Chapter 14
I blinked against the sunlight as I sat on the edge of my bed. The brightness burned my eyes. But I guessed that was what happened when you only got about an hour of sleep.
Rest had escaped me when I’d returned to my room. I’d perched in my window seat, searching for Ronan, but he’d melted into the night without leaving any sign behind.
A soft knock sounded on my door.
“Come in.” My voice had a rasp to it that couldn’t be disguised.
The door opened, and Colt stepped inside. He frowned as he took in my face. “Didn’t sleep well?”
I winced. That obvious? “Need to get used to the new sounds, I guess.”
He nodded, but concern etched itself into his face. “Baldwin’s about to put out the breakfast spread. Come eat with us?”
My stomach growled loudly.
Colt chuckled. “I’m taking that as a yes.”
I pressed my palm to my stomach. “Breakfast would be good. I just need to get changed first.”
I glanced down at my attire and blushed.
My flannel pajama bottoms were threadbare and too short.
My oversized T-shirt had several holes. I’d never been embarrassed about my pajamas before because no one ever saw them.
And Colt wasn’t the only one. I’d had an entire conversation with Ronan while wearing these.
Hurrying to my feet, I scurried to my bag, pulling out my best jeans and blouse. “I’ll just change in the bathroom.”
I disappeared inside before Colt could say a thing. I made quick work of brushing my teeth and washing my face. The face wash had a fancy French name, and it smelled like roses. I followed it up with some lotion that had the same sweet-smelling scent.
I studied myself in the mirror, taking in my reflection. My red hair hung in long waves around my face. My green eyes stood out against my pale skin, and the dusting of freckles across my nose did, too. I didn’t have any makeup to disguise the dark circles under my eyes, so this would have to do.
In a matter of minutes, I was dressed and ready to go. My hand hovered over the doorknob. “Don’t be a chicken,” I hissed to myself.
I pressed down on the handle and opened the door.
Colt stood from the edge of my bed, swallowing as he took me in. “You look beautiful.”
Heat hit my cheeks. “Thanks.” I looked down at myself. “Is this okay? I wasn’t sure what we were doing today.”
“It’s perfect,” Colt assured me.
Briar let out a meow, stretching on top of her cat tower.
Colt grinned, edging a bit closer to the feline. “Looks like she’s settling in.”
Briar hissed and struck out with her claws.
He jerked his hand back. “I guess we’re not at the friendship stage yet.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. “It might take her a bit.” I nuzzled her face. “Be good. I’ll be back in a bit.”
I hurried to make my bed before we left.
“You don’t have to do that. We have staff.”
I shook my head. “They don’t need to clean up after me. I can take care of my space.” I always had.
Colt’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t argue.
When I was done, he led me out of my bedroom and shut the door behind us so Briar wouldn’t escape. “I thought we could go shopping after breakfast.”
“Shopping?”
“You’ll need new clothes for school and stuff. Baldwin’s picking up your uniforms today, but you’ll need other things.”
My fingers wove together, clenching, as we descended the stairs. “I need to get a job first. Save up some money. Do you know of any restaurants in town that might be hiring?”
Colt’s steps faltered. “I didn’t expect you to pay for this stuff.”
I halted. “You can’t just buy me things.”
“Why not? What good is money if you don’t spend it?”
“Colt…you’re already letting me stay in your house. You got me out of Louisiana. That’s enough.” He’d saved me. And I’d never forget it as long as I lived.
His jaw tightened. “I brought you into this world. The least I can do is get you some armor.”
My stomach clenched. The kids at his school would no doubt expect designer clothes and fancy cars. I swallowed hard. “I can deal with people looking down on me. I’m used to it.”
Colt took my hand. “Please, LeeLee. Let me do this for you. I’m not trying to be an ass, but getting you a new wardrobe is nothing to me. Not even a drop in the ocean.”
I worried the corner of my lip.
“Please.”
Those pleading eyes broke me.
“Okay, but nothing too crazy.”
He grinned. “Deal.”
We hurried down the stairs and into a dining room. The table was covered with more food than I could ever have imagined: scrambled eggs, toast, grits, fresh fruit, waffles, pancakes, and pastries. There were also pitchers of juice, milk, water, and what I assumed was coffee.
Three sets of eyes came to me. I instantly surveyed Ronan, looking for any signs of injury. But he didn’t even look tired. I blinked a few times, suddenly wondering if I’d dreamt the events of last night.
“Hey, Leighton,” Dash greeted with a wide smile. “How’d you sleep?”
His hair was a little wild this morning. Waves that were arranged in a haphazard display. It only added to his charm.
“Okay,” I answered.
“She’s lying,” Trace said, leaning back in his chair, balancing on the back legs. He ran a thumb along his bottom lip and toyed with his lip ring. I couldn’t help but track the movement with my eyes, wondering what it felt like.
“Trace…” Colt warned.
“What? It’s obvious. Either that or she’s been toking this morning, and she doesn’t seem the type.”
I fought the urge to curl in on myself.
Ronan kicked at the chair, sending it toppling over.
Trace scrambled, managing to land on his feet instead of his ass. “What the hell, man?”
Ronan picked up a croissant, taking a bite. “I slipped.”
Dash snorted, and Trace glared at him, then he turned that glare back to Ronan. “You drinking the Kool-Aid now? I thought you saw reason.”
He shrugged. “She’s here. Cat’s out of the bag. There’s no reason to be an asshole.”
“You’re all making a huge mistake.” Trace’s cold, violet eyes cut to me as he stalked out of the dining room.
“Well, that was fun,” Dash muttered.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly.
Colt squeezed my hand. “You have nothing to be sorry about. He’s just dealing with some stuff.”
But it wasn’t stuff that was throwing Trace off. It was me.
Dash pulled out a chair next to him. “Colt’s right. You’re not the first person he’s been this way with. When I joined the, uh, group, he thought I was going to ruin everything, too. You get used to his prickly ass.”
The tension in my chest eased a bit as I took the seat Dash offered. “I guess I’m in good company, then?”
His smile widened. “The best. What do you want to eat? Baldwin wasn’t sure what your favorites were.”
“Everything looks amazing.” My stomach growled again.
Dash laughed and heaped a serving of each dish onto my plate.
“Whoa,” I argued. “I can’t eat all of that.”
His gaze roamed over me. “You need to eat more.”
I ducked my gaze. I knew what he saw. Someone who was just a little too skinny. But that was what happened when you worked yourself to the bone and didn’t have a whole lot of money for food.
Everyone went silent.
Dash dipped his head closer to my ear. “Sorry, I just—I want to make sure you’re not hungry.”
I licked my lips, forcing a smile. “I don’t think that will be possible in this house.”
Dash’s grin was back. “Not when Baldwin’s around.”
Ronan loaded his own plate with more food than I thought it would be possible to consume. “What’s the plan for the day?”
“I’m taking LeeLee shopping,” Colt said, as he grabbed a waffle.
Ronan stilled, a serving spoon full of eggs halfway to his plate. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
“I’ll take her somewhere off the beaten path.”
Dash sent him a sidelong look. “Just make sure it’s somewhere the anchors don’t go,” he mumbled.
Anchors? What the heck was that? Colt had assured me that he wasn’t in the mafia, but what if he was in a gang?
Was I about to get myself in the middle of some turf war?
It would be just my luck to get out from under Maryanne’s torture only to end up gutted in some modern-day Capulets and Montagues war…