“Look Dev, not that this is any of your business, but there’s nothing between me and your brother and there never will be. We’re friends and I offered to help him out.” I snap, getting right in his face.
It’s only when I stop talking and Devlin looks down at my mouth that I realise how close we are.
“What if you get hurt?” He asks, sounding honestly concerned for me.
“Why would I?” I ask, my voice lowering as the tension becomes thick between us.
“Tash, if one of these girls is a fucked up psycho and you run in with a balls to the wall attitude, they could flip.” He frowns.
“I can handle myself against a girl Dev.” I grin. “Why are you so interested anyway? Are you thinking of hiring me for my services too?”
As soon as the words come out my mouth I cringe. Shit, what did I say that for?
Devlin’s face turns smug and he snickers. “That depends on which ones you’re offering Tash.”
I take a step back, trying to clear my head of Devlin but it’s no use. It seems Devlin doesn’t want any space between us because he steps closer to me again, closing the gap and looking me straight in the eye. His dark eyes widening as he stares into my blue ones, the action causing my breath to hitch.
“If you’re offering what you do for Baby, then I don’t need that. When I have a woman, I enjoy making her come undone and scream my name, but once it’s done she’s out. No sleeping together and no cuddling, not with a random. That shit is for old ladies, and it will stay that way until I find her.”
Devlin continues to remain his eye contact and his words shake me to the bone.
“Good luck finding her.” I whisper.
Devlin tilts his head to the side, observing me. “What makes you think I haven’t found her already?”
My heart pauses, and then continues hard and fast. The way he’s looking at me, and his words, make me think he’s talking about me. He couldn’t be. We’re friends, nothing more. Sure we had that kiss when I first came here, but it was needy of me and awkward.
Devlin can’t be talking about me really, could he?
I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless. Suddenly the kitchen door bursts open, but I don’t take my eyes away from Devlin right away.
“There you are!” I hear Lauren and tear my eyes from the man in front of me and see Lauren smiling from the door. “I need your help!”
She stops smiling as she looks between Devlin and me then frowns. She takes in the scene in front of her and I haven’t a clue what she’s thinking. We must look odd, Devlin standing so close to me and staying silent.
I look at Devlin, who is still looking at me. I don’t have the slightest clue what’s going on here. I see Lauren’s eyebrows raise and her mouth begin to open, no doubt wanting to ask what’s going on.
“Bye.” I whisper to Devlin before I break away.
I quickly walk over to Lauren and take her arm in my hand, dragging her out the kitchen.
“What the fuck was that?” She asks, but I don’t answer.
I carry on walking though the clubhouse, not looking at anyone and taking Lauren with me.
“Natasha!” She shouts and I pause as we reach the front door to the clubhouse. “Are you ok?”
I take a deep breath, feeling so much calmer than I was in the kitchen with Devlin.
“Yes.” I answer and even I can hear the breathlessness of my voice.
Lauren raises her eyebrows, not believing me but I can’t answer her. I don’t even know what was happening between us.
“He caught me helping Baby and wanted answers.” Is all I can say to get her off of my back.
After a couple of seconds, Lauren slowly nods and places her hands on her hips. “Yeah, Brandon seems to be a little confused too.”
I loudly sigh and rolls my eyes. “I’m helping a friend. Perhaps I shouldn’t do it anymore.”
I don’t wait around any longer. I push open the door and walk out into the welcoming fresh air.
“Where are you going?” Lauren asks.
“I don’t know!” I shout back. Anywhere is better than here right now.
“I need your help!” She replies in a louder voice than mine. “I need an outfit for tomorrow!”
I stop in my tracks and look up to the sky. A shopping trip is just what I need right now. I spin around to look at Lauren and see she’s already smiling at me. The bitch knows me so well.
I did say I loved shopping right?
Only, I’ve forgotten why I enjoy shopping at the minute because I’ve been sat in the same place for the past forty minutes whilst Lauren has tried on every dress in the damn shop. Oh, but that’s after she dragged me around a bunch of other stores and was unsuccessful. I managed to grab myself a couple of pairs of new jeans and some fresh new Converse but that’s about it. I’ve had to help Lauren choose her perfect outfit for her job interview tomorrow.
She’s really nervous about it but I don’t know why. I already know she’s going to kick ass and ace the interview. Try telling her that though, she’s worked herself into a state of panic and the only way that’s going to calm her is to try and find a new outfit.
Lauren then steps out in a white fitted pencil skirt, with black a zig zagged pattern and a black blouse that has an unusual v neck, but it works really well.
“You look hot!” I praise when she steps out.
“You think?” She asks, sounding so unsure like all the rest.
Lauren keeps turning and looking at herself in the mirror.
“Lauren, you look gorgeous.” I assure her.
“You don’t think it’s too slutty?” She asks me.
My face goes black, I have no expression. “Seriously? After the shit Demon made us wear, and you think a blouse and a skirt that reaches your knees is too slutty?”
Lauren bites down on her lip. “Crap, sorry I didn’t think.”
I walk up close to her. “Lauren, everything you’ve tried on has been great. Get the outfit and relax. You will be fine.”
She lets out a huge breath and scrapes her long hair back with her fingers. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
After she keeps apologising and gets changed, she decides to buy the outfit, along with some extra tops and a few more jeans and we’re good to go. Finally.
As Natasha drives us back home I sit in silence, just staring out the window and listen as Natasha sings along to Maroon 5. I can’t stop thinking about Maisy. I really want to reach out to my sister, but I’m still worried that the Devils are still lurking around the corner.
I know I killed Demon, but I don’t know what’s happened to Strike and Andrew. I saw the look in Strike’s eyes when he thought he finally had me back. I saw the look of hatred in his eyes when Demon walked in and took his toy from him. Strike wants me for himself and now that I’ve killed Demon I’ve given him the go ahead. I’m just glad I have Brandon and his club to keep me safe. Without them I’d be either a miserable prisoner or dead.
“You’ll be fine.” Natasha adds in between her singing.
“Huh?” I ask as I break my stare from out the window and look to her.
“Your interview tomorrow.” She smiles. “You’ll ace it.”
I breathe a heavy sigh and lean my head back against the seat. “I hope so.”
“I fucking know so!” Natasha shouts and I have to laugh. I love this girl.
***
I wake the next morning and my belly is in knots. I am so fucking nervous for today!
I roll over onto my back and look over to Brandon, he’s still asleep. I take the chance to look him over, he’s such a gorgeous man. I’ve been a little worried about him. He’s starting to look tired and stressed. I want to ask him what’s wrong but I don’t want to over step my boundaries but another part of me is thinking that Brandon is my man and I can ask him whatever I please. I’m just worried about him.