Chapter 34
Chapter
Thirty-Four
I have spent the last couple of days getting to know the girls from the club. I know it’s not something that Wrath would want, but they approached me and initially Maria had wanted to talk to me about setting up a boudoir session. She had wanted one for her and Doc, but she didn’t think he would be too keen on the idea, so I suggested doing a solo one first and then showing him the results from it. She was reluctant at first, thinking that it was a little odd doing it on her own, but when I explained that there are so many people who have them done, she seemed to be a little more excited. I promised to show her a few photos from a couple of the shoots that I have done just to show her how natural and comfortable they can be.
As I walk into the Café a cold shiver runs down my spine. I’m being watched, it’s not Dylan. I know he’s still following me; he hasn’t hidden that fact and to be honest I quite like knowing that I have someone around if I need them. But no, that uncomfortable feeling of being watched started the day I walked back into the Café earlier in the week. I haven’t seen anyone else following me or watching me, but I know they are there. My senses have never steered me wrong before, so when I feel like I’m being watched I listen.
I glance around the room, Jess is behind the counter making a coffee, there are two older women sitting at a table in the front right by the window and there are two of the club brothers sitting at a table near the counter. As I take a look at them, they both smile. Gears and Tongue both give me a head nod and a smile before returning to their conversation. I don’t feel anything but comfortable around them both, so I know it’s not them that’s making me feel apprehensive. Not seeing anyone else around I tell myself it’s my imagination and make my way to the table at the other side of the counter and take a seat to wait for Maria.
As I flick through some of my favourite images, a cup of steaming hot tea is placed onto the table beside me, I look up just as Gears pulls out a seat opposite me, Tongue taking the seat next to me right next to the cup he just placed down.
“Hey guys. Everything ok?” I ask, uncertainty washing over me. I’m worried that they’ll tell me that I have to leave Wrath has told them to make sure I stay away. Swallowing the lump in my throat I wait for them to speak.
Gears shakes his head as he smiles. “All good love. We just thought we’d sit with you until Maria arrived if that’s ok? She’s running a little late.”
“Oh,” I breathe out in a whisper. “Of course, thank you.” Not really sure why I’m thanking them, I move to close my laptop, but Tongue stops me placing his hand over mine. I glance at him, but he gives me a warm smile and tilts the screen toward him, giving him a better view.
“Erm, Tongue?” I query, but he just winks at me and focuses back on the screen.
I’ve seen Tongue almost every day since I started coming here five days ago, and in that time, he’s only ever said a couple of words to me, in fact that’s all he’s really said at all.
He never actually engages in conversation with the other brothers or any of the women and none of the seem to mind. There’s something about him, his size is imposing, his silence intimidating. But I feel nothing but safe whenever he’s around when he’s near I feel relaxed, I feel like I can trust him. I feel like I can trust most of the brothers, but with Tongue it’s different and I can’t put my finger on what it is. I just know that whenever he’s near me I feel safe.
I let him flick through the images on my laptop as I wrap my hands around the hot cup of tea and turn to Gears.
“I’m guessing Maria is stuck at the hospital?” I ask quietly.
He gives me a smile and nod. “Yeah. They’re short staffed, she’s just waiting for a cover nurse to come in.”
I glance around the shop, sipping on my drink. Tongue continues to look through the images, while Gears sits opposite me, his gaze frequently moves around the shop, stopping for slightly longer periods on the door and out the window. If I hadn’t of spent so much time with the brothers from the Newcastle Chapter, I would think it was odd. But I’m used to this, I know that they are all a little paranoid and probably for good reason.
I finish my drink and then place my empty cup back onto the table, before leaning over to reach for my laptop. Tongue gives me a confused look.
“I’m going to head home guys. Can you please tell Maria I’ll call her later or tomorrow?”
As I push my chair back to stand so do Gears and Tongue. I reach for my laptop and grab my bag then move to make my way around the table, but Gears reaches out placing a hand on my arm stopping me.
“Give us a minute and we’ll take you home. Prospect had to do something.”
I shake my head. “It’s ok, I’m good. You don’t need to take me I don’t live far from here. It won’t take me long to walk.” I step around them and make my way to the door, I hear Gears yelling for me, but I wave him off and rush out of the door and quickly round the corner heading toward my flat.
My eyes scan the dark streets they are busier than normal, I smile when I see parents walking excited children all dressed up in all types of costumes. I forgot it was Halloween. Two small little boys come running toward me, one dressed as ghost, the other dressed as a monster.
“Trick or Treat,” they yell in unison.
I smile and bend down to their level. “Wow. You both look amazing,’ I tell them. “I’m so sorry, but I don’t have any treats to give you, I guess it’s going to have to be a trick.”
A woman, I assume is their mother comes up behind them both, placing her hands on their shoulders, she gives me a grateful smile. The boys look a little sad, then give each other a sneaky look and then they both pounce on me and yell, knocking me off my feet I fall backwards and laugh. Their mother mortified grabs at them, pulling them off from. “My God boys, stop it. The poor lady.”
The bothers turn to her, and their faces drop. “But she said trick. We’re sorry.”
“Oh,” I sigh out. “It’s my fault, I did say trick. I really don’t want to get them into trouble. I’m sorry,” I tell her as I stand.
“They’re a handful,” She replies, looking at the boys, and reaching for their hands.
I grin down at the boys and ruffle their hair. “I hope you boys get lots of sweets tonight. Happy Halloween,” I tell them and then give the mother a smile before heading off in the direction of my flat.
As I round the corner onto my street that uneasy feeling of being watched washes over me again. I slow down, letting my eyes adjust to the low lighting.
Almost every streetlight is out making it almost impossible to tell if someone is on the street, let alone if they are hiding behind any of the parked cars.
I swallow and blow out a breath, my flat is only about five hundred feet in front of me, my car sat right outside. It wouldn’t start this morning and I didn’t think it was such a big deal. I’ve walked to work a few times since I’ve been here, and it was warm enough this morning not to bother me. I forgot how dark it gets this time of the year though, and now I’m wishing that I’d called a mechanic.
As I slowly walk toward the block of flats, I hear footsteps echoing around the street. One set, or maybe two I can’t tell. I do know that my heart is pounding and the blood pumping through my ears is making it hard to concentrate.
I give a quick glance behind me but don’t see anything. Turning back, I quicken my pace, rushing toward my home, not much further. I quickly glance along the street making sure there are no cars coming as I race across the road, cutting between the cars to make it to the other side. I hear something behind me as I step onto the other side of the street, I stop and turn taking a second to look around I see nothing.
As I turn and step around a car I suck in a sharp breath, coming face to face with a masked man.
I take a step back hitting something solid. Hands grip the tops of my arms from behind and squeeze, but as I go to cry out, the man in front of me slaps a hand over my mouth stepping into my space. I’m trapped between them both.
I drop my laptop and bag as I try to fight them off. I hear them laugh as I kick and wriggle trying to free myself.
I manage to free one of my arms and swing my elbow back, catching the guy behind me in the chest. I hear him let out an, “Oomph” and he dips with the pain. Using it to my advantage I push away, trying to run, but the other guy grabs me, swinging me around and slamming me against a wall.
He grabs my cheeks with so much force I know I’ll bruise. Tears spring to my eyes and fall down my cheeks. He brings his face so close to mine, I can smell his breath, the stench of stale beer and cigarettes burn my nostrils.
His black balaclava covers every inch of his face, exposing his icy blue eyes, small round pupils. There’s something about them, deadly.
I push and punch at him trying to get him off me, but he doesn’t budge.
His eyes crinkle in the corners and my stomach begins to swirl. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to get away from these guys.