Page 95 of Making Choices

Like the steadfast rock he’s always been, he’s here for me in the midst of this melodrama.

And, if I had to choose a culprit for the damage done to his face, my money would be on Zeke. The cold indifference I told Nadia about apparently extends to me only. Everyone else is still a viable target for his volatile venomous side.

My grip is shaky as I grasp the front of Slash’s cut and pull him in for a tight hug. “You are a lifesaver. I hope you know that.”

“I’m whatever you need me to be… always have been if you’d been payin’ attention.”

I pull away from him as a pang of uncertainty flares in my stomach. Before I can question Slash’s weird comment, Nate comes barrelling into the garage. His face is red and sweat drips down his neck. The scowl he hits me with makes me laugh.

“Good, you’re here… get your arse inside so we can unpack your stuff properly. The guest room is gonna be stuffed to the gills with handbags and shoes. There’s like four boxes of them.”

“Put the boxes in the room next to mine.” Slash interrupts Nate’s complaining, and saves me from having to explain the importance of my shoes matching my handbags for the fifteenth time this year. “It’s got the biggest closet and ensuite bathroom, plus the mattress is brand new.”

Reaching up, I softly pinch the big man’s chin between my finger and thumb and force him to look at me. He blinks fast when I push up onto my tiptoes and, avoiding the bruises, press a kiss to his lightly whiskered cheek. “I’m going to pay you back for everything you’re doing for me… it might take me a lifetime, but I’ll manage it somehow.”

“Payback ain’t necessary.”

“I know, and that’s why it’s so important to me.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Nate grumbles. When I step away, my brother scowls at Slash. “You’re kidding, right? ’Cause I’m not carryin’ those boxes up the stairs.”

“Yeah, you are,” Slash tells him.

“Well, you’re helpin’ then, and you can carry the heaviest ones.”

“Nah.” The chuckle that falls from Slash’s mouth is part evil, part good-natured. “I’m busy.”

I don’t have time to react before he’s swept me off my feet and is holding me against his chest. It’s been two days since I managed to talk him out of carrying me everywhere, so I wasn’t expecting him to pounce on me like this.

Slapping at his chest, I command, “Put me down.”

“Nope.”

“I’m serious.”

He simply grins at me as Nate stomps off in a huff. “So am I.”

“I can walk, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.” Slash nuzzles my ear with his nose and I giggle when it tickles. “But everyone knows you secretly enjoy being treated like a duchess.”

With a nod, I concede his point, “I kinda do.”

“So, we’re really doin’ this?” he asks in a tight voice. “Bein’ housemates, I mean.”

“Well, Sander’s house is full. Nadia’s moving back in with her parents. Zeke’s banned me from the compound, and I’d rather scoop my eyes out with a rusty spoon than spend a second in my father’s presence, so I guess you’re it.” When Slash gets a weird look in his eyes again, I rush to caveat my statement. “But only until I find my own place. I have Mum’s money and a good job… and it’s past time I stood on my own two feet. You won’t be stuck with me for long.”

His strange expression intensifies, then his features turn blank, and Slash’s usual jovial nature reappears. He jiggles me in his arms. “Guess you better make the most of the perks of livin’ here while it lasts then.”

“You guessed right.” I tug on his man bun until it unwinds, then clutch his long hair like reins. “Now hurry up and take me upstairs, I want to see my room before the boys tip my stuff everywhere.”

“Your wish, my command.”

As Slash carries me up to my temporary bedroom, my head swims with one question.

Is Nadia right when she says Zeke’s playing games?

Rather than send myself prematurely insane, I push all thoughts of my ex-fiancé out of my brain and concentrate on the only things that bring me a skerrick of satisfaction right now.

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