“Look at us getting into a panic over some clothes.”
He grins before grabbing my hand. “Come on, let’s find you something that doesn’t resemble a bin bag.”
I revel in the feel of his rough hand gripping my own. Just that simple touch makes me feel alive, like I’m shining beside him and everyone is envious because I’m touching him and they aren’t. Women stare our way as we pass, and I know they’re not looking at me. He stops suddenly. “Here,” he mutters, grabbing some jeans and holding them up. “What size are you?”
I point to the hanger with my correct size, and he swaps for them. I’ve never worn skinny jeans, always preferring the baggier ones. Next, he points to some T-shirts. They’re the kind Meli likes with slogans across the front. I shake my head and reluctantly let go of his hand so I can find something for myself. Something that won’t remind him of my twin.
“Can I help?” asks a store assistant.
“I need clothes. I’m looking to change my entire wardrobe and I have no idea where to start.” Her eyes light up like I’m her dream come true, and she beckons me to follow her as she marches through the rails of clothes, grabbing items as she passes. She then points me in the direction of the changing room. Grim looks on with a smile playing on his lips as she shoves me forward and then follows me.
“I’ll wait right out here and hand you outfits to try,” she says when I step into a small cubicle. She pulls a curtain across, and I release a breath.
I try numerous pairs of jeans with different shirts, fitted jumpers, and then she begins passing dresses my way. I show her each outfit, and if she likes it, she then forces me to go and show Grim. By the time I’m finished, I’m exhausted.
I make my way to the checkout, and she hands me bags already filled with my new clothes. I hold out my credit card, but she shakes her head. “No, ma’am, your husband already paid.”
“Oh, he’s—”
“Thanks,” says Grim, taking the bags from her. “Let’s go, my little swan.”
I follow him from the shop, confused. “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing. Mav took care of it.”
“Mav?”
“Yeah, he sent me a text saying to treat you on his card, so I did.”
I’m suspicious. Maverick never treats me, especially not to that amount of money. I’ll have to square it with him later.
GRIM
“Where the fuck have you been?” Mav demands when I step into church half an hour late. The guys all stare at me, waiting patiently for my answer.
I drop down in my usual spot and shrug. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”
Mav huffs but decides to continue with the meeting. “As I was saying, Nick Cambridge is recovering in hospital after Grim’s brutal beating.” He glances at me with a smirk. “But my dilemma is, Arthur is currently using this prick. He’s planning a big job on the casino—”
I sit up straighter. “He’s robbing the place?”
“Something like that. He’s pulling off simultaneous jobs, hitting two or three of his casinos in one go. I don’t know the details, I just know Arthur’s in a really difficult position.”
“Poor Arthur,” I mutter sarcastically.
“He thinks we should return Harriett to him.”
The men become unsettled, grumbling and complaining. “What does that make us if we send her back to a monster?” asks Ghost. “He could kill her, and that will be on us.”
“I’m with you,” says Mav. “I’ve told Arthur my answer is no. But that means we have to put the club on lockdown.”
I immediately think of Mum and not being able to check on her. “Do we need to be so extreme?” I ask. “We just need to be alert and ready for anything.”
“Maybe,” mutters Mav.
“Arthur’s our inside man. If Cambridge is gonna attack, he’ll know about it and warn us. We just gotta be smart,” I add.
“And get Hadley on the case. She can get us a court order,” suggests Gears. “The sooner we get Harriett covered, the better.”
“Okay, let’s go with it for now, but any sign of an attack and we’re locking down. I won’t risk the club.”
Mav bangs the gavel on the table, and the brothers begin to disperse. I get up, but Mav shakes his head, nodding for me to sit back down, which I do. Once the room is clear, he fixes me with his eyes. “So?”
“So?” I repeat.
“You’ve been gone for hours, and you didn’t answer your mobile. Last night was the same.”
“You told Hadley she had to take someone with her today, so she took me.”
He frowns, taking a minute to absorb that information. “You took Hadley shopping?” I nod. “Why?”
“She needed to go. Oh, and if she asks, you paid.”
He frowns deeper. “I paid? She’d never believe that.”
“She would if you agree. Brother, she needed a new wardrobe and—”
“Hold on one goddamn minute,” he interrupts, standing. “Let me get this straight. You took Hadley shopping for clothes and then you paid?”
I shrug. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Are you joking right now? This is you . . . and Hadley . . . you can’t stand her!”
“She’s not so bad now she’s older.”
Mav’s eyes widen and he stares open-mouthed. “Oh, Jesus, you like Hadley.”
I groan, standing. “I do not. Grow the fuck up.”
“You like her! You like Hadley!”
“Stop saying that. You’ve lost your mind. Maybe she’s the only one who’s fucking noticed I’m struggling, Mav. Maybe Hadley checks in to make sure I’m doing okay.”
He looks taken aback. “Am I missing something? Aren’t you okay?”
I shake my head slowly, staring hard at the ground. “No, I’m not.”
“I know you’re struggling with staying in one place,” he says.
I head for the door. “That’s not it,” I snap. “It’s just part of the bigger problem.”
I stomp out of church and take the stairs two at a time. Almost crashing into Hadley as I round the corner, she slams back against the wall. We stare at each other for a few moments, her panting in shock and me in anger. My eyes run over her lips, and for the briefest second, I wonder what they taste like. The spell is broken when I hear Mav calling my name. Hadley must sense my anguish because she opens her bedroom door and yanks me inside, slamming it closed and locking it. Then, she smiles. “You okay?”
“Not really, Hads,” I mutter.
She sits on her bed and looks up at me. “You need to talk about it?”
I wander over to the window and stare at the field stretching out for miles. “What’s the point?”
“Talking helps. Sharing a problem and all that.”
I shake my head. Truth is, I don’t have a clue what the actual problem is. “I’m just having a down day. Thanks for letting me hide in here, though. Your brother is on my back lately.”
I turn to face her as she slides back onto her bed and leans against the headboard. “You hate being back here,” she states, but I don’t reply. Part of me does, cos it brings back memories, good and bad, but lately, mainly bad. “You want to hit the road.”