Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Parker
Appearances are everything. At least, that’s what my dad tried to instill into me. To some extent, it worked. I have designer clothes, I know how to make myself look respectable in any given situation, and if I try really fucking hard, I can say and do all the right things. I just don’t want to.
The trouble is that both of my parents are dead, and while my dad was amazing, making sure I always had everything I ever needed—albeit via nefarious means—my mum was an addict.
She snorted up any inheritance Dad left for me, which would have made this whole finding-my-brother journey a lot easier.
I mean, not getting stabbed and having to pay a dodgy doctor almost everything I had would have made this easier too, but here we are.
Unwrapping myself from the thick blanket I acquired from a couple trying to bang on the beach in the early hours of the morning, I stretch out my limbs and roll my neck.
The sunrise glittering through the trees is definitely a view I could get used to, and if the weather holds out, I could probably spend my nights here until I can get myself a job and a regular income.
For starters, I don’t know this town well enough to know all of the players, which means pulling any con jobs to get some money puts me in a dangerous position. Not to mention the stabby fuckers from months ago and the dead man in the alley…I need to lay low.
Secondly, this is the town my brother lives in.
He and his motorcycle club that I just know aren’t as legit as they look on paper.
According to my research, the club has been in this town since forever, so I can only imagine they have some kinda deal with the cops.
I don’t wanna fuck that up because I want a big brother.
However lame that may seem.
Rolling my eyes at my own internal thoughts, I take in my surroundings now that it’s daylight.
The tall trees felt like a better option than a dumpster behind the coffee shop.
The ground is mostly dirt, but where the sun is shining through the gaps in the trees, some plants are beginning to bloom.
Maybe I should pick some for my brother as a way of apologizing for blowing up his birthday with news that he has a sister and his mum is dead, then running away.
Why did I run away?
I sigh, or huff…a mixture of both. I’m annoyed at myself.
Grabbing my suitcase and backpack, I trundle through the sparse trees until I find a path leading me out of the park.
I should have just stayed and faced whatever he had to say.
Would’ve been a lot fucking warmer last night if I had.
Maybe we’d be having breakfast right now.
Actually, no. It’s like seven in the morning.
No sane person should see seven in the morning after getting absolutely smashed for their birthday the night before.
I wonder if he likes bacon sandwiches. Ooh, I hope some of that spotted dick is left over. I didn’t see anyone eating it at the party-club thing.
Eventually, the real world of buildings and roads and cars comes into view, and I realize I have no fucking idea where I am or how far I walked last night.
I take my phone out of my jacket pocket and pull up the map, thankful that I had the foresight to charge it before I did a bunk—which seems to be my M.O. at the moment.
Run the fuck away from your troubles, Parker…
Like that’ll make everything better.
It’s too fucking early to try and have another family reunion, so my first task of the day is to find a job that isn’t against the law.
The majority of my skills lie in deceit, murder, and general mayhem, thanks to my dad’s involvement with The Butcher’s gang in London.
We did some good shit too, and most of the murdered people deserved it, but preserving that kind of lifestyle can be tiresome on your own when everyone you know and love is dead.
My first thought is to try a coffee shop, but my coffee making skills are dire.
Now, a cup of tea? I can smash the shit out of that, but an American coffee…
I’m not so sure. They have machines though, don’t they?
I could press buttons. Yeah, fuck it. Let’s go with the first thought. Now where is…ah ha!
Five minutes from where I’m standing is a coffee shop that looks cute as hell in the pictures. It’s small and cozy looking, with a lot of artificial flowers lining the ceiling and walls. Bet they take a lot of dusting…pretty, though.
It feels like this place was made for me because when I arrive and see the entrance, I’m obsessed.
It’s all painted in a deep purple, almost black color, the sign writing in metallic gold.
“Full of Beans”. The dark green of the artificial flower stems gives the pretty flowers a darker edge that I am totally here for and the woman behind the counter…
well. Why aren’t we best friends already?
“Hey, what can I get you?” Her silver hair with orange tips looks like it’s on fire as she politely tilts her head.
“A job? Please? Oh, and a caramel latte.” I give her my best cheesy grin, which isn’t saying much because I’m sure my grin is more of a grimace.
