.

The ambulance soon appears and we stand and watch as they load her onto the bed, I say a silent good bye to Marie as she passes. The strongest bitch I ever met.

“I think Spliff could use some help with the kids.” Devlin kisses me.

“Did Marie kill those men?” I ask him.

Frowning, he nods. “We think so.”

“Good.” I look over to Spliff as he stands with Travis, both crying. I walk up to him, cautious as to what I’m about to say.

“Spliff?” He turn to look at me and he looks torn on what he should do. “We can take the kids back to ours, if you wanted to go with Marie?”

Instantly his face relaxes and he grabs me in a hold. “Thank you.”

Travis goes to follow his dad but Spliff stops him. “No, you go with Natasha.”

“Dad.” Travis complains, looking at him mum going into the back of the ambulance.

“I need you to watch over your brother and sister, can you do that for me?” He asks his oldest son and without thinking, Travis nods in return.

Spliff crushes Travis against his chest and I have to look away. It’s their private moment. I follow Spliff and Travis into the house as he says bye to Carl and Lorena, but again I stay back enough that they have their own privacy.

On his way out, he quickly stops beside me and gives me a small smile. It’s sad look, but I appreciate it for what it is. He’s just thankful we’re here to help him in his terrible time. I still can’t believe what’s happened.

After the ambulance has gone, Devlin tells us to take the kids in my car and Scrappy and Baby will follow and help us out until him and Grim return. As I get into the car with Carl and Lorena, Lauren returns with Travis. He had helped pack a few things for them all, just in case.

The drive is silent as expected, even Lauren and I don’t talk. What is there to say?

When we get to the house, Lorena seems pretty attached to Lauren, so she’s carries her in while Travis and Carl trail behind. Lauren shows them around, but they’re not very talkative, hardly surprising. Lorena decides that she wants to watch a film in the front room so Lauren sees to her. I look to Travis and Carl, “What do you wanna do guys? Chill?”

“Yeah, I’m gonna go and sit in the front room with Lorena.” Travis smiles and joins Lauren and Lorena.

“What about you?” I ask Carl and he shrugs his shoulders. “You want something to eat?”

“No.” He frowns.

“How about some fresh air?” I suggest and his eyes widen.

“I don’t feel like going outside.” Oh shit, how insensitive am I?

“I’m sorry.” God I feel like crap, why can’t I just care for the boy?

“Where’s mummy?” I hear Lorena from the front room.