“I can’t help but notice that you’re not from around here. Can you make a decent coffee?” She crosses one arm over her chest and rests the other on top, holding her chin between her thumb and forefinger.
“No.” May as well be honest. She’s bound to find out anyway…if I get a job, of course. “But I’m a quick learner and loyal as fuck…sorry.” I shrug, a little embarrassed that I probably just blew my chances because I can’t keep my gob shut and be polite without cursing. I am loyal, though.
Both of her eyebrows rise, her eyes widening right before her lips begin to curve upward and she chuckles.
“I like honesty. And I like that you don’t have a stick up your ass.” She eyes my suitcase beside me and her face softens a little. “I’m not really hiring, but I can put in a good word with the beauty salon next door, if that helps? They’re actually looking for a part-time receptionist.”
“Ohmygod, yes!”
“They will need to check that you’re actually legal to work here, of course, because you’re British, yeah?” She sets about making the latte I asked for, looking over her shoulder at me as she speaks.
“Yeah, I have proof of citizenship on me at all times.” I start digging through my backpack for the little file I stored all my important stuff inside.
The plan was always to get a job here, so I’m prepared with everything I need and I feel like I need to prove to her that I’m telling the truth.
“Found it!” I hold it in the air like a prize, so pleased with myself for not losing it.
“Well, you’re the only one who found something, because we spent hours trying to find you last night.”
“Hi, Spence, I’ll be with you in a moment.” The woman puts a cup in front of me and winks. “This one’s on me. My name’s Nero, by the way.”
Uncomfortable as fuck that she’s being so kind to me, I awkwardly smile as I put away my small file. “You really don’t have to. I can pay.” And I want to pay her, but I also really want to turn around to see Spencer and ask what he meant, exactly, about trying to find me, and why.
“I know a woman in need. Just pay the kindness forward when you can. And here.” She hands me a card.
“This is Maribel’s address. She takes in strays, just like you.
” There’s nothing vicious in her tone, and I love her brutal honesty to say what she sees.
Again…wondering why we’re not already besties.
“Thank you, Nero.” What a fucking cool name, too.
Body heat behind me reminds me of the extra person here and I turn to face him with a grin.
“Spencer.” I nod in greeting, trying really hard not to breathe all over him because I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.
“Is that it? Just, Spencer?” His pursed lips are hiding a small smile as he shakes his head. “Three hours we drove around this town looking for you. We looked everywhere. Where did you go?” There’s a little concern in his brown eyes and his brows are scrunched together now.
“You didn’t look everywhere or you would have found me.” I bat my lashes and sip my fresh latte.
“Not if you weren’t where we looked when we looked there.” He folds his arms across his chest and glances over my shoulder. “The usual please, Nero.”
“Why have you gotta throw logic in there? Who’s we, anyway?”
“Me, Grinder, and Sledge.”
My heart stops for a fraction of a second at both of those names. One, my brother was looking for me. For me. Two, Grinder was looking for me too…
But was that just because Sledge couldn’t be alone or…
“Are you and Grinder officially a thing?”
He looks surprised by my question and takes his time in answering. “No?”
I don’t know why he took his time…
“Are you asking me? Because that no sounded very much like a ‘not yet, but I’d like us to be’.”
Reading people, their actions, their subtle emotional changes; they’re all things I excel in—when it relates to other people. When it comes to myself, I pretty much think everyone hates me at some point.
“You still have a lot of questions.” He sighs and concentrates really hard on Nero making his coffee order.
“And you’re avoiding answering.”
“I should take you back to the compound or, knowing that club, Grinder will start tearing the town apart to find you.”
“That club? Aren’t you a member?” Mmm, this latte is delicious.
“No. I’m a paramedic.”
“See, that was a real no.”
“You, Miss Parker, are going to be a pain in my ass, aren’t you?” Spencer takes his coffee from Nero and nods in thanks.
“Probably. But not as much as Grinder because I get the impression vagina isn’t for you and I have no intention of using a strap on.” I smile sweetly, enjoying the look of pure shock on his face until he shakes his head, yet again.
I have a feeling he spends a lot of time doing that.
“You’re gonna fit right in. Come on.” Without waiting to see if I’m following, he pays and heads toward the door.